Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. President Issues Statement on House Passage of Food Safety Bill

2. CBP Notice on Quarterly Interest Rates on Over/Under Payments of Duty

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is advising the public of the Internal Revenue Service interest rates used to calculate interest on overdue accounts (underpayments) and refunds (overpayments) of customs duties for the calendar quarter beginning July 1, 2009. (See ITT's Online Archives or 05/29/09 news, 09052920, for BP summary of the FR notice) (FR Pub 07/31/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-18371.pdf)

3. CPSC Approves & Disapproves Certain "Firewalled" Labs for 3rd Party Testing

The Commissioners of the Consumer Product Safety Commission have voted unanimously to approve accreditation of seven proprietary or "firewalled" labs for certain third-party testing of children's products. The Commissioners also unanimously disapproved the accreditation of two labs for certain third-party testing. (Notice, posted 07/24/09, available at http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/ballot/ballot09/firewalled.pdf)

4. FMC Grants Motion to Dismiss LA-LB Investigation

The Federal Maritime Commission has granted the Bureau of Enforcement's motion to dismiss its investigation commenced in September 2008 into certain aspects of the Clean Truck Program at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, citing changed circumstances as the reason. The Port of Los Angeles issued a press release on the dismissal. (D/N 08-05, posted, 07/30/09, available at http://www.fmc.gov/UserFiles/pages/File/08-05-ALJ_order_certifying_motion_of_dismissal.pdf)

5. FDA to Hold Public Meeting on International Cosmetic Regulations

The Food and Drug Administration is announcing a public meeting in College Park, Maryland on September 2, 2009 entitled ''International Cooperation on Cosmetics Regulations - Preparation for ICCR - 3 Meetings in Tokyo, Japan'' to provide information and receive comments on the International Cooperation on Cosmetics Regulations as well as the upcoming meetings in Tokyo, Japan scheduled for the week of September 7, 2009. (D/N FDA-2009-N-0352, FR Pub 07/31/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-18321.pdf)

6. CBSA Notice on Release of Customs Self Assessment Shipments

Canada Border Services Agency has issued a Customs Notice entitled, "Inclusion of Intermediary Locations for Release of Customs Self Assessment (CSA) Shipments." Effective immediately, CSA importers can include intermediary locations, as listed on the CSA carriers' bill of lading, as part of their trade chain partner (TCP) list for delivery of CSA shipments as a consignee. (Notice, dated 07/31/09, available at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/publications/cn-ad/cn09-019-eng.html)

7. CBSA Posts Members' Guide to NEXUS

Canada Border Services Agency has posted a Members' Guide to NEXUS, the program jointly administered with U.S. Customs and Border Protection that is designed to simplify border clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers. (Guide, updated 07/30/09, available at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5095-eng.pdf)

8. China's AQSIQ and U.S.' APHIS Discuss Plant Quarantine at Meeting

China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine posted a notice on the 17th Sino-U.S. bilateral meeting on plant quarantine held July 14-18th. AQSIQ states that during the meeting, the Chinese delegation and the U.S. delegation headed by APHIS Deputy Administrator Eggert reviewed U.S.-China cooperation in the phytosanitary field over the past year and held talks on 28 items including access of farm products between two countries, timely resolution of inspection and quarantine issues in bilateral trade, and strengthening phytosanitary cooperation. (Notice, dated 07/31/09, available at http://english.aqsiq.gov.cn/NewsRelease/NewsUpdates/200907/t20090731_123347.htm)

9. European Chemicals Agency Issues REACH Guidance Documents

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has launched a new series of shortened versions of the REACH Guidance Documents and Fact Sheet on the inclusion of substances in the List of Substances Subject to Authorization. These so-called "Guidance in a Nutshell" documents are available here. (Notice, dated 06/24/09, available at http://echa.europa.eu/doc/press/na_09_09_new_concise_guidance_20090624.pdf)

10. Japan-Swiss Agreement on Free Trade and Economic Partnership to Enter Into Force Sept. 1st

Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry announced that the Agreement on Free Trade and Economic Partnership between Japan and the Swiss Federation will enter into force on September 1, 2009. The Agreement is aimed at enhancing the economic partnership between the two countries by promoting liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment and advancing cooperation in such wide ranging areas as movement of natural persons, electronic commerce, and intellectual property. (Notice, dated 07/28/09, available at http://www.meti.go.jp/english/press/data/20090728_02.html)

11. National Emergency Extended on the Actions of Certain Persons to Undermine Lebanon

President Obama has issued a notice that continues for one year the national emergency with respect to the actions of certain persons to undermine the sovereignty of Lebanon or its democratic processes and institutions. (FR Pub 07/31/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-18592.pdf)

12. OFAC Updates SDN List

The Office of Foreign Assets Control has added an entity to its Specially Designated Nationals list. It is also updating the information for an entity on the list. (List, dated 07/30/09, available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/actions/20090730.shtml)

13. 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):

Agency Information Collection Comments Due

(FMC notices, FR Pub 07/29/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-18097.pdf and http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-18098.pdf)