Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. EC Adopts Regulation Setting July-Dec. 2009 Transitional Period for Advance Electronic Declarations

2. Canada to Ask for WTO Consultations on S. Korea's Import Ban on Canadian Beef

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada has announced that the Government of Canada will ask the World Trade Organization to begin consultations to address South Korea's continuing ban on the importation of Canadian beef. (Release No. 93, dated 04/09/09, available at http://w01.international.gc.ca/minpub/Publication.aspx?isRedirect=True&publication_id=387037&language=E&docnumber=93)

3. Canada Announces Intent to Limit CO2 Emissions for New Cars, Etc.

The Canada Gazette has announced that the Government of Canada's Department of the Environment is initiating the development of regulations under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 to limit carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from new cars and light-duty trucks to take effect beginning with the 2011 model year. (Canada Gazette, Vol. 143, No. 14, 04/04/09) available at http://canadagazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2009/2009-04-04/html/notice-avis-eng.htmld110)

4. PierPass Posts Copy of Revised OffPeak Schedule for LA/LB Ports

PierPass has posted a chart of its revised offpeak schedule, which took effect for the Los Angeles/Long Beach ports the week of April 6, 2009. The revised schedule follows a March 12 announcement that the terminal operators at these ports would each eliminate one OffPeak shift per week due to declining cargo volumes. (PierPass chart available at https://www.pierpass-tmf.org/Documents/MTOOffPeakSchedule04.09.09.pdf)

5. Miami Bulletin on Peak Season Plan Outreach Seminar

U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Port of Miami has issued an Information Bulletin announcing the scheduling of an outreach seminar concerning the Peak Season Plan for 2009 for agricultural inspection services. The seminar will be conducted on April 24, 2009. (Bulletin 09-024, dated 04/07/09, is available via email by sending a request to documents@brokerpower.com)

6. Chicago Pipeline on Liquidated Damages for Nonpayment or Late Payment of Estimated Duties under PMS

CBP's Port of Chicago has issued a Pipeline on liquidated damages for nonpayment or late payment of estimated duties under the Periodic Monthly Statement (PMS) payment process test. (Pipeline 09-07, dated 04/08/09, is available via email by sending a request to documents@brokerpower.com)

7. Los Angeles Bulletin on CES Applications Received

CBP's Port of Los Angeles has issued a Public Bulletin advising the public of applications received from potential operators of a Trade Enforcement Centralized Examination Stations (CES) in the Los Angles/Long Beach Seaport and to invite comments thereon. (Bulletin LA09-013, dated 04/08/09, is available via email by sending a request to documents@brokerpower.com)

8. USDA to Propose Update of Value of Imported Cotton/Products Under Cotton Order

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued a press release announcing it will propose amending the assessment provisions of the Cotton Research and Promotion Program rules and regulations for imported cotton and cotton-containing products. The proposed amendment would be an annual update of the value of imported cotton and reflects the 2008 annual average priced received by U.S. farmers for Upland cotton. The proposed adjustment is required by regulation to ensure that the assessments collected on imported cotton and the cotton-content of imported products remain similar to those paid on domestically produced cotton. (AMS 065-09, dated 04/08/09, available at http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/ams.fetchTemplateData.do?template=TemplateU&navID=&page=Newsroom&resultType=Details&dDocName=STELPRDC5076134&dID=110419&wf=false&description=USDAProposesAmendmentstoCottonImporterAssessmentProvisions&topNav=Newsroom&)

9. AMS Proposes New Assessment for Producers and Importers of Processed Raspberries

The Agricultural Marketing Service has issued a proposed rule that would establish an industry-funded promotion, research, and information program for producers and importers of processed raspberries. Assessments would be up to one cent per pound, with the initial assessment rate being one cent per pound. Written comments are due by June 8, 2009. AMS press release on its proposed rule available here; AMS proposed referendum procedures available here. (D/N AMS-FV-07-0077; FV-07-705-PR-1A, FR Pub 04/09/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-7981.pdf)

10. FDA Seeks Comment on Possible Effective Date Delay for Final Rule on Prohibited Substances in Animal Food or Feed

The Food and Drug Administration is seeking public comment by April 16, 2009 on a contemplated delay of 60 days in the effective date of the rule entitled ''Substances Prohibited From Use in Animal Food or Feed,'' published in the Federal Register on April 25, 2008. That rule establishes measures to further strengthen existing safeguards against bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). (D/N FDA-2002-N-0031 (formerly 2002N-0273), FR Pub 04/09/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-8127.pdf)

