Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. Proposed Fee Schedule Change for CES at LA/LB Seaport

2. Chicago Changes Start Date for New CBP Form 7501 to April 1st

CBP's Port of Chicago has issued a Pipeline announcing that the effective date for the requirement to use the new (June 2009) version of the CBP Form 7501 (entry summary) has been extended until April 1, 2010. (See ITT's Online Archives or 09/03/09 news, 09090305, for BP summary of CBP extending the deadline for the use of the new version of CBP Form 7501.)(Pipeline 09-18A, dated 09/03/09, available via email by sending a request to documents@brokerpower.com)

3. Chicago Announces Termination of G.O. Warehouse & Bonded Warehouse Designation

CBP's Port of Chicago has issued a Pipeline announcing that Garrison C.F.S., Inc. notified the Chicago Area Port Director that as of September 9, 2009, they will cease operations as a General Order warehouse and bonded warehouse. They stopped accepting G.O. shipments as of August 27, 2009. (Pipeline 09-22, dated 09/03/09, available via email by sending a request to documents@brokerpower.com

4. New License Exception for Exports of Consumer Communication Device to Cuba

Census has issued Foreign Trade Regulations Letter No. 5 which provides the requirements in the FTR for filing the electronic export information through the Automated Export System (AES) for shipments under the new License Exception Consumer Communication Devices (CCD). The Bureau of Industry and Security created this new exception under 15 CFR 740.19 to authorize exports and re-exports to Cuba of certain donated consumer communications devices, computers, and software. (FTR Letter No. 5, dated 09/03/09, available at http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/regulations/ftrletters/ftrno5-cubarule-license-exemption-ccd.html.)

5. Treasury Fact Sheet on Change to Cuban Assets Control Regulations

The Treasury Department has issued a fact sheet on the Office of Foreign Assets Control's final rule amending the Cuban Assets Control Regulations, 31 CFR Part 515 (CACR), in three major areas: (1) family visits; (2) family remittances; and (3) telecommunications. The amendments also make certain technical and conforming changes to the CACR. OFAC also issued a press release on these amendments. (Press Release, dated 09/03/09, available at http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/tg273.htm)

6. State Dept Announces Termination of Certain Assistance, Etc. to De Facto Regime in Honduras

The State Department has issued a press release announcing the termination of a broad range of assistance to the government of Honduras as a result of the coup d'etat that took place on June 28. The Secretary already had suspended assistance shortly after the coup. Restoration of the terminated assistance will be predicated upon a return to democratic, constitutional governance in Honduras. (Press Release, dated 09/03/09, available at http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2009/sept/128608.htm)

7. ITDS Posts ATF Notice on Benefits of Future ACE Interface

The Web site of the International Trade Development System has posted a notice from the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Bureau stating that ATF hopes to develop and implement an interface with ACE that will allow the trade to file for CBP release electronically. CBP would have direct access to the ATF system to verify that the goods sought for release were approved for importation by ATF. Once CBP authorized release, its certified copy of the release documentation could be electronically submitted to ATF. Functionality improvements for the trade would include the ability to electronically submit attachments with the import permit applications and release documents. (Notice, posted 09/03/09, available at http://www.itds.gov/linkhandler/itds/news/firearm_import.ctt/firearm_import.pdf)

8. CPSC Posts Info. on Participating in U.S.-China Consumer Product Safety Summit

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has posted information on the third biennial U.S.-China Consumer Product Safety Summit to take place in October 2009 in China. Stakeholders selected by CPSC may accompany the CPSC delegation or participate in the parts of the summit open to the general public. (CPSC press release available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/chinasummit.aspx)

9. State Dept Notice on Annual Meeting of Advisory Committee on Private International Law

The State Department is announcing that its Advisory Committee on Private International Law will hold its annual meeting on October 19-20, 2009 in Washington, D.C. Discussions will include the Hague Convention on Choice of Court Agreements, the UNCITRAL E-Commerce and Letter of Credit Conventions, cross-border corporate insolvency, etc. (FR Pub 09/04/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-21414.pdf)

10. AMS Final Rule Exempts Certain Imported Tomatoes from Shape Requirements

The Agricultural Marketing Service has issued a final rule, effective October 5, 2009, which provides an 8e exemption from the shape requirements associated with U.S. No. 2 grade for imported Vintage RipesTM tomatoes (due to a corresponding change for the same tomatoes grown in Florida). (D/N AMS FV-08-0097; FV09-980-1 FR, FR Pub 09/04/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-21353.pdf)

11. BIS Requests Comments on Proposed National Defense Stockpile Disposals

The Bureau of Industry and Security is seeking public comments on the potential market impact of its proposed disposal of excess materials from the national stockpile of strategic and critical materials for military, industrial and essential national defense needs, for the Fiscal Year 2011 Annual Materials Plan. Comments are due by October 5, 2009. (D/N 0908181242-91243-01, FR Pub 09/04/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-21350.pdf)

12. NIST Notice on Update to International Codes for Construction Industry

The National Institute of Standards and Technology is requesting participation from individuals involved in the construction industry, as well as the general public, on suggested updates to the International Codes and Standards for the construction industry. The date of the next code development hearing is October 24-November 11, 2009 in Baltimore, MD. (FR Pub 09/04/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-21393.pdf)

13. DDTC Posts License Processing Times for August 2009

The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls has posted August 2009 statistics on its processing times for U.S. defense firms' munitions license submissions. The agency reports a shortening of license application intervals to an average of 14 days (from 15 days for July). (Notice, updated 09/02/09, available at http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/metrics/index.html)

14. ICE Arrests International Arms Dealer for Conspiracy to Supply U.S. Fighter Jet Engines to Iran

The Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement reports that on August 28, 2009 it arrested Jacques Monsieur, a Belgian national on charges alleging that he conspired to illegally export F-5 fighter jet engines and parts from the United States to Iran. (News Release, dated 09/02/09, available at http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/0909/090902washington.htm)

15. OFAC Adds Individuals, Entities to its SDN List

The Office of Foreign Assets Control has added six individuals and two entities have been added to the Specially Designated Nationals list. (List, dated 09/03/09, available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/actions/20090903.shtml)

16. Sweden Says Concluding Doha Round is Priority of Its EC Presidency

Swedish government Ministers outlined their priorities for Sweden's tenure as President of the European Council. Sweden's Trade Minister said that concluding the WTO Doha Round "is the first, second and third priority" of the EU Presidency. (Press Release, dated 09/04/09, available at http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/expert/infopress_page/008-60075-244-09-36-901-20090901IPR60074-01-09-2009-2009-false/default_en.htm)

17. European Union Says China is Biggest Trade Challenge, Etc.

The European Commission issued a press release on European Union - China trade in facts and figures. According to the EC, China is the single most important challenge for EU trade policy. China is now the EU's 2nd trading partner behind the U.S. and the biggest source of imports. The EU is China's biggest trading partner. China now accounts for about 9% of world trade in goods, with total bilateral trade between the EU and China was worth 326 billion in 2008. (Press Release, dated 09/04/09, available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/09/375&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en)

18. Agency Seeks Comments on Information Collections

A government agency is seeking comments on the following information collection for which it has requested or intends to request Office of Management and Budget approval or extension of approval (see notice for specific details):

Agency Information Collection Comments Due

19. FMC Lists OTI Applications

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a notice that lists those applying for ocean transportation intermediary licenses as a non-vessel-operating common carrier (NVOCC), ocean freight forwarder (FF) or NVOCC/FF OTI, as follows:

FMC notice (FR Pub 09/04/09) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-21331.pdf