Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
Although U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the General Administration of China Customs recently began their C-TPAT validation pilot program with three volunteer C-TPAT importers in mid-March, CBP sources state that the validation visits have already occurred. The next step is for a validation report to be prepared which contains recommendations to address any supply chain security weaknesses. (See ITT's Online Archives or 03/26/08 news, 08032605, for earlier BP summary on this pilot.)
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1. Validation Visits Completed for US-China Joint Pilot with Three C-TPAT Importers
2. Letter to the Editor on Regulatory Overkill After 9/11
In a letter to the editor of The Journal of Commerce, M. Sigmund Shapiro of Samuel Shapiro & Co. stated that COAC is right to cite the overkill inherent in current government security and regulatory policies, adding that Customs should be moved back to the Department of Treasury. (JoC, dated 03/10/08, www.joc.com)
3. Nike Reports Certain Labor Problems with Its Suppliers in China
The Financial Post reports that in Nike's first country-specific supply chain report which focused on China where one third of its shoes are made, it acknowledged various labor problems there, including its suppliers providing falsified documents, hiring underage workers, and not paying wages. (Financial Post, dated 03/15/08, available at http://www.financialpost.com/scripts/story.html?id=377646)
4. South Korea Lifts Import Tariffs on 70 Products to Stabilize Local Prices
Korea.net reports that as part of efforts to stabilize local consumer prices amid soaring international prices of raw materials, South Korea has announced an emergency decision to lift import tariffs on 70 price-sensitive products, including wheat, corn, syrup, soybean cake and coffee cream, effective April 1, 2008. (Korea.net, dated 03/20/08, available at http://www.kois.go.kr/news/news/newsView.asp?serial_no=20080320008)
5. Continued Fall in Container Imports into LA/LB
Reuters reports that the fall in container imports of finished goods into the biggest U.S. port (Los Angeles/Long Beach) for the seventh consecutive month is more evidence that the U.S. may be tipping into recession. (Reuters, dated 03/25/08, available at http://www.reuters.com/article/ousivMolt/idUSL2515119620080325)
6. Chinese Yuan Hits New High Against Dollar, Further Appreciation Expected
China's Textile and Economic Information Web site reports that the Chinese currency has hit a new high, reaching a central parity rate of 7.1209 yuan to one U.S. dollar. The yuan has appreciated more than 13% since it was de-pegged from the dollar in July 2005; climbed 6.9% against the dollar in 2007; and is expected to rise 7-10% against the dollar in 2008. However, some U.S. critics say it remains undervalued, giving Chinese exporters an unfair advantage and contributing to the trade imbalance between the two countries. (CTEI, dated 02/28/08, available at http://www.ctei.gov.cn/english/e_show.asp?xx=6248)
7. FMC Lists OTI Applications
The Federal Maritime Commission has issued a notice listing those applying for Ocean Transportation Intermediary (OTI) licenses as a Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier and Ocean Freight Forwarder (NVOCC/FF), or Freight Forwarder (FF) as follows:
FMC notice (FR Pub 03/19/08) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-5547.pdf
8. BIS Temporarily Denies Export Privileges for Reexport of Aircraft
The Bureau of Industry and Security has issued an order temporarily denying (for 180 days) the export privileges of Balli Group PLC, Balli Aviation, Balli Holdings, Vahid Alaghband, Hassan Alaghband, Blue Sky One Ltd., Blue Sky Two Ltd., Blue Sky Three Ltd., Blue Sky Four Ltd., Blue Sky Five Ltd., Blue Sky Six Ltd., Blue Airways, and Mahan Airways, for violating the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) by reexporting three U.S. origin aircraft to Iran, etc. (BIS order, FR Pub 03/21/08, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-5758.pdf)
9. AMS Revises Standards for Grades of Potatoes
The Agricultural Marketing Service has issued a final rule, effective April 21, 2008, revising the U.S. Standards for Grades of Potatoes under 7 CFR Part 51. (AMS, D/N AMS-2006-0136, FR Pub 03/21/08, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/08-1058.pdf)
10. FSIS Updates Export Requirements, Plant Lists for Various Countries
The Food Safety and Inspection Service has posted updated export requirements for Cuba and the United Arab Emirates. FSIS has also updated its list of U.S. plants approved to export to Japan (Cold Storage Facilities) and its eligible plant list for Australia. (FSIS updates, dated 03/18/08 - 03/24/08, available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/Export_Information/index.asp)
11. Various Agencies Seek Comments on Information Collections
Various U.S. government agencies are seeking comments on the following information collections for which they have requested or intend to request Office of Management and Budget approval or extension of approval (see notices for specific details):
AMS Information Collection (FR Pub 03/21/08) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-5749.pdf
DOD, GSA and NASA Information Collection (FR Pub 03/19/08) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-5478.pdf
EPA Information Collection (FR Pub 03/20/08) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-5664.pdf
FMCSA Information Collection (FR Pub 03/20/08) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-5640.pdf