Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Department of Homeland Security has issued a notice announcing that it has begun the third and final national dialogue for the Quadrennial Homeland Security Review. The third dialogue, which ends on October 4, presents the final study group proposals, including the vision, goals, objectives, and key strategic outcomes from the mission studies as well as the path forward for the Homeland Security National Risk Assessment Study Group. DHS is seeking input on the strategic approaches proposed by the study groups, the implications of these proposed strategic approaches, and the proposed strategic outcomes. (DHS notice, dated 10/02/09, available at http://www.dhs.gov/journal/theblog/2009/10/third-dialogue.html.)
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
Timely, relevant coverage of court proceedings and agency rulings involving tariffs, classification, valuation, origin and antidumping and countervailing duties. Each day, Trade Law Daily subscribers receive a daily headline email, in-depth PDF edition and access to all relevant documents via our trade law source document library and website.
1. DHS Has Begun Third and Final Quadrennial Homeland Security Review
2. ITC Issues Follow-Up Report on Economic Effects of Significant U.S. Import Restraints
The International Trade Commission has issued an update of its report, The Economic Effects of Significant U.S. Import Restraints. The report estimates changes in U.S. welfare, output, employment, and trade that would result from the unilateral elimination of significant import restraints, specifically U.S. tariffs and tariff-rate quotas on certain agricultural products, textiles and apparel, and other manufactured products. The report is available here. (News release 09-072, dated 09/30/09, available at http://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2009/er0930gg1.htm)
3. ITC Issues Report on CBERA Benefits to U.S. Consumers
ITC has issued a report, The Impact of the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act, Nineteenth Report, 2007-2008, in which it states that the overall effect of the CBERA on the U.S. economy continues to be negligible while the effect on U.S. consumers and beneficiary countries is small but positive. Imports benefiting from CBERA continued to fall in 2007 and 2008. The report is available here. (News release 09-073, dated 09/30/09, available at http://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2009/er0930gg2.htm)
4. GAO Letter on U.S. Embargo on Cuba
The Government Accountability Office has written a letter to certain Representatives regarding the U.S. embargo on Cuba. (Letter, dated 09/17/09, available at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d09951r.pdf)
5. APHIS Ban on Netherlands Origin Fresh Peppers
U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Port of Chicago has issued a Pipeline stating that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service notified CBP on September 30, 2009 that as of October 1, 2009, all types of Netherlands-origin peppers are prohibited. Shipments that are en route to the U.S. on or before October 1, 2009 will be allowed entry and be inspected. Otherwise, all pepper shipments (any variety) originating in the Netherlands and received after October 1, 2009 are to be refused entry. Shipments transiting the Netherlands from other countries are not subject to this prohibition. (Pipeline 09-26, dated 10/01/09, available by sending a request to documents@brokerpower.com)
6. AMS Final Rule Reapportions Mushroom Council Membership, Allows it to Develop Best Practices
The Agricultural Marketing Service has issued a final rule, effective October 5, 2009, which amends provisions of the Mushroom Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Order to reapportion membership of the Mushroom Council to reflect shifts in U.S. mushroom production as well as to add language to the powers and duties section of the Order allowing the Council the power to develop and propose good agricultural and handling practices and related activities for mushrooms. (D/N AMS-FV-08-0047; FV-08-702-FR, FR Pub 10/02/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-23777.pdf)
7. Target to Pay $600,000 Civil Penalty to Settle Lead Paint Violations
The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced that Target Corporation (MN) has agreed to pay a $600,000 civil penalty to settle allegations that it violated the federal lead paint ban on toys. The settlement, which CPSC has provisionally accepted, resolves allegations that from May 2006 through August 2007, Target knowingly imported and sold various toys (Kool Toyz Products, Anima - Bamboo Collection Games, Happy Giddy Gardening Tools and Sunny Patch Chairs) with paint or other surface coatings that contained lead levels above legal limits. (Notice, dated 10/01/09, available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10001.html)
8. Secretary of State's Remarks at U.S.-Africa Business Summit
The State Department has posted the remarks of Secretary of State Clinton at the Corporate Council on Africa's Seventh Biennial U.S.-Africa Business Summit.
(Remarks, dated 10/01/09, available at http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2009a/10/130182.htm.)
9. OFAC Removes 3 Individuals from SDN List
The Office of Foreign Assets Control has deleted three individuals from its Specially Designated Nationals list. (Notice, dated 10/02/09, available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/actions/20091002.shtml)
10. OFAC Releases Enforcement Information for September 30th
The Office of Foreign Assets Control has issued its civil penalties enforcement information for September 30, 2009. (Notice, dated 09/30/09, available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/civpen/penalties/10012009.pdf)
11. FMC to Meet on October 21st
The Federal Maritime Commission has issued a notice announcing that its meetings scheduled for October 7th and 28th have been combined into one meeting, which will be held on October 21, 2009. (Notice, posted 10/01/09, available at http://www.fmc.gov/home/CommissionMeetingScheduleforOctober.asp)
12. Census Issues AES Broadcast on Port of Unlading Update
The Census Bureau has issued an Automated Export System broadcast announcing that the following port of unlading has been added to AES:
| Port of Unlading | Description | Country |
| 55225 | Tan Cang | Vietnam |
Census states that AESPcLink users must update their AESDirect code tables to reflect the update to the Ports of Unlading. Users of AESDirect who file via the website at www.aesdirect.gov will have their code tables updated via the program automatically. (AES broadast 2009046, dated 10/02/09, available by emailing documents@brokerpower.com.)
13. EC to Require New Tire Labeling Starting Nov. 1, 2012
The European Parliament reports that on October 1, 2009, the EP Industry Committee and European Council negotiators reached a political agreement on a labeling system for certain tires similar to that used for household appliances. Therefore, starting November 1, 2012, suppliers of tires for passenger cars, light and heavy duty vehicles (C1, C2 and C3 tires) will have to inform consumers about fuel efficiency, wet grip and noise classes in any technical promotional material, including web sites. (Press release, dated 10/01/09, available at http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/expert/infopress_page/052-61342-271-09-40-909-20090928IPR61340-28-09-2009-2009-false/default_en.htm)
14. Japan-Vietnam EPA Enters Into Force
Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry reports that the Japan-Vietnam Agreement on Free Trade and Economic Partnership has entered into force. (Press release, dated 10/01/09, available at http://www.meti.go.jp/english/press/data/20091001_01.html)
15. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports
The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:
China Licensing of Imported Food Without Domestic Standards: FAIRS Subject Report
Brazil Livestock and Products Annual: Annual Livestock Report
16. CBSA Revises D-Memoranda
Canada Border Services Agency has revised the following D-Memoranda:
D8-3-6 Revised: Tariff Item 9905.00.00 and the Passover Products Remission Order
D8-1-1 Revised: Amendments to Temporary Importation (Tariff Item no. 9993.00.00) Regulations