In October 2003, the Coast Guard issued six final rules which adopted, with changes, a series of July 2003 interim rules that promulgated maritime security requirements mandated by the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA).

The National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America, Inc. (NCBFAA), the National Industrial Transportation (NIT) League, and the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) have submitted to the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) joint additional comments in response to the FMC's reopening of the comment period on five petitions requesting that some or all non-vessel operating common carriers (NVOCCs) be granted, variously, the ability to enter into confidentially negotiated service contracts with their customers, an exemption from establishing and publishing rate tariffs for ocean transportation, etc.

Broker Power has listed the 2004 general (column 1) duty rates for certain knit and crocheted apparel that is 70% or more by weight silk or silk waste and is subject to a silk category number (7XX).

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced that the following non-vessel operating common carriers (NVOCCs) and vessel operating common carriers (VOCCs) have become Sea Automated Manifest System (AMS) operational. According to CBP, the SCAC must be used in the entry/entry summary input to obtain cargo release via AMS. CBP notes that NVOCCs that are operational in Sea AMS are required to transmit electronic bill of lading data for all of their ports of call nationwide.

The Editor's page in the weekly Journal of Commerce opines that although the voluntary C-TPAT program has achieved much by responding swiftly to the change in national priorities that followed September 11, it may be time to move on, and work toward formalizing regulations for C-TPAT. The editorial adds that regulations may be needed as it makes little sense to require the use of smart containers through a voluntary C-TPAT program, as there is no guarantee firms will adopt them. (JoC, January 19-25, 2004, www.joc.com )

The International Trade Administration (ITA) has issued its preliminary results of the following antidumping (AD) duty administrative and new shipper reviews:

The State Department has issued a final rule, effective January 7, 2004, which amends the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) to allow a change in jurisdiction for certain quartz rate sensors (QRS) from the State Department's U.S. Munitions List (USML) to the Commerce Department's Commerce Control List (CCL) in certain circumstances only.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a proposed rule to amend its regulations at 7 CFR 319.56 on the importation of fruits and vegetables.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a notice regarding the appeals period for questions on the October 2003 Customs broker exam.