Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

November 30, 2009 |Top News

The Treasury Department has posted its 2009 report to Congress on the International Trade Data System. The ITDS project is an interagency effort to build an electronic "single-window" system for reporting imports and exports to the government. ITDS will allow traders to make a single electronic report, with the relevant data distributed to the appropriate agencies. (See ITT's Online Archives or 11/10/09 news, 09111010, for initial BP summary on the report) ( posted 11/23/09, available at http://www.itds.gov/xp/itds/whats_new/).

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1. 2009 Report to Congress on ITDS Now Available Online

2. U.S. and Egypt Sign MOI on New U.S.-Egypt Business Leaders Forum

Commerce Secretary Locke and India Minister Rachid have signed a Memorandum of Intent in support of the U.S.-Egypt Business Leaders Forum. The Forum will work to promote U.S.-Egypt cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including: business and skills development; promoting entrepreneurship, innovation, and creativity; commercialization of new technologies; and physical infrastructure development. (Press release, dated 11/23/09, available at http://www.commerce.gov/NewsRoom/PressReleases_FactSheets/PROD01_008643)

3. California ARB Issues Draft Rule for Cap-and-Trade Program

The California Air Resources Board has released its preliminary rule for a cap-and trade-program, which is designed to seek input on a range of issues. Its release marks the beginning of the next phase of the cap-and-trade rulemaking, culminating in ARB's consideration in 2010 of the first broad based cap-and-trade program in the nation. The rule will be in effect by January 1, 2012. (News release, dated 11/24/09, available at http://www.arb.ca.gov/newsrel/nr112409b.htm)

4. ITA Issues Final Affirmative CV Determination on OCTG from China

The ITA has issued a fact sheet announcing its final affirmative CV duty determination regarding oil country tubular goods (OCTG) from China, with CV duty rates ranging from 10.36% to 15.78%. (Fact sheet, dated 11/24/09, available at http://ia.ita.doc.gov/download/factsheets/factsheet-prc-octg-cvd-final-112409.pdf)

5. APHIS Sends Final Rule to OMB on Agricultural Inspection and AQI User Fees Along the U.S./Canada Border

The Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service has sent a final rule on Agricultural Inspection and AQI User Fees along the U.S.-Canada border to the Office of Management and Budget for approval. This final rule would remove the exemptions from inspection for fruits and vegetables grown in Canada and the exemptions from user fees for commercial vessels, commercial trucks, commercial railroad cars, commercial aircraft, and international air passengers entering the United States from Canada. As a result, all agricultural products imported from Canada would be subject to inspection, etc. (Rule, received 11/20/09, available at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaViewRule?pubId=200904&RIN=0579-AC06)

6. PHMSA Sends Proposed Rule on Lithium Batteries to OMB

In September 2009, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration submitted a proposed rule entitled "Hazardous Materials: Revisions to Requirements for the Transportation of Lithium Batteries" to OMB for approval. (Rule, received 09/11/09, available at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eoPackageMain )

7. OMB Approves BIS Final Rule on Wassenaar Arrangement

The OMB has approved a Bureau of Industry and Security final rule on Wassenaar Arrangement 2008 Plenary Agreements Implementation: Categories 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Parts I and II, 6, 7, 8 and 9 of the Commerce Control List, etc. (Rule, completed 11/24/09, available at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eoPackageMain )

8. OMB Approves Final Rule on FAR for Costa Rica, Oman, Peru Trade Agreements

The OMB has approved a final rule for FAR Case 2008-036, Trade Agreements-Costa Rica, Oman, and Peru. (Rule, completed 11/23/09, available at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eoPackageMain)

9. DOJ Announces Guilty Plea in Conspiracy to Export Fighter Jet Parts to Iran

On November 23, 2009, the Department of Justice announced that Jacques Monsieur, a Belgian national and resident of France suspected of international arms dealing for decades, has pled guilty in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Alabama to conspiracy to illegally export F-5 fighter jet engines and parts from the U.S. to Iran. (News release, dated 11/23/09, available at http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2009/November/09-ag-1272.html)

10. State Dept Advisory Committee on Int'l Law Meeting on Dec 11, 2009

The State Department has issued a notice announcing a December 11, 2009 meeting of its Advisory Committee on International Law in Washington, DC. It is anticipated that the agenda of the meeting will cover a range of current international legal topics, including treaty scope and enforcement issues, the relationship between human rights treaties and humanitarian law; issues relating to the International Criminal Court; etc. (Notice, dated 11/24/09, available at http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2009/nov/132356.htm)

