U.S. SHIPPERS CRITICAL OF HEIGHTENED EXPORT CONTROLS

   U.S. shippers testifying before the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Thursday voiced their concern about increased license controls proposed for certain types of exports.
   The Senate Banking Committee is currently working on the reauthorization
of the Export Administration Act. The legislation, so far, calls for
tougher, coordinated export license approval among the various licensing
agencies, such as the Commerce’s Export Administration and the State
Department. It also calls for stiffer penalties for violators.
   "We are concerned that the procedures for determining a product’s status
are unclear, and that the bill inadvertently provides too much opportunity
for bureaucratic delay," said Karen Murphy, director of global customs and
export compliance for Allied Materials.
   The industry said it’s already at a competitive disadvantage because of
the country’s export licensing system. Some types of licenses can take six
months or longer to approve.
   The industry, along with the Senate Banking Committee, wants a new
Export Administration Act soon. "We’re worried about going to a consensus
system (for licenses), but it’s not a show stopper," said John W. Douglass,
president of the Aerospace Industries Association. "We want this bill to go
forward."
   The Senate Banking Committee is expected to begin marking up the
proposed Export Administration Act next week.