The House Ways and Means Committee has issued a press release and summary regarding three of the trade provisions which were included in the recent agreement reached on the Farm Bill (H.R. 2419).
The International Trade Administration has issued a notice requesting comments on its 2007 calculation of expected non-market economy (NME) wages for use as the surrogate value for direct labor in antidumping proceedings involving NME countries.
1. CBP Posts PEA FAQ and Revised PSA Sample Form
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted a notice entitled Notice of Examination: April 2008 Customs Broker Examination, which announces that the next customs broker license exam will be held on Monday, April 7, 2008.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued its Performance and Accountability Report for Fiscal Year 2007 which contains certain performance data concerning CBP's progress in achieving, among other things, the six strategic goals that are set forth in CBP's Strategic Plan for FYs 2005-2010.
The Journal of Commerce reports that the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have decided to postpone consideration of the employee-driver mandate in their Clean Air Action Plan due to questions raised by the Federal Maritime Commission and the Maritime Administration. (JoC, dated 01/07/08, www.joc.com)
On Monday, January 14, 2008, the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach approved a new cargo fee that will generate $1.4 billion for transportation projects to improve traffic flow and air quality in the harbor area. The fee will be in addition to the one approved in December to help fund the ports' Clean Trucks Program. (www.polb.com, www.portoflosangeles.com )
American Shipper reports that the Department of Homeland Security intends to require international containers entering the country to be secured with a standard bolt seal by October 15, 2008. (American Shipper, dated 12/18/07, www.americanshipper.com)
American Shipper reports that changes made to the World Customs Organization's Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade (SAFE Framework) would have the acting party (i.e., the carrier) take over responsibility for the advanced declaration of information rather than the importer. (American Shipper, dated 12/19/07, www.americanshipper.com)
The Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General has issued a report containing an independent audit conducted by KPMG LLP that addresses the strengths and weaknesses of U.S. Customs and Border Protection's fiscal year 2007 internal financial controls.