Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Journal of Commerce (JoC) has reported that freight industry officials are waiting for guidance from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) on certain air cargo security measures that are expected to go into effect soon. Among other things, JoC states that the TSA is in the process of working on a program that will allow foreign shippers to supply the TSA with information to be included in the known-shipper database. JoC notes that the TSA is also considering whether the definition of "known-shipper" should be changed to exclude shippers from outside the U.S.
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1. Industry Waits for Guidance on Upcoming Air Cargo Security Measures
The TSA recently extended the deadline for compliance with various security measures in the air cargo supply chain. In addition, the TSA has recently issued a questions and answers document on air cargo security (http://www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/layers/aircargo/steps.shtm) and an announcement about recent air cargo security changes (http://www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/layers/aircargo/07102006_changes.shtm). (See ITT's Online Archives or 10/31/06 news, 06103100, for BP summary of TSA's deadline extension for various air cargo security measures.) (JoC Pub 10/16/06, www.joc.com)
2. State Dept's Advisory Committee on Int'l Economic Policy to Meet
The State Department has issued a public notice that its Advisory Committee on International Economic Policy (ACIEP) will hold an open meeting on November 29, 2006 in Washington, DC. The meeting will focus on transformational economic diplomacy, including a discussion of U.S. international economic objectives in South and Central Asia. (Public Notice 5590, FR Pub 11/14/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-19178.pdf)
3. State Dept's Int'l Telecommunication Advisory Committee to Meet
The State Department has issued a public notice that its International Telecommunications Advisory Committee (ITAC) will hold an open meeting on December 1, 2006 in order to continue to prepare advice on the U.S.' position on ITU budget shortfalls and related matters. (Public Notice 5592, FR Pub 11/14/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-19181.pdf)
4. DHS Issues Separate Privacy Act System of Records Notice for ATS
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a notice announcing that it is issuing a separate Privacy Act of 1974 system of records for the Automated Targeting System. DHS states that the new system of records does not identify or create any new collection of information and is intended to provide additional notice and transparency regarding the ATS. The new system of records will be effective December 4, 2006, unless comments are received that result in a contrary determination. (FR Pub 11/02/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-9026.pdf)
5. AMS Requests Comments on Winter Pear Standards, Establishes Mixed Commodities Standards
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has issued two notices, the first which solicits comments by January 2, 2007 on proposed revisions to the U.S. Standards for Grades of Winter Pears, and the second which establishes voluntary U.S. Standards for Grades of Mixed Commodities. (Winter pears notice, D/N FV-06-313, FR Pub 11/02/06, available athttp://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-18504.pdf) (Mixed commodities notice, D/N FV-06-301, FR Pub 11/02/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-18514.pdf)
6. AMS Final Rule on the National Watermelon Promotion Board
The AMS has issued a final rule, effective December 4, 2006, that adopts the interim final rule that reapportioned the producer and handler membership on the National Watermelon Promotion Board. The final rule continues in effect the realignment of all seven districts under the Watermelon Research and Promotion Plan based on three-year U.S. production records for watermelons and the assessments paid in each district. AMS states that the current importer membership will not change. (D/N FV-05-704-FR, FR Pub 11/02/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-18517.pdf)
7. FSIS Announces Re-Chartering of NACMCF
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a notice announcing the re-chartering of the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF). The FSIS states that the NACMCF is being renewed in cooperation with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). (D/N FSIS-2006-0031, FR Pub 10/13/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-17036.pdf)
8. U.S. Accredited Colleges & Universities Invited to Participate in U.S. Electronic Education Fair for China
The International Trade Administration (ITA) has issued a notice announcing that U.S. accredited colleges and universities were invited to participate in the U.S. Electronic Education Fair for China by purchasing space on the initiative's internet landing page. According to the ITA, the initiative is scheduled to commence on November 19, 2006. (FR Pub 10/25/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-17868.pdf)
9. FMC Lists OTI Reissuances, Revocations and Applications
The FMC has issued three notices that either reissue ocean transportation intermediary (OTI) licenses, revoke OTI licenses, or list those applying for OTI licenses as a non-vessel-operating common carrier (NVOCC), ocean freight forwarder (FF) or NVOCC/FF OTI, as follows:
| Coastal International Logistics, LLC (FL) |
FMC (reissuances & revocations) notice (FR Pub 11/15/06) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-19307.pdf
FMC (applications) notice (FR Pub 11/16/06) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-19391.pdf
10. Various Agencies Seek Comments on Information Collections
Various U.S. government agencies are seeking comments on the following information collections for which they have requested or intend to request Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval or extension of approval (see notices for specific details):
| Agency | Information Collection | Comments Due |
|---|---|---|
| FAS | Certificate for Quota Eligibility | 01/16/07 |
| ATF | Certification of Child Safety Lock | 11/27/06 |
| TSA | TSA Web Site Usability Development: Focus Groups and Online Survey | 11/30/06 |
| FDA | Interstate Shellfish Dealers Certificate (Form 3038) | 11/13/06 |
(FAS Information Collection, FR Pub 11/14/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-9190.pdf)
(ATF Information Collection, FR Pub 10/26/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-17915.pdf)
(TSA Information Collection, FR Pub 10/31/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-18212.pdf)
(FDA Information Collection, FR Pub 10/13/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-16953.pdf)