Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. CBP Final Rule Removes Obsolete Compliance Dates for Electronic Cargo Information

2. CPSC to Vote on Accreditation Requirements for CPSIA 3rd-Party Labs to Test Children's Products for Lead Content

The Consumer Product Safety Commission will be voting on the lab accreditation requirements for third-party labs to test children's products for the CPSIA limits on total lead content in children's products. A draft federal register notice is included. (Vote sheet, dated 10/07/09, available at http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/foia10/brief/totallead.pdf)

3. WTO Director General Says Services Not Forgotten in Doha Round

The World Trade Organization's Director-General Pascal Lamy, in a speech to the Global Services Summit on October 14, 2009 in Washington D.C., said that while not as many headlines have been devoted to services as compared to agriculture and goods in the WTO Doha Round and some commentators may have even gone as far as to argue that services were being left behind, they are a vital market access pillar of this Round. There will be no Doha Round without a substantial services package, even more so now that many emerging economies are on the offensive on services. (Speech, dated 10/14/09, available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/sppl_e/sppl138_e.htm)

4. USTR Kirk Speaks at Global Services Summit

The Office of the USTR has posted USTR Kirk's remarks given at the recent Glboal Service Industries Summit. In his remarks, Kirk discusses what USTR is doing to open up services trade around the world. (Remarks, dated 10/13/09, available at http://www.ustr.gov/about-us/press-office/speeches/transcripts/2009/october/remarks-ambassador-ron-kirk-coalition-servic)

5. South Africa Increases Tariffs to 45% on Many Apparel Imports

The Office of Textiles and Apparel has issued a notice announcing that on October 9, 2009, it was published in the South African Government Gazette that the general rate of import duty on a large portion of apparel items was increased to 45%. It was reported that the increased duties are effective as of October 12, 2009. (Notice, dated 10/13/09, available at http://web.ita.doc.gov/otexa/hotiss.nsf/7bfa72c94f543da685256e5b00498a4d/e55cb029c5cdf6858525764e005d91a4?OpenDocument)

6. DHS Announces Stimulus Funding for NII Technology at Ports

On October 14, 2009, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano today announced $88 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding for Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) equipment to enhance border security by expanding U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) capabilities to scan commercial traffic for contraband through X-ray and other imaging technologies. (DHS press release, dated 10/14/09, available at http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1255534121544.shtm.)

7. DHS OIG Report on DHS' Web Site Security

The DHS Office of Inspector General has posted a report entitled "Vulnerabilities Highlight the Need for More Effective Web Security Management." This report addresses the strengths and weaknesses of DHS' management of its public-facing websites. (OIG report, OIG-09-101, September 2009, available at http://www.dhs.gov/xoig/assets/mgmtrpts/OIG_09-101_Sep09.pdf.)

8. DHS OIG Report on DHS Strategy to Secure Against Small Vessel Threats

The DHS OIG has posted a report entitled "DHS' Strategy and Plans to Counter Small Vessel Threats Need Improvement." This report assesses the efficacy of the Department of Homeland Security's strategy to secure U.S. ports, waterways, and maritime borders from small vessel threats. (OIG report, OIG-09-100, September 2009 available at http://www.dhs.gov/xoig/assets/mgmtrpts/OIG_09-100_Sep09.pdf.)

9. Port of LA to Co-Host Export Workshop on Int'l Trade Opportunities

The Port of Los Angeles will co-host an export international trade workshop for small business owners on October 29, 2009 in order to inform businesses about international trade opportunities. (News release, posted 10/13/09, available at http://www.portoflosangeles.org/newsroom/2009_releases/news_101309_exportworkshop.pdf)

10. U.S.-Afghanistan Trade and Investment Council Meeting

Senior Representatives of the Governments of the U.S. and Afghanistan met at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative in Washington for the fourth meeting of the U.S.-Afghanistan Trade and Investment Council, the implementing body of the U.S.-Afghanistan Trade and Investment Agreement (TIFA) that was signed by both countries in 2004. The discussions covered five areas, including trade preference programs such as Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs). (Press release, dated 10/09/09, available at http://www.ustr.gov/about-us/press-office/press-releases/2009/october/united-states-afghanistan-joint-statement-trade-an)

