Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. FMC Launches SERVCON Filing Statistics

2. Notice of Public Hearing on Softwood Lumber Arbitration

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has issued a notice informing the public of an opportunity to attend a hearing in the arbitration under the 2006 Softwood Lumber Agreement between the U.S. and Canada. The hearing is scheduled to begin on June 11, 2009 and will conclude on June 12, 2009. The hearing will be held at the Offices of the World Bank in Washington, DC. (Notice, available at http://www.ustr.gov/assets/Trade_Agreements/Monitoring_Enforcement/2006_Softwood_Lumber_Agreement/Arbitration_on_Export_Measures/asset_upload_file499_15656.pdf)

3. BIS Sends Final Rule on Gift/Baggage/Donated Communication Device Cuba License Exceptions to OMB for Approval

The Bureau of Industry and Security has sent to OMB for approval a final rule that would revise a License Exception to allow items normally exchanged between individuals as gifts to be included in gift parcels sent to Cuba. The rule would also increase the maximum permissible value of such gift parcels, and makes related changes. The rule would revise another License Exception to remove the 44-pound baggage weight limit that applies to most travelers to Cuba. The rule would also create a new License Exception for donated consumer communications equipment to be exported or reexported to Cuba, among other things. (Notice, available at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eoReviewSearch;jsessionid=0a65171430d6f6e6692c37bf4bf5b92c94e4f5efaaf5.e38Nch4NbhuNa40Lc3eKchqMaN4Qe6fznA5Pp7ftolbGmkTy)

4. President Continues National Emergency for Stabilization of Iraq

President Obama has issued notice that he is continuing for 1 year the national emergency with respect to the stabilization of Iraq. (FR Pub 05/21/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-12100.pdf)

5. DHS Secretary to Travel to Northern Border and Canada

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano will travel to Detroit and Ottawa on May 26-27 to tour Northern border operations and meet with Canadian officials about shared border concerns, business interests and the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. (DHS press release, dated 05/20/09, available at http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1242840144173.shtm.)

6. APHIS Sends Proposed Rule on Lemons from Argentina to OMB for Approval

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has sent to the Office of Management and Budget for approval a proposed rule that would amend the fruits and vegetables regulations to allow the importation of lemons from northwest Argentina into the continental U.S., subject to certain entry requirements and U.S. distribution restrictions. (Notice, available at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eoReviewSearch;jsessionid=0a65171430d6f6e6692c37bf4bf5b92c94e4f5efaaf5.e38Nch4NbhuNa40Lc3eKchqMaN4Qe6fznA5Pp7ftolbGmkTy)

7. APHIS Updates its Manual for Agricultural Clearance

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has updated its Manual for Agricultural Clearance (formerly known as Airport Maritime Operations Manual - AMOM), which provides CBP personnel working at airport and maritime locations with the guidelines, directions, and policy for clearing carriers and passengers/crew and controlling garbage and cargo. (Updates, dated 05/21/09, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/mac.shtml)

8. AES Webinars Scheduled

The U.S. Census Bureau's Foreign Trade Division and the U.S. Commercial Service are offering a series of webinars on the new Automated Export System requirements that took effect on October 1, 2008. The webinars are designed to educate U.S. exporters on these new regulations and include an AES Overview on May 28; instructions on how to use PCLink on June 2, and CBP Enforcement Guidelines on June 4. The fee for each Webinar is $50. (Notice, available at http://www.export.gov/logistics/aes/eg_main_018985.asp)

9. GAO Testimony on Northern Marianas and Immigration Law

The Government Accountability Office has posted its Congressional testimony entitled: Coordinated Federal Decisions and Additional Data Are Needed to Manage Potential Economic Impact of Applying U.S. Immigration Law." (Testimony, dated 05/19/09, available at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d09426t.pdf)

10. BIS Export Enforcement Major Cases for May 2009

The Bureau of Industry and Security has issued its May 2009 Major Cases List, which summarizes some of BIS's most significant cases. The Major Cases List is comprised of two sections: new additions to the List are highlighted first, followed by major cases from over the last several years grouped by case focus. (List, dated May 2009, available at http://www.bis.doc.gov/complianceandenforcement/majorcaselist/mcl052009.pdf)

11. WCO Europe Regional Customs Conference in Norway

The Europe Regional Heads of Customs Conference was held on May 18 -19, 2009 in Bergen (Norway). Attended by Kunio Mikuriya, the WCO Secretary General, the meeting discussed a number of issues, including the global financial crisis, regional priorities for Customs in the 21st Century and the European region's capacity building strategy. (Report, available at http://www.wcoomd.org/speeches/?v=1&lid=1&cid=2&id=142)

12. Japan-ASEAN Partnership Enters Into Force for Thailand

Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry state that the Japan-ASEAN Comprehensive Economic Partnership (AJCEP) Agreement will enter into force with respect to Thailand on June 1, 2009. (Notice, dated 05/18/09, available at http://www.meti.go.jp/english/press/data/20090518_01.html)

13. WTO Non-Agricultural Market Access Negotiating Group to Discuss Non-Tariff Barriers

The chair of the World Trade Organization's Negotiating Group on Non-Agricultural Market Access (NAMA), Ambassador Wasescha, said at an informal meeting on May 20, 2009 that the Group will meet again next week to discuss non-tariff barriers to trade. (Notice, available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news_e.htm)

14. CPSC Lists Voluntary Recalls

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

(Notice, FR Pub 05/20/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-11757.pdf)

17. FMC Lists OTI Applications

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a notice that lists those applying for OTI licenses as a non-vessel-operating common carrier (NVOCC), ocean freight forwarder (FF) or NVOCC/FF OTI, as follows:

FMC notice (FR Pub 05/20/09) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-11758.pdf