Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Port of New York/Newark has issued an Informational Pipeline stating that containers consigned to a C-TPAT importer that are designated for drayage to a Centralized Examination Station (CES) for a CBP Enforcement, Trade, or Agriculture examination, will clearly be designated as "C-TPAT Priority," on the Permit to Transfer or CF3461 document faxed to the CES facility. The CES facility will in turn, dray to their facility, and present for examination, the C-TPAT Priority cargo before non-C-TPAT designated containerized cargo. (See future issue of ITT for details.) (Pipeline 09-016-NWK is available via email by sending a request to documents@brokerpower.com)
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1. NY, Newark Pipeline on Priority Consideration for Certified C-TPAT Importers
2. LA Bulletin on Customs Broker Exam
The Port of Los Angeles has issued a Public Bulletin announcing that the next customs broker license exam will be held on Monday, October 5, 2009. (Bulletin LA09-020 is available via email by sending a request to documents@brokerpower.com)
3. Chicago Pipeline on Customs Broker Exam
The Port of Chicago has issued a Pipeline announcing that the next customs broker license exam will be held on Monday, October 5, 2009. (Pipeline 09-15 is available via email by sending a request to documents@brokerpower.com)
4. U.S. and Colombia Discussed FTA During Recent Visit
In remarks made at a press conference following his meeting with Colombian President Uribe, President Obama noted that they discussed moving forward on the U.S.-Colombia free trade agreement. The President stated that he has instructed U.S. Trade Representative Kirk to begin working closely with President Uribe's team on how the U.S. and Colombia can proceed on a FTA. (Press Release, dated 06/29/09, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-President-Obama-and-President-Uribe-of-Colombia-in-Joint-Press-Availability/)
5. U.S.-China Council Lists China-Related Legislation in Congress
The U.S.-China Business Council has posted a list of legislation related to China that has been introduced by the 111th Congress. (List, dated 06/26/09, available at http://www.uschina.org/public/documents/2009/111th_congress_chinalegislation.pdf)
6. July FMC Meeting Rescheduled
The Federal Maritime Commission's meeting scheduled for Wednesday, July 15, 2009 has been rescheduled for Tuesday, July 14, 2009. (Notice, available at http://www.fmc.gov/home/July142009MeetingUpdate.asp)
7. FDA Opens Docket for Comment on New Tobacco Law
The Food and Drug Administration is establishing a docket to obtain public input on the implementation of the recently enacted Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. FDA is particularly interested in comments on the approaches and actions the agency should consider initially to increase the likelihood of reducing the incidence and prevalence of tobacco product use and protecting the public health. Comments are due by September 29, 2009. (D/N FDA-2009-N-0294, FR Pub 07/01/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-15549.pdf)
8. TTB Responds to News Articles on Champagne Labeling
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau Tobacco denies it is considering a change in label rules that would end the use of "Champagne" on any label other than those from Champagne, France. However, TTB reiterates the requirement that the use of semi-generic names must be in direct conjunction with an appropriate appellation of origin disclosing the true place of origin in order to have received the "grandfathered" Certificate of Label Approval in this regard. (Information available at http://www.ttb.treas.gov/wine/champagne-labeling.shtml)
9. Port of LA Signs MOU to Keep Channel Deepening Project on Track
The Port of Los Angeles today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Gambol Industries and the Los Angeles Conservancy, both of whom had appealed the EIR of the Port's Channel Deepening project, which will dredge the main channel and allow larger vessels to call on the Port. (News Release, dated 06/29/09, available at http://www.portoflosangeles.org/newsroom/2009_releases/news_062909_gambol.pdf)
10. ATF, ICE Update Partnership Agreement
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Immigration and Customs Enforcement updated a memorandum of understanding that establishes how the two agencies will work together on investigations of international firearms trafficking and possession of firearms by illegal aliens. The agreement clarifies the notification process each agency is expected to follow while investigating the international trafficking of firearms, ammunition, explosives, weapons and munitions. (News Release, dated 06/30/09, available at http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/0906/090630albuquerque.htm)
11. DDTC Notifications to Congress on High Value Proposed Commercial Export Licenses
The Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls has forwarded Notifications of Proposed Export Licenses to Congress for the export of technical data, defense services, and defense articles in the amount of $100,000,000 or more, as required by Section 36(f) of the Arms Export Control Act. (FR Pub 07/01/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-15554.pdf)
12. Treasury Targets North Korea's Missile Proliferation Network
The Treasury Department has issued a press release announcing the targeting of North Korea's missile proliferation network by designating Hong Kong Electronics under Executive Order 13382. E.O. 13382 freezes the assets of designated proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their supporters and prohibits U.S. persons from engaging in any transactions with them, thereby isolating them from the U.S. financial and commercial systems. Hong Kong Electronics, located in Kish Island, Iran, has been designated for providing support to North Korea's Tanchon Commercial Bank and Korea Mining Development Trading Corporation. (Press Release, dated 06/30/09, available at http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/tg191.htm)
13. OFAC Removes 49 Individuals from Narcotics Sanctions List
The Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has announced the removal of 49 Colombian individuals from the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list, all either current or former employees of Copservir, a previously-designated entity that operates the retail drugstore chain known as Drogas La Rebaja in Colombia. The 49 individuals removed from OFAC's SDN list have severed ties with the Cali Cartel leaders Miguel and Gilberto Rodriguez Orejuela. (Press release TG-194, dated 07/01/09, available at http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/tg194.htm.)
