Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. Qatar Accedes to the Revised Kyoto Convention

2. China Says Its Foreign Trade Decreased 23.5% in First Half of 2009

China's General Administration of Customs has announced that China's total imports and exports in the first half of 2009 were $946.12 billion, down 23.5% year-on-year. Exports were valued at $521.53 billion, a decrease of 21.8%; and imports were $424.59 billion, a decrease of 25.4%. The accumulated trade surplus is $96.94 billion, down 1.3%. (Notice, dated 07/14/09, available at http://english.mofcom.gov.cn/aarticle/newsrelease/commonnews/200907/20090706397965.html)

3. China's AQSIQ Says It is Strengthening Inspection of Exported Toys

China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine states that China is strengthening its inspection of exported toys, among other "Quality and Safety Year" activities. (Notice, dated 07/14/09, available at http://english.aqsiq.gov.cn/NewsRelease/PhotoGallery/200907/t20090714_121761.htm)

4. EC Posts Proposal on Rules of Origin for EPAs with African, Caribbean & Pacific Countries

The European Commission's Taxation and Customs Unit has posted a proposal for a Council Decision on derogations from the rules of origin set out in the Origin Protocols annexed to Economic Partnership Agreements with African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States. (Proposal, dated 07/13/09, available at http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/resources/documents/common/legislation/proposals/customs/COM(2009)345_en.pdf)

5. WTO's Lamy Urges WIPO to Consider Social as Well as IPR Issues

In addressing the World Intellectual Property Organization's conference on intellectual property and public policy issues, World Trade Organization Director General Lamy stated, "the international intellectual property system cannot operate in isolation from broader public policy questions such as how to meet human needs as basic health, food and a clean environment" and "the objective of the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health was and remains cheaper medicines for the poor." (Speech, dated 07/14/09, available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/sppl_e/sppl131_e.htm)

6. USTR Notice on Government Procurement Agreement for Taiwan

The U.S. Trade Representative is announcing that the World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement for Taiwan (Chinese Taipei) will enter into force on July 15, 2009. As a result, the U.S. has agreed to waive discriminatory purchasing requirements for eligible products and suppliers of Taiwan beginning on July 15, 2009. (FR Pub 07/14/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-16543.pdf)

7. DHS Announces 60-Day Review of Homeland Security Advisory System

On July 14, 2009, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano announced the formation of a task force to conduct a 60-day review of the Homeland Security Advisory System. The mission of the task force is to assess the effectiveness of the system in informing the public about terrorist threats and communicating protective measures within government and throughout the private sector. Following the 60-day review period, the task force will present its findings to Secretary Napolitano, who will, in turn, discuss the findings with other Cabinet officials before making a recommendation about the future of the system to the White House. (DHS press release, dated 07/14/09, available at http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1247586668272.shtm.)

8. ITA Sponsors ''Sustainability and U.S. Competitiveness Summit''

The International Trade Administration's Manufacturing and Services unit will sponsor a ''Sustainability and U.S. Competitiveness Summit'' on October 8, 2009 at the Department of Commerce. The Summit will be aimed at enhancing public-private interaction in the field of sustainable manufacturing and other related business practices. Comments are due within 30 days of July 14, 2009. (FR Pub 07/14/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-16592.pdf)

9. FDA Issues Draft Guidance for Industry on Drug Anti-counterfeiting

The Food and Drug Administration has issued a draft guidance on the use of inks, pigments, flavors, and other physical-chemical identifiers (PCIDs) by manufacturers to make drug products more difficult to duplicate by counterfeiters, and to make it easier to identify the genuine version of the drug. Comments on the draft are invited. (News Release, dated 07/13/09, available at http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm171632.htm)

10. TTB Issues Application Packet for Obtaining Permit to Manufacture Processed Tobacco

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau recently issued new regulations extending its permit requirements to any person who engages in the business of manufacturing or importing processed tobacco. TTB has now issued an application packet for those interested in obtaining a permit to manufacture processed tobacco. However, businesses with a valid TTB permit to manufacture tobacco products (cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, snuff, pipe tobacco, roll your own tobacco) need not obtain a separate permit to manufacture processed tobacco. (Notice, available at http://www.ttb.treas.gov/applications/tobacco_manufacturer_processed_packet.shtml)

11. DDTC Notice on Change from Thales MESL to MESL Microwave

Effective immediately, the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls states that Thales MESL Limited will change to MESL Microwave Limited. Due to the volume of authorizations requiring amendments to reflect this change, DDTC is waiving the requirement for amendments to change currently approved authorizations if a copy of this website notice is attached. See notice for further details. (Notice, dated 07/13/09, available at http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/licensing/documents/WebNotice_MESL.doc)

12. APHIS Updates Animal Product PPQ Manual

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a July 13, 2009 updated version of the Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Animal Product Manual. This Manual provides the background, procedures, and regulatory actions to enforce the regulations governing the import and export of animals, animal products, and animal by-products. (Manual, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/apm.shtml)

13. APHIS Canadian Border Agricultural Clearance PPQ Manual Updated

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has posted a July 14, 2009 version of its Canadian Border Agricultural Clearance Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Manual, which serves as a guide for authorized Federal officers at ports of entry along the Canadian Border. (Manual, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/canadian.shtml)

14. FSIS Announces Revisions to Foreign Country Meat/Poultry Requirements

The Foreign Safety and Inspection Service has updated its list of requirements for exporting meat and poultry products from the U.S. to the following countries:

Costa Rica (beef paragraph revised)

St. Lucia (pork information revised)

15. 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:

Processed Products for Pesticides

Foods Containing Illegal and/or Undeclared Colors

16. CBP Accredits/Approves Firms as Commercial Gauger and/or Laboratory

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued notices stating that it has accredited and approved the following companies as a commercial gauger and/or laboratory for petroleum and petroleum products, organic chemicals and vegetable oils, and to test petroleum and petroleum products for customs purposes, in accordance with 19 CFR 151.12 and 151.13, on the effective dates listed (see individual notice for dates of next triennial inspections):

(Notice, FR Pub 07/09/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-16117.pdf)