Export Compliance Daily is providing readers with some of the top stories for Oct. 28 - Nov. 1 in case they were missed.
The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control amended and issued Venezuela-related general licenses and revoked two Turkey general licenses, according to a Nov. 5 notice. OFAC also published new and amended frequently asked questions to explain the Venezuela-related licenses.
The Commerce Department’s advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) on foundational technologies will ask for public comments on the relationship between foundational and emerging technologies, a concept that is challenging Commerce, according to Commerce’s deputy assistant secretary for export administration Matt Borman. The proposal, which is expected to be released this fall, is proving more challenging than the proposed ANPRM on emerging technologies the agency released last year, Borman said. The foundational notice will ask industries whether emerging and foundational technologies are really “two distinct things,” Borman said, or whether one depends on the other, such as whether foundational technologies are used to create emerging technologies.
The World Customs Organization issued the following release on commercial trade and related matters:
Nigeria introduced an electronic export form on its trade monitoring system to replace the previous hard copy, KPMG said in a Nov. 1 post. The electronic form, e-Form NXP, is for use by exporters primarily in the oil and gas sector, the post said. Exporters can access the form with their tax identification number and a processing fee. Nigeria is giving exporters a 90-day transition period to use all hard copy forms before they will be canceled, KPMG said.
The Canadian Society of Customs Brokers, the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America and the Mexican Confederation of Customs Broker Associations (CAAAREM) signed a joint strategy agreement on Oct. 29, the NCBFAA said in an email to members. The groups agreed to "promote data harmonization and alignment" exchange implementation information about the revised NAFTA and "foster increased compliance with international trade agreements through shared communication with trade chain partners." The associations also agreed to "enhance and raise awareness of the role of customs brokers, including exploration of harmonization of [Authorized Economic Organization (AEO)]/trusted trader programs and mutual recognition arrangements." Broker training and professional development standards will be another goal for the groups in 2020.
Natural Resources Canada released an updated list of Harmonized System tariff codes that will be affected by coming energy efficiency regulations, the Canada Border Services Agency said in an emailed message. The "list of HS codes for regulated energy-using products has been revised to reflect the Amendment 15 and 16 to the Energy Efficiency Regulations coming into force on Dec. 12, 2019," it said in the notice. The list of codes includes "effective dates and expiry dates for each of the affected HS codes."
The Canada Border Services Agency updated a memorandum to add a prohibition on "the import and manufacture of certain products containing or designed to contain" hydrofluorocarbons, the CBSA said on Nov. 1. The agency also added a description of an allowance system for HFCs to the memo, it said.
Singapore will eliminate its remaining import restrictions on food produced in Japan’s Fukushima region, Japan said Nov. 4, according to an unofficial translation of a Ministry of Foreign Affairs release. Japan said Singapore considered “the safety measures Japan has taken so far,” including the pre-export inspection of food.” The announcement came as Japan implores countries to reduce restrictions created to guard against possible food-related radiation contamination from Japan’s Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster in 2011 (see 1911010030).
Indonesia issued a guidance clarifying its import duty and value-added tax exemptions for certain imports that fall under certain contracts, KPMG said in a Nov. 1 post. Indonesia clarified that its exemptions apply to imports under “contracts of work” or “coal contracts of work,” the post said, and provide exemptions and reductions of import duties and exemption of import VATs. Indonesia bans any transfers, re-exports or destruction of goods imported under the measures until two years have elapsed from the import date, the post said, and requires importers to first receive approval from Indonesian customs and other agencies. Violations may result in import duties, VATs and further penalties.