U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has posted to its Web site an updated version of its document entitled "User Fee Decals and Transponders."
On October 4, 2006, President Bush signed into law H.R. 5441, the fiscal year (FY) 2007 appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection) (Public Law (P.L.) 109-295). According to a DHS press release, H.R. 5441 provides for (partial list): improved border security; enhanced port, container, and cargo security; increased transportation funds; etc. See future issue of ITT for details on H.R. 5441.(DHS press release, dated 10/04/06, available at http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/display?content=5957.)
The Journal of Commerce Online reports that the Secretary of Homeland Security has said that federal security officials will have "zero tolerance" for port terminal operators who violate cargo search requests. The article notes that new port security funding legislation gives DHS the authority to go after terminal operators who intentionally or mistakenly allow suspicious cargo to leave the docks. (JoC Online, dated 10/03/06, www.joc.com.)
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a notice announcing that it is delaying the effective date of its August 30, 2006 interim rule which would amend 9 CFR Part 93 to restrict the importation of live fish, fertilized eggs, and gametes of fish species that are susceptible to spring viremia of carp (SVC).
The Washington File reports that the U.S. and China's 2006 Energy Policy Dialogue discussions focused on how each country defines energy security and the value of strategic petroleum reserves. The U.S. impressed upon China the need to establish strategic petroleum reserves in a manner that is consistent with international standards. The Washington File explains that the U.S.-China Energy Policy Dialogue was created in 2004 and serves as a forum to discuss areas for energy cooperation between the two countries. (Washington File Pub 09/20/06, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2006&m=September&x=20060920174929ajesrom0.4380609)
The Los Angeles Times reports that siding with business and shipping, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a bill on September 22, 2006 that would have assessed $60 for a typical 40-foot container. The collected fees would have been used to fund improvements in security, expand rail networks and reduce air pollution at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. (LA Times, dated 09/23/06, available at http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-port23sep23,1,1267015.story?coll=la-headlines-business )
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued an interim rule that amends 9 CFR Part 93, effective September 29, 2006, to restrict the importation into the U.S. of live fish, fertilized eggs, and gametes of fish species that are susceptible to spring viremia of carp (SVC)1, a serious contagious viral disease of carp.
The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a press release announcing that it is prohibiting the entry of potatoes and other products from the province of Quebec due to the detection of the golden nematode (GN), a serious pest of potatoes that does not pose a threat to human health.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a final rule, effective October 23, 2006, which amends 7 CFR Part 352 in order to allow untreated oranges, tangerines, and grapefruit from Mexico to be moved overland by truck or rail to Corpus Christi and Houston, TX, for export to another country by water. APHIS is also requiring that untreated oranges, tangerines, and grapefruit from Mexico transiting the U.S. for export to another country be shipped in sealed, refrigerated containers and insect-proof packaging and via routes that avoid citrus production areas.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued an interim rule which will amend 7 CFR Parts 319 and 354, effective November 24, 2006, by removing the exemptions from agricultural quarantine and inspection (AQI) user fees for commercial vessels, commercial trucks, commercial railroad cars, commercial aircraft, and international air passengers, which enter the U.S. from Canada.