Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

October 19, 2009 |Top News

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a report to Congress outlining the actions it is taking to strengthen its oversight of imported products. The report is in response to recommendations made by the Government Accountability Office in an August 2009 report on CPSC. (Report, dated October 2009, available at http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/GAOresponse.pdf )

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1. CPSC Reports to Congress on Its Actions to Strengthen Oversight of Imported Products

2. Commerce and USTR Announce October U.S.-China JCCT Meeting

Commerce Secretary Locke and USTR Kirk, together with Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan, will convene the 20th U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade on October 28 - 29 in Hangzhou, China. Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack will also participate. (Notice, dated 10/15/09, available at http://www.commerce.gov/)

3. U.S., Australia Hold Meeting to Review Their Free Trade Agreement

U.S. Trade Representative Kirk met with Australian Minister of Trade Crean to review progress under the U.S. - Australian Free Trade Agreement. This was the fourth review of implementation of the agreement, which went into effect in 2005. They discussed in detail a range of issues covered by the FTA, including agriculture, intellectual property rights, and investment, labor and environment issues. (Press release, dated 10/15/09, available at http://www.ustr.gov/about-us/press-office/press-releases/2009/october/ustr-ron-kirk-and-australian-minister-trade-crean-)

4. August Freight Transportation Services Index Continues its Rise

The Freight Transportation Services Index rose 0.7 percent in August from its July level, the second consecutive monthly increase, the U.S. Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported. (Press release, dated 10/15/09, available at http://www.bts.gov/press_releases/2009/bts047_09/html/bts047_09.html)

5. PHMSA Final Rule Makes Minor Editorial Corrections, Clarifications to HMR

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has issued a final rule, effective October 16, 2009, which corrects editorial errors in the Hazardous Materials Regulations, makes minor regulatory changes to it, and clarifies text of the HMR in response to requests for clarification. There are no substantive changes. (D/N PHMSA-2009-0237 (HM-244B), FR Pub 10/16/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-24807.pdf)

6. CBP Officer Charged with Unlawful Access to Government Database

The Justice Department reports that a Tucson CBP official was charged with abusing his official access to the Treasury Enforcement Communications System (TECS) database to obtain personal information about someone he was suing in small claims court. A conviction for unauthorized access to a government computer carries a maximum penalty of 12 months in federal prison, a $100,000 fine, or both. (News release, dated 10/08/09, available at http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/cybercrime/natanChar.pdf)

7. FMC to Meet on October 21st

The Federal Maritime Commission will hold a partially open meeting on October 21, 2009 in Washington, D.C. The open portion of the meeting will cover a Court of Appeals mandate in Landstar; the closed session will cover World Chance Logistics (Hong Kong), as well as Lindblad Expeditions, Inc. (evidence of financial responsibility), among other issues. (FR Pub 10/16/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-25065.pdf)

8. Export.gov Announces The Americas - Webinar Series

Export. gov is announcing a webinar series to learn of export opportunities in The Americas region, including the Trade Winds Forum 2010: The Americas - Sao Paulo, Brazil, that will be held April 25-29, 2010. (Notice, posted 10/16/09, available at https://emenuapps.ita.doc.gov/ePublic/newWebinarRegistration.jsp?SmartCode=0Q10)

9. 12-Video Export Training Series from Census

Census has 12 videos available for export training. Topics include: determining who is the USPPI, the Harmonized Code and Schedule B numbers. AESDirect, Response messages from AES, NAFTA Certificates of Origin and Preference Criteria, etc. (List, posted 08/27/09, available at http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/aes/exporttraining/videos/)

10. ECHA to Hold Workshop on EU REACH Registration Process, Etc.

On December 1, 2009 the European Chemicals Agency will hold a Substance Identity Workshop in Helsinki to clarify key substance identity concepts in the context of REACH processes such as inquiry and registration. (Notice, dated 10/16/09, available at http://echa.europa.eu/doc/press/na_09_22_substance_identity_workshop_20091016.pdf)

11. Treasury Designates Three Leaders of the Kongra-Gel as Significant Foreign Narcotics Traffickers

The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) today targeted the senior leadership of the Kongra-Gel, designating as significant foreign narcotics traffickers, Murat KARAYILAN, the head of the Kongra-Gel, and high-ranking members Ali Riza ALTUN and Zubayir AYDAR. Pursuant to the Kingpin Act, this designation freezes any assets the three designees may have under U.S. jurisdiction and prohibits U.S. persons from conducting financial or commercial transactions with these individuals. (Press release TG-318, dated 10/14/09, available at http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/tg318.htm.)

12. CPSC Closed Compliance Meeting to be Held on October 21st

The Consumer Product Safety Commission will hold a closed meeting on its Compliance Weekly Report on October 21, 2009 in Bethesda, Maryland. (FR Pub 10/16/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-24898.pdf)

13. WTO Updates Official Meeting Program for 2009

The World Trade Organization has updated its official program of meetings for 2009. (Program, dated 10/16/09, available at http://www.wto.org/meets_public/meets_e.pdf)

14. FTZB Notices and Actions

The Foreign Trade Zone Board has issued the following notices:

FTZ 65. Expansion of Foreign-Trade Zone 65: Panama City, FL.

FTZ Subzone 7M. Termination of Review of Sourcing Change; Foreign-Trade Subzone 7M: Amgen Manufacturing Limited (Biotechnology and Healthcare Products); Juncos, PR.

13. OFAC Adds Individual to SDN List

The Office of Foreign Assets Control has added Bekkay Harrach to its Specially Designated Nationals list. (List, dated 10/15/09, available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/actions/20091015.shtml)

14. Canada's DFAIT to Offer Domestic and Export Controls Seminars

The Export Controls Division of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, in cooperation with the Controlled Goods Directorate of Public Works and Governments Services Canada, is organizing a series of Domestic and Export Controls Seminars. (Notice, posted 10/15/09, available at http://www.international.gc.ca/controls-controles/about-a_propos/expor/events-evenements.aspx?menu_id=74&menu=R)

15. CBSA Issues Fact Sheet on Harmonized System Compliance

Canada Border Services Agency has issued a fact sheet on Harmonized System Compliance, the standardized coding system of products and tariff numbers used in international trade. (Fact sheet, posted 10/15/09, available at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/media/facts-faits/071-eng.html)

16. Updated List of Instructions and U.S. Plants for Exporting Meat/Poultry to China

FSIS has provided updated information for the export of U.S. meat and poultry to China (October 14, 2009).

17. 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:

NVOCC OTI Applicants:

Interport Company, Inc. dba Interport Lines (IL)

Consolidators International, Inc., dba Corrigan's Express Freight dba Backstage Cargo USA (CA)

FMC notice (FR Pub 10/15/09) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-24835.pdf