Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

American Shipper reports that U.S. Customs and Border Protection has estimated the amount needed to modernize its land border facilities and reduce border delays at $500 million per year for the next 10 years. (American Shipper, dated 01/29/08, available at http://www.americanshipper.com/SNW_story.asp?news=83092)

3. EC Proposal for Emissions Permits for Importers Might be Trade Barrier

Reuters reports that according to Britain's Energy Minister, the European Commission's proposal that importers may have to obtain emissions permits equivalent to those of European competitors might look like a trade barrier. (Reuters, dated 01/22/08, available at http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSL2267647920080122)

4. DHS Reminds Public on End of Accepting Oral Declarations at Border

The Department of Homeland Security has issued a press release reminding the public that effective January 31, 2008, oral declarations are no longer satisfactory as evidence of citizenship and identity for U.S. and Canadian citizens ages 19 and older entering the U.S. at land or sea ports of entry. Instead, travelers will need to present documentation that demonstrates citizenship and identity such as passports, birth certificates with driver's licenses, etc. (DHS reminder, dated 01/18/08, available at http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1200669485238.shtm and DHS Frequently Asked Questions document, dated 01/18/08, available at http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1200677666905.shtm)

5. House Members Commend FDA Plan to Station U.S. Inspectors Abroad

Representatives Dingell of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and Stupak of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, have issued a press release commending the Food and Drug Administration's plans to station U.S. inspectors in certain countries abroad to help improve the safety of food and medicines imported into the U.S. (House Committee on Energy and Commerce press release, dated 01/25/08, available at http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_110/110nr187.shtml)

6. Surveillance System Established for 8 China Textile/Apparel Import Cats

China's Textile and Economic Information Web site reports that as of January 1, 2008, a double-checking surveillance system has been put in place for eight product categories and will remain through December 31, 2008: t-shirts (4), pullovers (5), trousers (6), blouses (7), bed linen (20), dresses (26), brassieres (31) and flax/ramie yarn (115). (See ITT's Online Archives or 10/15/07 news, 07101515, for BP summary of the EU and China's agreed system to track certain China textile imports after the quotas ended January 1, 2008.) (CTEI, dated 01/23/08, available at http://www.ctei.gov.cn/english/e_show.asp?xx=6158)

7. Commerce Releases Metropolitan Export Series 2005-2006 Data

The Department of Commerce released the Metropolitan Export Series on January 24, 2008, which issues data for 2005 and 2006, and contains merchandise export values of the 369 metro areas for which data is available, including: (1) Top five merchandise export categories (3-digit NAICS) by value; (2) Merchandise export value and some commodity detail for exports to ten major geographic and economic country groups, including NAFTA, the EU, Asia and South America; and (3) For largest metro areas, top five merchandise export destinations by country. (Commerce fact sheet, dated 01/24/08, available at http://www.commerce.gov/s/groups/public/@doc/@os/@opa/documents/content/prod01_005081.pdf)

8. FSIS Revises Meat, Etc. Export Reqs for Barbados, Indonesia, Philippines

The Food and Safety Inspection Service has posted revised export requirements for meat, poultry, and processed egg products for Barbados and Indonesia, revised as of January 22, 2008, and the Philippines, revised as of January 18, 2008. (FSIS Revised export requirements available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/Index_of_Import_Requirements_by_Country/)

9. Foreign-Trade Zones Board Actions

The FTZB has issued the following notices of recent FTZ actions: