Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
1. FDA Issues Guidance on Tobacco Health Document Submission
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The Food and Drug Administration is announcing the availability of a guidance, "Tobacco Health Document Submission," which is intended to assist persons making certain document submissions to FDA under the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. Comments may be submitted at any time. (D/N FDA-2009-D-0600, FR Pub 04/20/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-9134.pdf)
2. TTB Signs MOU with Italy on Alcohol and Tobacco Smuggling
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Italy to establish a consistent channel for cooperation regarding the exchange of information for the purpose of combating the smuggling of alcohol and tobacco products. (Press release, dated 04/15/10, available at http://www.ttb.treas.gov/press/fy10/press-release-ttb-signs-mou-italy.pdf)
3. TTB Drops Circulars for Notice of Wine, Spirits Origin Certification Rules
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau is announcing that effectively immediately, it will distribute the most updated guidance on country of origin certification requirements for imported wines and distilled spirits at http://www.ttb.gov/itd/index.shtml, rather than through industry circulars. (Circular, dated 04/07/10, available at http://www.ttb.treas.gov/industry_circulars/archives/2010/10-04.html)
4. DOJ Imposes 87 Month Jail Sentence for FCPA Bribery
The Justice Department reports that Charles Jumet of Virginia was sentenced to 87 months in prison for paying bribes to former Panamanian government officials in violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, after Ports Engineering Consultants Corporation's receipt of a no-bid 20-year maritime contract for lighthouse and buoy maintenance. (News release, dated 04/19/10, available at http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2010/April/10-crm-442.html)
5. DOT Comments on Toyota's Agreement to Pay $16 Million Fine
Transportation Secretary LaHood stated that he was pleased that Toyota Motor Corporation agreed to pay a $16.375 million fine -- the largest fine permitted by law -- for failing to notify the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a dangerous pedal defect for almost four months. (Press release, dated 04/19/10, available at http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2010/dot7110.htm)
6. Chinese VP Urges More Food Quality Supervision
Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang during an April 19, 2010 teleconference in Beijing, urged food quality authorities to strengthen supervision in order to to significantly improve the safety of food additives, farm products, processing, distribution and import and export, livestock slaughter, the catering industry and health supplements. (Notice, posted 04/20/10, available at http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2010-04/20/c_13258667.htm)
7. Brazil Notifies WTO Members of Its Import Licensing Procedures
Brazil has circulated information to World Trade Organization Members on its import licensing procedures which states that as a general rule, it does not require licensing. However, some products, such as those which may cause damage to human, plant or animal health; weapons; etc. require either automatic import licensing or non-automatic import licensing through Brazil's SISCOMEX system. (Notice, posted 04/19/10, available at http://docsonline.wto.org/DDFDocuments/t/g/lic/N3BRA8.doc)
8. Canada Answers WTO Questions on Its Cheese Import Licensing System
Canada has circulated to World Trade Organization Members its replies to a questionnaire on its import licensing procedures for cheese. Canada states that this licensing is not intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports, but to provide assurance that imported cheese is safe and meets all Canadian regulations and standards. (Replies, posted 04/19/10, available at http://docsonline.wto.org/DDFDocuments/t/g/lic/N3CAN8A1.doc)
9. OFAC Publishes Info on 11 Blocked Individuals, 1 Entity Under Somalia EO
The Office of Foreign Assets Control is publishing additional identifying information associated with the eleven individuals and one entity listed in the Annex to the April 12, 2010 Executive Order, “Blocking Property of Certain Persons Contributing to the Conflict in Somalia,” whose property and interests in property are therefore blocked. (FR Pub 04/20/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-9009.pdf)
10. Revised FDA Import Alerts
The Food and Drug Administration has posted revised versions of the following Import Alerts on the detention without physical examination of: