Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. China to Abolish or Reduce Certain Export Duties to Promote Exports

2. Canada Publishes Notices on Consumer Products, Toys, Lead, Phthalates

Canada's Department of Health published the following notices related to consumer products, lead content, phthalates, and toys in the June 20, 2009 edition of the Canada Gazette:

Proposed Regulatory Text regarding consumer products containing lead (contact with mouth) regulations;

Order amending Part II of Schedule 1 to the Hazardous Products Act (Consumer Products Containing Lead - Contact with Mouth);

Order amending Schedule I to the Hazardous Products Act (Phthalates);

Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement regarding the Phthalates Regulations; and

Proposed Regulations amending the Hazardous Products (Toys) Regulations.

3. WCO and IATA Work to Take Paper Out of Air Cargo

The World Customs Organization is endorsing the International Air Transport Association's e-freight project, which replaces paper documents with IATA and WCO electronic messages based on UN/CEFACT standards. By the end of 2009, the project plans to replace 16 documents with IATA and WCO electronic messages and by the end of 2010, 20 documents will be supported. (Announcement, dated 06/22/09, available at http://www.wcoomd.org/speeches/?v=1&lid=1&cid=8&id=150)

4. AAPA "Encouraged" by House Surface Transportation Blueprint

The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) lauded specific language in a 90-page blueprint released by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The Surface Transportation Authorization Act of 2009 would give priority status to freight and freight mobility as part of the federal surface transportation authorization legislation that would replace the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) bill, which was passed in 2005 and is set to expire at the end of September. (News Release, dated 06/19/09, available at http://www.aapa-ports.org/Press/PRdetail.cfm?itemnumber=16999)

5. LA Bulletin on Tentative Selection of CES Operators

U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Port of Los Angeles has issued a Public Bulletin announcing the tentative selection of Centralized Examination Station (CES) operators within the Los Angeles/Long Beach Seaport. (LA09-019, dated 06/23/09, available via email by sending a request to documents@brokerpower.com)

6. Canadian Int'l Trade Tribunal to Consider Removing Customs Duty for Certain Wide-Width Fabrics

The Canadian International Trade Tribunal announced the initiation of an investigation on whether to remove, for an indeterminate period of time, the customs duty on importations from all countries of various specified wide-width cotton, flax and rayon fabrics in the June 20, 2009 edition of the Canada Gazette. (Notice, dated 06/20/09, available at http://canadagazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2009/2009-06-20/html/commis-eng.htmlf106)

7. EU Adopts Regulations on Marketing and Use of Feed

The European Union's Council of Agriculture Ministers have adopted a regulation replacing the current legislation on marketing and the use of feed. The new legislation, based on a Commission proposal from 2008, simplifies the existing procedures and is expected to lead to a more integrated single market for feed by reducing the administrative burden for feed operators. The regulation was endorsed by the European Parliament on February 5 and is expected to enter into force later this year. (Press Release, dated 06/22/09, available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/09/981&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en)

8. WTO Agricultural Negotiations to Return to Multilateral Process

The World Trade Organization Chairperson for Agricultural Negotiations announced that the agriculture negotiations will return to a "multilateral" process (ie one involving and controlled by all members), reflecting members' desire to see the talks pick up momentum again. (Notice, dated 06/18/09, available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news09_e/agng_18jun09_e.htm)

9. EPA Final Rule Amends Volatile Emission Standards for Aerosol Coatings

The Environmental Protection Agency is amending the National Volatile Organic Compound Emission Standards for Aerosol Coatings. Additionally, this final rule makes certain changes regarding recordkeeping and reporting requirements for a regulated entity. The EPA is also extending the deadline for submitting certain initial notifications to July 31, 2009. (FR Pub 06/23/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-14580.pdf)

10. EPA Report on Premanufacture Notifications and Test Marketing Exemptions

EPA is publishing a status report for the period of April 27 - May 22, 2009 of persons who have filed PMNs or TMEs on their intent to manufacture or import a chemical not on the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Inventory. Comments identified by the specific PMN number or TME number must be received on or before July 23, 2009. (FR Pub 06/23/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-14700.pdf)

11. Reminder That Nominations for Fruit, Vegetable Industry Committee Due July 1

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued a reminder that it has reestablished the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee, and is seeking nominations for 25 seats on the committee by July 1, 2009. (Reminder, dated 06/22/09, available at http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/ams.fetchTemplateData.do?template=TemplateU&navID=&page=Newsroom&resultType=Details&dDocName=STELPRDC5077638&dID=114177&wf=false&description=USDASeeksNomineesforReestablishedFruitandVegetableIndustryAdvisor)

12. FDA Letters on Anti-Cancer Claims of Vitamins A and E, or Selenium

The Food and Drug Administration has issued a letter in response to a qualified health claim petition for antioxidant vitamins A and E and a reduced risk of site-specific cancer, letter available here. The FDA's letter on a similar petition on selenium and a reduced risk of site-specific cancer is available here.

