Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. "High Confidence" That Basic ITDS Can be Built with Existing Funds

Additional functions such as targeting, specific validations, and other enhancements would be implemented as funding is available. (As FY 2010 appropriations for ITDS are $16 million ($10 million more than the Administration requested), funding could be available for these additional functions.) (See ITT's Online Archives or 11/09/09 news, 09110910, for BP summary of the annual report examining low ITDS funding, etc.)

2. Comments Due on Preliminary List of U.S. Products Possibly Subject to Add'l Duties by Brazil

Brazil's Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade issued a notice reminding the public that comments are due November 30, 2009 on the Foreign Trade Chamber's proposed list of 222 products that could be subject to additional duties of up to 100%. The duties would be retaliation for the U.S. not complying with World Trade Organization findings in the dispute over U.S. subsidies provided to its producers, users and/or exporters of upland cotton. (Notice, dated 11/26/09, available at http://www.mdic.gov.br/sitio/interna/noticia.php?area=1&noticia=9484)

3. Registration Closed for CPSC Workshop on CPSIA Testing, Etc.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced that registration has closed for its December 10-11, 2009 public workshop on "CPSIA Product Testing" The workshop will address issues relating to Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA) test programs, material changes to children's products and third-party testing, component testing, and product labeling. (Notice, posted 11/30/09, available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/cpsiatesting.aspx)

4. DHS Secretary Holds Third Meeting with Private Sector Critical Infrastructure Leaders

On November 30,2009, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano hosted her third roundtable meeting with private sector leaders to discuss the shared responsibility of the private sector in supporting the Department's mission and highlight ongoing cooperative efforts to enhance critical infrastructure protection, readiness and resiliency. Secretary Napolitano asked the private sector leaders for their input on ways to better engage stakeholders in the shared responsibility of protecting critical infrastructure and key resources. (Press release dated 11/30/09, available at http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1259611759450.shtm.)

5. ICE Seizes 17,000 Counterfeit Items Worth $643,000 at 21 Businesses

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents seized more than 17,000 counterfeit items worth an estimated $643,000 from 21 businesses in the Twin Cities region from Nov. 17-21, 2009. The seized counterfeit items include clothing; acessories and pieces of jewelry; perfume; purses and wallets; memorabilia; and AA batteries. The estimated street value of the items is more than $643,000; if genuine brand merchandise, the estimated value would be more than $2,935,000. (News release, dated 11/25/09, available at http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/0911/091125minneapolis.htm)

6. Canada Proposes Regulations to Formally Implement CWC Declarations

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada published a regulatory impact analysis statement regarding its proposed Declaration Regulations to formally implement the declaration requirements of the Chemical Weapons Convention. DFAIT explains that over the past 12 years, Canadian entities affected by the CWC have voluntarily complied with the requirement to provide annual declarations of their activities, however it is considering regulations to formalize the requirement. (Notice, dated 11/28/09, available at http://canadagazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2009/2009-11-28/html/reg1-eng.html)

7. CBSA Says NEXUS/FAST Cards Sufficient Proof of Identity at Land & Marine Ports of Entry

Canada Border Services Agency issued a press release stating that NEXUS and FAST membership cards will now be accepted as proof of identity and as documents that denote citizenship when entering Canada at all land and marine ports of entry. This means that citizens of Canada and the U.S. who are NEXUS or FAST members, and are carrying with them valid membership cards, are no longer required to carry other supplementary documents such as passports or birth certificates with them when entering Canada by boat or by land, when using non-NEXUS or non-FAST lanes. (Press release, posted 11/25/09, available at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/prog/nexus/proofid-preuveid-eng.html)

8. CEH Finds High Level of Lead in Barbie and Tinkerbell Accessories

In tests commissioned by the Center for Environmental Health, the Mattel Barbie bicycle accessory set and a Disney "Tinker Bell" necklace set were among seven toys and children's products found with high levels of lead in independent tests. The seven lead-tainted products are the first found this holiday season by the Center in violation of the new federal law banning lead in products for children. (Notice, dated 11/17/09, available at http://www.ceh.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=409&Itemid=166)

