Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
1. Agriculture Secretary to Lead U.S. Delegation to Biofuels Conference
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The Foreign Agricultural Service has issued a news release announcing that Agriculture Secretary Schafer will lead the U.S. delegation to an International Conference on Biofuels in Sao Paulo, Brazil from Nov. 20-21, 2008. (FAS pres release, dated 11/18/08, available at http://www.fas.usda.gov/scriptsw/PressRelease/pressrel_dout.asp?Entry=valid&PrNum=0169-08.)
2. Utah District Export Council to Hold ITAR Compliance Seminar
The Utah District Export Council will be holding a seminar on complying with the International Traffic in Arms Regulations on December 3, 2008 in Salt Lake City, UT. Registration is open. (Seminar announcement available at http://www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaid=167737.)
3. BIS Order Denies Individuals Export Privileges for Three Years
The Bureau of Industry and Security has issued a final decision and order denying Michele Geslin and Peter Goldsmith export privileges for a three year period due to violations of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) for aiding and abetting the unlicensed export of a vessel to Cuba. The denial of export privileges for each respondent is suspended for the entire three year period provided that each respondent pays the monetary penalty within 30 days of the Final Decision and Order and that each respondent commits no further violations during the period of suspension. (D/Ns 07-BIS-0026; 07-BIS-0027, FR Pub 11/18/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-27160.pdf)
4. OFAC Designates Three Individuals Under Terrorism EO
The Office of Foreign Assets Control has issued a notice publishing the names of three newly-designated individuals whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to Executive Order 13224 of September 23, 2001, "Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions With Persons Who Commit, Threaten To Commit, or Support Terrorism." (FR Pub 11/18/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-27289.pdf)
5. CBP to Require Private Aircraft Pilots to Transmit Electronic Passenger Manifest Info
CBP has issued a final rule finalizing, with modifications, amendments to CBP regulations pertaining to private aircraft arriving and departing the U.S. The final rule requires private aircraft pilots or their designees arriving in the U.S. from a foreign port or location destined for a U.S. port or location, or departing the U.S. to a foreign port or location, to transmit electronically to CBP passenger manifest information for each individual traveling onboard the aircraft. While the final rule is effective on December 18, 2008, the compliance date for private aircraft pilots (or their designees) is May 18, 2009. The Department of Homeland Security has also posted a fact sheet on the final rule. (CBP Dec. 08-43; D/N USCBP-2007-
0064, FR Pub 11/18/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-26621.pdf; Fact sheet, dated 11/17/08, available at http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1226943980107.shtm)
6. ITA Announces Environmental, Clean Energy Technologies Trade Mission
The International Trade Administration has issued a notice announcing that it is organizing an Environmental and Clean Energy Technologies Trade Mission to Zagreb, Croatia; Milan, Italy; and Athens, Greece, from March 30 to April 4, 2009. (FR Pub 11/18/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-27348.pdf)
7. State Dept Maintains Designation of Three Organizations as Foreign Terrorists
The State Department has issued a notice announcing that Deputy Secretary of State has determined, based upon a review, that the following organizations shall be maintained as foreign terrorist organizations: the Revolutionary People's Liberation Party/Front (DHKP/C), the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), and the Shining Path (SL), and all designated aliases. (Public Notice 6427], FR Pub 11/18/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-27328.pdf)
8. FTZB Application Notice
The Foreign-Trade Zone Board issued the following (hyperlinked):
9. DOE, LG Electronics Agreement on Refrigerator Energy Star Issue
The Department of Energy announced an agreement with LG Electronics USA, Inc., resolving concerns related to energy usage measurements reported on LG French Door refrigerators with through-the-door ice and water service. As a result of the agreement, LG voluntarily suspended these products from the ENERGY STAR program, among other things. A fact sheet on this issue has also been posted. (Notice, dated 11/14/08, available at http://www.energy.gov/news/6740.htm; Fact sheet, dated 11/14/08, available at http://www.energy.gov/news/6743.htm)
10. MARAD Issues Report on Oil Prices and Transportation
The Maritime Administration has issued a notice announcing the availability of a report it sponsored that reviewed U.S. and international forecasts of potential oil prices and assessed how higher fuel prices would impact different modes of transportation. (Notice, dated 11/12/08, available at http://www.marad.dot.gov/news_room_landing_page/news_item_summary/news_item/modal_shift.htm)
11. Two Individuals Charged with Illegal Trading with Iran
The Justice Department has issued a news release announcing the unsealing of an indictment charging Mohammad Reza Vaghari and Mir Hossein Ghaemi with crimes relating to their participation in illegal business transactions with Iran between in or about 2002 and the present. (Press release, dated 11/17/08, available at http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2008/November/08-nsd-1021.html)
12. VA Physicist Pleads Guilty to Illegally Exporting Space Launch Data to China
The Justice Department has issued a news release announcing that a physicist in Newport News, VA has pleaded guilty to charges that he illegally exported space launch technical data and defense services to China and offered bribes to Chinese government officials. (Press release, dated 11/17/08, available at http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2008/November/08-nsd-1020.html)
13. FDA Revises Guide for the Control of Molluscan Shellfish
The Food and Drug Administration has posted a revised version of the National Shellfish Sanitation Program's Guide for the Control of Molluscan Shellfish, which represents the FDA's current thinking on the safe and sanitary control of the growing, processing, and shipping of molluscan shellfish for human consumption. (Guide, revised 2007, available at http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/ear/nss4-toc.html)
14. FSIS Updates Export Requirements, Eligible Foreign Establishments
The Food Safety and Inspection Service has posted updated export requirements for the following countries: Cuba (poultry, beef, animal casings), Mexico (beef, sheep/goat meat, poultry, pork, etc.), Chile(beef, poultry, sheep/goat meat), Japan (beef, pork, etc.), and Japan (egg products). In addition, FSIS updated its list of eligible foreign establishments in Uruguay, Mexico, and Canadacertified to export meat and poultry to the U.S. (Country names hyperlinked)
15. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports
The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:
Hong Kong FAIRS Subject Report: Amended Preservatives Regulation Effective July 1, 2008
Mexico Grain and Feed: Mexico Announces Support Program for Sinaloa White Corn
Philippines Agricultural Situation: Philippine Inflation Rate Continues to Decline
Philippines Oilseeds and Products: Coconut Products Export - July 2008
Saudi Arabia Grain and Feed: Saudi Arabia Revises Subsidies on Imported Feed and Feed Ingredients
Thailand Sanitary/Phytosanitary/Food Safety: Thai FDA to Closely Monitor Chinese Dairy Imports
Turkey Grain and Feed: Duty Increase for Coarse Grains
16. CBSA Preliminary Determinations for Certain Aluminum Extrusions from China
The Canada Border Services Agency reports that on November 17, 2008, the CBSA made preliminary determinations of dumping and subsidizing with respect to certain aluminum extrusions originating in or exported from the China. (Notice, dated 11/17/08, available at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/sima-lmsi/i-e/ad1379/ad1379-i08-np-eng.html)