Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. GAO Summary of Oral Briefing on CBP's Secure Border Initiative FY 2009 Expenditure Plan

2. BIS Press Release on FR Notice on China Validated End-User Program

In a recent Federal Register notice, the Bureau of Industry and Security modified the list of approved end-users and eligible items for China under Authorization Validated End-User (VEU). As a result of this modification, there are six VEUs approved in China and a total of twenty eligible facilities. BIS has now issued a press release on this change. (BIS press release, dated 04/29/09, available at http://www.bis.doc.gov/news/2009/bis_press04292009.htm)

3. FMC Creates Web Page for LA/LB Ports Agreements

A number of agreements - including those associated with the Clean Trucks Program - have been filed with the Federal Maritime Commission by the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach as Marine Terminal Operators. To assist the public in locating information on these agreements and related matters, the FMC is providing links to Commission press releases, copies of agreement filings and court pleadings on a single web page. (FMC agreements available at http://www.fmc.gov/home/LosAngelesLongBeachPortsAgreements.asp)

4. ITA Announces Exporter Textile Advisory Committee Meeting

The International Trade Administration has announced an open meeting of the Exporters' Textile Advisory Committee on June 3, 2009 in Washington, DC. (ITA notice, FR Pub 05/01/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-10073.pdf)

5. TWIC Pre-Enrollment Website Available on May 1st

The Transportation Security Administration has issued an update to its Transportation Worker Identification Credential Web site noting that effective Friday, May 1, 2009, pre-enrollments will be available via the pre-enrollment website only. Pre-enrollment is not necessary to enroll for a TWIC card. If it is preferred to pre-enroll to save time at the enrollment center, please click on the "Pre-Enroll" link on the TWIC Web page. (Update available at http://twicinformation.tsa.dhs.gov/twicinfo/index.jsp.)

6. DHS Reaches First 30-Day Target in Efficiency Initiative

The Department of Homeland Security has issued a press release announcing that it has reached the first of four 30-day targets outlined in its Department-wide Efficiency Review this week, marking the initial implementation of four major initiatives set forth by Secretary Napolitano in the plan announced on March 27, 2009. (DHS notice, dated 04/30/09, available at http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1241111587946.shtm)

7. OFAC Issues Enforcement Information for April 30th

The Office of Foreign Assets Control has issued updated information for April 30, 2009 concerning civil penalties issued by OFAC under 31 CFR Part 501 against EFEX Trade, LLC and Varel Holdings, Inc. (Enforcement information available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/civpen/penalties/04302009.pdf)

8. CPSC Lists Voluntary Recalls

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

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

9. FMC Lists OTI Applications

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a notice that lists those applying for Ocean Transportation Intermediary (OTI) licenses as a non-vessel-operating common carrier (NVOCC), ocean freight forwarder (FF) or NVOCC/FF OTI, as follows:

FMC notice (FR Pub 04/30/09) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-9834.pdf)