Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

November 5, 2009 |Top News

At the November 4, 2009 COAC meeting, a Treasury official announced that the International Trade Data System annual report to Congress has been issued. According to Treasury, the report contains recommendations that could help mitigate the effect of ACE delays on ITDS program. For example, the report recommends that CBP could begin to collect ITDS information for other agencies through the Automated Broker Interface, and then make the data available through the ACE data warehouse. See future issues of ITT for additional details of COAC meeting and ITDS report. (Report, dated September 2009, available at http://www.itds.gov/xp/itds/whats_new/)

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1. ITDS Report Recommends CBP Use ABI for ITDS Data, Due to ACE Delays

2. CBP Commissioner Nominee Prepares for His Confirmation Hearing

At the November 4, 2009 COAC meeting, CBP officials noted that they have been working with the CBP Commissioner nominee Alan Bersin to prepare him for his confirmation hearing. Officials note that the date for the CBP Commissioner confirmation hearing has not yet been announced.

3. Russia Updates WCO on its Customs Efforts

In a bilateral meeting with the World Customs Organization Secretary General on October 21, 2009, the Director General of the Federal Customs Service in Russia explained Russian policy to increase the alignment of its procedures with WCO standards, particularly in the context of forming a Customs union with Belarus and Kazakhstan. He also stated Russia's interest in the electronic exchange of advance information with neighboring countries and formally informed the Secretary General of its acceptance of 20 WCO recommendations covering various areas. (Report, posted 10/27/09, available at http://www.wcoomd.org/speeches/default.aspx?lid=1&id=173)

4. WCO Announces Progress in Customs Cooperation Between Asia, Europe

The WCO reports that the 8th Asia-Europe Customs DGs/Commissioners Meeting was held in Greece on 15 - 16 October 2009. The meeting adopted the ASEM Trade Facilitation Action Plan on Customs Matters (TFAP) for 2010-2012, which include enhanced dialogue with business and exploration of the possibility to implement pre-arrival and pre-departure security declaration in line with SAFE Framework of Standards. (Report, posted 10/20/09, available at http://www.wcoomd.org/speeches/?v=1&lid=1&cid=2&id=172)

5. WTO Issues Trade Policy Review for Southern African Customs Union

The World Trade Organization has issued its Trade Policy Review for Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland, collectively known as the Southern African Customs Union (SACU). Since the previous review in 2003, SACU members have expanded at an average annual rate of about 4% in real terms, although this GDP growth has been somewhat erratic mainly reflecting infrastructure and other constraints. (Press release, dated 11/04/09, available at http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tpr_e/tp322_e.htm)

6. EC Publishes 2010 Version of Tariff Nomenclature, Common Customs Tariff

The European Commission has published the 2010 version of the tariff and statistical nomenclature and the Common Customs Tariff. (Notice, dated 10/31/09, available at http://eur-lex.europa.eu/JOHtml.do?uri=OJ:L:2009:287:SOM:EN:HTML)

7. EPA Finalizes Approval of Calif. VOC Emission Rules for Consumer Products

The Environmental Protection Agency is finalizing, effective December 4, 2009, its approval of revisions to the California Air Resources Board portion of the California State Implementation Plan concerning volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from consumer products. (FR Pub 11/04/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-26417.pdf)

8. EPA Proceeds with Revoking Regulations Allowing Carbofuran Pesticide Residues on Food

The Environmental Protection Agency is moving forward to implement the agency's May 2009 final rule revoking tolerances, or residue limits, for the pesticide carbofuran. EPA continues to find that dietary exposures to carbofuran from all sources combined are not safe. (News release, dated 10/30/09, available at http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/d0cf6618525a9efb85257359003fb69d/790517a9792be9a48525765f005996b8!OpenDocument)

9. EPA Orders Pesticide Chemical Testing for Hormone Effects

The Environmental Protection Agency has issued the first test orders for pesticide chemicals to be screened for their potential effects on the endocrine system. Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that interact with and disrupt the hormones produced or secreted by human and animal endocrine systems, which regulate growth, metabolism and reproduction. (News release, dated 10/29/09, available at http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/d0cf6618525a9efb85257359003fb69d/d60590e519ce3c2e8525765e0053f331!OpenDocument)

