The Journal of Commerce Online reports that non-vessel operating common carriers (NVOCCs) will be able to enter into confidential contracts with customers under new rules that the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) proposed on October 27, 2004. The proposal is in response to eight petitioners' seeking relief from the restrictions of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act (OSRA) that reserve service contracts for vessel operators and require NVOCCs to maintain tariffs with the FMC. (See ITT's Online Archives or 10/18/04 news, 04101810, for BP summary on the announcement of the FMC's October 27, 2004 meeting.)(JoC Online dated 10/27/04, www.joc.com.)
On October 18, 2004, President Bush signed into law the conference version of H.R. 4567, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2005 (Public Law (P.L.) 108-334).
Shippers NewsWire reports that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials have stated that Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) is evolving from a purely voluntary program in which industry adopts recommended supply chain practices to one in which participation will be based on minimum security standards. DHS sources also noted that C-TPAT will transition to a "universal requirement for the whole industry." According to the article, some Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials are indicating that the new C-TPAT rules could be implemented within 30 days. (Shippers NewsWire dated 10/19/04, www.americanshipper.com)
On September 21, 2004, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Bonner addressed the first Customs World Summit for World Customs Leaders in London on a strategy to increase security and facilitation of global trade.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has posted to its Web site a notice announcing the 2004/2005 aggregate cap for apparel made from Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act (ATPDEA) fabric, fabric components, or components knit-to-shape, etc. from ATPDEA/U.S. yarns (HTS 9821.11.25). (See today's ITT, 04092715, for BP summary of CITA's notice announcing this aggregate cap.) (QBT-04-541, dated 09/22/04, available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/import/textiles_and_quotas/qbts/QBT2004/2004_541.ctt/2004_541.doc)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced that on September 14, 2004, CBP Commissioner Bonner was presented with the Maritime Security Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his proposing such programs as the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT), the Container Security Initiative (CSI), etc. (CBP press release, dated 09/14/04, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/press_releases/09142004.xml)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has posted to its Web site a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and responses regarding the mandatory advance electronic information requirements for truck carriers.
The Journal of Commerce Online reports that a decision by union longshoremen not to work on Labor Day could cause a labor shortage at the port of Los Angeles - Long Beach, throwing these ports into crisis mode due to record volumes of vessels in the port complex. The article notes that these ports have been struggling with port congestion due largely to delays in the intermodal rail network and a shortage of dockworkers. Port employers had asked the union to be available to work on Labor Day. (Joc Online, dated 09/01/04, www.joc.com )
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a notice announcing that the next meeting of the Departmental Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection and Related Functions (COAC) will be held on September 10, 2004 in Buffalo, NY. (This committee was previously called the "Treasury Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of the U.S. Customs Service.")
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued its Fiscal Year (FY) 2004 Mid-Year Import Trade Trends Report, which covers October 2003 - March 2004.