Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. U.S. and Mexico Sign Letter of Intent to Combat Border Crime and Weapons Trafficking

The Justice Department states that the U.S. and Mexico officials have signed a Letter of Intent to develop a coordinated and intelligence-driven response to the threat of U.S.-Mexico border crime and violence, and cross border smuggling and trafficking of weapons and ammunition. (Press Release, dated 08/13/09, available at http://www.atf.gov/press/2009press/081309doj_dhs_mex-trafficking_investigation-agreement.htm)

2. DHS OIG Report on Potential Risks with Managing Stimulus Funding

The Department of Homeland Security's Office of the Inspector General has issued an advisory report which identifies potential risks that DHS should mitigate to manage funds appropriated through the American Recovery and Renvestment Act of 2009 (the economic stimulus bill). The report identifies open recommendations that DHS should implement to reduce the management risks and increase its success in meeting the goals of the Recovery Act. (Report OIG-09-74, posted 08/10/09, available at http://www.dhs.gov/xoig/assets/mgmtrpts/OIG_09-74_Jun09.pdf.)

3. APHIS to Hold Public Meetings on Mitigating Pests in WPM and Firewood

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is announcing four public meetings to discuss mitigation measures that could be applied to wood packaging material (e.g., crates, dunnage, wooden spools, pallets, packing blocks) used in domestic commerce to decrease the risk of the artificial spread of plant pests. The meetings will be held in August and September 2009 in Washington, D.C.; Portland, OR; Houston, TX; and Grand Rapids, MI. The Washington meeting will also discuss the creation of a Federal Firewood Strategy. (D/N APHIS-2009-0066, FR Pub 08/17/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-19643.pdf)

4. CPSC Says XRF Has Potential to Accurately Measure New Lead Limits in Paint but More Work Needed

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has posted a "Study on the Effectiveness, Precision, and Reliability of X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry and Other Alternative Methods for Measuring Lead in Paint." The study concludes that XRF spectrometry has the potential to accurately measure lead in painted films on children's products at the limits required under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, but appropriate standard reference materials and standard analytical methods need to be developed before a complete evaluation or determination is possible. (Report, dated August 2009, available at http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/leadinpaintmeasure.pdf)

5. FDA Draft Guidance on Labeling of Beers Made with Substitute Ingredients

The Food and Drug Administration is announcing the availability of draft guidance on the "Labeling of Certain Beers Subject to the Labeling Jurisdiction of the Food and Drug Administration.'' This draft guidance is being issued in light of the recent ruling that beers not made from both barley and hops (but from substitutes such as sorghum, rice or wheat) do not meet the definition of a ''malt beverage" under the FAA Act. (D/N FDA-2009-D-0268, FR Pub 08/17/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-19640.pdf)

6. BIS Announces $190,000 Penalty Against RFMD to Settle Charge of Exporting Modems to China

The Bureau of Industry and Security announced that RF Micro Devices, Inc. of Greensboro, N.C. has agreed to pay a $190,000 civil penalty to settle allegations that it exported spread-spectrum modems in violation of the Export Administration Regulations to China. (Notice, dated 08/14/09, available at http://www.bis.doc.gov/news/2009/bis_press08142009.htm)

7. BIS Announces $610,000 Penalty Against FMC Tech to Settle Allegation of Exporting Oil/Gas Parts

The Bureau of Industry and Security announced that FMC Technologies, Inc., has agreed to pay a $610,000 civil penalty to settle allegations that it exported certain oil and gas industry service parts in violation of the Export Administration Regulations. (Notice, dated 08/13/09, available at http://www.bis.doc.gov/news/2009/bis_press08132009.htm)

8. BIS Partially Open Meeting of Materials Technical Advisory Committee

The Bureau of Industry and Security is announcing that the Materials Technical Advisory Committee will meet on September 10, 2009, in Washington, D.C. This Committee advises the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Export Administration with respect to technical questions that affect the level of export controls applicable to materials and related technology. (FR Pub 08/17/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-19665.pdf)

9. FAS/CCC Requests Comments to Improve Facility Guarantee Program for Ag Exports

The Foreign Agricultural Service and Commodity Credit Corporation have requested comments and suggestions for improving the operation of its Facility Guarantee Program. The changes are designated to lower costs and improve the program's effectiveness and efficiency, and ultimately, expand U.S. exports of agricultural products to emerging markets. Federal Register notice available here. (Notice, dated 08/14/09, available at http://www.fas.usda.gov/scriptsw/PressRelease/pressrel_dout.asp?Entry=valid&PrNum=0166-09)

10. ITDS Fact Sheet on Benefits of Coast Guard Joining ITDS

The International Trade Data System has issued a document on the Coast Guard's signing of a letter of intent on January 24, 2008 to become the 43rd Participating Government Agency to join the International Trade Data System. (Notice, posted 08/06/09, available at http://www.itds.gov/linkhandler/itds/news/uscg_ace_itds.ctt/uscg_ace_itds.pdf)

11. Canadian Int'l Trade Tribunal Posts Industrial Equipment Determination

The Canadian International Trade Tribunal posted a determination regarding the procurement of certain industrial equipment in the August 15, 2009 edition of the Canada Gazette. (Notice, dated 08/05/09, available at http://canadagazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2009/2009-08-15/html/commis-eng.htmlf107)

12. Canada's DFAIT Posts 2009/2010 Specialty Cream Quota Holders List

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT) has posted its 2009/2010 Specialty Cream quota holders' list. (List, posted 08/12/09, available at http://www.international.gc.ca/controls-controles/prod/agri/dairy-laitiers/special10-specialite10.aspx?lang=eng)

13. CPSC Lists Voluntary Recall

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

(CPSC recalls available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerelaug09.html)

14. FTZB Announces Actions, Filings

FTZ 124. Approval for Expanded Manufacturing Authority, Foreign-Trade Subzone 124E: Marathon Petroleum Co. LLC (Oil Refinery), Garyville, LA

FTZ 122. Approval for Manufacturing Authority for Excalibar Minerals, LLC (Barite Milling), Corpus Christi, TX

FTZ 267. Approval for Manufacturing Authority: CNH America, LLC (Construction and Agricultural Equipment), Fargo, ND

FTZ 57. Approval of expansion of FTZ, Charlotte, NC

FTZ 8. Approval of expansion of FTZ, Toledo, OH

FTZ 49. Newark, New Jersey Area, Application for Subzone Status: Swatch Group (U.S.) Inc. (Watches, Jewelry Products and Leather Goods), Secaucus, NJ

FTZ 242. Grant of Authority For Subzone Status: Hoku Materials, Inc. (Polysilicon), Pocatello, ID

15. 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 08/12/09) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-19358.pdf