Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
CBP has issued a general notice advising the public of the quarterly Internal Revenue Service interest rates used to calculate interest on overdue accounts (underpayments) and refunds (overpayments) of customs duties. For the calendar quarter beginning January 1, 2009, the interest rates for overpayments will be 4% for corporations and 5% for non-corporations, and the interest rate for underpayments will be 5%. (See ITT's Online Archives or 12/15/08 news, 08121530, for earlier BP summary.) (FR Pub 01/12/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-344.pdf.)
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1. CBP Publishes 1st Quarter 2009 IRS Interest Rates
2. OMB Completes Its Review of Mandatory Country of Original Labeling Final Rule
On December 8, 2008, the Office of Management and Budget completed its review of Agricultural Marketing Service's final rule entitled "Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling of Beef, Pork, Lamb, Fish, Perishable Agricultural Commodities, and Peanuts." (The title is hyperlinked to the rule; to see that OMB has completed its review of the rule, click here and select "Department of Agriculture" from the second dropdown box.) (Posting available at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eoDetails?rrid=116690)
3. CBSA Extends Deadline for PIP Legacy Members to Reapply
The Canada Border Services Agency has announced that it has extended to March 31, 2009 the date for eligible Partners in Protection (similar to C-TPAT) legacy members to reapply. Legacy members are those who joined before June 30, 2008. (CBSA posting available at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/security-securite/pip-pep/menu-eng.html)
4. FDA Updates Melamine Contamination in China Web Page
The Food and Drug Administration has updated its Melamine Contamination in China Web page. (FDA posting 01/05/09, available at http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/melamine.html)
5. DDTC Updates Its D-Trade Information Center Web Page
The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls has updated its D-Trade Information Center Web page. The page now includes a link to release notes on PureEdge Import and Export forms in support of D-Trade Web Application 2 Version 2.0 and a link to preview new D-Trade 2 v2.0 forms. (DDTC notice, posted 01/12/09, available at http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/DTRADE/index.html)
6. DDTC Reminds Embassies to Submit Freight Forwarder Info by Jan. 31st
DDTC has posted a reminder notice to its Web site requesting Embassies to submit a signed and current Letter of Offer and Acceptance by January 31, 2009 identifying freight forwarders authorized by Embassies to transfer defense articles sold, leased or loaned by the Department of Defense under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Program. Letters requesting this information have been sent to those Embassies identified on recent DSP 94 forms. (DDTC notice and sample letter, posted 01/07/09, available at http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/documents/Reminder_EmbassyNotice.doc)
7. Justice Dept Seeks to Recover Illegal Proceeds from Foreign Bribe Payments
The Justice Department has issued a news release announcing that it has filed a forfeiture action against accounts worth nearly $3 million that are alleged to be the proceeds of a wide-ranging conspiracy to bribe public officials in Bangladesh and their family members in connection with various public work projects. (Justice Department release, dated 01/09/09, available athttp://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2009/January/09-crm-020.html)
8. Export.gov Offers Six Export Fundamentals Webinars in Jan - March
Export.gov has posted information to its Web site regarding six export fundamentals webinars that will be held in January through March 2009.
January 14, 2009: Classifying your Product for Import /Export (HTS Numbers)
January 28, 2009: Export Documentation Fundamentals
February 11, 2009: Incoterms 2000 -Transportation Obligations, Costs and Risks
February 18, 2009: Ensuring Payment for International Sales
March 4, 2009: Increasing Your Global Sales Using the Internet
March 18, 2009: Exporter Obligations/Export Control Update
(Posting available at http://www.buyusa.gov/stlouis/exportfundamentals.html)
9. DOE Notice on Public Meeting on Metal Halide Lamp Ballasts
The Department of Energy announced it would hold a public meeting on December 19, 2008 to discuss and receive comment concerning its proposal to establish metal halide lamp ballast test procedures that manufacturers would use to demonstrate compliance with the metal halide ballast energy conservation standards mandated by the statute. (D/N EERE-2008-BT-TP-0017, FR Pub 12/17/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-29944.pdf)
10. 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):
| Agency | Information Collection | Comments Due |
|---|---|---|
| CBP 1 | Screening Requirements for Carriers | 02/17/09 |
| APHIS 1 | Revision of Fruits and Vegetables Import Regulations | 02/17/09 |
| FDA 1 | Export of FDA Regulated Products: Export Certificates | 02/17/09 |
| ITA 1 | Commercial Service - Client Focus Groups (ITA Form 4153P) | 02/17/09 |
| BIS 1 | Firearms Convention Requirements | 02/27/09 |
CBP 1 Information Collection (FR Pub 12/17/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-29908.pdf
APHIS 1 Information Collection (FR Pub 12/19/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-30214.pdf
FDA 1 Information Collection (FR Pub 12/17/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-29897.pdf
ITA 1 Information Collection (FR Pub 12/17/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-29621.pdf
BIS 1 Information Collection (FR Pub 12/29/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-30708.pdf
11. FMC Lists OTI Applications
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a notice that lists those applying for Ocean Transportation Intermediary licenses as a non-vessel-operating common carrier (NVOCC), ocean freight forwarder (FF) or NVOCC/FF OTI, as follows:
FMC notice (FR Pub 12/10/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-29175.pdf