Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. Commerce Under Secretary Statement on VEU Program for China

2. ICE & CBP Seize Over $6 Million in Harmful Items at Ports of Entry

Immigration and Customs Enforcement has posted a news release announcing that Operation Guardian, a multi-agency partnership aimed at stopping potentially harmful imports, has interdicted and seized, along with CBP, more than $6 million in harmful commodities in the first year of operation, among them almost a half million dollars worth of substandard holiday lights seized in the last three months alone. (ICE news release, dated 12/17/08, available at http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/0812/081217washington.htm.)

3. EC Commissioner to Sign "Safety Pact" Agreement with Toy Retailers, Importers

The European Commission reports that European Consumer Affairs Commissioner Kuneva will sign an agreement with representatives of toy retailers and importers, as part of the EC's drive to improve toy safety by engaging all actors throughout the toy industry. (Notice, IP/08/1999, dated 12/17/08, available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/1999&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en.)

4. APHIS Adopts Interim Rule on Importation of Ash Plants as Final

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a final rule, effective December 18, 2008, adopting as final, without change, an interim rule that amended the regulations governing the importation of nursery stock to prohibit or restrict the importation of ash (Fraxinus spp.) plants for planting, except seed, from all foreign countries except for certain areas in Canada that are not regulated areas for emerald ash borer. (Final rule, D/N APHIS-2007-0111, FR Pub 12/18/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-30077.pdf.)

5. APHIS to Allow Importation of Baby Squash, Courgettes from Zambia

APHIS has issued a final rule, effective January 20, 2009, amending the fruits and vegetables regulations to allow the importation into the continental U.S. of baby squash and baby courgettes from Zambia if certain conditions are met. (Final rule, D/N APHIS-2007-0144, FR Pub 12/18/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-30080.pdf.)

6. FSIS Announces Meeting to Prepare for Codex Committee on Fats & Oils

The Food and Safety Inspection Service has issued a notice announcing a public meeting on January 26, 2009, in Washington, DC, to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items and draft U.S. positions that will be discussed at the 21st Session of the Codex Committee on Fats and Oils of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, which will be held in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, from February 16-20, 2009. (FSIS notice, FR Pub 12/18/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-30004.pdf.)

7. CBP to Pilot Land-Border Exit System for H2-A Temporary Workers

CBP has issued a general notice announcing that it is establishing a new land-border exit system for certain temporary agricultural workers (H2-A), starting on a pilot basis, at certain designated ports of entry. The pilot will commence on August 1, 2009. CBP also issued a notice announcing the manner in which petitioners must notify U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services regarding their employment of agricultural workers in H-2A nonimmigrant status or job placement fee information. In addition, the Labor Department issued a final rule, effective January 17, 2009, amending its regulations regarding the certification for the temporary employment of nonimmigrant workers in agricultural occupations on a temporary or seasonal basis, and the enforcement of the contractual obligations applicable to employers of such nonimmigrant workers. (Notice, CBP Dec. 08-48, FR Pub 12/18/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-29787.pdf.)

8. Treasury Designates Bank Melli Front Company in New York City

The Treasury Department, in consultation with the State Department, has designated under Executive Order 13382 two Iranian entities of proliferation concern: ASSA CORP., a front company created and controlled by Iran's Bank Melli and domiciled in New York, and its parent company ASSA CO. LTD, located in the Channel Islands. Both entities were designated for being controlled by and/or acting on behalf of, Bank Melli. In a related action, the Department of Justice filed a civil forfeiture action seeking to forfeit all right, title and interest of ASSA CORP., ASSA CO. LTD, and Bank Melli in a Manhattan office tower on Fifth Avenue. Treasury press release on the designation is available here; OFAC notice on the entities being added to the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List is available here. (State Dept press release, dated 12/17/08, available at http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2008/dec/113288.htm.)

9. CPSC Lists Voluntary Recalls

The CSPC has published notice of the following recalls:

CPSC recalls available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prereldec08.html.

10. Revised FDA Import Alerts

FDA has posted revised versions of the following Import Alerts on the detention without physical examination of:

Foods Containing Illegal and/or Undeclared Colors

Raw Agricultural Products for Pesticides

Processed Foods for Pesticides

Devices without Approved Pre-Market Approvals (PMAs) or Investigational Device Exemptions (IDEs) and Other Devices Not Equivalent or No 510K

Imported Food Products Due to Nutritional Labeling and Education Act (NLEA) Violations

Food Products Due to the Presence of Salmonella

Candy Due to Lead

Seafood Products Due to Presence of Salmonella

Shrimp

Swordfish for Methyl Mercury

Surgeon's and Patient Examination Gloves