The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a notice requesting comments on a petition it received requesting the imposition of export monitoring and export controls on copper scrap and copper-alloy scrap.
In the April 21, 2004 issue of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Bulletin (CBP Bulletin) (Vol. 38, No. 17), CBP issued notices: (a) modifying or revoking four classification rulings on glass-beaded artificial fruit and foliage, and (b) modifying a classification ruling on ink jet printer cartridges. 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.
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has issued a proposed rule which would exempt any person who produces (as defined by AMS) and markets solely 100% organic products from paying assessments to any research and promotion program administered by AMS.
Reuters reports that U.S. officials have warned Asia to be on guard against terror attacks in crowded sea lanes, such as the Malacca and Singapore Straits, and in financial centers, such as Hong Kong. According to Reuters, the U.S. warnings coincided with a threat to attack Asia-Pacific countries that have backed the U.S.' war on terror. (Reuters Pub 04/22/04, available at http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=4904596)
| Intellectual property issues | 04/29/04 | Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, and the Judiciary; Senate Committee on Appropriations |
| Counterterror initiatives and concerns in the terror finance program | 04/29/04 | Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs |
| International trade and pharmaceuticals | 04/27/04 | Subcommittees on International Trade and Health Care; Senate Committee on Finance |
| Agricultural Trade Negotiations | 04/28/04 | House Committee on Agriculture |
| International Aspects of Fish and Wildlife Conservation and Management | 04/29/04 | Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans; House Committee on Resources |
| Fiscal Year 2005 National Institute of Standards and Technology Budget: Views from Industry | 04/28/04 | Subcommittee on Environment, Technology, and Standards; House Committee on Science |
| Trade with sub-Saharan Africa and H.R. 4103, AGOA Acceleration Act of 2004 | 04/29/04 | Subcommittee on Trade; House Committee on Ways and Means |
| From Rail to Air: The Transportation Security Administration's Progress in Enhancing Homeland Security | 04/29/04 | Subcommittee on Infrastructure and Border Security; House Select Committee on Homeland Security |
On April 1, 2004, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a first set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and responses regarding the mandatory advance electronic information requirements for inbound air cargo.
On April 21, 2004, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to cooperate in ensuring the quality, safety, and proper labeling of certain consumer products.
The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA) has issued two notices containing its determinations that, effective April 23, 2004, certain woven fabrics classified in HTS 5210.11 and in HTS 5513.11 and 5513.21, used in the production of women's and girls' blouses, cannot be supplied by the domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner under the U.S.-Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA).
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a notice requesting comments by May 17, 2004 concerning the issues raised by the U.S.' March 18, 2004 request for World Trade Organization (WTO) consultations with China regarding its value-added tax (VAT) on integrated circuits (ICs).
Travel Warnings are issued when the State Department decides, based on all relevant information, to recommend that Americans avoid travel to a certain country. The following has been issued since BP's most recent update: