CBP has issued a CSMS message stating that APHIS will be holding a public meeting on October 27, 2009 regarding its interim final rule to amend the user fee regulations by adjusting the fees charged for certain agricultural quarantine and inspection services that are provided in connection with certain commercial vessels, commercial trucks, commercial railroad cars, commercial aircraft, and international airline passengers arriving at ports in the customs territory of the U.S. (See ITT's Online Archives or 10/01/09 news, 09100105, for BP summary that APHIS delayed the user fee increase until November 1, 2009.) (CSMS 09-000330, dated 10/19/09, available at http://apps.cbp.gov/csms/viewmssg.asp?Recid=17723&page=&srch_argv=09-000330&srchtype=all&btype=&sortby=&sby)
The U.S. Department of the Treasury has released the Semi-Annual Report concluding that no major U.S. trading partner met the currency manipulation standards during the most recent reporting period. However, the report notes that the U.S. will continue to work with China both in the G-20 and the bilateral Strategic and Economic Dialogue to pursue policies that permit greater flexibility of the exchange rate and lead to more sustainable and balanced trade and growth. (Report, posted 10/15/09, available at http://www.treasury.gov/offices/international-affairs/economic-exchange-rates/)
The International Trade Commission has issued a notice of an earlier-than-expected transmittal of its report to Congress regarding the use of the ''first sale rule'' for customs valuation of U.S. imports. As ITC received the final report from U.S. Customs and Border Protection on September 25, 2009, it now expects to deliver its report to Congress by December 23, 2009. (Investigation No. 332-505, FR Pub 10/15/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-24793.pdf)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a final rule which removes compliance date provisions that have already occurred, for various sections of the CBP regulations pertaining to the mandatory advance electronic transmission of in-bound and out-bound cargo information. (FR Pub 10/14/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-24668.pdf)
The Department of Homeland Security has granted a limited nationwide waiver of the Buy American provision contained in Section 1605 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, provided that at least 95 percent of the costs of each Transportation Security Administration Electronic Baggage Screening Program project will comply with Section 1605(a). (FR Pub 10/13/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-24608.pdf)
CBP has posted a notice on the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's announcement regarding an increase to their fees charged for certain agricultural quarantine and inspection (AQI) services. These rate changes will become effective November 1, 2009. (See ITT's Online Archives or 10/01/09 news, 09100105, for BP summary of APHIS delaying the AQI user fee increase until November 1st.) (Notice, dated 10/06/09, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/pleasure_boats/user_fee/2010_fee_increase.xml)
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has announced that the U.S. has asked the World Trade Organization to establish a dispute settlement panel regarding the European Union's restrictions on imports of U.S. poultry. (Press release, dated 10/08/09, available at http://www.ustr.gov/about-us/press-office/press-releases/2009/october/united-states-requests-wto-panel-challenge-eu-rest)
The Food Safety and Inspection Service is advising importers that the meat, poultry, or processed egg product ingredients used in the formulation of products that can enter the U.S. without the APHIS veterinary permit VS Form 16-6A (because they are not from animal disease countries, etc.,1) must still originate from an approved source in order to qualify for FSIS import eligibility.
The Department of Homeland Security has issued a notice announcing that it has begun the third and final national dialogue for the Quadrennial Homeland Security Review. The third dialogue, which ends on October 4, presents the final study group proposals, including the vision, goals, objectives, and key strategic outcomes from the mission studies as well as the path forward for the Homeland Security National Risk Assessment Study Group. DHS is seeking input on the strategic approaches proposed by the study groups, the implications of these proposed strategic approaches, and the proposed strategic outcomes. (DHS notice, dated 10/02/09, available at http://www.dhs.gov/journal/theblog/2009/10/third-dialogue.html.)
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is delaying for 30 days the recently announced 10-14% increase in fiscal year 2010 user fees for agricultural quarantine and inspection (AQI) services provided in connection with certain commercial vessels, commercial trucks, commercial railroad cars, commercial aircraft, and international airline passengers arriving at ports in the customs territory of the U.S.