The World Customs Organization issued the following releases on commercial trade and related matters:
As it prepares to launch an official online portal, Nigeria recently issued guidance for exporters participating in its export expansion grant scheme, KPMG said in an Oct. 16 post. Exporters must submit their “baseline data and application claim” covering exports in 2019 and 2020 by Nov. 20, Nigeria said. The 30-day timeline, which started Oct. 19, “may not be sufficient time” for some, KPMG said, especially because some exporters “may not have finalised the statutory audit of their 2019 accounts” due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. KPMG said it is “not yet known” whether Nigeria will extend the submission timeline.
A new port terminal under construction is expected to be completed in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, by the end of 2021, creating additional annual container capacity and improved flow of goods, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council reported Oct. 20. The new terminal, Abidjan's second, will make the city the sole port in West Africa capable of handling “very large vessels,” the report said, and will feature “advanced container‑handling facilities.” The additional terminal is expected to “reduce cargo handling costs,” increase “trade growth” and “significantly alter the dynamics of trade in the West African region.” Abidjan hopes the port becomes the “preferred gateway” for neighboring landlocked countries and a “transshipment destination for surrounding coastal countries,” HKTDC said.
The Philippines customs authority recently issued new guidelines for refunds of duties and taxes and the issuance of tax credits for traders who have paid an excess of customs duties, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council reported Oct. 19. Traders must file refund claims within one year of the payment date for the duties, with claims to be paid within 60 days of document submission. The customs authority will not process refund claims for “purely internal revenue taxes,” including value-added taxes and excise taxes, which must be filed with the Philippines’ Bureau of Internal Revenue, the report said.
U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said that the trade facilitation agreement that the U.S. and Brazil signed Oct. 19 is very similar to the USMCA trade facilitation chapter, and that traders should expect more incremental progress in coming months. “There’s a lot more that needs to be done,” Lighthizer said during a U.S. Chamber of Commerce program Oct. 20. “We have ongoing negotiations on ethanol. Brazilians like to talk about sugar. There’s a variety of things in the agriculture area.”
The European Union renewed its sanctions regime against ISIL/Da'esh and al-Qaida for another year, until Oct. 31, 2021, the EU said Oct. 19. The sanctions include travel bans and asset freezes. The extension was made due to the “ongoing terrorist threat.”
Canada sanctioned 31 Belarusian officials for their involvement in the country’s illegitimate presidential elections, Canada said in an October notice. Canada sanctioned 11 Belarusian officials last month (see 2009300011) but added more to bring its sanctions regime in line with the European Union, which targeted 40 Belarusian officials (see 2010050010).
New Zealand recently revised its catch-all export controls and issued guidance on the changes. The revisions, which took effect Oct. 9, include changes to restrictions on goods and technologies that are not controlled under New Zealand's export control regime but may have military or police uses, such as biological and chemical weapons or goods that may have “military applications.”
Export Compliance Daily is providing readers with the top stories for Oct. 13-16 in case you missed them. You can find any article by searching on the title or by clicking on the hyperlinked reference number.
Berkshire Hathaway will pay $4.1 million after its subsidiary illegally exported more than 140 shipments of cutting tools to Iran, the Office of Foreign Assets Control said in an Oct. 20 notice. Iscar Kesici Takim Ticareti ve Imalati Limited Sirket (Iscar Turkey), Berkshire’s Turkish subsidiary, hid the exports from its parent company, which resulted in more than $350,000 worth of orders going to Iranian end-users. Along with the fine, Berkshire committed to a range of sanctions compliance procedures in a settlement agreement with OFAC and will annually certify for the next five years that it is meeting its compliance obligations.