Details of House-Passed Resolution to Renew Burma Import Ban, Jadeite/Ruby Sanctions
On July 14, 2010, the House of Representatives passed H.J. Res. 83, a resolution to approve the renewal of the Burma import ban and jadeite/ruby sanctions.
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(The Senate Finance Committee ordered its own renewal resolution (S.J. Res. 29) reported without amendment on July 14, 2010. Congress has renewed the Burma import sanctions annually since 2003 and is expected to do the same this year.)
Resolution Would Renew Burma Import Ban, Jadeite/Ruby Sanctions for One Year
H.J. Res. 83 would renew for another year the existing import restrictions on Burma that were imposed by Section 3(a)(1), 3A(b)(1) and 3A(c)(1) of the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act (Act).
In 2003, the Act required the President to ban the importation of any article that is the product of Burma until he makes certain determinations and certifications. In 2008, the Act was amended to (i) specifically prohibit imports of jadeite and rubies, mined or extracted from Burma (Myanmar), and jewelry containing these gems; and (ii) impose conditions for importing jadeite and rubies, mined or extracted from a country other than Burma, and jewelry containing these gems; until the President makes certain determinations and certifications. The Act’s restrictions expire unless a renewal resolution is enacted into law.
The continuation of these sanctions would be funded by (i) extending certain customs user fees (not the merchandise processing fee (MPF)); and (ii) making certain revisions to provisions on corporate estimated taxes.
(See ITT’s Online Archives or 07/15/10 news, 10071508, for initial BP summary of the House passage of H.J. Res. 83.
See ITT’s Online Archives or 07/01/10 news, 10070125, for BP summary of the Senate Finance Committee’s mark up of S.J. Res. 29.)
See ITT's Online Archives or 08/01/09 news, 08080105, for BP summary of the signing into law of amendments to the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act for certain gemstones mined in Burma, etc.)