11. FSIS Final Rule on Petitions for Rulemakings

The Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued a final rule which, effective June 8, 2009, amends its administrative regulations to add a new part that establishes regulations governing the submission to FSIS of petitions for rulemaking. (D/N 00-019F; FDMS D/N FSIS-2005-0020, FR Pub 04/09/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-8106.pdf)

12. OFAC Removes One Individual from SDN List

The Office of Foreign Assets Control has deleted one individual from its Specially Designated Nationals List pursuant to the Kingpin Act. (Notice, dated 04/08/09, available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/actions/20090408.shtml)

13. OFAC Removes Four Individuals from SDN Traffickers List

The Office of Foreign Assets Control is publishing the names of four Colombian individuals that have been removed from the list of Specially Designated Narcotics Traffickers and whose property and interests in property are unblocked, effective March 25, 2009. (FR Pub 04/09/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-8098.pdf)

14. PHMSA Final Rule on Miscellaneous Hazmat Amendments for Cargo Tank Motor Vehicle and Cylinder Issues

PHMSA has issued a final rule amending the Hazardous Materials Regulations to revise certain requirements applicable to the manufacture, maintenance, and use of DOT and MC specification cargo tank motor vehicles, DOT specification cylinders and UN pressure receptacles. This final rule is effective May 11, 2009, and has a voluntary compliance date of April 9, 2009. (D/N PHMSA-2006-25910, FR Pub 04/09/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-8021.pdf)

15. Special Burma Envoy Requested

In response to a question, the State Department confirmed that it has received a letter signed by 17 members of Congress asking for the appointment of a Special Envoy to Burma and is preparing an appropriate reply. (Press release 2009/307, dated 04/08/09, available at http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2009/04/121504.htm)

16. BTS Announces Freight Index Rose 2% in February from January

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics has announced that the Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI) rose 2.0 percent in February from its January level, rising from its lowest level in more than five years, the U.S. Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reported today (Table 1). (Notice, dated 04/08/09, available at http://www.bts.gov/press_releases/2009/bts016_09/html/bts016_09.html)

17. FDA Posts Enforcement Report for April 8th

The Food and Drug Administration has posted its Enforcement Report for the week of April 8, 2009. The report contains information on actions taken in connection with agency regulatory activities. (Report 09-14, dated 04/08/09, available at http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ENFORCE/2009/ENF01102.html)

18. Six Former CA Valve Company Executives Charged for Violations of Foreign Corrupt Practices Act

The Justice Department reports that six former executives of a California-based valve company were charged in connection with a conspiracy to secure contracts by paying bribes to officials of foreign state-owned companies as well as officers and employees of foreign and domestic private companies (in China, Malaysia, and the United Arab Emirates) in violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). (Press release, dated 04/08/09, available at http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2009/April/09-crm-322.html)

19. Revised FDA Importer Alert on Unapproved Drugs

The Food and Drug Administration has issued a revised version of its importer alert on the detention without physical examination of unapproved new drugs promoted in the U.S. (FDA revised Import Alert, 66-41, dated 04/07/09, available at http://www.fda.gov/ora/fiars/ora_import_ia6641.html)

20. BIS Release on Munitions Dealer Charged in Conspiracy to Export Military Aircraft Parts to Iran

The Bureau of Industry and Security has issued a press release on a Justice Department announcement that an Iranian national has been arrested and charged, along with ten other defendants, with participating in a conspiracy to export U.S.-made military aircraft parts to Iran. (BIS press release available at http://www.bis.doc.gov/news/2009/doj04062009.html)

21. CPSC Lists Voluntary Recalls

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has published notice of the following voluntary recalls:

(Recalls available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerelapr09.html)

22. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports

The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:

Canada Agricultural Situation: This Week in Canadian Agriculture, Issue 13

EU-27 Tree Nuts: Semi-Annual

Nicaragua Sugar: Annual Report

Vietnam Agricultural Situation: News Summary 7

Australia Sugar: Annual

Malaysia Oilseeds and Products: Update

Mexico Exporter Guide: Imported Products Regulated by the Ministry of Health (SALUD) 2009

23. FMC Lists OTI Applications

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a notice that lists 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 (FR Pub 04/08/09) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-7953.pdf

24. Agency Seeks Comments on Information Collections

Various U.S. government agencies are seeking comments on the following information collections for which they have requested or intend to request Office of Management and Budget approval or extension of approval (see notices for specific details):

(Information collection notices are hyperlinked to agency name.)

25. CBP Cancels Customs Broker Licenses Without Prejudice

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is announcing that the following Customs broker licenses1, as well as any and all permits, have been cancelled without prejudice:

(FR Pub 04/06/09 available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-7614.pdf)