International: Trade Agreements

Please also note that there are four articles of particular market access and trade agreements compliance interest found in the February 2003 edition of Commerce's Export America magazine (http://www.trade.gov/exportamerica/). The four articles outlining recent Commerce trade compliance initiatives are

If you would like more information on one of the visits, please contact Eric Stewart at 202-482-3022.

TRADE COMPLIANCE NEWS

SPECIAL 301 REPORT RELEASED APRIL 29 In the annual "Special 301" review of intellectual property protection, 14 countries were included for the "Priority Watch List", 36 for the "Watch List", and out-of-cycle reviews will be conducted for the EU and 6 other countries. Ukraine remains a "Priority Foreign Country", Paraguay will be subject to continued monitoring under "Section 306 Monitoring", and China is receiving the first-ever dual designation of Priority Watch List and Section 306 Monitoring. http://www.ustr.gov/assets/Document_Library/Reports_Publications/2005/2005_Special_301/asset_upload_file195_7636.pdf

EXPORTER�S GUIDE
Japan: Network Channel Terminating Equipment Agreement

PROTECTING INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
To learn how your company can protect its trademarks, patents and copyrights overseas, or to file an intellectual property-related trade complaint, visit Commerce's one-stop-shop for information on registering and enforcing intellectual property rights. Call 1-866-999-HALT or visit: http://www.Stopfakes.gov

PARTICIPATE IN FEDERAL RULEMAKING
To find, review, and submit comments on Federal documents that are open for comment and published in the Federal Register--the U.S. Government's legal newspaper--visit the one-stop shop on Federal government regulations, http://www.regulations.gov

TCC Reports

The latest annual U.S. trade statistics can be found on a new, interactive and user-friendly Department of Commerce website, TradeStats Express -- link to: http://tse.export.gov/ -- which enables visitors to easily retrieve, visualize, analyze, print and download U.S. trade data including exports, imports and trade balances for the years 1989-2002.

An archive of previous TCC reports is available at:
http://38.232.74.104/cgi-bin/doit.cgi?204:72:710566619:21.

Trade and Related Agreements

Cambodia Accedes to WTO
http://www.tcc.mac.doc.gov/cgi-bin/doit.cgi?204:52:214922254:1270

U.S. Task Force Urges Tough Policies on Piracy, Counterfeiting
http://www.tcc.mac.doc.gov/cgi-bin/doit.cgi?204:52:214922254:1269

Congress Finishes Work on Repealing WTO-Illegal Export Tax Breaks
http://www.tcc.mac.doc.gov/cgi-bin/doit.cgi?204:52:214922254:1268

2004 Antibribery Report
http://www.tcc.mac.doc.gov/pdf/2004bribery.pdf

European Union Mutual Recognition Agreement on Marine Equipment
http://www.tcc.mac.doc.gov/cgi-bin/doit.cgi?204:64:17015087:352

Third Report to the Leaders on the U.S.-Japan Regulatory Reform and Competition Policy Initiative (June 8, 2004)
http://www.ustr.gov/regions/japan/2004-06-08-japan-factsheet.pdf

Chile Free Trade Agreement
http://www.tcc.mac.doc.gov/cgi-bin/doit.cgi?204:64:641687407:350

Singapore Free Trade Agreement
http://www.tcc.mac.doc.gov/cgi-bin/doit.cgi?204:64:641687407:351

View the Chile and Singapore Free Trade Agreements, which have been approved by the U.S. Congress and will enter into force on January 1, 2004.
http://www.tcc.mac.doc.gov/cgi-bin/doit.cgi?204:72:859418650:29

U.S. Annual Reform Recommendations to Japan under the U.S.-Japan Regulatory Reform and Competition Policy Initiative
http://www.tcc.mac.doc.gov/pdf/2003-10-24-reform2.pdf

Jordan Bilateral Investment Treaty
http://www.tcc.mac.doc.gov/cgi-bin/doit.cgi?204:64:72134211:339

Greece Friendship, Commerce, and Navigation Treaty
http://www.tcc.mac.doc.gov/cgi-bin/doit.cgi?204:64:343269080:337

Thailand Friendship, Commerce and Navigation Treaty
http://www.tcc.mac.doc.gov/cgi-bin/doit.cgi?204:64:322749852:327

