Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The ITDS Board of Directors Product Information Committee has issued a concept paper on recommendations for the use of "product information codes" to the ITDS Board of Directors. The report contains recommendations on ways to provide government agencies with more specific product classification information via ACE to make fast and accurate decisions about cargo admissibility at U.S. borders. Paper available here. (Overview, dated July 2009, available at http://www.itds.gov/linkhandler/itds/news/ecommerce_product_data.ctt/ecommerce_product_data.pdf)
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1. ITDS Concept Paper on ACE Product Information Codes
2. May 2009 Surface Trade with Canada and Mexico Fell 35.4 Percent from May 2008
The Bureau of Trade Statistics reports that trade using surface transportation between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners Canada and Mexico was 35.4 percent lower in May 2009 than in May 2008, the biggest decline from the same month of the previous year on record. (Notice, dated 07/030/09, available at http://www.bts.gov/press_releases/2009/bts037_09/html/bts037_09.html)
3. ITC Releases Shifts in U.S. Merchandise Trade 2008
Shifts in U.S. Merchandise Trade 2008, an annual compendium of data and analysis examining changes in trade with key U.S. partners and U.S. industries, was released by the International Trade Commission. The report shows that in 2008, the merchandise trade deficit grew 3 percent, imports rose 8 percent, and exports rose 12 percent. (News Release No. 09-056, dated 07/30/09, available at http://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2009/er0730gg1.htm)
4. National Maritime Security Advisory Committee Teleconference
The Coast Guard's National Maritime Security Advisory Committee will conduct a teleconference on August 24, 2009. This teleconference will be open to the public. (D/N USCG-2009-0714, FR Pub 08/04/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-18511.pdf)
5. FDA Release on APEC Food Safety Cooperation Forum
The U.S. participated in the APEC Food Safety Cooperation Forum, in Singapore on July 30, 2009, as part of the meetings of the APEC Sub-Committee on Standards and Conformance being held July 30 - August 6, 2009. U.S. participation represents an investment in international food safety systems, which in turn will help the U.S. meet its goal of safe imported food products. (Notice, dated 08/03/09, available at http://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/WorkshopsMeetingsConferences/ucm174960.htm)
6. DHS Sends Proposed Rule on Mariana Islands Alien Workers to OMB
DHS has sent to OMB a proposed rule to create a new Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Only Transition Worker classification, before the Immigration and Nationality Act is fully applicable. A CNMI-only transitional worker is an alien worker who is ineligible for another classification under the Immigration and Nationality Act and who performs services or labor for an employer in the CNMI. (Rule, posted 07/28/09, available at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaViewRule?pubId=200904&RIN=1615-AB76)
7. Calif. Company Pleads Guilty to Foreign Bribery Charges and Agrees to Pay $18.2 Million Criminal Fine
The Department of Justice reports that Control Components Inc., a Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.-based company, pleaded guilty today to violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and the Travel Act in a decade-long scheme to secure contracts in approximately 36 countries by paying bribes to officials and employees of various foreign state-owned companies as well as foreign and domestic private companies. (Notice, dated 07/31/09, available at http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/2009/July/09-crm-754.html)
8. Canadian International Trade Tribunal Posts Various Orders, Inquiries, Etc.
In the August 1, 2009 edition of the Canada Gazette, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal posted the following documents:
aluminum extrusion - order
Communications, photographic, mapping, printing and publication services - inquiry
educational and training services - inquiry
fabricated materials - determination
furniture - inquiry
textiles and apparel - inquiry
(Documents, posted 08/01/09, available at http://canadagazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2009/2009-08-01/html/index-eng.html)
9. Agency Seeks 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
| CBP1 | Exportation of Used-Propelled Vehicles | 09/03/09 |
| CBP2 | Petroleum Refineries in Foreign Trade Sub-zones | 09/03/09 |
| FDA | Adverse Event Reporting and Recordkeeping for Dietary Supplements as Required by the Dietary Supplement and Nonprescription Drug Consumer Protection Act | N/A |
| EPA | NESHAP for Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Facilities-Surface Coating (Renewal) | 09/03/09 |
(Information collection notices are hyperlinked to agency name.)