Washington Trade Daily reports that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Michael Chertoff handed over the government's responsibility for co-directing the Departmental Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of Customs and Border Protection and Related Functions (COAC) to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). According to the article, COAC's February 9, 2006 meeting was co-chaired by Acting U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Deborah Spero, while previous meetings had been co-chaired by an assistant secretary of DHS. (Washington Trade Daily, dated 02/10/06, www.washingtontradedaily.com.)
Notable CROSS rulings
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may soon implement "Phase 4", CBP's next step in enforcing mandatory advance electronic information requirements for truck carriers, as required by the Trade Act of 2002.
According to The Journal of Commerce Online, on January 24, 2006, the Department of Transportation (DOT) unveiled the outline of a national freight policy aimed at increasing capacity, reducing congestion and regulatory barriers, and protecting the environment, among other things. (JoC Online, dated 01/24/06, www.joc.com )
Washington Trade Daily reports that there is a "new momentum" evidenced in this week's negotiations between the U.S. and Vietnam on the bilateral market access agreement needed for the country's World Trade Organization (WTO) membership. The expectation is that work will accelerate in the coming weeks and that the two sides will meet again soon to continue discussions. In addition, Vietnam's National Assembly is working to pass much of the legislation needed for Vietnam to join the WTO. (WTD, dated 01/19/06, www.washingtontradedaily.com )
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently issued notices announcing the availability of a revised compliance policy guide on prior notice (PN) of imported food as well as the second edition of a questions-and-answers (Q&A) document regarding the final rule on establishment and maintenance of records under the Bioterrorism Act.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published its semi-annual regulatory agenda, which contains certain U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulatory rulemakings (rulemakings).
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued an administrative message stating that the main office building in the Port of Buffalo, NY will be moved from the Dulski Federal Building to the Larkin Building, 726 Exchange Street, Suite 400, Buffalo, NY 14210. As a result, a snow day will be granted for the closure of the port on October 21, 2005 to accommodate the move to the new location. (Adm: 05-1190, dated 10/14/05, available at http://www.brokerpower.com/cgi-bin/adminsearch/admmsg.view.pl?article=2005/2005-1190.ADM )
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a proposed rule which would amend its regulations at 21 CFR Part 589 in order to prohibit from use in the food or feed of all animals certain high risk cattle materials that can potentially carry the Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy- (BSE, also known as "mad cow disease") infectious agent.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has posted to its Web site various materials related to presentations made at the September 26-29, 2005 meeting of the Trade Support Network (TSN).
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a final rule, which effective October 28, 2005, expands the tariff publication exemption provided to non-vessel operating common carriers (NVOCCs) in NVOCC Service Arrangements (NSAs), by allowing NVOCCs and shippers' associations with NVOCC members to act as shippers in NSAs.