Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The World Customs Organization has posted a press release announcing that on October 22, 2008, Ecuador deposited with the WCO Secretary General its instrument of accession to the International Convention on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (Harmonized System). This makes Ecuador the 135th Contracting Party to the Harmonized System Convention. (WCO, dated 11/07/08, available at http://www.wcoomd.org/press/default.aspx?lid=1&id=168)
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1. Ecuador Becomes 135th Contracting Party to HS Convention
2. OMB Receives for Review FMCSA Final Rule on Requirements for Intermodal Equipment Providers, Etc.
The Office of Management and Budget received, on September 25, 2008, and is reviewing the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's final rule entitled "Requirements for Intermodal Equipment Providers and Motor Carriers and Drivers Operating Intermodal Equipment." (Reginfo.gov information on final rule available at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaViewRule?ruleID=287449)
3. APHIS Corrects Proposed Rule on Imports, Etc. for Certain GE Organisms
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a notice correcting its October 9, 2008 proposed rule regarding the importation, interstate movement, and environmental release of certain genetically engineered (GE) organisms. In the proposed rule, APHIS incorrectly stated that no State or local laws or regulations would be preempted by the rule. APHIS' correction states that all State and local laws and regulations that are inconsistent with the rule will be preempted if the rule is adopted. (See ITT's Online Archives or 10/16/08 news, 08101635, for BP summary of the proposed rule.) (D/N APHIS2008-0023, FR Pub 11/10/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-26717.pdf)
4. DOE Grants Residential Clothes Dryer Test Waiver to LG Electronics
The Department of Energy has issued a notice publishing its Decision and Order in Case No. CD-002, which grants to LG Electronics Inc. a waiver from the existing DOE residential clothes dryer test procedure for its product line of DLEC733W ventless clothes dryers, because the existing test procedure only applies to clothes dryers that are vented. (CD-002, FR Pub 11/10/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-26692.pdf)
5. FDA to Hold Nutrition Roundtable Discussion with Stakeholders
The Food and Drug Administration has issued a notice announcing that it will be holding a nutrition roundtable discussion with stakeholders on December 12, 2008 in College Park, MD. Registration is now open. (FDA, dated 11/06/08, available at http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/comm/regist11.html)
6. OFAC Posts Updated TSRA Program Application Guidelines
The Office of Foreign Assets Control has posted updated guidelines for submitting applications to OFAC pursuant to the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 (TSRA) for a license to export agricultural commodities, medicine and medical devices to Iran and Sudan. (OFAC, posted 11/07/08, available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/actions/20081107.shtml)
7. U.S., Korea Sign Crime Cooperation Agreement, Needed for VWP
The Department of Homeland Security has issued a news release announcing that the U.S. and Korea have signed an agreement on enhancing cooperation in preventing and combating crime. Korea's candidacy for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) required, among other things, an agreement between the countries on information sharing for certain criminal activity. (DHS, dated 11/07/08, available at http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1226088781802.shtm)
8. Cabela's to Pay $680,000 to Settle EAR Violation Allegations
The Bureau of Industry and Security has issued a news release announcing that Cabela's Incorporated, an outdoor equipment outfitter based in Sidney, Nebraska, has agreed to pay a civil penalty of $680,000 to settle allegations that it committed 152 violations of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) involving the export of controlled optical sighting devices to various countries worldwide. (BIS, dated 11/07/08, available at http://www.bis.doc.gov/news/2008/bis_press11072008.htm)
9. EC Appeals Elements of WTO Panel Decisions on U.S. Zeroing
The European Commission has posted a notice announcing that it has launched an appeal against certain elements of the World Trade Organization panel decision on the continued existence and application of the 'zeroing' methodology by the U.S. (DS350). (EC, dated 11/06/08, available at http://ec.europa.eu/trade/issues/respectrules/dispute/pr061108_en.htm)
10. Canada Receives Report Recommending Tariff Relief for Certain Outwear Fabric
According to the Canada Gazette, on October 28, 2008, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal submitted to the Minister of Finance a report with a recommendation for tariff relief in respect of a request filed by the Canadian Association of Technical Outerwear Manufacturers regarding three-layer outerwear fabric. (Canada Gazette, dated 10/28/08, available at http://canadagazette.gc.ca/partI/2008/20081108/html/commis-e.htmlf104)
11. CBSA Updates Memo on Its Customs Broker Exam
The Canada Border Services Agency has posted a revised version of its memorandum on the CBSA Customs Broker Professional Examination (Memo D1-8-3). (Revised D1-8-3, dated 11/07/08, available at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d1/d1-8-3-eng.html)
12. CBSA Posts Information on eManifest Stakeholder Partnership Network
CBSA has posted information on the establishment of the eManifest Stakeholder Partnership Network (eSPN), made up of external stakeholders and CBSA representatives, to provide a forum for dialogue and to help the CBSA reach out to all commercial trade-chain partners. (CBSA, updated 11/05/08, available at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/agency-agence/consult/manif/menu-eng.html)
13. FSIS Updates Export Requirements for Taiwan
The Food Safety and Inspection Service has posted updated export requirements for Taiwan (beef, poultry, pork, duck, etc.). (FSIS requirements, updated 11/07/08, available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/Taiwan_Requirements/index.asp)
14. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports
The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:
Australia Grain and Feed: November Quarterly Grain Lockup
Korea Grain and Feed: Semi-Annual
Sri Lanka FAIRS Subject Report: GSL Notifies Plant Protection Regulations to WTO
Thailand Sanitary/Phytosanitary/Food Safety: Pesticide Residue MRLs in Thailand
Thailand Trade Policy Monitoring: Labeling Modification for Alcohol Beverages
15. APHIS Proposes to Allow Imports of Fresh Eggplant from Israel
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a proposed rule to allow the importation of commercial shipments of fresh eggplant from Israel, as long as certain conditions are met. Comments are due by January 12, 2009. (FR Pub 11/12/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-26814.pdf.)
16. President Continues WMD National Emergency
The President has issued a notice continuing for one year the national emergency with respect to weapons of mass destruction that was originally declared by Executive Order 12938. (FR Pub 11/12/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-27046.pdf.)
17. DEA Proposes CSA Exemption for Certain GBL Chemical Mixtures
The Drug Enforcement Agency has issued a proposed rule to automatically exempt from regulatory controls under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) chemical mixtures that are 70% or less gamma-gammabutyrolactone (GBL). Comments are due by January 12, 2009. (FR Pub 11/12/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-26606.pdf.)
18. FTZB Notice
The Foreign-Trade Zones Board has issued a notice on:
19. OFAC Posts Information on Revocation of Iran's "U-Turn" License
The Office of Foreign Assets Control has issued a notice regarding its amendment to the Iranian Transactions Regulations, effective November 10, 2008, revoking an authorization previously granted to U.S. depository institutions to process "U-turn" transfers, and by making certain other conforming and technical changes. (OFAC notice, dated 11/10/08, available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/actions/20081110.shtml.)