In the February 4, 2004 issue of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Bulletin (CBPBulletin) (Vol. 38, No. 6), CBP issued notices: (a) proposing to revoke a classification ruling on a set top box, and (b) proposing to revoke a classification ruling on certain liquid rubber. 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 these notices.
The Washington Post reports that calls are mounting from abroad for efforts to stem the fall in the U.S. dollar, especially against the euro, but U.S. officials are showing no sign of changing their stance that the dollar's value should be left to the markets. The article notes that the flip side of the strong euro is the weak dollar, which is helping to stoke the U.S. recovery by boosting American exports. (WP, dated 02/03/04, www.washingtonpost.com)
| Proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2005 for the Department of Homeland Security | 02/10/04 | Subcommittee on Homeland Security; Senate Committee on Appropriations |
| The President's fiscal year 2005 budget proposals | 02/12/04 | Senate Committee on the Budget |
| Revenue proposals in the President's fiscal year 2005 budget | 02/12/04 | Senate Committee on Finance |
| Department of Homeland Security budget for fiscal year 2005 | 02/09/04 | Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs |
| The President's International Affairs Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2005 | 02/11/04 | House Committee on International Relations |
| H.R. 3632, Anti-counterfeiting Amendments of 2003 | 02/12/04 | Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property; House Committee on the Judiciary |
| Aviation Security: Progress and Problems in Passenger and Baggage Screening | 02/12/04 | Subcommittee on Aviation; House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure |
| The President's Fiscal Year 2005 Budget Tax Proposals; The President's Fiscal Year 2005 Budget with OMB Director Bolten | 02/11/04 | House Committee on Ways and Means |
| The Department of Homeland Security's Proposed Fiscal Year 2005 Budget | 02/12/04 | House Select Committee on Homeland Security |
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a press release announcing that on February 8, 2004, the U.S. and Australia concluded a free trade agreement (FTA) which is designed to, among other things, eliminate and reduce tariffs and other trade barriers. The USTR states that the text of this FTA will be made public in the near future.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have issued a press release announcing a temporary ban on the importation of certain birds and bird products from eight Southeast Asian countries in order to protect poultry and humans in the U.S. from the possible spread of avian influenza (flu).
In George E. Warren Corporation v. U.S., the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) upheld an earlier Court of International Trade (CIT) ruling that denied the plaintiff's claim for drawback on Harbor Maintenance Taxes (HMTs) and Environmental Taxes (ETs).
(a) For previously reviewed or investigated companies not listed above, the AD cash deposit rate will continue to be the company-specific rate published for the most recent period.
The Departmental Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (COAC) held its quarterly meeting on February 6, 2004 in Washington, DC.
| S. 2028 |
| H.R. 3732 |
| H.R. 3741 |
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a letter to stakeholders and a fact sheet concerning its Radiation Monitoring Program under which radiation detection equipment will be purchased and installed at U.S. ports of entry.