U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has posted to its Web site updated lists of Automated Manifest System (AMS) sea and air participants and their associated ports (if applicable), as well as non-vessel operating common carrier (NVOCC) Sea AMS participants.

In the March 31, 2004 issue of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Bulletin (CBP Bulletin) (Vol. 38, No. 14), CBP issued notices (a) detailing the dates and draft agenda for the 33^rd Session of the Harmonized System Committee, and (b) revoking two classification rulings on blackout drapery fabrics. CBP states that it is also revoking any treatment it has previously accorded to substantially identical transactions that are contrary to its position in the revocation notice.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has posted to its Web site the draft text of the U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which is dated March 31, 2004.

The State Department's Washington File reports that the Bush Administration is seeking from Congress a two-year delay of a requirement that "visa waiver countries" issue machine-readable passports that incorporate biometric identifiers. This delay would allow countries whose passport holders are not required to have a U.S. visa to enter the country to meet technical challenges of issuing passports containing biometric data, such as digital, inkles finger scans and digital photographs. (Washington File Pub, 04/02/04, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/usinfo/Archive/washfile_feature2.html)

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has published in the Federal Register three separate notices announcing the following:

On March 4, 2004, the Senate passed its version of H.R. 1047, the "Miscellaneous Trade and Technical Corrections Act of 2003."

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a final rule, effective April 6, 2004, that amends its regulations to allow a $21,000 optional bond rider to be filed with a licensed non-vessel operating common carrier's (NVOCC's) proof of financial responsibility, for such carriers serving the U.S. oceanborne trade with China.

On March 30, 2004, the Supreme Court decided that the U.S. government's authority to conduct suspicionless inspections at the border includes the authority to remove, disassemble, and reassemble a vehicle's fuel tank in order to search for terrorist weapons, drugs, and other contraband without the need to obtain a warrant or probable cause.

In the March 31, 2004 issue of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Bulletin (CBPBulletin) (Vol. 38, No. 14), CBP issued notices: (a) modifying a classification ruling on certain knit camisoles, and (b) revoking a classification ruling regarding a set top box. CBP states that it is also revoking any treatment it has previously accorded to substantially identical transactions that are contrary to its position in these notices.