Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. China Cuts or Eliminates VAT Rebates on Over 2800 Items Effective July 1, 2007

The affected China HS codes and new export rate percentages for affected products are available at http://www.mof.gov.cn/news/20070619_3077_26825.htm. (Sources state that although the Web site is written in Chinese, the HS Codes and export rate percentages are numeric. See future issue of ITT for additional details.)

2. Correction: "Ethics Game" No Longer a NCBFAA CCS Eligible Course

In the June 29, 2007 issue of International Trade Today, 07062920, Broker Power stated that the "Ethics Game: Core Values" course was eligible for NCBFAA Certified Customs Specialist education credits; however, this is no longer the case. This and other changes from the June 29, 2007 notice on CCS offerings are expected to be published in an upcoming ITT issue.

3. World Shipping Council, Etc. Back U.S. Emissions Plan

The Journal of Commerce Online reports that the World Shipping Council and the Pacific Maritime Shipping Association have endorsed the U.S.' proposal to mitigate air pollution from ships. (The Coast Guard and Environmental Protection Agency are proposing to, among other things, require vessels to burn low-sulfur distillate fuel within a prescribed offshore limit determined by each country, as well as in port.) An International Maritime Organization (IMO)study committee will consider the proposal in September 2007. (JoC, 06/28/07, www.joc.com)

4. U.S., China Sign MOU on Consumer Protection Matters

The U.S. and China have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on consumer protection matters. According to the MOU, the U.S. and China will, among other things, exchange views on consumer protection issues of common interests and exchange information concerning consumer protection laws, regulations, policies and other consumer protection-related subjects as mutually agreed to by the U.S. and China. (MOU, dated 06/12/07, available at http://www.ftc.gov/os/2007/06/070612chinamou.pdf)

5. Environmental Groups Praise Logging Provisions Added to U.S.-Peru FTA

The Sierra Club has posted to its Web site a joint statement by several environmental groups commending the environmental provisions included in the final text of the U.S.-Peru Free Trade Agreement, including those addressing illegally logged timber from Peru. (Sierra Club statement, 06/26/07, available at http://www.sierraclub.org/pressroom/releases/pr2007-06-26b.asp)

6. China Likely to Eclipse Canada as Top Supplier to U.S.

The Journal of Commerce reports that China likely will eclipse Canada as the top supplier to the U.S. this year, with imports from Canada totaling $75 billion in the first three months of 2007 compared with $71.4 billion from China. (JoC, dated 06/25/07, www.joc.com)

7. AMS Interim Final Rule Amends National List According to Organic Board Recommendations

The Agricultural Marketing Service has issued an interim final rule, effective June 21, 2007, which amends the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances regulations to enact 38 recommendations submitted by the National Organic Standards Board during recent public meetings. All comments received by August 27, 2007 will be considered prior to the issuance of the final rule. (D/N AMS-TM-07-0062; TM-07-06IF, FR Pub 06/27/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/07-3142.pdf)

8. U.S.-China Econ. Security Review Commission to Hold Public Hearing, July 12-13, 2007

The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission has issued a notice announcing it will hold an open public hearing July 12-13, 2007 in Washington, DC. This event, entitled''China's Proliferation and the Impact of Trade Policy on Defense Industries in the United States and China,'' is the fifth in a series of public hearings to collect input from leading experts on the impact of the economic and national security implications of the U.S. bilateral trade and economic relationship with China. (FR Pub 06/29/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-12647.pdf)

9. Recent CPSC Press Releases on Recalls

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued separate press releases (dated 06/01/07 - 06/30/07) announcing that the following companies, in cooperation with the CPSC, are voluntarily recalling the products listed below. Due to the large number of recalls, this is Part I of a two-part series of summaries. (Press releases available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prereljun07.html)