14. U.S. and Spain Formalize Agreement to Interdict High-Risk Travelers
Department of Homeland Security Napolitano met with the Spanish Interior Minister on July 1, 2009 and signed a Declaration of Principles formalizing the Immigration Advisory Program (IAP) - which allows for the identification of high-risk travelers at foreign airports before they board aircraft bound for the U.S. - at Madrid Barajas International Airport. (Press release, dated 07/01/09, available at http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1246476969702.shtm.)
15. U.S. and Portugal Sign Agreement to Prevent and Combat Crime
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano met with the Portuguese Interior, Justice, and Foreign Affairs Ministers on June 30, 2009 and signed a Preventing and Combating Crime (PCC) Agreement as part of her weeklong trip to Europe and Kuwait. The agreement allows for the exchange of biometric and biographic data to bolster counterterrorism and law enforcement efforts in both nations while emphasizing privacy protections. (Press Release, dated 06/30/09, available at http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1246389075872.shtm)
16. Foreign Agricultural Service Annual Estimates of U.S. Ag Exports by State
The Foreign Agricultural Service's Economic Research Service has posted its annual estimates of U.S. exports by State and commodity group based on each State's share of U.S. agricultural production. (Notice, available at http://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/StateExports/)
17. EPA Grants California Waiver to Enforce Auto GHG Emission Standards
The Environmental Protection Agency is granting California's waiver request enabling the state to enforce its greenhouse gas emissions standards for new motor vehicles, beginning with the current model year. Using the law and science as its guide, EPA has taken this action to tackle air pollution and protect human health. (News Release, dated 06/30/09, available at http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/bd4379a92ceceeac8525735900400c27/5e448236de5fb369852575e500568e1b!OpenDocument)
18. OFAC Adds 2 Entities to Its SDN List
The Office of Foreign Assets Control has added the following two entities to its Specially Designated Nationals list: Hong Kong Electronics and Namchongang Trading Corporation. (List, dated 06/30/09, available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/actions/20090630.shtml)
19. WTO, Others Call for Green Investments/Policies to Help Economy
A group of international organizations including the World Trade Organization have issued a joint statement saying that coordinated efforts to create a green economy are needed to tackle current financial, economic, food, water, energy, ecosystem and climate crises. The group advocates significantly increasing such investments in all countries, updating building codes, and enforcing internationally agreed environmentally friendly shipping regulations. (Statement, dated 06/30/09, available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news09_e/igo_30jun09_e.htm)
20. Japan's METI Releases Annual Report on IPR Measures Taken
Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry compiled and released its "Annual Report on the Office of Intellectual Property Protection" which summarizes measures that the government took to combat counterfeit and pirated goods in the past year. (Report, dated June 2009, available at http://www.meti.go.jp/english/press/data/20090629_01.html)
21. EP Posts Overview of EU Energy Efficiency Legislation
The European Parliament has posted a summary of the European Union's "Energy Efficiency Package" legislation which the Parliament backed in December 2008. The package consists of: a proposal for a Directive which introduces a labeling scheme for tires; a recast of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive; and a proposal for a revision of the Energy Labeling Directive. (Summary, dated 06/15/09, available at http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/public/focus_page/008-57107-187-07-28-901-20090612FCS57088-06-07-2009-2009/default_en.htm)
22. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports
The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:
China FAIRS Subject Report: Corn Quality Standard
Venezuela Fishery Products: The GOV May Expropriate a Shrimp Farm
23. 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:
Foods Containing Illegal and/or Undeclared Colors
Processed Crabmeat from Thailand
Fish and Fishery Products for Importer and Foreign Processor (Manuf) Combinations