Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. ITC Commences Reviews on CBTPA "Commercial Availability" Petitions

The International Trade Commission (ITC) has issued two notices announcing that it has commenced two reviews to provide advice to the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) regarding two separate petitions filed under the "commercial availability" provisions of the U.S.-Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA) on certain shirting fabrics. According to the ITC, it will submit its advice to USTR in a classified report by January 29, 2004, and issue a public version soon thereafter. Written comments due to the ITC by January 14, 2003. (See ITT's Online Archives or 12/30/03 news, 03123025, for BP summary of the Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreement's (CITA's) related notice.) (ITC notices, dated 01/05/04, available at http://www.usitc.gov/332s/shortsup/332_450_010nl.pdf and http://www.usitc.gov/332s/shortsup/332_450_011nl.pdf)

2. CBP Issues Federal Register Notice on Quarterly Interest Rates

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a notice in the Federal Register announcing the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) quarterly interest rates that will be used to calculate interest on underpayments and overpayments of customs duties for the period beginning January 1, 2004 and ending March 31, 2004. (See ITT's Online Archives or 12/18/03 news, 03121810, for BP summary of these rates based on an IRS notice.) (FR Pub 01/09/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-426.pdf.)