The Journal of Commerce reports that non-vessel-operating common carriers (NVOCCs) have much to gain and lose in the outcome of Norfolk Southern Railway vs. Kirby which will be heard by the Supreme Court this fall. On the one hand, NVOCCs could win affirmation of their status as ocean carriers, not agents of shippers. On the other, the court's decision could open the door for shippers who have tendered cargo to an NVOCC to only be bound by the terms of the NVOCC's bill of lading, and therefore be free to collect full damages from any party in the supply chain. (See ITT's Online Archives or 03/29/04 news, (Ref:04032999 for earlier summary.)(JoC, dated March 22-28, 2004, www.joc.com )
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) lists on its Web site its top intellectual property rights (IPR) seizures by top trading partner and commodity for fiscal year (FY) 1999 through FY 2003.
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued three orders in response to petitions filed with the FMC by three Chinese carriers requesting to be exempt from certain provisions of Section 9(c) of the Shipping Act of 1984 (46 USC app. 1708) (Controlled Carrier Act), which would enable the petitioners to reduce tariff rates immediately, rather than be subject to the 30-day waiting period prescribed by the Controlled Carrier Act.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a notice announcing that the interest rates for the third quarter of fiscal year (FY) 2004 (April 1, 2004 - June 30, 2004) for overpayments and underpayments of Customs duties are:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced the following Air Automated Manifest System (AMS) expansions:
| Proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2005 for foreign operations | 04/08/04 | Subcommittee on Foreign Operations; Senate Committee on Appropriations |
| U.S. Coast Guard activities | 04/07/04 | Subcommittee on Oceans, Fisheries and Coast Guard; Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation |
| Safety concerns of America's Mass Transportation System | 04/08/04 | Senate Committee on the Judiciary |
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has published in the Federal Register three separate notices announcing the following:
On March 4, 2004, the Senate passed its version of H.R. 1047, the "Miscellaneous Trade and Technical Corrections Act of 2003."
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has posted to its Web site the draft text of the U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which is dated March 31, 2004.
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a final rule, effective April 6, 2004, that amends its regulations to allow a $21,000 optional bond rider to be filed with a licensed non-vessel operating common carrier's (NVOCC's) proof of financial responsibility, for such carriers serving the U.S. oceanborne trade with China.