Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and the U.S. Department of Agriculture released a statement regarding the decision by Taiwan's Legislative Yuan to bar import of certain U.S. beef and beef products, an action contrary to a recently signed bilateral agreement that entered into force on November 2, 2009. (U.S. requirements for exports to Taiwan, which reflect the bilateral agreement, available here.) (Joint statement, dated 01/05/10, available at http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2010/01/0002.xml)
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1. USTR, USDA Joint Statement on Taiwan's Decision to Bar Certain U.S. Beef
2. Japan Intends to Ban Use of 125 Food Additives (Some Used as Supplements in U.S.)
USDA has issued a GAIN Report stating that in October 2009, the government of Japan announced its intent to remove 125 substances (e.g., glucosamine, oregano extract, garlic extract, etc.) from its list of approved food additives. Companies wishing to continue use of these additives must provide documentation regarding their use by January 8, 2010. (Report, dated 12/28/09, http://gain.fas.usda.gov/Recent%20GAIN%20Publications/Plan%20to%20delete%20125%20existing%20food%20additives%20from%20current%20list_Tokyo_Japan_2009-12-28.pdf )
3. First Quarter Calendar IRS Interest Rates for CBP
CBP is advising the public of the quarterly Internal Revenue Service interest rates used to calculate interest on overdue accounts (underpayments) and refunds (overpayments) of customs duties. For the calendar quarter beginning January 1, 2010, the interest rates for overpayments will be 3 percent for corporations and 4 percent for non-corporations, and the interest rate for underpayments will be 4 percent. (See ITT's Online Archives or 12/01/09 news, 09120130, for previous BP summary on the interest rates for this quarter.) (FR Pub 01/05/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/E9-31353.pdf)
4. BIS Settlement Agreement with Ning Wen Includes Civil Penalty, Export Privilege Denial
The Bureau of Industry and Security has issued a notice announcing that it has entered into a Settlement Agreement with Ning Wen to settle allegations that Wen violated the Export Administration Regulations. Under the settlement agreement, Wen was assessed a civil penalty in the amount of $1,364,000 (the payment of which is suspended for one year and could be waived) and was denied export privileges for a period of 15 years. (FR Pub 01/05/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/E9-31367.pdf)
5. State Maintains Designation of Kahane Chai as Foreign Terrorist Organization
The State Department has determined to maintain the designation of Kahane Chai et al. as a foreign terrorist organization, pursuant to 8 U.S.C. 1189, because the circumstances that were the basis for its 2004 redesignation as a foreign terrorist organization have not changed sufficiently and the national security of the U.S. does not warrant revocation of the designation. (Public Notice 6859, FR Pub 01/05/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/E9-31305.pdf)
6. State Dept OAS Private Int'l Law Study Group to Meet on January 15th
On January 15, 2010, the State Department's Organization of American States Specialized Conference on Private International Law Study Group will meet in Washington, DC to continue the discussion started at its December 15, 2009. (Public Notice 6255, FR Pub 01/05/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/E9-31335.pdf)
7. OFAC Designates One Entity Under Iraq EO
The Office of Foreign Assets Control has issued a notice publishing the name of one newly designated entity whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to Executive Order 13438 of July 17, 2007, ''Blocking Property of Certain Persons Who Threaten Stabilization Efforts in Iraq.'' (FR Pub 01/05/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/E9-31313.pdf)
8. DDTC Updates License Processing Times for December 2009
The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls has updated its table of license processing times to include December 2009. The table includes cases received, cases closed, cases open at the end of the month, and average processing time (in calendar days). (Table, updated 01/04/10, available at http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/metrics/index.html)
9. EC Regulation Codifying EU System of Relief from Customs Duty Took Effect Jan. 1st
The European Commission Taxation and Customs Union states that a codified version of a regulation setting up a European Union system of relief from customs duty has been in effect since January 1, 2010. Codified version of the regulation is available here.(Notice, posted 01/05/10, available at http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/index_en.htm)
10. China's AQSIQ Announces Approval of China's 1st Food Defense Standard
China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine announced that China's first national standard on food defense was approved on Dec. 9, 2009. The standard gives food producers guidelines on how to prevent food products and their processing from being sabotaged or contaminated deliberately. AQSIQ states that it will probably officially publish the recommended national standard in 2010. (News release, dated 01/05/10, available at http://english.aqsiq.gov.cn/NewsRelease/NewsUpdates/201001/t20100105_134233.htm)
11. Foreign Trade Zones Board Order Adopted
The Foreign-Trade Zones Board has adopted the following order:
Order No. 1654. Approval for Expansion of Subzone 22F, Abbott Molecular, Inc. (Pharmaceutical and Molecular Diagnostic Products), Chicago, IL, Area
12. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports
The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:
Philippines Plant Products: FAIRS Export Certificate Report
Thailand Weekly Rice Price Update: Grain and Feed
Poland HRI Food Service Sector
Italy Italy's Agriculture Ministry Remains Vocal Against GMOs: Biotechnology
13. Revised FDA Import Alert
The Food and Drug Administration has posted revised versions of the following Import Alert on the detention without physical examination of: