Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) sources state that the Simplified Network Application Process (SNAP) will be shut down on January 15, 2007. As a result, only the newer SNAP-Redesign (SNAP-R) will be available.
The Department of Commerce (DOC) has issued a press release which states that the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) will implement a ban on the export of certain luxury goods to North Korea under United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution 1718. The press release states that regulations to implement the luxury goods ban and other steps required by Resolution 1718 will be published in the Federal Register. (See ITT's Online Archives or 10/19/06 news, 06101910, for BP summary of Resolution 1718.) (DOC press release (dated 11/29/06) available at http://www.commerce.gov/opa/press/Secretary_Gutierrez/2006_Releases/November/29_Gutierrez_Ban_on_Luxury_Goods_Stmt.htm)
According to sources at the Census Bureau's Foreign Trade Division, the final rule on the mandatory filing of export information in the Automated Export System (AES) is still delayed.
Washington Trade Daily reports that a Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) source states that although there may be a bit of a delay, BIS will not back off from its proposed rule regarding high-technology exports to China, despite spreading business opposition. The BIS official stated that under the proposed rule, companies would have to perform less scrutiny of their customers than under the current Enhanced Proliferation Control Initiative's (EPCI) knowledge rule. The report states that the proposed rule relies on a new "trusted customer" concept, which would allow exports without license to buyers that are viewed as reliable and not likely to convert the end-product to a militarily useful good. (See ITT's Online Archives or 07/18/06 news, 06071820, for the final part of BP's multi-part series of summaries on the proposed rule, with links to previous summaries.) (WTD, dated 12/15/06, www.washingtontradedaily.com)
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a notice to solicit meeting speakers and presentations for the Deemed Export Advisory Committee (DEAC), which will meet on January 22, 2007 (and again on January 23, 2007). BIS states that the meeting location will be in Santa Clara, CA, with exact details to be announced in a subsequent Federal Register notice.
The December 11, 2006 Federal Register contains the semi-annual regulatory agendas for numerous federal government agencies.
The Journal of Commerce Online reports that Senator Biden, senior Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has said that he will introduce legislation calling for billions of dollars in additional security measures, including 100% screening of containers at U.S. ports. (JoC Online dated 12/07/06, www.joc.com.)
Shipper's NewsWire reports that the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is encouraging exporters to continue making voluntary self-disclosures of possible export violations. BIS notes that while some companies have become concerned that such disclosures lead to investigations and severe penalties, these fears are mostly unfounded. (American Shipper Pub 12/06/06, www.americanshipper.com)
Shippers NewsWire reports that the Census Bureau and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are engaging in talks aimed at finalizing the rules for mandatory electronic filing of export information (i.e., mandatory Automated Export System (AES) filing). The article notes that in February 2006, DHS and CBP threatened to hold the mandatory AES regulations unless Census changed language pertaining to post-departure filing of export information (i.e., Option 4) and gave DHS and CBP the right to share U.S. export information with other governments and federal agencies. The article further notes that Census sources have stated that the new regulations will not be out soon. (SNW dated 12/06/06, www.americanshipper.com.)
The Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has posted to its Web site its annual report for fiscal year (FY) 2005 (October 1, 2004-September 30, 2005).