Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. AMS Proposes Rule to Implement Tax on Imported Dairy Products

2. Long Beach Begins New CTP Truck Lease Subsidy Program

The Port of Long Beach has announced the beginning of a new round of funding for subsidized leases and loans in its $42.5 million Clean Truck Financing Program to help truck owners meet the requirements of its Clean Trucks Program. Applications for subsidized loans, leases, and/or grants will be accepted from May 18 -June 5, 2009. (Release and other documents available at http://www.polb.com/news/displaynews.asp?NewsID=551&TargetID=24)

3. USTR Kirk Discusses Pending Free Trade Agreements, Doha

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has posted USTR Kirk's remarks given before the Chamber of Commerce on May 18, 2009 regarding the next steps on the trade agenda. His remarks cover current efforts to finishing the Free Trade Agreements for the Panama, Colombia and Korea, as well as the Doha Round. (USTR's prepared text, dated 05/18/09, available at http://www.ustr.gov/assets/Document_Library/Transcripts/2009/May/asset_upload_file770_15658.pdf)

4. President Continues National Emergency on Burma

President Obama is continuing for one year the national emergency with respect to Burma, as the actions and policies of its government continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the U.S. (FR Pub 05/19/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-11753.pdf)

5. State Dept Waives Restrictions on Assistance to Lebanon Central Govt

The State Department has published notice that it is waiving the restrictions of Section 7088(c)(1) of the Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act of 2009 with respect to the Government of Lebanon, as doing so is important to U.S. national interests. (FR Pub 05/19/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-11641.pdf )

6. FDA Notice on Recall of Water-Based Face Paint from China

The Food and Drug Administration has issued a news notice stating that Fun Express, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Oriental Trading Co., Omaha, Neb., has recalled certain children's face paint manufactured by Shanghai Color Art Stationery Company Limited, Shanghai, China. Significant microbial contamination was indicated in most of the products in testing by an FDA laboratory. (FDA News, dated 05/12/09, available at http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2009/NEW02015.html )

7. Importer Sentenced to Jail Time, Fine for Customs Fraud

The Justice Department and the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi announced that Paul Kotsakos was sentenced to nine months of imprisonment and ordered to pay restitution for his part in a customs fraud. Kotsakos operated an import company known as PK Promotions, Inc., in Biloxi, which imported promotional items, such as bags, cups, beads, lanyards, and shirts, from China. Kotsakos sought to avoid paying the full amount of duty on imported goods by presenting fraudulent invoices and arranging to give merchandise a false classification. (DOJ release dated 05/15/09, available at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/mss/press/May2009/Kotsakos_Sentencing_News_Release.pdf )

8. Port St. Lucie Man Sentenced to 60 Months on AECA Conspiracy

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement reports that Joseph Piquet was convicted on March 5, 2009 on seven counts of conspiracy to evade the Arms Export Control Act. Court documents show he purchased high-tech, military use electronic components from Northrop Grumman Corporation, then shipped the items to Hong Kong and China without first obtaining required export licenses. (ICE release, dated 05/15/09, available at http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/0905/090515westpalmbeach.htm )

9. EC Fines Intel $1.45 Billion for Violation of EC Antitrust Rules

The European Commission has imposed a fine of $1.45 billion on Intel Corporation for violating EC Treaty antitrust rules on the abuse of a dominant market position by engaging in illegal anticompetitive practices to exclude competitors from the market for computer chips called x86 central processing units (CPUs). The Commission has ordered Intel to cease the illegal practices immediately to the extent that they are still ongoing. (EU Europa release, dated 05/13/09, available at http://www.eurunion.org/eu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3404&Itemid=58 )

10. 14th Meeting of the Governing Council for the WCO East and Southern Africa Region

The World Customs Organization reports the Heads of Customs of the WCO East and Southern Africa region met in Harare, Zimbabwe on May 14 - 15, 2009 for the 14th Meeting of the region's Governing Council. Customs issues discussed included the global financial crisis, "Customs in the 21st Century", the implementation of the SAFE Framework of Standards, and the importance of WCO instruments such as the Revised Kyoto Convention. (WCO release, dated 05/15/09, available at http://www.wcoomd.org/speeches/?v=1&lid=1&cid=2&id=141 )

11. APHIS Updates Certain Manuals

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has updated the following manuals:

Animal Product Manual

Cut Flowers and Greenery Import Manual

12. CPSC Lists Voluntary Recall

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has published notice of the following voluntary recall:

(Recalls available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerelmay09.html)

13. FTZB Actions and Announcements on Foreign Trade Zones

The Foreign Trade Zone Board is announcing that:

FTZ 124 - the Port of South Louisiana, grantee of FTZ 124, is requesting special-purpose subzone status for the barite milling facility of Excalibar Minerals LLC, located in New Iberia, Louisiana. Comments are due by July 20, 2009, with rebuttals due 15 days later.

FTZ 120 - it has issued an order granting authority for subzone status for activity related to the manufacturing and distribution of semiconductor-grade silicon wafers at the facility of Shin-Etsu Handotai America, Inc., located in Vancouver, Washington (Subzone 120A).