Korea Friendship, Commerce and Navigation Treaty
http://www.tcc.mac.doc.gov/cgi-bin/doit.cgi?204:64:271310271:321

Austria Friendship, Commerce and Consular Rights Treaty
http://www.tcc.mac.doc.gov/cgi-bin/doit.cgi?204:64:239877690:320

Colombia Peace, Amity, Navigation, and Commerce Treaty
http://www.tcc.mac.doc.gov/cgi-bin/doit.cgi?204:64:239877690:319

Switzerland Friendship, Reciprocal Establishments, Commerce, and Extradition Convention
http://www.tcc.mac.doc.gov/cgi-bin/doit.cgi?204:64:205385559:316

Paraguay Friendship, Commerce and Navigation Treaty
http://www.tcc.mac.doc.gov/cgi-bin/doit.cgi?204:64:205385559:315

Hungary Comprehensive Trade Package
http://www.tcc.mac.doc.gov/cgi-bin/doit.cgi?204:64:834058117:306

Bahamas Letter of Understanding on the Copyright Act and Regulations http://www.tcc.mac.doc.gov/cgi-bin/doit.cgi?204:70:527268192:305

WTO: Taiwan Accession Agreement
http://www.tcc.mac.doc.gov/cgi-bin/doit.cgi?204:64:401933887:304

Jordan Free Trade Agreement
http://www.tcc.mac.doc.gov/cgi-bin/doit.cgi?204:64:314482427:301

Fourth NAFTA Tariff Acceleration Schedule of Tariff Cuts Added to North American Free Trade Agreement
http://www.tcc.mac.doc.gov/cgi-bin/doit.cgi?
204:64:531608897:174#naftaaccel4

(TARA) Addition WTO

Release of Chinese-Language Version of WTO Accession Protocol
http://www.tcc.mac.doc.gov/cgi-bin/doit.cgi?204:52:272291911:256
Secretary Evans Announces Textile Working Group
http://www.tcc.mac.doc.gov/cgi-bin/doit.cgi?204:52:272291911:255
U.S. Imposes $75 Million in Tariffs on Ukraine over Insufficient Copyright Protection
http://www.tcc.mac.doc.gov/cgi-bin/doit.cgi?204:52:272291911:253
USTR Extends Section 301 Investigation on Canadian Wheat
http://www.tcc.mac.doc.gov/cgi-bin/doit.cgi?204:52:272291911:254

China Accession Agreement
http://www.tcc.mac.doc.gov/cgi-bin/doit.cgi?204:64:409777747:300

New 10-Digit Harmonized Tariff System Number Requirement in Canada

Effective May 1, 2002, the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency will require the correct 10-digit Harmonized System (HS) number on the commercial invoice before certain commercial shipments can be released. This requirement will apply to all paper and electronic Release on Minimum Documentation and Pre-Arrival Review System releases valued at CAN$1,600 or more. The 10-digit HS number will not be required for the NAFTA certificate of origin. The Customs Notice 410m that outlines the requirement in detail and provides Canadian contact information can be found at http://www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/E/pub/cm/cn410eq/README.html.

Penalties - Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS): Companies should be aware that shipments may be delayed and penalties may be imposed on the importer for not using the correct tariff 10-digit HS number. Canada implemented an Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS) in December 2001 that largely replaces the use of seizure and forfeiture provisions for technical infractions. Seizure and ascertained forfeiture will only be used for the most serious offenses. The monetary penalties will be proportionate to the type, frequency, and severity of the infraction. Most penalties will be graduated and will take the compliance history of the client into consideration. More information about AMPS at a glance can be found at http://www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/customs/general/amps/menu-e.html.

Obtaining a Canadian 10-Digit HS Number: U.S. exporters are encouraged to work with their Canadian importers and brokers to identify the correct 10-digit HS number. In addition, Canadian 10-digit HS numbers can be found at http://142.221.110.166/services/twiz2002/twiz2002e.cfm.

General Information: Companies can get more details, including information about penalties at http://www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/customs/general/amps/snapshot-e.html.

If you have additional questions, you may contact:
Geri C. Word
U.S. Department of Commerce
Office of NAFTA and Inter-American Affairs
Telephone (202) 482-1545
Fax (202) 482-5865