The World Trade Organization has created a new database available on its Web site starting July 9, 2009 entitled the WTO Tariff Download Facility. With the database, users can search for members' customs duty rates, as actually charged as well as legally bound maximums, down to a high level of detail. (Notice, dated 07/09/09, available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news09_e/tar_09jul09_e.htm)
The Transpacific Stabilization Agreement has issued a press release announcing that its lines have adopted a voluntary guideline across-the-board increase of $500 per 40-foot container, with proportionate increases for other equipment sizes, to take effect August 10, 2009. The increase will apply to rates for all commodities and all U.S destinations. TSA notes that in certain cases, it will be necessary for lines to engage with shippers in a renegotiation of contracts that do not provide for some form of interim rate adjustment. (TSA press release, dated 07/07/09, available by emailing documents@brokerpower.com.)
The Census Bureau has issued an Automated Export System broadcast announcing that effective August 3, 2009, AESDirect will deploy modifications to security measures and user authentication practices. All of these changes fall under the Department of Commerce's security guidelines and address the U.S. Census Bureau's IT Security Program Requirements. The upgrade to the AESDirect system will provide AESDirect users with the utmost in account security. (See broadcast for list of changes.) (AES Broadcast 2009027 available by emailing documents@brokerpower.com.)
Note that Daily Update on Capitol Hill Trade Actions does not appear in today's issue of International Trade Today. Publication of this feature will resume as new information becomes available.
The Port of New York/Newark has issued an Informational Pipeline stating that containers consigned to a C-TPAT importer that are designated for drayage to a Centralized Examination Station (CES) for a CBP Enforcement, Trade, or Agriculture examination, will clearly be designated as "C-TPAT Priority," on the Permit to Transfer or CF3461 document faxed to the CES facility. The CES facility will in turn, dray to their facility, and present for examination, the C-TPAT Priority cargo before non-C-TPAT designated containerized cargo. (See future issue of ITT for details.) (Pipeline 09-016-NWK is available via email by sending a request to documents@brokerpower.com)
The World Customs Organization states that Cuba, Kazakhstan and Sri Lanka have deposited their instruments of accession to the revised Kyoto Convention on the simplification and harmonization of Customs procedures with the WCO during the Annual Sessions of the WCO Council. (Press Release, dated 06/26/09, available at http://www.wcoomd.org/press/?v=1&lid=1&cid=6&id=185)
The Census Bureau has issued an Automated Export System broadcast announcing that it has developed AESDirect and AESPcLink Sample Shipment Guides which provide screenshots of the entire filing process in each respective application, along with important information and helpful tips that appear among Census' most frequently asked questions. (Notice, available at http://www.aesdirect.gov/support/userguide.htmlsample_shipments)
China's Ministry of Commerce reports that China will abolish export duties on some grains and industrial products and cut the export duties for chemical fertilizers and nonferrous metals from July 1 to promote exports. (Notice, dated 06/23/09, available at http://english.mofcom.gov.cn/aarticle/newsrelease/commonnews/200906/20090606352494.html)
The National Industrial Transportation League filed a brief to join the American Trucking Association in its litigation to reverse, on appeal, the portion of a district court order that upheld aspects of the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports' concession programs imposing new requirements on truckers. NITL brief available athttp://www.nitl.org/NITLBrief-No09-55749.pdf
According to U.S. tobacco growers, a bill which recently passed Canada's House of Commons and is currently before the Canadian Senate, would have the effect of banning all imports and sales in Canada of U.S.-grown burley tobacco and cigarettes. The bill, C-32, would amend Canada's Tobacco Act with new controls on, among other things, little cigars, additives, and advertising, but is written so broadly as to apply to all cigarettes containing flavoring agents normally used with burley tobacco to lessen harshness, according to industry representatives. Virginia Farm Bureau release available at http://www.vafb.com/news/2009/june/061809_3.htm. Draft of Canadian Bill C-32 available at http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Sites/LOP/LEGISINFO/index.asp?Language=E&Chamber=N&StartList=A&EndList=Z&Session=22&Type=0&Scope=I&query=5835&List=toc-1