The Census Bureau has posted to its Web site a list of 174 Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) numbers that are not valid for reporting exports (either on a paper Shipper's Export Declaration (SED) or Automated Export System (AES) equivalent) as of January 1, 2004.

The USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has issued a notice stating that based upon the results of a review, it has determined that the Cotton Research and Promotion Order (Cotton Order) should be continued without change.

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a final rule, effective February 9, 2004, which amends the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) at 15 CFR Parts 734, 740 and 774 to transfer licensing jurisdiction for certain QRS 11-00100-100/101 Micromachined Angular Rate Sensors from the State Department to the Department of Commerce (DOC).

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a notice to inform travelers that on or after August 12, 2004, a commercial shipment of food (except some meat, poultry, and egg products) carried by a traveler into the U.S. for which prior notice has not been provided to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is subject to refusal of admission to the U.S., and may be held at the port of arrival unless directed to another location. According to CBP, this requirement is mandated by what is commonly known as the Bioterrorism Act. (CBP notice available via fax by emailing staff@brokerpower.com)

In the February 4, 2004 issue of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Bulletin (CBP Bulletin) (Vol. 38, No. 6), CBP issued notices (a) revoking a classification ruling on seats for fork-lift trucks, and (b) revoking a classification ruling on flushed pigment color preparation. CBP states that it is also revoking any treatment it has previously accorded to substantially identical transactions that are contrary to its position in these notices.

The Journal of Commerce (JoC) reports that the first container equipped with electronic gizmos to track containers in transit under the Operation Safe Commerce (OSC) program has left a port in Asia, bound for Seattle-Tacoma. However, the article notes that the sensors in the box are not actually transmitting data, as the contracting company wants to test the durability and seaworthiness of its equipment before actual "proof of concept" begins. OSC participants have until July 31, 2004 to carry out tests, with a report to Congress due October 31, 2004. (JoC, dated 02/02/04 - 02/08/04, www.joc.com)

On February 9, 2004, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) posted a notice to its Web site containing its 61st update to its lists of names and addresses of certain foreign companies convicted, penalized, and/or excluded from entry because of the illegal transshipment of textile products, etc.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a 15-page memorandum containing its instructions on the filing and substantiation of claims for preferential tariff treatment made under the U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (SFTA).

According to the Washington File, the State Department has stated that few of the 27 nations participating in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP) have indicated that they would be able to meet an October 26, 2004 deadline requiring that they issue machine readable passports that incorporate biometric identifiers. Under the VWP, citizens of the 27 countries are able to enter the U.S. for tourism or business for 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. (Washington File Pub 02/03/04, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/topical/pol/terror/texts/04020305.htm)

In the February 4, 2004 issue of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Bulletin (CBPBulletin) (Vol. 38, No. 6), CBP issued a notice proposing to revoke two classification rulings on certain voice and data terminal blocks. CBP states that it is also proposing to revoke any treatment it has previously accorded to substantially identical transactions that are contrary to its position in this notice.