The Journal of Commerce Online (JoC Online) has reported that the Indian government has issued new rules requiring ocean carriers and airlines to file import cargo manifests in advance. According to JoC Online, these rules, effective February 18, 2004, are similar to the 24-hour anti-terror rule created by the U.S. (JoC Online, 01/06/04, www.joc.com)
The White House has issued a press release stating that on December 30, 2003, President Bush approved the designation of the following 37 sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries as eligible for tariff preferences under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA):
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has published a final rule which amends the Customs Regulations effective January 5, 2004 regarding the advance electronic presentation of information pertaining to cargo (sea, air, rail, or truck) prior to its being brought into, or sent from, the U.S. (See final rule for compliance dates for each transportation mode.)
The State Department's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) has announced that it will be providing live Web seminars and on-line training tutorials in order to familiarize registered industry users on the licensing process to be introduced with the advent of the D-TRADE licensing system in January 2004.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued an interim final rule and a notice, both effective January 5, 2004, which announce the establishment of the U.S.-Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology Program (US-VISIT) and detail the requirements for the first phase of this program.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a notice announcing that the Special Bill programming (new non-vessel operating common carrier (NVOCC) and Master vessel operating common carrier (VOCC) bill types) for Sea Automated Manifest System (AMS) participants will be moved into production (i.e., implemented) during the normally scheduled system outage on Saturday, January 10, 2004, 11:00 p.m. EST - 3:00 a.m. EST.
The ITA states that it will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to allow, at the option of the importer, the posting of a bond or security in lieu of an AD cash deposit, for entries of subject merchandise exported by Shanyang and produced by Kaifeng.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Homeland Security officials don't plan to drop the orange alert just yet, stating that the terrorist threat is still high after the holidays. (WSJ, dated 01/06/03, www.wsj.com )
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has recently posted to its Web site certain new Trade Support Network (TSN) committee Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) user requirement recommendations and ACE Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) message drafts.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued separate notices on the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement's (UCFTA) 2004 Tariff Preference Levels (TPLs) for imports from Chile of certain cotton and man-made fiber (MMF) apparel goods and certain cotton/MMF fabric goods, as described below.