11. BIS Sensors and Instrumentation Committee to Meet

The Bureau of Industry and Security is announcing that its Technical Advisory Committee will meet on October 27, 2009 in Washington, DC. (FR Pub 10/14/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-24696.pdf)

12. State Dept Study Group on IP-Secured Financing Practices for Private International Law to Meet

The State Department is announcing that a Study Group of its Advisory Committee on Private International Law (ACPIL) will hold a public meeting on October 21, 2009 in Washington, D.C. to continue the discussion of the treatment of IP-secured financing practices in the United Nations Commission on International Trade (UNCITRAL) Draft Legislative Guide on Secured Transactions. (Public Notice 6712, FR Pub 10/14/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-24694.pdf)

13. APHIS Announces Public Meeting on Increased AQI User Fees

APHIS has announced that it will hold a public meeting to discuss the agricultural quarantine and inspection (AQI) user fee increases scheduled to go into effect on Nov. 1. The meeting will take place on Oct. 15 in Riverdale, MD. (News release, dated 10/13/09, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/content/2009/10/aqincrea.shtml)

14. FAS Reports Acceptance of DEIP Bid for Mozzarella Cheese

The Foreign Agricultural Service reports that the Commodity Credit Corporation has accepted bids under the Dairy Export Incentive Program from exporter Global Food Connection, Inc. for mozzarella cheese to Africa and the Middle East. (News release, dated 10/13/09, available at http://www.fas.usda.gov/scriptsw/PressRelease/pressrel_dout.asp?Entry=valid&PrNum=0255-09)

15. Agricultural Clearance PPQ Manual Updated

On October 9, 2009, APHIS updated the Manual for Agricultural Clearance. The manual 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, updated 10/09/09, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/mac.shtml)

16. Miscellaneous and Processed Products PPQ Manual Updated

On October 13, 2009, APHIS updated its Miscellaneous and Processed Products PPQ Manual. The manual is used for regulating imported items that are processed and are not intended for propagation. (Manual, updated 10/13/09, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/downloads/miscellaneous.pdf)

17. Canada to Enhance Rail, Port, Trucking Operations at Vancouver's South Shore Trade Area

Canadian Prime Minister Harper has announced funding to enhance Vancouver's South Shore Trade Area, an investment that will improve rail, port and trucking operations. (Notice, dated 10/13/09, available at http://pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?id=2883)

18. 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:

Japan (October 11, 2009)

19. Canada Posts Various Trade-Related Notices

In the October 14, 2009 edition of the Canada Gazette, the following trade-related notices were posted:

"Canadian Chicken Marketing Quota Regulations- Regulations Amending Farm Products Agencies Act"

Order 2009-87-09-01 Amending the Domestic Substances List pursuant to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999

Regulations Amending the Food and Drug Regulations (1591 - Schedule F)

20. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports

The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:

France Exporter Guide Annual: Annual Report 2009

Nigeria Exporter Guide Annual: Annual

Brazil Removes Consular Stamp Requirement for U.S. Exports: Sanitary/Phytosanitary/Food Safety

Russian Federation Grain and Feed October Monthly Update: Grain and Feed

EU-27 Extra-ordinary Agricultural Council stays the course in the dairy policy: Dairy and Products

New Zealand Exporter Guide Annual: Annual Report

Kenya Tree Nuts Annual: Kenya Macadamia Annual Report

Malaysia Lock-Up Report: Update (September)

21. Foreign Trade Zone Notices and Announcements

FTZ 138-2. Columbus, OH: Application for Subzone Status; Abercrombie and Fitch (Footwear and Apparel Distribution) New Albany, OH

FTZ 158. Vicksburg/Jackson, MS: Application for Subzone; Max Home, LLC (Upholstered Furniture); Fulton and Iuka, MS

FTZ 41. Milwaukee, WI: Application for Subzone; CNH America, LLC (Agricultural Tractors and Component Parts Manufacturing); Racine, WI

22. 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

(Information collection notices are hyperlinked to agency name.)

23. FMC Lists OTI Applications

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a notice that lists those applying for ocean transportation intermediary licenses as a non-vessel-operating common carrier (NVOCC), ocean freight forwarder (FF) or NVOCC/FF OTI, as follows:

FMC notice (FR Pub 10/08/09) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-24292.pdf