CBP has posted a summary of changes to the Automated Export System (AES) Trade Interface Requirements (AESTIR) on its Web site, indicating that Version 1.0 was changed on March 9, 2006 as follows:
According to washingtonpost.com, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) company, Dubai Ports World, that was attempting to take over the management operations [of certain terminals] at six U.S. ports, has announced that it will divest itself of all American interests. According to the article, it was not immediately clear how the divesture would be handled or what U.S. company would take over the operation. (03/09/06, www.washingtonpost.com )
The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) has issued a press release stating that its comprehensive review of global trade figures shows that China is racing towards monopoly status in apparel categories that were not covered by quotas in the U.S. and the European Union (EU) in 2005. According to NCTO's analysis, if China continues at its current pace, it will achieve a 70% import share in the U.S. and the EU in these categories within the next 15 months. (NCTO press release, dated 03/02/06, available at http://www.ncto.org/newsroom/pr200602.asp.)
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a final rule, effective February 24, 2006, in order to amend the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) by adding two cross-references to the General Order Implementing the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Act (Syria General Order).
The Wall Street Journal reports that as China's trade clout grows, its manufacturers are increasingly running afoul of Western anti-trust law in products from Vitamin C (where half a dozen civil antitrust suits have been filed against Chinese manufacturers) to magnesite - a mineral used in steel production. According to the article, these anti-trust accusations are the result of Chinese companies forming alliances to raise prices - a effort to stave off dumping accusations. (WSJ, dated 02/10/06, www.wsj.com )
The U.S. Association of Importers of Textiles and Apparel (USA-ITA) has announced that it will hold a seminar on March 2, 2006 in New York City entitled, Detentions & Seizures: They're Back! The seminar will address many of the issues surrounding detentions and seizures that have arisen now that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) production verification teams have resumed their visits to factories in Hong Kong and Macau. Additional information is available at www.usaita.com
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a proposed rule that would allow pink and red tomatoes grown in approved registered production sites in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama to be imported in the U.S. without treatment. 7 CFR 319.56-2dd sets forth administrative instructions allowing the import of tomatoes from countries where the Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly, Ceratitis capitata) is present. The proposed rule would add a new paragraph at 7 CFR 319.56-2dd(f) to set forth administrative instructions concerning the import of such tomatoes from these countries. Written comments must be received on or before April 7, 2006. (D/N APHIS-2006-0009, FR Pub 02/06/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-1553.pdf)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has posted to its Web site a notice describing the various Automated Export System (AES) partnership agency interfaces.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has posted to its Web site a notice describing the various Automated Export System (AES) partnership agency interfaces.
American Shipper reports that in President Bush's proposed budget for fiscal year (FY) 2007, which was sent to Congress and made public on February 6, 2006, funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) would be up 6% from the budget request from last year, with most of the difference earmarked for immigration enforcement and emergency preparedness. The article reports that requested funding would stay flat, compared with the budget request for last year, for border security programs such as the Container Security Initiative (CSI) and the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT). (AS, dated 02/07/06, www.americanshipper.com )