The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a notice requesting comments by 10 a.m. on February 12, 2007 regarding whether any foreign countries should be identified under Section 182 of the Trade Act of 1974 (Trade Act) (19 USC 2242), which is commonly referred to as the "Special 301" provisions of the Trade Act.

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)

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a final rule, effective December 18, 2006, which amends 7 CFR Part 319 in order to list a number of fruits and vegetables from certain parts of the world as eligible, under specified conditions, for importation into the U.S.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a final rule, effective December 18, 2006, which amends 7 CFR Part 319 in order to list a number of fruits and vegetables from certain parts of the world as eligible, under specified conditions, for importation into the U.S.

The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA) has posted a notice to its Web site that will establish quotas for certain textile and apparel articles produced or manufactured in Vietnam that are exported from Vietnam during the period of January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2007.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) that discusses a broad range of regulatory approaches that could be used to reduce portable generator-related deaths and injuries, particularly those related to carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, that could result in mandatory performance standards for portable generators. Written comments must be received by February 12, 2007.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a press release announcing that it is delaying the November 24, 2006 effective date and establishing a staggered implementation for the collection of agricultural quarantine and inspection (AQI) user fees for inspections of Canadian-grown fruits and vegetables, commercial vessels, vehicles, railroad cars and aircraft, as well as international passengers entering the U.S. from Canada.

International Trade Data Users (ITDU) has announced that it will hold a conference on the 2007 Harmonized Code changes on December 5, 2007 in Washington, DC. The conference will be followed by a Trade Data Workshop, on December 6, discussing details of trade data; definitions, collections, what's available, and how to get it. The cost for the general public is $125 for the conference only, $150 for the workshop only, and $250 for both the conference and the workshop. (See ITDU's Web site, www.itdu.org, for agendas, cost and registration information, etc.) (See ITT's Online Archives or 11/03/06 news, 06110305, for BP reminder on the 2007 HTS changes.)

Indonesia improved its intellectual property rights (IPR) enforcement, moving off the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Special 301 Priority Watch List for regimes with egregious IPR records and onto USTR’s normal watch list for countries with inadequate IPR protection. USTR this week completed its out-of-cycle review for Indonesia. Indonesia enforced rules aimed at fighting illegal optical disc plants with better licensing and raids on facilities and outlets suspected of piracy, USTR said. The ministry-level National Intellectual Property Task Force launched to coordinate IPR enforcement among agencies and raise public awareness. Indonesia isn’t out of the woods, USTR warned, saying it could land back on the “priority” list without “sustained efforts and continued progress on key IPR issues.” Indonesia has been on the Special 301 since 2001.

The Department of Commerce (DOC) has issued a press release announcing that on September 28, 2006, the Bush Administration released the 2006 Report to President and Congress on Coordination of Intellectual Property (IP) Enforcement and Protection.