11. USDA Announces GSM-102 Credit Guarantees for Export Sales to SE Balkans

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced availability of $25 million in credit guarantees for sales of U.S. agricultural commodities under the Commodity Credit Corporation's Export Credit Guarantee Program (GSM-102) for fiscal year 2010. (Press release, dated 11/23/09, available at http://www.fas.usda.gov/scriptsw/PressRelease/pressrel_dout.asp?Entry=valid&PrNum=0304-09)

12. BIS' RPTAC Partially Open Meeting on December 9, 2009

The Bureau of Industry and Security has announced that the Regulations and Procedures Technical Advisory Committee will hold a partially open meeting on December 9, 2009 in Washington, DC. The open session of the meeting will be accessible via teleconference to 20 participants on a first come, first serve basis. (FR Pub 11/25/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-28195.pdf)

13. State Dept Announces DTAG Meeting on December 4, 2009

The State Department has announced that the Defense Trade Advisory Group (DTAG) will meet in open session on December 4, 2009. The agenda includes Export Control Reform; Draft revision to ITAR Section 126.4; Draft revision to ITAR Section 129; etc. (Public Notice 6810, FR Pub 11/25/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-28273.pdf)

14. APHIS Nursery Stock Restrictions PPQ Manual Updated

On November 20, 2009, APHIS updated its Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Nursery Stock Restrictions Manual. This Manual summarizes the entry status of regulated plant materials capable of and intended for propagation. (Manual, updated 11/20/009, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/downloads/nursery_stock.pdf)

15. Cut Flowers and Greenery Import PPQ Manual Updated

On November 19, 2009, APHIS updated its Cut Flowers and Greenery Import Manual. The manual provides the background, procedures, and reference tables for regulating the fresh, cut portion of the plant when it is imported for decoration or ornamentation, and for protecting plants that are threatened with extinction due to trade in those plants or their derivatives. (Manual, updated 11/19/09, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/downloads/cut_flower_imports.pdf)

16. CPSC Lists Voluntary Recalls

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

Product: Reason	Company	Release
Boy's Velour Warm-up Sets: Strangulation Hazard	KT Group Inc. (NY)	10-047

(CPSC recalls available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerelnov09.html

17. Canada Finds Injury in AD Investigation of Mattress Innerspring Units from China

The Canadian International Trade Tribunal has found that the dumping of mattress innerspring units, with or without edgeguards, used in the manufacture of innerspring mattresses, from China had caused injury to the domestic industry. Antidumping duties will therefore be collected by the Canada Border Services Agency. (Press release, dated 11/24/09, available at http://www.citt-tcce.gc.ca/press/nq2j002_e.asp)

18. Canada Posts 2009 Chicken Quota Holder List, Regulations Amending Chicken TRQ

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada has posted its 2009 Chicken - Traditional Importers Quota Holders List. In addition, Canada has posted RegulationsAmending the Canadian Chicken Marketing Quota Regulations in the November 25, 2009 edition of the Canada Gazette. (List, posted 11/25/09, available at http://www.international.gc.ca/controls-controles/prod/agri/chicken-poulet/Imp-trad-2009.aspx?lang=eng)

19. European Parliament Approves Draft Regulation on Tire Labeling

On November 25, 2009, the European Parliament approved a draft regulation to require, as of November 1, 2012, that suppliers of tires for passenger cars, light and heavy duty vehicles (C1, C2 and C3 tires) inform consumers about fuel efficiency, wet grip and noise classes in any technical promotional material, including websites. Re-tread tires, off-road professional tires and racing tires would be exempt. (Press release, dated 11/25/09, available at http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/expert/infopress_page/051-65051-327-11-48-909-20091123IPR65050-23-11-2009-2009-false/default_en.htm)

20. EC Closes Formal Antitrust Proceedings Against Qualcomm

The European Commission has closed its formal antitrust proceedings against Qualcomm Incorporated, a U.S. chipset manufacturer, concerning an alleged breach of EC Treaty rules on abuse of a dominant market position. (Press release, dated 11/24/09, available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/09/516&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en)

21. WTO Posts Status Reports of Doha Round Negotiations

The World Trade Organization has posted several status reports on the Doha Round negotiation process. Among other things, negotiators are focusing on data gaps in the agricultural trade talks and holding meetings covering agriculture, industrial goods, services, rules, trade-related intellectual property rights, and environment.