Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Journal of Commerce (JoC) reports that ocean carriers are strongly opposed to a security fee of $1 per foot of vessel length proposed by the South Carolina State Ports Authority. According to JoC, the charge will take effect in July and is expected to bring in $1 million to cover increased security costs. (JoC Pub 03/15 - 21/04, www.joc.com)
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1. Carriers Object to Port-Security Fee Proposed by South Carolina
2. U.S. Unveils Arizona Border Control Initiative to Stop Terrorist Activities, Etc.
The State Department's Washington File reports that the Bush Administration has unveiled the Arizona Border Control (ABC) initiative to detect and deter terrorist activities and illegal smuggling of people and drugs at the international border between Mexico and the U.S. state of Arizona. Among other things, unmanned aerial vehicles and an increased number of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft will be employed to increase border surveillance. (Washington File Pub 03/17/04, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2004&m=March&x=20040317155741AEneerG0.4734766&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html)
3. FDA Docket, Public Meeting on Prescription Drug Imports
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), on behalf of the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS') Task Force on Drug Importation, has established a docket to receive information and comments on certain issues related to the importation of prescription drugs. The FDA also states that a public meeting will be held on April 14, 2004 in order to obtain information for consideration in the study mandated by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003. (D/N 2004N-0115, FR Pub 03/18/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-6145.pdf)
4. AMS Reopens Comment Period on Possible Changes to U.S. Standards for Greenhouse Tomatoes
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has announced that the comment period on possible changes to the U.S. Standards for Greenhouse Tomatoes is reopened and extended to March 31, 2004 (from February 9, 2004). AMS states that the possible revisions include amending the method for determining percentages from a weight to count basis, and changing the size classifications from ounces to diameter. (D/N FV-04-301, FR Pub 03/16/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-5990.pdf)
5. NAFTA Panel Affirms ITA's Remand Results on Mexico Gray Portland Cement and Clinker, Panel Review Completed
The International Trade Administration (ITA) has issued a notice announcing the completion of a North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) binational panel review of the ITA's final remand determination for gray portland cement and cement clinker from Mexico (Secretariat File No. USA-MEX-99-1904-03). On January 22, 2004, the NAFTA binational panel affirmed the ITA's final remand determination and, as no request for extraordinary challenge was filed, the panel review was completed effective March 4, 2004. (FR Pub 03/11/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-5491.pdf)
6. CPSC Announces Launch of National Poison Prevention Week
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a press release announcing the launch of National Poison Prevention Week. The CPSC's press release discusses unintentional poisoning, child-resistant packaging, etc. (CPSC press release 04-097, dated 03/16/04, available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml04/04097.html)
7. Recent CPSC Press Releases on Recalls
The CPSC has issued separate press releases (dated 03/02/04-03/18/04) announcing that the following companies, in cooperation with the CPSC, are voluntarily recalling the products listed below: (Press releases available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerelmar04.html)
| Product | Recalled by | Release |
|---|---|---|
| Children's rings | Brand Imports LLC (AZ) | 04-090 |
| Wagner cordless drill charger base | Wagner Spray Tech. Corp. (MN) | 04-091 |
| Space heaters | Lasko Products Inc. (PA) | 04-094 |
| Fire engine pull-along toys | FAO Schwarz Inc. (PA) | 04-095 |
| Steam buggy deluxe | Tristar Products Inc. (NJ) | 04-539 |
| Electric hand-held hair dryers | Lado Co. of America (NY) | 04-540 |
| Electric hand-held hair dryers | Light Distribution Inc. (FL) | 04-541 |
| Char-Broil gas grills | Char-Broil (Distributor)/Grand Hall Enterprise Co., Ltd. (Taiwan)(Gauge Manufacturer) | 04-096 |
| Heavy duty portable industrial cord reel | Harbor Freight Tools (CA) | 04-542 |
| Timex outdoor appliance timers | Salton, Inc. (FL) | 04-092 |
| Sun-sational electric heater | Lakewood Engineering & Manufacturing Co. (IL) | 04-098 |
| Alabaster wall sconce lights | Brass Light Gallery Inc. (WI) | 04-099 |
| Encore! home entertainment wall units | APA Marketing Inc. (CA) | 04-100 |
| Real Essence votive candles | Bath & Body Works and The White Barn Candle Company (OH) | 04-101 |
8. Various Agencies Seek Comments on Information Collections Submitted to OMB
The following agencies have submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), for review and approval/clearance the following information collections:
| Agency | Information Collection | Comments Due |
| CPSC | Residential Fire Survey | within 30 days of 03/01/041 |
| CBP | Distribution of Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset to Affected Domestic Producers | 04/02/042 |
| CBP | Land Border Carrier Initiative Program (CBP Form-3299) | 04/02/042 |
| FEMA | State Administrative Plan for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program | 04/02/043 |
1 FR Pub 03/01/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-4414.pdf
2 FR Pub 03/03/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-4727.pdf
3 FR Pub 03/03/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-4673.pdf
9. Various Agencies Seek Comments on Information Collections
The following agencies are seeking comments on the following information collections:
| Agency | Information Collection | Comments Due |
| APHIS | Exotic Newcastle Disease; Importation of Poultry Meat and Products and Live Poultry from the Mexican States of Campeche, Quintana Roo, and Yucatan | 05/03/041 |
| BIS | Special Comprehensive License (BIS-748P and BIS-752P) | 04/30/042 |
| BIS | Procedures for Acceptance or Rejection of a Rated Order | 05/10/043 |
| BIS | Procedure for Voluntary Self-Disclosure of Violations of the EAR | 05/10/044 |
| CPSC | Amended Interim Safety Standard for Cellulose Insulation | 05/03/045 |
| ITA | Advocacy Quality Assurance Survey | 05/03/046 |
| ITA | Non-Tariff Barriers Survey (ITA-4150P) | 05/10/044 |
1 FR Pub 03/02/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-4589.pdf
2 FR Pub 03/01/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-4419.pdf
3 FR Pub 03/10/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-5320.pdf
4 FR Pub 03/10/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-5319.pdf
5 FR Pub 03/03/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-4696.pdf
6 FR Pub 03/03/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-4708.pdf