U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a memorandum describing procedures for the implementation of enforced compliance and penalties for the prior notice of imported food (PN) requirements contained in the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 (Bioterrorism Act).

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a final rule, effective July 6, 2004, which amends 21 CFR parts 1, 10, and 16 to provide procedures for the administrative detention (detention) of an article of food, if an officer or qualified employee of the FDA has credible evidence or information indicating that such article presents a threat of serious adverse health consequences or death to humans or animals.

Washington Trade Daily reports that U.S. Trade Representative Zoellick has accused Senate Democrats of holding up quick action on legislation (S. 2529) to extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) trade preference program. The article states that the bill is identical to H.R. 4103 (known as AGOA III) that was recently passed by the House. (WTD dated 06/18/04, www.washingtontradedaily.com )

(a) If the exporter is not a firm covered in this review, a prior review, or the original investigation, but the manufacturer is, the AD cash deposit rate will be the rate established for the most recent period for the manufacturer of the merchandise.

¹ new shipper review; bonding will no longer be permitted to fulfill AD security requirements

In a June 15, 2004 speech, Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security James Loy outlined efforts being made to implement certain remaining aspects of the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA) (Pubic Law 107-295) as they relate to improving container security.

The Department of Transportation's (DOT's) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a proposed rule which would revise certain fee amounts in 49 CFR Part 594 relating to the registered importer (RI) program and the importation of motor vehicles not certified as conforming to the Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS).

Travel Warnings are issued when the State Department decides, based on all relevant information, to recommend that Americans avoid travel to a certain country. The following have been issued since BP's most recent update:

The International Trade Administration (ITA) has issued a fact sheet announcing its preliminary affirmative antidumping (AD) duty determination for wooden bedroom furniture from China (A-570-890).