Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

June 23, 2009 |Top News

The National Industrial Transportation League filed a brief to join the American Trucking Association in its litigation to reverse, on appeal, the portion of a district court order that upheld aspects of the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports' concession programs imposing new requirements on truckers. NITL brief available athttp://www.nitl.org/NITLBrief-No09-55749.pdf

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1. NITL Files Brief Supporting ATA in Court Fight Over Clean Trucks Rules

2. Intermodal Equipment Providers Must File Identification Reports by Dec 17

Intermodal Equipment Providers who offer intermodal equipment for transportation in interstate commerce must file an Intermodal Equipment Provider Identification Report (Form MCS-150C) by December 17, 2009, to comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. After FMCSA receives the completed MCS-150C Form, the IEP will as a unique identifier when collecting and monitoring a company's safety information acquired during audits, compliance reviews, crash investigations, and inspections (Notice, available at http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/topics/IEP/registration.htm)

3. U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission Hearing in NY

The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission is holding an open public hearing on July 23, 2009 in Rochester, N.Y. on the growing bilateral trade and economic relationship between the U.S. and China. The July 23 hearing is being conducted to obtain commentary on the impact such trade has on New York State companies and communities. (FR Pub 06/22/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-14562.pdf)

4. CITA to End Visa Requirements for Russia Women's and Girls' Coats

The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements has notified the Russian Federation that it is terminating the textile visa requirement for women's and girl's wool coats (category 435) manufactured in the Russian Federation, effective July 1, 2009. As the quota for this category ended on December 31, 2004, CITA states there is no need for the visa requirement. (FR Pub 06/22/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-14631.pdf )

5. TTB Issues Temporary and Proposed Rules on Permit Requirements for Imported Processed Tobacco

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau has issued a temporary rule which extends permit, inventory, reporting, and recordkeeping requirements to manufacturers and importers of processed tobacco even though such processed tobacco is not subject to excise tax under the Internal Revenue Code. The temporary rule also expands the definition of roll-your-own tobacco. This temporary rule is effective June 22, 2009 through June 22, 2012. These changes are also issued as a proposed rule here. Comments on the proposed rule are due by August 21, 2009. (D/N TTB-2009-0002; TTB-78, FR Pub 06/22/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-14546.pdf)

6. FWS Will Not Issue CITES Permits for Export of Paddlefish from Kentucky Lake in Tennessee

The Fish and Wildlife Service is announcing that it will not be able to issue export permits under the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) for the harvest of paddlefish and its products (e.g., caviar) from Kentucky Lake, in Tennessee, during the recently completed 2008-2009 harvest season. This action will not impact the sale of this caviar domestically in the U.S. (Notice, dated 06/19/09, available at http://www.fws.gov/le/PubBulletins/PB061909CertainTNPaddlefish.pdf)

7. GAO Report on Defense Exports

The Government Accountability Office has issued its report to the House Foreign Affairs Committee entitled "Defense Exports: Foreign Military Sales Program Needs Better Controls for Exported Items and Information for Oversight." (Report, dated May 2009, available at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d09454.pdf)

8. GAO Testimony on Firearms Trafficking

The GAO has posted its testimony entitled "Firearms Trafficking: U.S. Efforts to Combat Arms Trafficking to Mexico Face Planning and Coordination Challenges." (Testimony, dated 06/19/09, available at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d09781t.pdf)

9. BTS Releases Report on U.S. Container Ports

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics released a report on freight handled by U.S. container seaports in 2008, trends in maritime freight movement since 1995, container traffic and throughput, regional shifts in cargo handled, the rankings of U.S. ports among the world's top ports, and more. (Report, dated June 2009, available at http://www.bts.gov/publications/americas_container_ports/2009/)

10. FHA Releases April 2009 Traffic Data

The Federal Highway Administration released a new monthly report based on hourly traffic count data reported by the states, data used to estimate the percent change in traffic for the current month compared with the same month in the previous year. (Report, available at http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/ohim/tvtw/tvtpage.cfm)

11. USDA Revises Standards for Whole Dry and Split Peas

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration is revising the US Standards for Whole Dry Peas and Split Peas to amend the general definitions, ''Whole Dry Peas'' and ''Split Peas,'' and the following specific definitions: ''Smooth Green Dry Peas,'' ''Smooth Yellow Dry Peas,'' ''Wrinkled Dry Peas,'' ''Green Split Peas'' and ''Yellow Split Peas.'' In addition, GIPSA is modifying the classification term and associated definitions, ''Winter Dry Peas'' and ''Winter Split Peas.'' (FR Pub 06/22/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-14565.pdf)

12. PHMSA Withdrawals Proposed Rule on Fee Increase

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is withdrawing its May 2008 proposed rule to increase registration fees paid by those who offer for transportation or transport certain hazardous materials in intrastate, interstate, or foreign commerce. Increased fees are no longer needed for the national Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness grants program. (D/N PHMSA-2008-0010 (HM-208G), FR Pub 06/22/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-14569.pdf)

13. President Continues Western Balkan Emergency

The President has announced that he is continuing for one year the national emergency with respect to the Western Balkans because the actions of persons threatening the peace and international stabilization efforts in the Western Balkans continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the U.S. (Notice, dated 06/22/09, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Continuation-of-the-National-Emergency-with-Respect-to-the-Western-Balkans/.)

14. Next Round of ITA's Sustainable Manufacturing Tour to Focus on Supply Chains

The International Trade Administration issued a notice announcing its second round of regional showcase tours in support of Commerce's Sustainable Manufacturing Initiative. While the previous round of tours focused on manufacturers, this round will look at supply chains in various regions and sustainability issues affecting the competitiveness of firms in those supply chains. Comments are due 30 days after June 22, 2009. (FR Pub 06/22/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-14485.pdf)

15. OFAC Updates its SDN List

The Office of Foreign Assets Control has removed certain names from its Specially Designated Nationals list. (List, dated 06/19/09, available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/actions/20090619.shtml)

16. DDTC Announces Persides Limited Name Change

Effective April 1, 2009, Persides Limited will change its name to Persides Consultancy Services Limited, the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls has announced. Currently approved DSP authorizations identifying Persides Limited will not require an amendment to reflect the change in name if a copy of the DDTC website notice is attached to the currently approved license by the license holder. (Notice, available at http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/licensing/documents/WebNotice_PersidesLimited.doc)

17. DDTC Announces Hispano Suiza Regulation Systems Division Changes Name to Snecma SA

Effective February 1, 2009, Hispano Suiza Regulation Systems Division was acquired and will change its name to Snecma SA. DSP authorizations identifying Hispano Suiza Regulation Systems will not require an amendment to reflect the change in name if a copy of the DDTC website notice is attached to the currently approved license by the license holder. (Notice, available at http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/licensing/documents/WebNotice_HispanoSuiza.doc)

18. DHS Announces $15 Million in Stimulus Funding for Orlando Airport

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano announced approximately $15 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding for the construction of two new inline baggage handling systems at Orlando International Airport - a project designed to accelerate the passenger check-in process and enhance screening capabilities and airport safety. (DHS press release, dated 06/22/09, available at http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1245688786659.shtm.)

19. CPSC Lists Voluntary Recalls

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

Product: Reason	Company	Release
18\" Kick Body Boards: Violation of Lead Paint Standard	JGR Copa LLC (FL)	09-248
BattEQ Battery Equalizers: Fire Hazard	SmartSpark Energy Systems Inc. (IL)	09-249

(CPSC recalls available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prereljun09.html)