Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. Japan and U.S. to Test Anti-Terror Box Tracking

2. WTO Appellate Body Upholds U.S. Statute on AD Sunset Reviews

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has issued a press release announcing that the World Trade Organization Appellate Body has upheld a U.S. statute on antidumping sunset reviews. The Appellate Body report reverses an earlier panel finding against the U.S. statutory provision, which gives foreign companies the choice to waive participation in certain sunset review proceedings. (USTR press release, dated 04/19/07, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2007/April/WTO_Appellate_Body_Backs_United_States_on_Key_Issue_in_Sunset_Dispute.html)

3. CBP Data Shows a Large Amount of Illegal Indonesian Timber is Imported into the U.S.

Shippers' NewsWire reports that U.S. Customs and Border Protection data show that a large amount of illegal Indonesian timber ends up in the U.S., where illegally-sourced wood is allowed entry under current law. At least 786 shipments declared as Indonesian sawn timber and logs - more than two per day - entered the U.S. in 2006, despite Indonesia's export ban on such products. (SNW, dated 04/06/07, www.americanshipper.com)

4. CBP to Accept Copies of Additional Documents When Seeking to Verify Textile and Apparel Origin

According to a March 2007 Customs Overview issued by the U.S. Association of Textiles and Apparel Importers regarding TBT-07-001 on the submission of additional documents for imported textiles and apparel, CBP will accept copies of requested documents (such as Certificates of Origin), and will seek these documents via a CBP Form 28. CBP has stated that it may request additional textile and apparel documents as part of its efforts to prevent illegally transshipped textiles and apparel from entering the U.S. (USA-ITA's Customs Overview, dated March 2007, www.usaita.com.)

5. KORUS Reported to Exclude Men's Shirts, Women's Jackets from "Yarn Forward" Rule of Origin

YonhapNews reports that when the recently negotiated South Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS) is implemented, the U.S. will immediately abolish 61% of tariffs on textiles and apparel in terms of import value, and exclude South Korea's major textile export items, such as men's shirts and women's jackets, from the yarn-forward rule. (Yonhap News, dated 045/02/07, available at http://www.keia.org/4-Current/FTASummary.pdf )

6. Textile Manufacturers Consider CV Cases Against China

According to Textile World, U.S. textile manufacturers plan to take advantage of a new government policy to consider using countervailing duties against illegally subsidized goods from nonmarket economies. (Textile World, dated 04/25/07, available at http://www.textileworld.com/News.htm?CD=5&ID=12851)

7. NAFTZ Announces Seminars on Electronic 214s in San Diego and Miami

The National Association of Foreign Trade Zones has announced that it will be holding seminars on the e-214 (electronic FTZ admission application) on May 16, 2007 in San Diego, CA and on June 20, 2007 in Miami, FL. (Seminar registration information available at http://naftz.org/index_events.php/events/49.)

8. NMFS Continues to Allow Certain Tuna from Spain to be Imported

The National Marine Fisheries Service has issued a notice stating that, effective April 1, 2007 through March 31, 2008, it has renewed the affirmative finding for Spain under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. This affirmative finding will allow yellowfin tuna harvested in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean in compliance with the International Dolphin Conservation Program by Spanish-flag purse seine vessels operating under Spanish jurisdiction to be imported into the U.S. (NMFS notice, FR Pub 04/16/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-7196.pdf.)

9. NMFS Continues to Allow Certain Tuna from El Salvador to be Imported

The National Marine Fisheries Service has issued a notice stating that, effective April 1, 2007 through March 21, 2008, it has renewed the affirmative finding for El Salvador under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. This affirmative finding will allow yellowfin tuna harvested in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean in compliance with the International Dolphin Conservation Program by El-Salvadorian-flag purse seine vessels or purse seine vessels operating under El Salvadorian jurisdiction to be imported into the U.S. (I.D. 041207B, FR Pub 04/20/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-7564.pdf)

10. CBP Re-Accredits/Re-Approves Camin Cargo Control, Inc. as Commercial Gauger & Laboratory

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a notice stating that it has re-accredited and re-approved Camin Cargo Control, Inc., of Corpus Christi, Texas, as a commercial gauger and laboratory effective November 3, 2006. CBP adds that the next triennial inspection date will be scheduled for November 2009. (Dec. 07-19, FR Pub 04/12/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-6895.pdf)

11. DHS Data Privacy and Integrity Advisory Committee to Meet May 7

The Department of Homeland Security has issued a notice announcing a public meeting of its Data Privacy and Integrity Advisory Committee on May 7, 2007 in Arlington, VA to discuss the recommendations on its proposed rule on minimum standards for driver's licenses and identification cards acceptable by federal agencies for official purposes. (DHS notice, FR pub 04/27/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-8059.pdf)