Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
Customs and Border Protection is advising the public of the quarterly Internal Revenue Service interest rates used to calculate interest on overdue accounts (underpayments) and refunds (overpayments) of customs duties. For the calendar quarter beginning October 1, 2009, the interest rates for overpayments will be 3 percent for corporations and 4 percent for non-corporations, and the interest rate for underpayments will be 4 percent. (See ITT's Online Archives or 08/17/09 news, 09081720, for earlier BP summary.)(FR Pub 09/21/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-22614.pdf)
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1. Fourth Quarter Calendar IRS Interest Rates for CBP
2. FAS Requests Comments on Revising Fees for the Export Credit Guarantee (GSM-102) Program
The Foreign Agricultural Service is soliciting comments on proposed revisions to the fee rate schedule for the USDA's Commodity Credit Corporation Export Credit Guarantee Program (GSM-102) in order to create fees more commensurate with risk, generate additional program revenue in fiscal year 2010 to offset program costs, etc. Comments are due by October 21, 2009. (FR Pub 09/21/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-22661.pdf)
3. USTR Kirk Met with Brazil to Discuss Bilateral Relationship
On September 17, 2009, U.S. Trade Representative Kirk concluded his two-day visit to Brazil where he met with the Brazilian government, business and labor leaders to discuss ways to build upon the U.S.-Brazil bilateral relationship. (Press release, dated 09/18/09, available at http://www.ustr.gov/about-us/press-office/blog/ambassador-kirk-concludes-visit-brazil)
4. CPSC Announces Closed Meeting on Internal Procedures for Decision Making
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is announcing it will hold a closed meeting on September 17, 2009 in order to discuss internal procedures for decision making. (FR Pub 09/21/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-22651.pdf)
5. DHS OIG Report on TSA Privacy Stewardship
The Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General has posted a report entitled "Transportation Security Administration Privacy Stewardship." According to the report, TSA handles collects personally identifiable information related to hazardous materials drivers, national transportation system workers, the screening of cargo transported by passenger aircraft, etc. (OIG report, OIG-09-97, dated August 2009, available at http://www.dhs.gov/xoig/assets/mgmtrpts/OIG_09-97_Aug09.pdf.)
6. FMC to Participate in World Maritime Day Environmental Event
The Federal Maritime Commission has announced that it will be actively participating as a sponsor in the 2009 International Maritime Organization (IMO) World Maritime Day Parallel Event hosted by the U.S. Coast Guard on behalf of the U.S. on October 16th in New York City. With climate change as the theme for this large international gathering, the IMO's goal is to attract public, private, and government attention to the many environmental initiatives within the maritime community. (News release, dated 09/18/09, available at http://www.fmc.gov/speeches/newsrelease.asp?SPEECH_ID=288)
7. Oakland's 50-Foot Deepening Project Completed
The Port of Oakland has announced the substantial completion of the 50 Foot Oakland Harbor Deepening Project. This 12-year project is significant because the deeper harbor allows the larger container ships to access the Port 24/7. (Press release, dated 09/18/09, available at http://www.portofoakland.com/newsroom/pressrel/view.asp?id=183)
8. California ARB Fines Marketers of Gasoline-Powered Blenders
The California Air Resources Board has fined Orange County-based On the Edge Marketing and CSK Auto Inc. of Phoenix $240,000 for selling to California businesses and residents gasoline-powered blenders using illegal uncertified small off-road engines from China. Such blenders are popular for tailgate parties. (News release, dated 09/16/09, available at http://www.arb.ca.gov/newsrel/nr091609b.htm)
9. OMB Receives Interim Final Rule on APHIS Inspection Fees
The Office of Management and Budget has received for approval an interim final rule from the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service on user fees for Agricultural Quarantine and Inspection Services. (Rule, received 09/20/09, available at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eoReviewSearch)
10. OMB Receives BIS Final Rule on Missile Technology Control
OMB has received for approval a Bureau of Industry and Security final rule to amend the Export Administration Regulations to reflect changes to the Missile Technology Control Regime Annex that were agreed to by MTCR member countries at the November 2008 Plenary in Canberra, Australia. In addition, this rule also clarifies certain EAR controls to properly reflect the intent of items previously agreed to in past MTCR Plenary Agreements. (Rule, received 09/14/09, available at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaViewRule?pubId=200904&RIN=0694-AE53)
11. Updated Statements of Legal Authority for the EAR
The Bureau of Industry and Security has issued a final rule, effective September 21, 2009, which updates the Code of Federal Regulations legal authority citations for the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to include the citation to the President's Notice of August 13, 2009-Continuation of Emergency Regarding Export Control Regulations. (D/N 0908141238-91252-01, FR Pub 09/21/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-22677.pdf)
12. DDTC Cancels October 15th In-House Seminar
Due to the lack of response, The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls is canceling the October 15th Embassy In-House Seminar. Please periodically check the DDTC website for the next scheduled Embassy seminar. (Notice, posted 09/21/09, available at http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/)
