Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. CPSC Posts Public Comments on CPSIA Phthalates Bans

2. DHS OIG Report on CBP's FY 2008 Consolidated Financial Statements

The Department of Homeland Security has posted an Office of Inspector General report entitled "Independent Auditors' Report on U.S. Customs and Border Protection's FY 2008 Consolidated Financial Statements." (Report, dated 01/09, available at http://www.dhs.gov/xoig/assets/mgmtrpts/OIG_09-14_Jan09.pdf)

3. DHS OIG Report on DHS International Activities, Interests

The Department of Homeland Security has posted an Office of Inspector General report entitled "Management of Department of Homeland Security International Activities and Interests." (Report, dated 06/08, available at http://www.dhs.gov/xoig/assets/mgmtrpts/OIG_08-71_Jun08.pdf)

4. WTO Lists Chairpersons for 2009

On February 3, 2009, the World Trade Organization's General Council issued a notice announcing the names of chairpersons for WTO Bodies in 2009 on which there is consensus. (Release, dated 02/03/09, available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/pres09_e/pr552_e.htm)

5. USTR "Trade Surplus" Designation for Peru

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has issued a notice providing the calendar year 2009 determination of the trade surplus in certain sugar goods of Peru, which can be entered duty-free. According to the USTR, 2007 data (the most recent year for which data is available) indicates that Peru's imports of such sugar exceeded its exports, therefore such goods are not eligible to enter the U.S. duty-free under HTS subheading 9822.06.10 in CY2009. (See ITT's Online Archives or 02/02/09 news, 09020210, for BP summary of Proclamation 8341, which amended the HTS to implement the Peru TPA.)(Notice, FR Pub 01/29/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-1830.pdf)

6. FDA Guidance for Industry on Acceptable Market Names for Seafood

The Food and Drug Administration has posted a guidance for industry entitled "The Seafood List: FDA's Guide to Acceptable Market Names for Seafood Sold in Interstate Commerce." (Guidance, dated January 2009, available at http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/comm/seaguid7.html)

7. Former Finance Director of California Valve Company Pleads Guilty to Bribing Foreign Government Officials

The Justice Department has announced that a former finance director of a California-based valve company pleaded guilty today in connection with his role in a conspiracy to pay approximately $628,000 in bribes to numerous foreign government officials. (Justice Department release, dated 02/03/09, available at http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2009/February/09-crm-089.html)

8. Global CITES Operation Nets over 4500 Endangered Species in One Day

A World Customs Organization press release states that a one day CITES operation carried out by 90 Customs administrations across the globe on January 15, 2009 reveal seizures totaling 4,630 endangered live species as well as products and derivatives. (WCO press release, dated 02/02/09, available at http://www.wcoomd.org/press/?v=1&lid=1&cid=6&id=174)

9. WCO Workshop on Customs Valuation and Transfer Pricing

The World Customs Organization has scheduled a workshop on Customs Valuation and Transfer Pricing on May 12 - 13, 2009 at WCO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. (Workshop information available at http://www.premierairtime.com/mailing/campaigns/CVTP2009-1/CVTP2009-1.html)

10. Export.Gov Offers Webinar on Doing Business with Dominican Republic

Export.Gov is announcing that a Webinar on business opportunities involving the Dominican Republic will be held on February 12, 2009. (Further information available at https://emenuapps.ita.doc.gov/ePublic/newWebinarRegistration.jsp?SmartCode=9Q3T)

11. Bosnia and Herzegovina to be 175th Contracting Party to CITES

The Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) has issued a press release announcing that its convention will enter into force for Bosnia and Herzegovina on April 21, 2009. (Press release available at http://www.cites.org/eng/news/party/bh.shtml )

12. FMC Cancelled January 28th Meeting, Next Meeting on February 11th

The Federal Maritime Commission has issued a notice announcing that it cancelled its January 28, 2009 meeting on various items, including the recently filed TSA cost-cutting amendment, due to inclement weather. The FMC's next scheduled meeting will be held on February 11, 2009. (Notice, FR Pub 02/03/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-2038.pdf)

13. Chicago Pipeline on Mandatory Fumigation of Fresh Herbs from Israel

CBP's Port of Chicago has issued a Pipeline stating that the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service Plant Protection and Quarantine has amended the requirements for fresh herb shipments from Israel effective February 2, 2009. On arrival, imported fresh herbs from Israel will require a phytosanitary certificate with an additional declaration that states "The herbs in this consignment have been produced in accordance to the PPIS and APHIS guidelines;" inspection by an agriculture specialist prior to mandatory fumigation treatment; and mandatory fumigation treatment as a condition of entry. (Pipeline 09-01A is available via email by sending a request here.)

14. Miami Bulletin on Correct Info for CBP Form AI 89 & Filing CBP Form 5106

CBP's Port of Miami has issued an Information Bulletin providing clarification on the required information for CBP Form AI 89 (reimbursable billing) and the need to file a CBP Form 5106 (import ID input record) with CBP at the Cargo Clearance Center in Miami, FL. (Bulletin 09-018 is available via email by sending a request here.)

15. ITA Revokes Export Trade Certificate of Review

The International Trade Administration has issued a notice that it is revoking the Export Trade Certificate of Review previously issued to C-Shore International (Application No. 99-00001), because it failed to file an annual report as required by law. (FR Pub, 02/04/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-2294.pdf)

16. DDTC Name Change Notices

The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls has announced the following entity name change(s) for new DDTC license applications. Except as otherwise noted, new license applications received after the listed effective date will be considered for return without action for correction to the new name (notices hyperlinked):

17. Revised FDA Import Alerts

FDA has posted revised versions of the following Import Alerts on the detention without physical examination of:

Dried Fungus (Mushrooms) from Hong Kong and China for Filth

Raw Agricultural Products for Pesticides

Shrimp

18. Recent Foreign Trade Zones Board Notice

The FTZB has published the following notice:

Foreign-Trade Zone 79-Tampa, FL, Request for Manufacturing Authority Tampa Bay Shipbuilding and Repair Company (Shipbuilding) (D/N 1-2009, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-2082.pdf )

19. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports

The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:

Russian Federation Trade Policy Monitoring: Export Tariffs for Certain Types of Wood

Turkey Grain and Feed: Changes to Grain Tariffs