The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a notice, effective October 31, 2005, announcing that it has updated it Unverified List by adding five entities.
The Journal of Commerce reports that the European Commission (EC) is in the final steps of changing its customs code to carry out the supply-chain security goals that the European Parliament agreed to in April 2005. The final draft of the regulations, which is expected to include the creation of an Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) certification, should be available by early 2006. (JOC, dated 10/17/05, www.wsj.com )
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a notice stating that it is reviewing the "foreign policy-based" export controls in the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to determine whether they should be modified, rescinded or extended.
The State Department has issued a notice announcing that effective October 11, 2005, the Secretary of State designates the Moroccan Islamic Combatant Group, aka Groupe Islamique Combattant Marocain (GICM) as a foreign terrorist organization pursuant to section 219(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. (State Dept Public Notice 5203, FR Pub 10/11/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-20341.pdf.)
The Wall Street Journal reports that U.S.-China textile talks could resume in Beijing this week. According to the article, a person close to the U.S. textile negotiation team said exact dates have not been fixed for the coming round of talks, but said they would likely occur October 14-15, 2005. (WSJ, dated 10/07/05, www.wsj.com )
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a final rule which amends the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), effective September 16, 2005, by making certain revisions and clarifications.
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a final rule, effective August 30, 2005, which implements the following:
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) reports that on August 16 & 17, 2005, the U.S. and China held negotiations on a broad bilateral textile agreement. HKTDC states that negotiations are expected to resume and it is possible that the countries could agree to some type of documentation system similar to the Electronic Visa Information System (ELVIS) mechanism. HKTDC states that the lack of such a system was partly to blame for the very rapid embargoes experienced by a number of Chinese products in 2005. (HKTDC Pub 08/22/05, available at http://www.tdctrade.com/alert/us0516.htm)
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a final rule, effective August 5, 2005, which amends the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to implement the understandings reached at the April 2005 plenary meeting of the Australia Group (AG). This final rule also updates the list of countries that currently are States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).
The Journal of Commerce reports that PierPASS has shown early success in shifting Southern California port traffic to off-peak hours. According to the article, if cargo volumes continue to increase at less than 5% over 2004 and shippers patronize the off-peak gates, Los Angeles and Long Beach may enjoy a congestion-free peak season in 2005. (JoC, dated 08/08/05, www.joc.com.)