13. Canada Seeks Comments on Proposed MFN Tariff Elimination on Machinery, Equipment, Etc.
Canada's Department of Finance has posted an invitation to submit views on proposed most-favored-nation tariff elimination on manufacturing inputs and machinery and equipment. (Notice, dated 09/19/09, available at http://canadagazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2009/2009-09-19/html/notice-avis-eng.htmld101)
14. Canadian Int'l Trade Tribunal Post Determination, Appeal, Order
The Canadian International Trade Tribunal issued the following notices in the September 19, 2009 edition of the Canada Gazette:
Hot-rolled carbon steel plate and high-strength low-alloy steel plate - Determination
Notice No. HA-2009-004 - Appeal
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:
Surgical Instruments from Pakistan
Seafood Products Due to the Presence of Salmonella
Devices w/o Approved PMA's or IDE's and Other Devices Not Equivalent or No 510K
16. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports
The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:
China New Feed Quarantine Regulation: FAIRS Subject Report
Ukraine Grain and Feed Update: Grain and Feed
France EU27 Poultry and Products Annual: Annual Report
India Weekly Highlights and Hot Bites No. 37: Agriculture in the News
Mexico Tree Nuts Annual: Tree Nuts Annual 2009
Senegal Trade Report - Quarterly Imports: Rice Imports First Quarter 2009
China Why sales of U.S. alfalfa to South China are poised to grow: Market Development Reports
Thailand Weekly Rice Price Update: Grain and Feed
India Rice Update: Grain and Feed
Costa Rica Plans to Forgive Agricultural Loans: Agriculture in the News
Senegal Trade Report - Quarterly Imports: Rice Imports Second Quarter 2009
Taiwan Agricultural Biotechnology Annual: Enter a Descriptive Report Name
Croatia Exporter Guide Annual: 2009
EU-27 Animal Biotech Policy and Research in the EU: Biotechnology and Livestock
Belgium EU-27 Agriculture Commissioner Fischer Boel to retire: Agriculture in the News
Ukraine Livestock and Products Voluntary Annual Report: Livestock and Products
India Livestock and Products Annual: 2009
China Livestock and Products Annual: Annual Report
Japan Consumer Affairs Agency Begins Operation: FAIRS Subject Report
Russian Federation Agent for Grain Procurement Interventions Selected: Grain and Feed
Australia Livestock and Products Annual: September 2009 Annual
Vietnam News Summary No. 27: Agriculture in the News
India Monsoon Report (6): Agricultural Situation
Vietnam Trade Report - Monthly Exports: Rice export in August - 2009
Thailand Thai FDA Inspections at the Port of Entry: Sanitary/Phytosanitary/Food Safety
Canada Poultry and Products Annual
17. Agency Seeks Comments on Information Collections
Various U.S. government agencies are seeking comments on the following information collections for which they have requested or intend to request Office of Management and Budget approval or extension of approval (see notices for specific details):
Agency Information Collection Comments Due
| BIS1 | Report of Sample Shipments of Chemical Weapon Precursors | 10/13/09 |
| BIS2 | Chemical Weapons Convention Declaration and Report Handbook and Forms | 11/09/09 |
| ATF | Furnishing of Samples | 11/09/09 |
| APHIS1 | Introduction of Organisms and Products Altered or Produced Through Genetic Engineering | 11/09/09 |
| APHIS2 | Importation of Mangoes from India | 11/09/09 |
(Information collection notices are hyperlinked to agency name.)
18. FMC Lists OTI Applications
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a notice that lists those applying for OTI licenses as a non-vessel-operating common carrier (NVOCC), ocean freight forwarder (FF) or NVOCC/FF OTI, as follows:
| NVOCC OTI Applicants: |
| Waterview Logistics LLC (NY) |
| Acher and Chex International, LLC dba A & C International (MD) |
| Oceanbridge Logistics, Inc. (CA) |
| WWT America LLC (FL) |
| Expedia Shippers & Logistics, Inc. (NY) |
| NVOCC/FF OTIApplicants: |
| Continental Shipping Group, Inc. (NJ) |
| RLE International, Inc. (FL) |
| Beagle Shipping Inc. (FL) |
| Above & Beyond Freight Management, LLC (NY) |
| New York Logistic Services, Inc., dba Global American Line (NJ) |
| FF OTI Applicants: |
| CJ GLS America, Inc. (CA) |
| Streamline Logistics Limited Liability Company (NJ) |
| Falcon Global Edge, Inc. (MA) |
FMC notice (FR Pub 09/09/09) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-21683.pdf