The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA) has issued a notice stating that, effective April 6, 2004, the above-listed Macau categories were reduced for carryforward used.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a proposed rule that would amend the definition of "customs officer" for the purpose of eligibility for overtime compensation and premium pay. In addition, the proposed rule would make a conforming change to the definition of "immigration officer."

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued an ABI administrative message stating that the programming for the ABI "HN" border cargo release application will be modified to no longer allow the transmission of a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) entry type "06."

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued its third version (dated April 2, 2004) of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and responses regarding its final rule requiring the advance electronic presentation of information pertaining to cargo (sea, air, rail, or truck) prior to its being brought into, or sent from, the U.S.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has posted additional information to its Web site regarding the April 1, 2004 statistical changes to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) for certain men's and boys' cotton T-shirts and certain other garments classified in HTS 6109.10.00.

Shippers' NewsWire reports that the World Customs Organization (WCO) has finalized a set of recommendations on the advance electronic submission of cargo information for all transport modes, which the WCO task force on security will present to the council in June 2004 for adoption. The article notes that in the U.S., the guidelines are already in the process of implementation. (SNW dated 04/06/04, www.americanshipper.com)

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a document entitled, Compliance Summary Information: Prior Notice, which describes prior notice (PN) submissions received during the first two months after the interim final rule requiring prior notice of imported foods became effective December 12, 2003.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced the following Air Automated Manifest System (AMS) expansions:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) lists on its Web site its top intellectual property rights (IPR) seizures by top trading partner and commodity for fiscal year (FY) 1999 through FY 2003.

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued three orders in response to petitions filed with the FMC by three Chinese carriers requesting to be exempt from certain provisions of Section 9(c) of the Shipping Act of 1984 (46 USC app. 1708) (Controlled Carrier Act), which would enable the petitioners to reduce tariff rates immediately, rather than be subject to the 30-day waiting period prescribed by the Controlled Carrier Act.