2007

The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) recently announced its much anticipated and discussed changes to the US dual-use export licensing policy for certain high-tech exports to the People’s Republic of China. These changes include the removal of individual license requirements for certain authorized customers in China, while imposing new licensing requirements for a targeted list of items related to China’s military modernization.

The in-bond system allows cargo to be transported from the arrival port to another US port prior to appraisal or payment of duties. From there it may either enter into US commerce or be exported. A recent GAO report found weaknesses in Customs & Border Protection’s management of the in-bond system, including inadequate monitoring of in-bond goods.

The Export Enforcement Act of 2007 is a bill before Congress that would enhance several aspects of export security:

Guidelines have been published on the US Customs and Border Protection website for liquidated damages and penalties on wood packing material (WPM).

The visible, legible, and permanent mark on the WPM must include:

ITT Corporation has been convicted of a criminal violation of the Arms Export Control Act for knowingly transferring classified and/or sensitive night vision technology to the UK, China and Singapore. According to a government spokesman the technology was illegally exported as a result of the company’s efforts to ‘reduce its costs and enhance its financial bottom line’. The technology was provided to the foreign subcontractors in order to manufacture night vision counter measures abroad.

HTS 2007 updated draft chapters have been published on The USITC (Office of Tariff Affairs and Trade Agreements) website, with links to the 2007 HTSA Draft - by chapter.

The Commerce Department, Bureau of Industry and Security recently implemented new regulations which significantly increase the "civil monetary penalties" from $11,000 to $50,000 per violation. The new penalties may be assessed against violators of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) sections pertaining to the Export Administration Regulation and the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act, Import Restriction Violation. The amount of civil penalty which can now be assessed has increased from $11,000 to $50,000 per violation.

The U.S. Department of State has issued new requirements for travelers under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). According to their webpage, "Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S.