The Commerce Department Bureau of Industry and Security will send an information collection proposal to the Office of Management and Budget relating to foreign availability procedures, according to a notice published in the Federal Register. The information collection is used by Congress and industry to make foreign availability determinations under the Export Administration Regulations. Comments are due to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.gov by March 26.
The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs concluded an interagency review of a final rule from the State Department titled “International Traffic in Arms Regulation: Central African Republic.” OIRA received the rule Nov. 26 and concluded its review Feb. 19. The State Department declined to comment.
The Commerce Department plans to hold the first meeting of its Emerging Technology Technical Advisory Committee this spring amid several delays in issuing prospective members their security clearances. A Bureau of Industry and Security spokesperson said the agency remains “on target” to hold the meeting before the summer despite Commerce officials originally scheduling the meeting for December, and then January, before pushing it back each time (see 2001290032).
Crowell & Moring hired Caroline Brown, who previously was an attorney at the Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), as a partner, the law firm said in a Feb. 20 new release. “Brown will work with financial institutions, multinational corporations, and companies launching emerging technologies to advise clients on anti-money laundering (AML) and economic sanctions compliance and enforcement challenges,” the firm said. “She will also help clients navigate review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).”
The World Customs Organization issued the following release on commercial trade and related matters:
Clarification: The new Licensing for International Trade & Enterprise digital service will be phased in from the end of June to November (see 2002190038), the United Kingdom Department for International Trade's Export Control Joint Unit said. During this time exporters will be given advance notification of any changes, and there will be a training period for users.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency will add the organic import requirements for seeds and grains from chapter 07 in the Automated Import Reference System in March, the CFIA said in a Feb. 21 email. “This update covers dried leguminous vegetables,” it said. The agency is phasing in the requirements (see 1905290046).
Brokers and importers should not use the Single Window Initiative (SWI), Integrated Import Declaration (IID), Service Option 911 for goods “imported via the postal stream,” the Canada Border Services Agency said in a notice. “The SWI IID is a cargo centric model, which means the associated cargo data must be on file with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) electronically in order for a SWI IID transaction to obtain release,” it said. Imported postal goods don't have any associated cargo data, the agency said.
Singapore Customs is allowing certain dutiable goods to be temporarily stored in free-trade zones for up to 30 days before being moved to a licensed warehouse or factory, according to a Feb. 21 circular. The change will mainly impact liquor and tobacco products, which were previously not allowed to be stored in FTZs, the circular said. The change is aimed at improving “the quick turnaround for tran[s]shipment and encourage entrepot trade,” Singapore said. The company will impose penalties for traders who fail to move the goods to a “licensed premises” after being stored in the FTZ for 30 days.
Japan and South Korea will hold another export control policy dialogue March 10 in Seoul, according to an unofficial translation of a Feb. 21 notice from Japan. During the dialogue, the two countries will “proceed with discussions to contribute to resolving the pending issues” and seek “further improvements in export control systems and operations,” the notice said. The countries have held a series of dialogues (see 1912160011) and have been locked in a trade dispute stemming from Japan's export restrictions on South Korea imposed last year (see 1907010020).