GSP Program To Expire Year End 2006
Legislation authorizing the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) Program expires December 31, 2006. Congress is considering reauthorization of the program and no renewal date has been set if the program is approved for reauthorization.

Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) is a preferential tariff system extended by developed countries (also known as preference giving countries or donor countries) to developing countries (also known as preference receiving countries or beneficiary countries). It involves reduced MFN Tariffs or duty-free entry of eligible products exported by beneficiary countries to the markets of donor countries.

 
Security Surcharge Levied On Chargeable Weight
  Effective October 1st, Lufthansa Cargoís security charge will no longer be levied on the basis of ìactual weightî but instead on the basis of ìchargeable weightî. The measure is in response to the fact that costs of security checks depending on the volume of a consignment. Other carriers are be expected to follow.
 
EU Lacks Consistent Customs Rules

Although based on the World Customs Organization nomenclature, Harmonized Tariff Schedule classifications are still country-specific at the import level. Newer EU members have written into law what was intended but cherry-picked best practices from the founding countriesí processes. While EU officials recognize the need for further mandatory harmonization, some EU nations are working to simplify customs processes, but these present efforts are voluntary.

 
South Atlantic Ports Expand With Trade Growth
South Atlantic ports are experiencing significant growth in international trade. The continued cargo growth throughout the region has led ports to chart ambitious expansion plans.

Savannah has seen double digit growth in its container volume in the past four years and has become the nationís fourth largest container port. One hundred miles to the north, three new liner services began calling at Charleston in mid-to-late summer. Across the state line, the port authority for North Carolina is planning to build a port that would accommodate 2 million TEUs annually.