10. NFTC Calls for Market-Oriented U.S. Sugar Reform Policy

During a Capitol Hill briefing, the President of the National Foreign Trade Council urged policymakers to reform U.S. sugar policy to reduce barriers to trade, maximize U.S. exports, enhance the competitiveness of American farmers and encourage our trading partners to expand agricultural market access. (Press release, dated 10/30/09, available at http://www.nftc.org/newsflash/newsflash.asp?Mode=View&id=236&articleid=2929&category=All)

11. FWS to Hold Meeting to Discuss Upcoming CITES Conference

The Fish and Wildlife Service is holding a public meeting on December 2, 2009, to develop and receive comments on the U.S. position regarding issues that will be raised at the 15th regular meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (CoP15) in Doha, Qatar, March 13-25, 2010. FWS is also announcing the provisional agenda for CoP15. Written information and comments are due by January 4, 2010. (FR Pub 11/04/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-26619.pdf)

12. U.S., Morocco Discuss Their Free Trade Agreement

The U.S. and Morocco recently met for the second meeting of the Joint Committee responsible for supervising the operation of the U.S.-Morocco FTA. Officials from both countries discussed bilateral trade, investment and economic issues of mutual interest, as well as the administration of the FTA. (Press release, dated 11/03/09, available at http://www.ustr.gov/about-us/press-office/press-releases/2009/november/ambassador-kirk-moroccan-minister-external-commer)

13. FDA, JIFSAN Travel to Bangladesh to Teach Seafood Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition have sent a team of seafood specialists to Bangladesh to help train local officials on aquaculture safety and quality control techniques for both domestic and international markets. (News release, dated 11/02/09, available at http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm188750.htm)

14. DDTC Announces Company Name Change for DSP Licenses

The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls has announced that the company BVT Surface Fleet Limited has changed its name to "BAE Systems Surface Ships Limited." New DSP license applications received after November 15, 2009, identifying BVT Surface Fleet Limited as a party to the license will be considered for return without action for correction to the new name. (Notice, dated 11/03/09, available at http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/licensing/documents/WebsiteNotice_BVTtoBAE.pdf)

15. FTZB Announcements and Actions

FTZ 265. Application for Subzone: Materials Science Technology, Inc. (Elastomer and Fire Retardant Chemical Manufacturing) Conroe, TX.

16. Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Import PPQ Manual Updated

On November 2, 2009, APHIS updated its Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Import PPQ Manual. The manual lists by country fruits and vegetables that are admissible into the U.S. It includes a description of methods for sampling and inspecting selected fruits and vegetables. It also contains pictorial identification guides, and a glossary for common and scientific names of fruits and vegetables. (Manual, updated 11/02/09, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/downloads/fv.pdf)

17. ECHA Requests Comments on Classification & Labeling of HBCDD & Cryolite

The European Chemicals Agency is requesting public input on its proposal to harmonize the classification and labeling of two chemical substances, Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) and Cryolite. Comments are welcome on the proposal within the next 45 days. (News alert, dated 11/04/09, available at http://echa.europa.eu/doc/press/na_09_26_consultations_clp_20091104.pdf)

18. NHTSA Announces Lerado Recall of Mia Moda Seats and Bases

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is alerting consumers to immediately stop using certain Mia Moda Viva and Viva Supreme infant child restraint systems due to safety defects. Lerado, the manufacturer, is recalling these items as the restraint's harness splitter plate located on the rear of the seat has sharp edges which could cut the harness straps. In addition, the restraint's base is vulnerable to cracking during a crash. (Press release, dated 10/30/09, available at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/portal/site/nhtsa/template.MAXIMIZE/menuitem.f2217bee37fb302f6d7c121046108a0c/?javax.portlet.tpst=1e51531b2220b0f8ea14201046108a0c_ws_MX&javax.portlet.prp_1e51531b2220b0f8ea14201046108a0c_viewID=detail_view&itemID=61cb3965375a4210VgnVCM1000002fd17898RCRD&pressReleaseYearSelect=2009)