Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
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.
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
If your job depends on informed compliance, you need International Trade Today. Delivered every business day and available any time online, only International Trade Today helps you stay current on the increasingly complex international trade regulatory environment.
1. U.S. and Colombia Discuss FTA During Recent Visit
In remarks made at a press conference following his meeting with Colombian President Uribe, President Obama noted that they discussed moving forward on the U.S.-Colombia free trade agreement. U.S. Trade Representative Kirk also met with Colombian President Uribe and discussed the important potential of the U.S.-Colombia FTA to expand U.S. exports to Colombia and international investment in Colombia. (President Obama's Remarks, dated 06/29/09, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-President-Obama-and-President-Uribe-of-Colombia-in-Joint-Press-Availability/ and USTR notice dated 06/29/09, available at http://www.ustr.gov/about-us/press-office/blog/ambassador-kirk-meets-colombian-president-alvaro-uribe)
2. EU to Allow Sale of All Fruit/Vegetables Regardless of Size, Shape
The European Commission reports that European Union rules governing the size and shape of many fruit and vegetables will cease to exist on July 1, 2009 when specific marketing standards for 26 types of fruit and vegetables are repealed. The new rules will allow national authorities to permit the sale of all fruit and vegetables, regardless of their size and shape, as they are labeled to distinguish them from 'extra', 'class I' and 'class II' fruit. (Notice, dated 06/30/09, available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/09/1059&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en)
3. ITA Posts Info on China's Energy Efficiency Labeling Requirements
The International Trade Administration has posted a fact sheet on China's energy efficiency labeling requirements. Among other things, ITA states that producers or importers should conduct self declarations and attach the appropriate labels on their products. In addition, on June 1, 2009, the Chinese government began a financial subsidy program for manufacturers of energy-efficient products. (Fact Sheet, dated June 2009, available at http://www.ita.doc.gov/td/standards/pdf%20files/China%20Standards%20Fact%20Sheet%20-%20Energy%20Efficiency%20Labelling.pdf)
4. China's Standards Administration Seeking Comments on 419 Projects
China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine reports that the Standards Administration of China (SAC) has organized and is seeking comments on 419 national standards projects. (Notice, dated 06/29/09, available at http://english.aqsiq.gov.cn/NewsRelease/NewsUpdates/200906/t20090629_120015.htm)
5. CBSA Proposes Regulatory Amendments to Implement FTA with Europe
Canada Border Services Agency has posted a Customs Notice on proposed regulatory amendments and proposed new regulations related to the implementation of the Canada-European Free Trade Association Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA). (Notice, dated 06/29/09, available at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/publications/cn-ad/cn09-014-eng.html)
6. Treasury Targets North Korea's Missile Proliferation Network
The Treasury Department has issued a press release announcing the targeting of North Korea's missile proliferation network by designating Hong Kong Electronics under Executive Order 13382. E.O. 13382 freezes the assets of designated proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their supporters and prohibits U.S. persons from engaging in any transactions with them, thereby isolating them from the U.S. financial and commercial systems. Hong Kong Electronics, located in Kish Island, Iran, has been designated for providing support to North Korea's Tanchon Commercial Bank and Korea Mining Development Trading Corporation. (Press release TG-191, dated 06/30/09, available at http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/tg191.htm.)
7. Chicago Pipeline on Rosemont Office Hours for July 3rd and 4th
U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Port of Chicago has issued a Pipeline on the Rosemont office hours for July 3rd and 4th. (Pipeline 09-14, dated 06/24/09, is available via email by sending a request to documents@brokerpower.com)
8. APHIS Loosens Import Requirements for Hass Avocados from Michoacan, Etc.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a final rule, effective July 30, 2009, amending its foreign quarantine regulations to remove trapping and bait spray treatment requirements related to Anastrepha spp. fruit flies for imported Hass avocados from Michoacan, Mexico. APHIS is also amending its domestic quarantine regulations to provide for the interstate movement, with a certificate, of Hass avocados from areas in the United States quarantined for Mexican fruit fly or sapote fruit fly, provided that the fruit is safeguarded after harvest in accordance with specific measures. (D/N APHIS-2006-0189, FR Pub 06/30/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-15416.pdf)
9. APHIS PPQ Manual for Agricultural Clearance Updated
APHIS has posted a June 29, 2009 version of its PPQ manual for agricultural clearance, formerly known as Airport Maritime Operations Manual, which provides CBP personnel working at airport and maritime locations with the guidelines, directions, and policy for clearing carriers and passengers/crew and controlling garbage and cargo. (Manual, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/mac.shtml)
10. APHIS PPQ Manual on Israel Herb Growers
APHIS has issued a June 29, 2009 version of its list of approved herb growers in Israel for export to the U.S. (List, dated 06/18/09, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/downloads/israel_registered_herb_growers.pdf)
11. GAIN Voluntary Report on History of Wheat Exports to Japan
The Foreign Agricultural Service in Japan FAS Japan is writing a series of reports on the history of U.S. agricultural exports to Japan, including the history of wheat exports. (Report, dated 06/29/09, available at http://www.fas.usda.gov/itp/Japan/JA9515USExportsWheatJapan.pdf)
12. U.S. and Dominican Republic Sign Merida Initiative Agreement
The State Department has issued a press release announcing that the U.S. Charg d'Affaires to the Dominican Republic and Dominican Minister of the Interior and Police signed the first letter of agreement implementing the Mrida Initiative, a multi-year regional effort to combat organized crime, gangs and the trafficking of narcotics and firearms on June 26, 2009. (Press Release, dated 06/29/09, available at http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2009/06a/125460.htm)
13. U.S. and Portugal Sign Agreement to Prevent and Combat Crime
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano met with the Portuguese Interior, Justice, and Foreign Affairs Ministers on June 30, 2009 and signed a Preventing and Combating Crime (PCC) Agreement as part of her weeklong trip to Europe and Kuwait. The agreement allows for the exchange of biometric and biographic data to bolster counterterrorism and law enforcement efforts in both nations while emphasizing privacy protections. (Press release, dated 06/30/09, available at http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1246389075872.shtm.)
14. 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:
Animal Feeds, Other Than Pet Treats, Due to the Presence of Salmonella
Food Products Due to the Presence of Salmonella
Surgeon's and or Patient Examination Gloves
New Bulk Animal Drug Substances
Unapproved New Drugs Promoted in the U.S.
Surgical Instruments from Pakistan
And Intensified Coverage of Pig Ears and Other Pet Treats Due to the Presence of Salmonella