Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. CBP is Optimistic that Shutdown of ACE Release 4 Truck Manifest Pilot is "Temporary"

2. FDA/CBP to Attach Information Sheets to Commercial Food Shipments Accompanying a Traveler, Etc. for Which PN Has Not Been Submitted

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that it or U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may attach Information Sheets to shipments of food that appear to be intended for commercial purposes and arrive as baggage accompanying a traveler, by international mail, or by another method of shipping but prior notice (PN) has not been submitted as required. These Information Sheets are intended to educate individuals that FDA and CBP will enforce the requirement for PN on future shipments of food for commercial purposes notwithstanding the method of shipping.

Sample Information Sheets include: "Information about International Mail shipments of food subject to prior notice requirements"; "Information about Commercial Shipments of food subject to prior notice requirements with Non-Commercial Shippers"; and "Information for International Travelers who are carrying or otherwise accompanied by an article of food subject to prior notice provisions." (FDA notice, dated December 2004, available at http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/pn/pninfo.html)

3. FDA Policy on PN Submission for Gifts of Food Sent to Friends and Family

The FDA has issued a notice entitled, "Sending Gifts to Your Friends and Family: Prior Notice Policy" which discusses the FDA's policy for submission of PN for food imported for non-commercial purposes with a non-commercial shipper. (FDA notice, dated December 2004, available at http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/pn/pngift3.html)

4. FDA Issues FAQs About "GRAS" Food Ingredient Classification

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a frequently asked questions (FAQ) guidance document about the food ingredient classification known as "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS). The FAQ address common questions about the regulatory process and regulatory considerations regarding whether the use of a food substance is GRAS. (FDA Pub December 2004, available at www.cfsan.fda.gov/dms/grasguid.html)

5. FMCSA Clarifies Use of Previous Violations to Assess Sec. 222 Maximum Penalties

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued a notice that clarifies its use of previous violations to assess maximum penalties under Section 222 of the Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999 (49 USC 521), which requires the FMCSA to assess maximum statutory penalties if a person is found to have committed a pattern of violations of critical or acute regulations, or previously committed the same or a related violation of such regulations. (D/N FMCSA-2004-19882, FR Pub 12/28/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-28343.pdf)

6. TPSC Requests Comments on WTO DDA Environmental Review

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative's (USTR's) Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC) is requesting written public comments, by March 31, 2005, on the scope of the environmental review of the multilateral negotiations of the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) conducted under the auspices of the World Trade Organization (WTO). (FR Pub 01/14/05, available at http://frwebgate1.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/waisgate.cgi?WAISdocID=07218940922200&WAISaction=retrieve)

7. DOL Requests Information on Oman Labor Rights and Child Labor Laws

The Department of Labor's (DOL's) Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) has issued a notice requesting information on labor rights in Oman and its laws governing exploitative child labor. Comments are due no later than 5:00 PM February 28, 2005. (FR Pub 01/14/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-810.pdf.)

8. DOL Requests Comments on UAE Labor Rights and Child Labor Laws

The Department of Labor's (DOL's) Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) ahs issued a notice requesting information on labor rights in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and its laws governing exploitative child labor. Comments are due no later than 5:00 PM February 28, 2005. (FR Pub 01/14/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-804.pdf.)

9. CBP Cancels Customs Broker Licenses Without Prejudice

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a notice announcing that the following Customs broker licenses are canceled without prejudice:

(FR Pub 01/21/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-1097.pdf.)

10. CBP Cancels Customs Broker License With Prejudice

CBP has issued a notice announcing that the following Customs broker license is canceled with prejudice:

(FR Pub 01/21/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-1099.pdf.)

11. CBP Announces Cancellation of Three Customs Broker Licenses Due to Death of the Broker

CBP has issued a notice announcing that the following three individual Customs broker licenses, as well as any and all permits have been cancelled due to the death of the broker:

(FR Pub 01/21/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-1100.pdf.)

13. CBP Cancels Customs Broker Permit With Prejudice

CBP has issued a notice announcing that the following Customs broker permits are canceled with prejudice:

(FR Pub 01/21/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-1099.pdf.)