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)

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).

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:

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 Departmental Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (COAC) held a quarterly meeting on February 6, 2004 in Washington, DC to discuss, and receive updates from U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials on, various trade and customs issues.

According to trade and U.S. government sources, effective from February 2, 2004 through April 30, 2004, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is detaining or sending to a laboratory for testing, importations of socks from at most 22 targeted countries, in order to verify their country of origin.

On February 2, 2004, the World Shipping Council (WSC), the National Industrial Transportation League (NITL), the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America, Inc. (NCBFAA), and the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) filed a petition with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requesting reconsideration of certain aspects of CBP's December 5, 2003 final rule on the advance electronic presentation of cargo information that pertain to inbound ocean cargo.