Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners on September 14, voted preliminarily to eliminate a requirement that obligates most importers and exporters to claim cargo and pre-pay a Clean Trucks Program fee. The change is designed to end a bureaucratic step that has become unnecessary, but does not impact the programs clean air goals. The decision is expected to win final Board approval in the coming weeks. The new rule is targeted to take effect on November 1, 2009. It will require pre-payment only from cargo owners who use older, polluting trucks. Most cargo (the majority of which is already moved with clean trucks or on-dock rail) will be exempt from the requirement. (Announcement, posted 09/14/09, available at http://www.polb.com/news/displaynews.asp?NewsID=603&targetid=1)
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1. Long Beach May Eliminate CTP Pre-Payment Obligation for Most Importers/Exporters
2. North American Proposal to Phase Down Use of HFCs Under Montreal Protocol
The State Department has announced a joint North American proposal between the Governments of the United States, Canada, and Mexico to phase down the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. This North American proposal represents a significant down payment on efforts to be pursued at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Copenhagen, Denmark, this December. (Press release, dated 09/15/09, available at http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2009/sept/129220.htm.)
3. China's AQSIQ Says Paper Food Packaging Must Bear QS Mark
China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine has announced that as of September 1, 2009, paper-made food packaging products and containers should bear the QS mark when entering the market. (The QS mark indicates that a manufacturer has met the specific requirements for production licensing.) (AQSIQ press release, dated 09/15/09, available at http://english.aqsiq.gov.cn/NewsRelease/NewsUpdates/200909/t20090915_126727.htm)
4. Certain Trading with the Enemy Act Authorities for Cuba Continued
The President has issued his determination that the continuation of certain authorities under the Trading With the Enemy Act for one year with respect to Cuba is in the national interest of the U.S. As a result, the President is continuing until September 14, 2010 the exercise of those authorities with respect to Cuba as implemented by the Cuban Assets Control Regulations, 31 C.F.R. Part 515. (White House press release, dated 09/11/09, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Memorandum-from-the-President-regarding-the-Trading-With-the-Enemy-Act/.)
5. BIS Extends Temporary Denial Order for Re-Exports of U.S. Aircraft to Iran
The Bureau of Industry and Security has renewed a TDO suspending the export privileges of Mahan Airways for 180 days, as it continues to disregard U.S. export controls. The denial order extension does not cover Balli Group PLC, Balli Aviation, Balli Holdings, Vahid Alaghband, Hassan Alaghband, Blue Sky One Ltd., Blue Sky Two Ltd., Blue Sky Three Ltd., Blue Sky Four Ltd., Blue Sky Five Ltd., Blue Sky Six Ltd, Blue Airways, and Blue Airways FZE which were named in the original order. (BIS press release, dated 09/11/09, available http://www.bis.doc.gov/news/2009/bis_press09112009.htm)
6. AMS Affirms Rule on Grapefruit Size Requirements
Effective September 16, 2009, the Agricultural Marketing Service has affirmed as final, without change, an interim final rule that relaxed the minimum size requirement for white seedless grapefruit prescribed under the marketing order for oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, and tangelos grown in Florida and the grapefruit import regulation. (D/N AMS-FV-09-0002; FV09-905-1FIR, FR Pub 09/15/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-22114.pdf)
7. APHIS Extends Comment Period on South Africa Citrus Black Spot
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is extending the comment period until October 13, 2009 on its notice that would recognize 16 additional magisterial districts in 3 provinces as pest-free areas for citrus black spot in the Republic of South Africa. (D/N APHIS-2009-0037, FR Pub 09/15/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-22225.pdf)
8. APHIS Animal Product PPQ Manual Updated
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has updated its 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, updated 09/09/09, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/apm.shtml)
9. APHIS Emerald Ash Borer Program Manual Updated
APHIS has updated its Emerald Ash Borer Program Manual, which provides PPQ personnel and cooperators with information and procedures for surveys, regulatory actions and other Emerald Ash Borer Program activities. (Manual, posted 09/11/09, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/domestic/downloads/emerald_ash_borer_manual.pdf)
10. APHIS Nursery Stock Restrictions PPQ Manual Updated
APHIS has updated its PPQ Nursery Stock Restrictions Manual, which summarizes the entry status of regulated plant materials capable of and intended for propagation. (Manual, posted 09/11/09, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/downloads/nursery_stock.pdf)
11. APHIS List of Approved Taiwan Phalaenopsis Growers and Greenhouses Updated
APHIS has updated its list of Taiwan growers and greenhouses authorized to export Phalaenopsis in Growing Media into the U.S. (List, posted 09/09/09, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/downloads/taiwan_phalaenopsis_current.pdf)
12. APHIS Fruits and Vegetables Import PPQ Manual Updated
APHIS has issued an updated version of its Fresh Fruits and Vegetables PPQ Import manual. This manual lists by country the fruits and vegetables that are admissible into the U.S. It includes a description of methods for sampling and inspecting selected fruits and vegetables, pictorial identification guides, and a glossary for common and scientific names of fruits and vegetables. (Manual, posted 09/09/09, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/downloads/fv.pdf)
13. APHIS Updates Postentry Quarantine Manual for State Inspectors
APHIS has updated its Postentry Quarantine Manual for State Inspectors. This manual covers procedures for conducting PEQ tasks beginning with the request to approve a growing site and ending with the release or refusal of the plant material. (Manual, posted 09/09/09, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/domestic/downloads/postentry.pdf)
14. FSIS Updates List of Canada Establishments Eligible to Export Meat and Poultry to U.S.
The Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued a September 9, 2009 version of its list of Canada establishments eligible to export meat and poultry to the U.S. (List, dated 09/09/09, available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/Canada_establishments.pdf)
15. Updated List of Instructions and U.S. Plants for Exporting Meat and Poultry to Foreign Countries
FSIS has provided updated information for the export of U.S. meat and poultry to the following countries:
Mexico (Sep 11, 2009)
16. FSIS Issues Notices for its Inspection Personnel
Notice 63-09: Date of Issuance for Export Certificate (Sep 14, 2009)
Notice 62-09: Compositing of Envionmental Samples Collected during Risk-Based Listeria monocytogenes (RLm) Sampling, for Oct 1st (Sep 10, 2009)
Notice 61-09: Export Library Revisions for August 2009 (Sep 2, 2009)