Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
1. CBP’s Instructions on HOPE II for Haiti Expected Soon
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According to CBP sources, CBP is expected to soon issue information on the new HOPE II (Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement Act of 2008) changes for textiles and apparel from Haiti, that were enacted as part of the Farm Bill (Public Law No. 110-234). (See ITT’s Online Archives or 06/20/08 news, (Ref: 08062025), for ITC overview of HOPE II.)
2. OFAC Designates 8 Individuals & Entities under Drug Trafficking EO
The Office of Foreign Assets Control is publishing the names of eight newly-designated individuals and entities whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to Executive Order 12978 of October 21, 1995, Blocking Assets and Prohibiting Transactions with Significant Narcotics Traffickers. (OFAC notice, FR Pub 09/05/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-20573.pdf)
3. OFAC Unblocks 21 Individuals & Entities under Drug Trafficking EO
OFAC is publishing the names of 21 individuals and entities whose property and interests in property have been unblocked pursuant to Executive Order 12978 of October 21, 1995, Blocking Assets and Prohibiting Transactions With Significant Narcotics Traffickers. (OFAC notice, FR Pub 09/05/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-20557.pdf)
4. ITC Summary of Practices Relating to Administrative Protection Orders
The International Trade Commission has issued its annual report on the status of its practice with respect to, among other things, violations of its administrative protective orders (APOs) in investigations under Title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930 in response to a direction contained in the Conference Report to the Customs and Trade Act of 1990. This report contains a summary of investigations completed during calendar year 2007 of breaches in proceedings under Title VII and section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, the only proceedings in which investigations of breaches were completed during 2007. (ITC notice, FR Pub 09/05/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-20540.pdf)
5. USDA Announces Change in Computing Interest under GSM-102
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a change in computing the eligible interest under the Commodity Credit Corporation’s (CCC) Export Credit Guarantee Program (GSM-102). Because the 52-week Treasury bill (T-bill) auction has now resumed, the CCC hereby modifies the interest coverage basis under GSM-102 to return to the original basis of the 52-week T-bill auction. (USDA press release, dated 09/04/08, available at http://www.fas.usda.gov/scriptsw/PressRelease/pressrel_dout.asp?Entry=valid&PrNum=0138-08)
6. USDA Amends GSM-102 Credit Guarantees for Sales to South Korea
USDA amended the availability of the credit guarantees for sales of U.S. agricultural commodities GSM-102 for South Korea for fiscal year 2008: an additional $200 million has been made available, bringing the FY 2008 available total to $495 million. (USDA press release, dated 09/04/08, available at http://www.fas.usda.gov/scriptsw/PressRelease/pressrel_dout.asp?Entry=valid&PrNum=0137-08)
7. USDA Amends GSM-102 Credit Guarantees for Sales to Caribbean
USDA amended the availability of the credit guarantees for sales of U.S. agricultural commodities GSM-102 for the Caribbean region for fiscal year 2008: an additional $100 million has been made available, bringing the FY 2008 available total to $300 million. (USDA press release, dated 09/04/08, available at http://www.fas.usda.gov/scriptsw/PressRelease/pressrel_dout.asp?Entry=valid&PrNum=0136-08)
8. FAS' Global Agriculture Information Network Reports
The Foreign Agricultural Service issued the following GAIN reports:
· Czech Republic Pest/Disease Occurrences: Third Case of Bluetongue Confirmed in Czech Republic
· Morocco Grain and Feed: Morocco eliminates non-durum wheat import duty
· Taiwan Grain and Feed: Results of the 2nd Tendering Process of the 2nd Tranche SBS Rice Tender
· Thailand Poultry and Products: Annual
· Ukraine Poultry and Products: After a Break Ukraine is Increasing Poultry Imports
· China Agricultural Situation: Hefei - An Emerging City Market in Central China
· EU-27 Poultry and Products: Annual Report
· EU-27 Oilseeds and Products: Oilseeds Update August 2008
· Ghana Poultry and Products: Annual
· Morocco Grain and Feed: Morocco Extends Duties Exemption For Feedstuff
· Philippines Oilseeds and Products: Coconut Products Export - May 2008
· Russian Federation Oilseeds and Products: September Monthly Update
· Taiwan Agricultural Situation: Taiwan Response to Questions on Cloning
9. FMC Lists OTI Reissuances and Applications
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued two notices that either reissue ocean transportation intermediary (OTI) licenses or list those applying for OTI licenses as a non-vessel-operating common carrier (NVOCC), ocean freight forwarder (FF) or NVOCC/FF OTI, as follows:
FMC notice (reissuances) (FR Pub 08/13/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-18763.pdf
FMC notice (applications) (FR Pub 08/13/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-18765.pdf