On September 14, 2006, the Senate passed its version of H.R. 4954, the SAFE Port Act. Prior to its passage, the Senate adopted numerous amendments, including an amendment which would, according to the Congressional Record, require the Secretary of Homeland Security to ensure that all cargo containers are screened before arriving at a U.S. seaport, that all high-risk containers are scanned before leaving a U.S. seaport, and that integrated scanning systems are fully deployed to scan all cargo containers entering the U.S. before they arrive in the U.S. Before passage of H.R. 4954, the Senate rejected an amendment that would have ensured that foreign ports participating in the Container Security Initiative (CSI) scan all containers shipped to the U.S. for nuclear and radiological weapons before loading. (Congressional Record, dated 09/13/06 and 09/14/06, available at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/B?r109:@FIELD(FLD003d)@FIELD(DDATE20060913) and http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/B?r109:@FIELD(FLD003d)@FIELD(DDATE20060914).)
According to an Associated Press article, on September 7, 2006, Senators announced agreement on port security legislation which resembles legislation passed by the House of Representatives in May 2006. Since September 7, 2006, the Senate has been considering its own version of H.R. 4954, the Safe Port Act. (See ITT's Online Archives or 05/18/06 news, 06051810, for the final part of BP's summary of the House's passage of H.R. 4954.)(Associated Press article, dated 09/07/06, available at http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/ports_security;_ylt=AiR59Lax2VqUX19Hc94WH6ms0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA2Z2szazkxBHNlYwN0bQ--.
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a final rule, effective September 6, 2006, revising the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) at 15 CFR Part 736 by amending General Order No. 3 to add nine additional entities related to Mayrow General Trading.
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued an interim final rule, effective August 31, 2006, that amends the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) in order to implement the rescission of Libya's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism and to make certain changes regarding the October 2004 rescission of Iraq as a state sponsor of terrorism.
The World Customs Organization (WCO) has announced that it will hold a conference entitled, Launch of the WCO Harmonized System 2007, September 26-27, 2006 in Brussels Belgium. According to WCO, the purpose of this conference is to explore the HS and the major amendments contained in its latest version, which will be implemented from January 1, 2007. This event is aimed at Customs administrations, international organizations, the business community, economic operators, and others who have a stake in global trade issues. More information and online registration is available at http://events.wcoomd.org/hsfactsheet.htm
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has published a correction to its July 17, 2006 notice soliciting members for the Departmental Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of Customs and Border Protection and Related Homeland Security Functions (COAC). CBP is correcting its July 17, 2006 notice by deleting a paragraph under the "Committee Membership" section of the notice regarding COAC members being appointed and serving as Special Government Employees (SGEs). (See ITT's Online Archives or 07/19/06 news, 06071905, for BP summary of CBP's July 17, 2006 notice, which did not address the section now being deleted.(CBP correction, FR Pub 08/15/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-13320.pdf.)
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued an interim final rule, effective August 31, 2006, that amends the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) in order to implement the rescission of Libya's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism and to make certain changes regarding the October 2004 rescission of Iraq as a state sponsor of terrorism.
The President of the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America's (NCBFAA) has issued a letter to the Chair of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) Subcommittee in the Office of the U.S Trade Representative (USTR) calling on the administration to work closely with Congress to ensure a timely, long-term renewal of the GSP beyond its December 31, 2006 expiration date. (See ITT's Online Archives or 08/11/06 news, 06081110, for BP summary of USTR's request for comments on changes, etc. to the GSP program.)(NCBFAA letter, announcement dated 08/31/06, available via email by sending a request to documents@brokerpower.com)
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued an interim final rule, effective August 31, 2006, that amends the Export Administration Regulations (EAR)1 in order to implement the rescission of Libya's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism and to make certain changes regarding the October 2004 rescission of Iraq as a state sponsor of terrorism.
The State Department's Washington File states that while at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) 38th Economic Ministers' Meeting, the U.S. and the member countries of ASEAN signed a trade and investment framework agreement (TIFA), which is expected to facilitate market access and promote trade in key areas such as agriculture and pharmaceuticals. (Washington File Report, dated 08/25/06, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2006&m=August&x=20060825175510ASesuarK0.8261988)