The Bureau of Industry and Security is seeking comments on an information collection related to its Simplified Network Application Process - Redesign, which allows users to submit export license applications, commodity classification requests and other applications to BIS via the internet, the agency said in a notice. Comments are due May 24.
The State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls this week released supporting materials and guidance for its recently announced restructuring of purposes and definitions in the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (see 2203220013). The agency issued a summary of the changes and a table outlining the moves, edits, removals and additions.
Congress should abandon the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, which will not address the “root causes” of the nation’s port congestion and shipping issues, the World Shipping Council said. After the Senate Commerce Committee passed the bill March 22 (see 2203220033), the WSC, which represents many of the world's major ocean carriers, said the legislation doesn't do “anything to fix the landside logistics breakdowns that are at the heart of America’s supply chain problems.”
The Federal Maritime Commission is expanding its Vessel-Operating Common Carrier Audit Program to analyze how shipping lines are serving U.S. exporters, the agency said March 21. As part of the audit program, the FMC will ask ocean carriers to share information about the export services they offer and potential opportunities to “increase access to service offerings.”
The State Department approved a potential $700 million sale of military equipment to the U.K., the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said March 17. The sale includes “Ballistic Missile Defense Radar (BMDR) and Command and Control Battle Management and Communications” and related equipment. The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin.
The Los Angeles and Long Beach ports again postponed by a week a new surcharge meant to incentivize the movement of dwelling containers (see 2110280031), the two ports announced March 18. The ports originally planned to begin imposing the fee in November last year, but have postponed it each week since. The latest extension delays the effective date until March 25.
China recently updated the list of products whose foreign production facilities are required to register under Decree 248, the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service said in a March 15 report. The list's 42 new products include meat, seafood and certain beverages. China also removed eight products from the list. Under Decree 248, certain U.S. production facilities may be subject to revised customs and registration procedures before their products can enter China (see 2111040018 and 2110130022).
The Federal Maritime Commission will adopt a proposed rule to modernize and clarify some requirements associated with the filing of marine terminal operator schedules, the commission said in a final rule issued this week. The rule, originally proposed in September (see 2109210014), is intended to update “outdated” requirements and clarify existing definitions, such as “bulk cargo” and “marine terminal operator.” The changes, which don’t affect policy, take effect April 18.
The State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls is beginning a “comprehensive update” to its website to improve its readability, structure and align it with “best practices of modern website design,” the agency said this week. DDTC will roll out the update in a phased approach over the “coming months,” starting with the highest-traffic pages first. Feedback or concerns can be sent to PM_DDTCProjectTeam@state.gov.
The State Department approved a potential $950 million sale to Spain of military equipment, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said March 15. The sale includes “MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters” with support and related equipment. The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems.