Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. TWIC Enrollment for Corpus Christi to Begin November 1st

2. Freight Forwarder to Pay $140,000 Fine in DOD Household Goods Case

The Justice Department has issued a press release announcing that an Oregon-based freight forwarder, Lift Forwarders Inc., pleaded guilty to rigging bids and allocating shipments for its role in a conspiracy involving its participation in the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) program for shipping the household goods of military and civilian DOD personnel between the U.S. and foreign countries. Lift Forwarders agreed to pay a $140,000 criminal fine. (Press release, dated 10/17/07, available at http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2007/October/07_at_830.html)

3. California Air Resources Board to Meet on its Own Clean Ports Proposal

Land Line Magazine reports that California Air Resources Board (CARB) will consider its own proposal to force retrofits of most trucks to meet new diesel particulate matter standards during its December 6-7 board meeting. The proposed plan comes after the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have delayed their Clean Trucks plan. (Land Line Magazine, dated 10/18/07, available at http://www.landlinemag.com/todays_news/Daily/2007/Oct07/101507/101807-03.htm)

4. LA Public Bulletin on Entry Reqs for Nonpathogenic Microorganisms

U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Port of Los Angeles issued a Public Bulletin providing the trade with information regarding the existing entry requirements for shipments of nonpathogenic microorganisms per 9 CFR Part 122. (LA07-23, dated 10/16/07, available via email by sending a request to documents@brokerpower.com)

5. WTO Issues it 2007 Annual Report

The World Trade Organization has issued its 2007 annual report which provides an overview, an update of activities, and information on the organization, its Secretariat and budget. (WTO 2007 Annual Report available at http://www.wto.org/english/res_e/booksp_e/anrep_e/anrep07_e.pdf)

6. CBSA Guide on Exporting Goods from Canada

The Canada Border Services Agency has published a guide entitled, "Exporting Goods from Canada: A Handy Guide for Exporters" which includes information on exporting to the U.S. (CBSA Exporting Guide, RC4116(E) Rev. 05, available at http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/E/pub/cp/rc4116/rc4116-05e.pdf)

7. USDA Ethanol Transportation Backgrounder

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued the Ethanol Transportation Backgrounder which provides an overview of transportation issues facing the U.S. ethanol industry. (dated September 2007, available at http://www.ams.usda.gov/tmd/TSB/EthanolTransportationBackgrounder09-17-07.pdf )

8. GAO Reports That DHS Needs to Address Information Security

The Government Accountability Office states that the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, Justice, and State face challenges in implementing key information security control activities, and that increased risks exist because of it. (GAO-07-528, dated August 2007, available at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d07528.pdf )

9. GAO Reports on Ex-Im Bank's Financing of Dual-Use Exports

According to the GAO, Export-Import Bank officials report that dual-use items were last financed in 2002, and attributed the program's decline to a shift in Ex-Im's portfolio from transactions with governments to private sector transactions. (GAO-07-1234R, dated 09/27/07, available at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d071234r.pdf )

10. APHIS to Issue Permits for Importation of Peeled Baby Carrots from Kenya

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection service has issued notice advising the public of APHIS' decision to begin issuing permits for the importation into the continental U.S. of peeled baby carrots from Kenya, based on the findings of a pest risk analysis. (D/N APHIS-2007-0099, FR Pub 10/19/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-20678.pdf)

11. FSIS Updates Lists of Plants Certified to Export Meat, Etc. to U.S.

The Food Safety and Inspection Service has updated its lists of eligible foreign establishments certified to export meat, poultry, and/or egg products to the U.S. for the following countries: Canada, Italy, and Australia. (Lists, updated 10/19/07-10/24/07, available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/Eligible_Foreign_Establishments/index.asp)

12. FSIS Updates List of U.S. Plants Eligible to Export Beef to Russia

The Food Safety and Inspection Service has updated its list of U.S. plants eligible to export beef to Russia. (List, updated 10/19/07, available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Frame/FrameRedirect.asp?main=http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OFO/export/lrubeef.htm)

13. OFAC Blocks 11 Individuals Under Burma Executive Order

The Office of Foreign Assets Control issued a notice publishing the names of eleven newly-designated individuals whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to Executive Order 13310 of July 28, 2003, "Blocking Property of the Government of Burma and Prohibiting Certain Transactions." (FR Pub 10/25/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-21074.pdf)

14. FMC Lists OTI Applications

The Federal Maritime Commission has issued a notice that lists those applying for ocean transportation intermediary (OTI) licenses as a non-vessel-operating common carrier (NVOCC) or NVOCC/ ocean freight forwarder (FF) or NVOCC/FF OTI, as follows:

FMC notice (FR Pub 10/11/07) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-20088.pdf