Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
American Shipper reports that the trade is criticizing U.S. Customs and Border Protection's proposal to require additional advance trade data elements for maritime cargo (referred to as the 102 proposal). The trade is concerned that the government is creating a two-step process for clearing goods for entrance into the U.S. The trade would like to see a one-step process where goods screened overseas are allowed a provisional release upon arrival at U.S. ports. (American Shipper Pub January 2007, www.americanshipper.com)
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1. 102 Proposal for Maritime Cargo Could Create a 2-Step Clearance Process
2. More Goods Should be Able to be Marked "Made in USA"
According to an article in The Journal of Commerce, many goods that are made in the USA cannot be marked "Made in USA", as U.S. product marking regulations require at least 93-95% U.S. origin to make a "Made in USA" claim. The author proposes that the qualifying threshold for "Made in the USA" marking should be lowered to match the qualification levels already in place for U.S. FTAs- ranging from two-thirds to three-quarters of U.S. value, or establishing that a substantial transformation occur in the U.S. (JoC Pub 12/04/06, www.joc.com)
3. House Passes Increase in Federal Minimum Wage and Northern Marianas Minimum Wage
On January 10, 2007, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 2, a bill to provide for an increase in the Federal minimum wage (first to $5.85 an hour, then to $6.55 an hour, and finally to $7.25 an hour). According to a Congressional summary, H.R. 2 would also apply federal minimum wage requirements to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands by increasing the minimum wage in the Commonwealth to $3.55 an hour, with $0.50 per hour increases (or less) every six months until it reaches the Federal minimum wage. (H.R. 2 available at http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:h2eh.txt.pdf.)
4. USTR Elevates Chile to Special 301 "Priority Watch List"
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a press release announcing its determination to elevate Chile from "Watch List" to "Priority Watch List" status following a Special 301 out-of-cycle review due to increased rates of pirated sound recordings, software and films, as well as an expansion of internet-based piracy. The USTR also states that Chile is overdue in enacting legislation to implement certain intellectual property-related obligations reflected in the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement (FTA). (USTR press release, dated 01/08/07, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2007/January/Schwab_Announces_Results_of_Chile_IPR_Review,_Cites_Deteriorating_Performance.html.)
5. Foreign-Trade Zones Board Actions
The FTZB has issued the following notices of recent FTZ actions:
| FTZ 51 (D/N 50-2006, FR Pub 01/11/07) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-268.pdf |