Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. EU Ruling Will Allow U.S. Firms to Use Non-Metric Units on Packaging

2. EC and China Finalize Customs Cooperation Agreement

The European Commission's Taxation and Customs Union reports that the EC and China have finalized a customs cooperation agreement to facilitate the fight against the growth in the illegal market for designer goods with a "name" or trademark (counterfeited goods), as well as goods made without paying for the intellectual property rights (pirated goods). It will allow for the discussion of new customs measures to be taken in the context of the security of the supply chain, while providing reliable traders with trade facilitation measures. (Notice, available at http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/customs/policy_issues/international_customs_agreements/china/index_en.htm)

3. China Gives "Production License" to Nearly 10 Types of New-Energy Vehicles

People's Daily reports that China plans to promote 60,000 energy saving and new energy vehicles nationwide in 2012, among which, various kinds of hybrid-powered vehicles will account for over 95 percent, said Wan Gang, Minister of Science and Technology on May 14. At present nearly 10 kinds of new energy vehicles have been given a "production license," and a batch of new energy vehicles including the "zero emission" electric-only powered vehicles will successively appear on the market. (Notice, dated 05/15/09, available at http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90778/90857/90860/6658562.html)

4. Chicago Pipeline on State Dept Import/Export Requirements

The Port of Chicago has issued a Pipeline updating its local procedures for processing defense articles controlled by the State Department. (Pipeline 09-12 available via email by sending a request to documents@brokerpower.com)

5. Chicago Pipeline on Declaration of "First Sale" Post Summary Filing

The Port of Chicago has issued a Pipeline providing guidance pertaining to the appropriate method for an importer to disclose to CBP, post summary filing, that the entered value of imported goods was based on the "first sale" price as defined by the First Sale Declaration Requirement. (Pipeline 09-11 available via email by sending a request to documents@brokerpower.com)

6. CBP Final Rule on Expansion of Port of St. Louis, Missouri

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a final rule, effective June 17, 2009, to extend the geographical limits of the port of St. Louis, Missouri to include the entire expanded Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. (FR Pub 05/18/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-11538.pdf )

7. CBP Proposes Rule on Expansion of Port of Columbus, Ohio

CBP has issued a proposed rule to extend the geographical limits of the port of Columbus, Ohio, to include the Rickenbacker Intermodal Terminal and additional territory that likely will be needed for supporting infrastructure. Written comments are due by July 17, 2009. (D/N USCBP-2008-0047, FR Pub 05/18/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-11551.pdf)

8. USDA Reports Weakening Global Economy Interrupts Agriculture Trade

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that a weakening global economy is interrupting agricultural trade. However, the demand for U.S. agricultural exports is expected to recover as developing-country growth resumes in the longer term. (Notice, available at http://www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/June09/Features/WeakEconomy.htm)

9. USTR Says U.S. Interested in Changing Doha Negotiating Procedure

The Office of the USTR has posted a transcript of USTR Kirk's press briefing that was held recently in Geneva. Among other things, USTR Kirk suggests that the Doha negotiating process move away from its focus on modalities to focus on scheduling of commitments, a suggestion that has been met with resistance by other negotiating countries. (USTR transcript, dated 05/13/09, available at http://www.ustr.gov/assets/Document_Library/Transcripts/2009/May/asset_upload_file537_15652.pdf)

10. USTR Kirk Meets with Korean Minister for Trade

U.S. Trade Representative Kirk held his first meeting with Korea's Minister for Trade Jong-Hoon on May 14 to discuss a range of multilateral and bilateral trade issues, including the pending U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement. (Notice, dated 05/14/09, available at http://www.ustr.gov/assets/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2009/May/asset_upload_file343_15657.pdf)

11. U.S. Executive Trade Mission to Libya and Algeria

Export.gov reports that a senior-level Commerce Department official will lead a trade mission to Tripoli, Libya and Algiers, Algeria on November 4-8, 2009 in order to help U.S. firms leverage opportunities in these markets. (Notice, available at http://www.export.gov/northafricamission/index.asp)

12. State Dept Lists Countries Not Cooperating Fully on Antiterrorism Efforts

The State Department has determined and certified to the Congress Pursuant to section 40A of the Arms Export Control Act and Executive Order 11958, as amended, that the following countries are not cooperating fully with U.S. antiterrorism efforts: Cuba, Eritrea, Iran, Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), Syria, and Venezuela. (FR Pub 05/18/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-11545.pdf)

13. OFAC Updates its Terrorism List Government Sanction Countries

The Office of Foreign Assets has issued a final rule, effective May 18, 2009, which updates its Terrorism List Governments Sanctions Regulations, so that its schedule lists those countries that are currently designated as supporting international terrorism: Cuba, Iran, Sudan, and Syria. The amendment also removes Iraq, Libya, and North Korea from the schedule. (FR Pub 05/18/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-11294.pdf)

14. Workshops for Minority and Women-Owned Small Businesses Interested in Overseas Investing

According to Export.gov, EXPANDING HORIZONS will offer two workshops to address the concerns of minority and women-owned small business interested in investing overseas. The workshops will provide participants with an understanding of the programs and resources provided by the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), Small Business Administration, etc. Workshops will be held in Boston, MA on September 24, 2009 and St. Louis, MO on October 22, 2009. (Notice, available at http://www.opic.gov/news/events/documents/opic_expanding_horizons_workshops_09_stdc.pdf)

15. CITES Lists 20 Notifications to the Parties for 2009

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna is currently listing 2009 notifications to parties as of May 13, 2009. These notifications include: monitoring of illegal trade in ivory, caviar trade database, e-commerce of specimens of CITEs-listed species, etc. (Notice, available at http://www.cites.org/eng/notif/2009.shtml)

16. WTO "Data Day" Focuses on Role of Data in Trade-Related Decisions

On May 18-19, 2009, the World Trade Organization is hosting "Data Day" - an inter-agency initiative aimed at raising awareness among WTO members on available data and on the importance of good-quality statistics in trade-related decision-making. According to the WTO, the importance of access to data has been brought into sharp relief in the Doha Round negotiations, particularly in the areas of industrial goods and agriculture. (Notice, available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news09_e/rese_18may09_e.htm)

17. CPSC Lists Voluntary Recall

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

(Recall, available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerelmay09.html)

18. 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.)