Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

December 10, 2008 |Top News

The International Trade Data System has posted a presentation to its Web site on eCl@ss, a global standard for the classification and description of products and services. ITDS also posted its Product Information Committee's statement for eCl@ss. (ITDS presentation available at http://www.itds.gov/linkhandler/itds/tsn/product_info_comm/eclass_presentation.ctt/eclass_presentation.ppt)

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1. ITDS eCl@ss Presentation

2. Report on Senate Homeland Security Committee Activities Reported

A special report entitled "Activities of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs" (S. Rept. 110-524) was reported on November 19, 2008, during the Senate's adjournment. (Congressional Record dated 12/08/08, available at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/B?r110:@FIELD(FLD003d)@FIELD(DDATE20081208).)

3. Senate Homeland Security Commerce Hearing on WMD, Proliferation

On December 11, 2008, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee will hold hearings to examine a report from the Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction, Proliferation, and Terrorism. (Congressional Record dated 12/08/08, available at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/B?r110:@FIELD(FLD003d)@FIELD(DDATE20081208).)

4. OMB Completes Review of FMCSA Rule on Requirements for Motor Carrier Operating Intermodal Equipment

On December 3, 2008, the Office of Management and Budget completed its review of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's final rule entitled "Requirements for Intermodal Equipment Providers and Motor Carriers and Drivers Operating Intermodal Equipment." (FMCSA rule as reviewed by OMB available at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaViewRule?ruleID=293267 and OMB receipt of the rule searchable at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaViewRule?ruleID=293267 by selecting "Department of Transportation" from the second dropdown box.)

5. BIS Adds Certain Persons to the Entity List

The Bureau of Industry and Security has issued a final rule, effective December 5, 2008, that amends the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) by adding additional persons to the Entity List (Supplement No. 4 to Part 744) on the basis of Section 744.11 of the EAR. (BIS final rule, D/N 0809191235-81395-01, FR Pub 12/05/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-28872.pdf)

6. OFAC Posts Amended General License Number 14-B for Export, Reexports of Financial Services to Burma

The Office of Foreign Assets Control has posted "Amended General License Number 14-B," under the Burmese Sanctions Regulations, authorizing the exportation or reexportation of financial services to Burma in support of any organization or individual engaged in not-for-profit humanitarian or religious activities in Burma, subject to certain conditions. This amended general license removes the time limit on the authorization of Amended General License No. 14-A, which was set to expire on January 4, 2009. Aside from the removal of this time limit, the terms of the general license remain unchanged. (OFAC notice, dated 12/04/08, available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/actions/20081204a.shtml)

7. 6 Arrested in African Elephant Ivory Smuggling Conspiracy Operation

Immigration and Customs Enforcement has issued a news release announcing that it has arrested six defendants, two in New York, two in New Jersey, one in Virginia, and one in Texas for conspiring to smuggle the ivory of African elephants from Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Uganda into the U.S. (ICE news release, dated 12/03/08, available at http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/0812/081203newyork2.htm)

8. FDA Establishes Jan. 2, 2012 as Uniform Compliance Date for Certain Food Labeling Regulations

The Food and Drug Administration has issued a final rule establishing January 2, 2012 as the uniform compliance date for certain food labeling regulations that are issued between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2010. (January 1, 2012, falls on a Sunday; therefore, the uniform compliance date will be January 2, 2012). (D/N FDA-2000-N-0011 (formerly D/N 2000N-1596), FR Pub 12/08/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-28920.pdf)

9. OFAC Designates 4 Individuals Under Terrorism EO

The Office of Foreign Assets Control is publishing the name of four 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 12/08/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-28944.pdf)

10. ITA Announces Renewal of Exporters' Textile Committee

The International Trade Administration has issued a notice announcing that the Exporters' Textile Advisory Committee (ETAC) has been renewed for the period October 1, 2008 - September 30, 2010. (FR Pub 12/08/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-28980.pdf)

11. DDTC Reminder on Downloading the DS-2032

The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls has issued a reminder to the trade: when downloading the DS-2032, the trade should install the most current version of Adobe Reader. (DDTC reminder, posted 12/05/08, available at http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/)

12. FAS Report on Tropical Products

The Foreign Agricultural Service has issued a report entitled "Tropical Products: World Markets and Trade." (Report, dated December 2008, available at http://www.fas.usda.gov/htp/tropical/2008/December_2008/2008_Tropical%20December.pdf)

13. BIS Renews Temporary Denial Order, Adds Three Entities

The Bureau of Industry and Security has renewed for 180 days its Temporary Denial Order for export of U.S. aircraft to Iran. BIS also added three entities to the Order. (Order, dated 12/03/08, available at http://www.bis.doc.gov/pdf/tdo_12042008.PDF)

14. OFAC Adds to SDN List

The Office of Foreign Assets Control has issued notice announcing that it is adding three individuals to its Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List. (OFAC notice, dated 12/04/08, available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/actions/20081204.shtml)

15. FSIS Updates Lists of Eligible Foreign Establishments

The Food Safety and Inspection Service has updated its list of eligible foreign establishments in Brazil, Canada and Australia certified to export meat and poultry to the U.S.

16. Canada's Barley TRQ to be Filled on December 24th

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada has issued a notice announcing that the 2008-2009 barley products tariff rate quota (TRQ) will be filled on December 24, 2008. Consequently, December 24, 2008 (at 11:59 pm) will be the cut-off date for accounting for imports of all barley products classified under a "within access commitment" tariff item number. (FAIT, dated 12/03/08, available at http://www.international.gc.ca/eicb/notices/ser743-en.asp)