Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. CA Governor Vetoes Bill that Would Have Made it Harder for Terminal Operators to Withhold Equipment from Truckers

2. DOT Announces New Entrant to U.S.-China Air Cargo Market, 3 Current Carriers to Receive Additional Flights

The Department of Transportation (DOT) has formally announced the selection of Polar Air Cargo as a new entrant in the U.S.-China aviation market, and that the three all-cargo carriers currently serving China (FedEx, Northwest Airlines and UPS) will receive additional flights to expand their services. (DOT 191-04, dated 10/18/04, available at http://www.dot.gov/affairs/dot19104.htm)

3. New EU Trade Rules to Hit China and India

According to TheWall Street Journal (WSJ) on October 20, 2004, India and China will be the main losers when the European Union (EU) proposes canceling its tariff discounts to these exporters and redistributing their benefits to needy countries. The article states that these changes are triggered in part by the EU's worry about the imminent abolition at the end of this year of a global quota system on textiles. WSJ Pub 10/20/04, www.wallstreetjournal.com)

4. AAEI Announces Data Collection Project Regarding Customs Exams

The American Association of Exporters and Importers (AAEI) has announced that it is hosting an industry-wide data collection among international trade and industry associations to document the impact of Customs exams on American business and industry. AAEI states that it is asking all of its members affected by changes in Customs exams, practices and policies to participate in this project. AAEI states that it is supporting the project by providing the data collection instrument on its Web site (www.aaei.org). (AAEI notice, dated 10/25/04, available at www.aaei.org/about/exam_survey.html.)

5. Export-Import Bank Application to Finance Export of U.S. Equipment to Israel

The Export-Import Bank of U.S. has issued a notice stating that it has received an application to finance the export of approximately $35 million in U.S. equipment to a polypropylene production facility in Israel. (FR Pub 10/20/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-23445.pdf

6. ITA Receives Application for Export Trade Certificate of Review

The International Trade Administration (ITA) has issued a notice announcing that it has received an application for an Export Trade Certificate of Review from Rocky Mountain Instrument Company, a manufacturer of full spectrum, ultraviolet through far infrared, laser, and imaging optical components, assemblies and electro-optical systems. Written comments should be submitted within 20 days of October 20, 2004. (FR Pub 10/20/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/E4-2724.pdf)

7. EPA Extends Comment Period on Classification & Labeling of Chemicals "White Paper"

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a notice extending the comment period for its White Paper entitled, The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals: Implementation Planning Issues for the Office of Pesticide Programs. The comment period has been extended by 45 days to December 6, 2004 (from October 25, 2004). (FR Pub 10/22/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-23836.pdf)

8. U.S. Travel and Tourism Promotion Advisory Board Meeting

The U.S. Travel and Tourism Promotion Advisory Board has announced that it will hold a public meeting on October 26, 2004 on its updated design and pending development and implementation plans of an international marketing and advertising campaign for tourists from the United Kingdom. Written comments concerning Board affairs may be submitted. (FR Pub 10/06/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/E4-2500.pdf

9. BIS Announces Settlement Agreements For Various EAR Violations

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued press releases announcing that it has reached settlement agreements with the following companies and individuals in regard to certain alleged violations of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (see press releases for complete details, such as civil penalty suspension agreements):

settlement agreement includes implementation of an export management system

These and other BIS press releases are available at www.bis.doc.gov/news/index.htm

10. Various Agencies Seek Comments on Information Collections

The following 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 (see notices for specific details):

¹FR Pub 10/08/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-23041.pdf (scroll down to APHIS documents)

²FR Pub 10/14/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-23041.pdf

11. Foreign-Trade Zones Board Action

The Foreign-Trade Zones Board (FTZB) has issued the following notice of recent FTZB actions:

FTZB notice (FR Pub 10/20/04) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-23476.pdf