China’s Foreign Ministry criticized the U.S.’s Nov. 9 decision to sanction four more Hong Kong officials (see 2011090044), saying the U.S. has “blatantly meddled in Hong Kong affairs.” Hong Kong “is part of China and its affairs are entirely China's internal affairs which allow no foreign interference,” a ministry spokesperson said during a Nov. 10 news conference, according to a transcript the ministry released. “China urges the US side to immediately stop meddling in Hong Kong affairs, immediately lift the so-called sanctions and refrain from going further down the wrong path.” The last time the U.S. designated Hong Kong officials, China retaliated by sanctioning U.S. lawmakers and other U.S. citizens (see 2008100023).

Export Compliance Daily is providing readers with the top stories for Nov. 2-6 in case you missed them. You can find any article by searching on the title or by clicking on the hyperlinked reference number.

The Federal Maritime Commission plans to discuss a rise in non-compliance with its May rule (see 2004290037) on detention and demurrage charges after industry complained that the rule is being ignored, Rebecca Dye, an FMC commissioner, said during a Nov. 10 session at the Coalition of New England Companies for Trade virtual conference. She said she will soon make “recommendations” to other commissioners to address the rule and other issues, including problems surrounding container returns.

The European Council and the European Parliament agreed to new export control regulations for dual-use goods and sensitive technologies, paving the way for the European Union to soon implement a host of updated export control policies, licensing procedures and enforcement methods. The regulations, which have been discussed for years (see 1911290006 and 1906050039), will lead to more “accountable, competitive and transparent” trade in dual-use items, the council said Nov. 9.

The United Kingdom Nov. 6 updated its guidance on trade with South Korea after the U.K. leaves the European Union. The updated guidance now includes new details on origin quotas and other trade information. The trade agreement with South Korea takes effect Jan. 1, 2021.

The EU will add the United Kingdom to its list of countries with general export authorizations for dual-use items after the U.K. leaves the EU Jan. 1, 2021, the European Commission said Nov. 4. The move eliminates the possibility that EU exporters would have to obtain a specific export license to ship certain dual-use goods to the U.K., which would create a “considerable administrative burden” for member states and hurt EU competitiveness, the EC said. The U.K. “is an important destination for dual-use exports” and “ensures full compliance with relevant international obligations and commitments,” the EC said.

The Canada government issued the following trade-related notices as of Nov. 9 (some may also be given separate headlines):

The Bureau of Industry and Security extended the comment period (see 2008140002) for an information collection related to submitting declarations to the International Atomic Energy Agency for nuclear materials, a notice released Nov. 9 said. The IAEA requires information on nuclear-related products that may be used for “peaceful” nuclear purposes but also can be part of a nuclear weapons program, the notice said. The declarations provide the IAEA with information about the U.S. “commercial nuclear fuel cycle,” including nuclear equipment manufacturing and trade in nuclear-related goods. Comments are due Dec. 10.

The Bureau of Industry and Security extended the comment period for an information collection related to foreign importer certificates, end-user certificates, delivery verification certificates and firearms entry clearance requirements, a notice released Nov. 9 said. BIS said it wants more feedback on its collection for import and end-user certificates -- which are “obtained by the foreign importer and transmitted to the U.S. exporter” -- and delivery verification for BIS-controlled items. The agency is also seeking feedback on its information collection for firearms clearance requirements, which have changed due to the recent transfer of certain firearms controls from the State Department. “The Department of Commerce controls the [Commerce Control List] and must now take over this collection of information,” BIS said. The “entry clearance requirements for temporary imports will specify the [Export Administration Regulations] procedures for temporary imports and subsequent exports.” Comments are due Dec. 10.

The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs began a review of a final rule from the Bureau of Industry and Security to remove Hong Kong as a “separate destination” under the Export Administration Regulations. OIRA received the rule Nov. 6. BIS announced in June that it suspended license applications for shipments to Hong Kong (see 2006300050) to further align Hong Kong export regulations with mainland China.