13. OFAC Updates its List of SDNs, Blocked Persons, Etc.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control has issued a June 23, 2009 updated alphabetical listing in Appendix A to 31 CFR chapter V of blocked persons, blocked vessels, specially designated nationals, specially designated terrorists, specially designated global terrorists, foreign terrorist organizations, and specially designated narcotics traffickers. (FR Pub 06/23/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-13801.pdf)

14. NRC Issues Proposed Rule on Im/Ex of Nuclear Equipment

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is proposing to amend and clarify its regulations that govern the export and import of nuclear equipment and material. Proposed changes include allowing Category 1 and 2 quantities of materials listed in the Commission's regulations to be imported under a general license. Comments are due by September 8, 2009. (FR Pub 06/23/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-14679.pdf)

15. Mexican Businessman Gets a Year In Prison For Illegal Export Scheme

A Mexican businessman, Jesus Argandona, was sentenced to a year in prison and fined $200,000 for illegally attempting to export $600,000 worth of blank compact disks made in China to Mexico without paying Mexican import duties, the Department of Justice announced. (News Release, dated 06/22/09, available at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/txs/releases/June%202009/062209Argandona.htm)

16. EU and Australia Agree on Reviewed Mutual Recognition Agreement

The European Union and Australia have agreed on a reviewed Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) which will simplify the certification of products for export, including medical devices, electrical equipment and telecommunications equipment. (Press Release, dated 06/23/09, available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/09/984&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en)

17. WTO Appoints 2 New Appellate Body Members

The WTO Dispute Settlement Body has appointed the following two new members to its seven-member body: Ricardo Hernndez of Mexico for four years beginning July 1, 2009 and Peter Van den Bossche of the European Communitiy for four years beginning December 12, 2009. (Press Release, dated 06/19/09, available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/pres09_e/pr558_e.htm)

18. Japan's METI Releases White Paper on Int'l Economy/Trade in 2009

Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry published White Paper on International Economy and Trade 2009 analyzing the world economy and discussing Japan's style of global economic policy. (Notice, available at http://www.meti.go.jp/english/press/data/nBackIssue20090619_01.html)

19. CBSA Revises D-Memoranda on Costa Rica FTA, Bluetooth Technology

Canada Border Services Agency has revised the following D-Memoranda:

D11-4-27: Canada-Costa Rica Free Trade Agreement (CCRFTA) Costa Rica Free Zone Regimes;

D10-14-57: Tariff Classification of Certain Articles Using Bluetooth Technology

20. APHIS Updates Animal Product PPQ Manual

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a June 22, 2009 updated version of the Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Animal Product Manual. This Manual provides the background, procedures, and regulatory actions to enforce the regulations governing the import and export of animals, animal products, and animal by-products. (Updates, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/apm.shtml)

21. APHIS Updates Export Program PPQ Manual

APHIS has issued a June 19, 2009 updated version of the PPQ Export Program Manual. This operational manual enables Authorized Certification Officials to inspect and issue Federal Export Certificates for plants and plant products. It also provides information that helps exporters meet the plant quarantine import requirements of foreign countries. (Updates, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/domestic/xpm.shtml)

22. APHIS Updates Nursery Stock Restrictions PPQ Manual

APHIS has issued a June 19, 2009 version of the PPQ Nursery Stock Restrictions Manual, which summarizes the entry status of regulated plant materials capable of and intended for propagation. (Manual, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/downloads/nursery_stock.pdf)

23. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports

The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:

China FAIRS Product Specific: H1N1 Trade Related Measures

Thailand Sanitary/Phytosanitary/Food Safety: Amendments on Food Pathogen Standards

24. Revised FDA Import Alerts

The Food and Drug Administration has posted revised versions of the following Import Alerts on the detention without physical examination of:

Surgical Instruments from Pakistan

25. 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.)