9. Recommendations for WTO Registry of Wine & Spirit Geographical Indications

The out-going chairperson for the World Trade Organization's intellectual property Council has recommended five guiding principles for WTO members' efforts to conclude their negotiations on a multilateral register of geographical indications (GIs) for wines and spirits, part of the Doha Round talks. He states that among other things, the register should "facilitate" protection for wine and spirits, not increase protection. (Notice, dated 11/27/09, available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news09_e/trip_27nov09_e.htm)

10. FHWA Proposes Rule on Certification of Enforcement of the Heavy Vehicle Use Tax

The Federal Highway has issued a proposed rule and request for comments on updating its regulatory procedures for enforcement of the State registration of vehicles subject to the Heavy Vehicle Use Tax. Comments must be received by March 1, 2010. (D/N FHWA-2009-0098, FR Pub 11/30/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-27939.pdf)

11. BIS Orders Temporary Denial of Export Privileges

The Bureau of Industry and Security has ordered the denial of export privileges for 180 days for Corezing International; Kow Seng Lim; Zhenyong Zhou; Jie Luo; Insight Electronics Pte Ltd.; and Action Global Co., Limited for providing suppliers, exporters and distributors with false information regarding the ultimate destination and end-user of U.S. procured products. (FR Pub 11/30/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-28605.pdf)

12. BIS Materials Processing Equipment Committee to Meet

The Bureau of Industry and Security's Materials Processing Equipment Technical Advisory Committee (MPETAC) will hold a partially open meeting in Washington, D.C. on December 17, 2009. The open portion of the meeting will be accessible via teleconference to 20 participants on a first come, first serve basis. (FR Pub 11/30/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-28602.pdf)

13. FDA Draft Guidance on Timetable for Modified Risk Tobacco Products

The Food and Drug Administration is announcing the availability of a draft guidance entitled ''Preliminary Timetable for the Review of Applications for Modified Risk Tobacco Products.'' This guidance is intended for manufacturers, retailers, importers, and FDA staff. The guidance describes FDA's current thinking regarding the appropriate preliminary timetable for its review of applications for MRTPs under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, as modified by the 2009 Federal Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. Written comments on the draft guidance are due by February 25, 2010. (D/N FDA-2009-D-0563, FR Pub 11/30/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-28515.pdf)

14. Export Live! Trade Event in Detroit on December 11th

The Export Live! Seminar Series will hold a seminar on December 11, 2009 in Detroit on successful export strategies for small businesses. (Notice, posted 11/30/09, available at http://www.export.gov/exports_live/detroit/)

15. Early Release of FMCSA 2008 Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts Annual Report

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued an early release of its 2008 Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts Annual Report, based solely on crash data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and FMCSA. (Report, posted 11/19/09, available at http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/facts-research/art-analysis_Large-Truck-and-Bus-Crash-Facts-2008.aspx)

16. EU Investigating Smuggled Textile/Shoe Imports from China

According to the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the European Union Anti-Fraud Office has reported its discovery of a large-scale fraud scheme, organized by Chinese, Hungarian and Austrian citizens, who are believed to have smuggled large quantities of textiles and shoes from mainland China into the EU. The investigation is on-going. (Notice, dated 11/27/09, available at http://www.hktdc.com/info/vp/a/ctde/en/1/1/1/1X06HCAQ/China-Trade/Detection-of-customs-fraud-concerning-textile-imports-leads-to-heavy-fines-and-prison-sentence.htm)

17. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Report

The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN report:

Canada Fresh Deciduous Fruit Annual: Apple and Pear Annual Report

18. Revised FDA Import Alert

The Food and Drug Administration has posted revised versions of the following Import Alert on the detention without physical examination of:

Shrimp

19. 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

(Information collection notices are hyperlinked to agency name.)

20. CPSC Lists Voluntary Recalls

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

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