Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. California Legislature Considers Bill to Require Premium Fee for Daytime Use of Marine Terminals in Los Angeles-Long Beach

The Journal of Commerce reports that in response to concerns about port congestion, the California legislature is considering a bill to require a premium fee for daytime use of marine terminals in Los Angeles-Long Beach. According to the article, the bill's author, Assemblyman Lowenthal, has said he will push for passage of the bill if the port community does not establish a program for extended gate hours by summer. (JoC dated 03/22-28/04, www.joc.com.)

2. USTR Seeks Comments on U.S.-Bahrain FTA Interim Environmental Review

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a notice on behalf of the Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC) seeking comments by April 30, 2004 on the interim environmental review of the proposed U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The interim environmental review is available at http://www.ustr.gov/environment/environmental.shtml. (FR Pub 04/05/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-7638.pdf)

3. State Dept Debars 5 Persons for Violations of the Arms Export Control Act

The State Department has issued a notice announcing that it has imposed statutory debarment pursuant to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) on five persons convicted of violating or conspiring to violate Section 38 of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA). According to the notice, these convicted persons are prohibited, generally for a period of three years, from participating directly or indirectly in the export of defense articles, including technical data or in the furnishing of defense services for which a license or approval is required. (Public Notice 4679, FR Pub 04/02/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-7494.pdf)

4. FMC Lists Applicant for OTI Licenses

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a notice stating that the following company has filed an application for license as ocean freight forwarder (FF) ocean transportation intermediary (OTI):

FF-OTI

Promptus, LLC (FL)

FMC notice (FR Pub 03/31/04) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-7254.pdf

1. FMC Reissues OTI Licenses

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has announced that it has reissued the following ocean transportation intermediary (OTI) licenses:

FMC notice (FR Pub 03/31/04) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-7254.pdf

1. FMC Revokes OTI Licenses

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has announced that it has revoked the following ocean transportation intermediary (OTI) licenses, effective on the corresponding dates shown below:

FMC notice (FR Pub 03/31/04) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-7256.pdf

7. ITA Issues Quarterly Update to its Annual List of Foreign Subsidies on Certain Articles of Cheese

The International Trade Administration (ITA), in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, has prepared its quarterly update to the annual list of foreign government subsidies on articles of cheese subject to an in-quota rate of duty during the period October 1, 2003 through December 31, 2003. The ITA states that it is publishing the current listing of those subsidies that it has determined exist. (FR Pub 03/31/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-7222.pdf)