Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. China's AQSIQ Announces New Tests Checks of Toys, Appliances, Etc

China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine has issued a notice announcing an annual supervision examination on designated accreditation bodies, labs and factory inspectors, as well as spot tests on CCC licensed products which include toys, household appliances, information technical products, motorcycles, lighting, latex products, coffers against theft and plant protection machineries. (Notice, dated 06/11/09, available at http://english.aqsiq.gov.cn/NewsRelease/NewsUpdates/200906/t20090611_118033.htm)

2. EU and Canada to Start Negotiating Trade Agreement in October

European Union Trade Commissioner Ashton and Canadian Minister of International Trade Day, have agreed that the first full round of formal negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), at senior official level, should take place in October. (Notice, dated 06/10/09, available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/09/896&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en)

3. Canada Posts Order Amending U.S. Special Customs Tariff Schedule

In the June 10, 2009 edition of the Canadian Gazette, Canada posted an order, effective July 1, 2009, amending the schedule to the Customs Tariff (Conditions for Special Provisions for the Purposes of the United States Tariff (UST)). Among other things, the order replaces Supplementary Note 2 in Section XI of the schedule. (Notice, available at http://canadagazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2009/2009-06-10/html/sor-dors145-eng.html)

4. Canada Amends Customs Tariff to Repeal Certain Tariff Numbers, Etc

In the June 10, 2009 edition of the Canadian Gazette, Canada posted a Statutory Instrument entitled, "Schedule to the Customs Tariff, 2009-1 - Order Amending the Customs Tariff. Among other things, tariff item Nos. 2933.99.20 and 5510.12.00 in the List of Tariff Provisions set out in the schedule to the Customs Tariff are repealed. (Notice, available at http://canadagazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2009/2009-06-10/html/sor-dors153-eng.html)

5. Canada's DFAIT Publishes 2006 Report on Exports of Military Goods from Canada

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, as part of Canada's effort to encourage greater transparency on military exports, has published the 2006 version of its periodic report on annual exports of military goods and technology. (Report, available at http://www.international.gc.ca/controls-controles/report-rapports/military-report06-rapport-militaire06.aspx)

6. EC Posts Info. on Trade Barriers of U.S. Internet Gambling Laws

The European Community has posted a fact sheet and report on the trade barriers associated with U.S. internet gambling laws. The report finds that U.S. laws on remote gambling and their enforcement against EU companies constitute a barrier to market access which have adverse effects on EU economic interests, and that World Trade Organization action would be justified though not recommended. Press release on the report is available HhereH. (Notice, dated 06/10/09, available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/09/269&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en)

7. USTR Statement on U.S. Victory in Glamis NAFTA Arbitration

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has posted USTR Kirk's statement on the U.S. victory in the NAFTA arbitration case filed by a Canadian mining company, Glamis Gold Ltd. (now Goldcorp of Vancouver, British Columbia), challenging certain actions by the Department of the Interior and the State of California relating to the Canadian investor's proposed mining operations. (Statement, dated 06/10/09, available at http://www.ustr.gov/about-us/press-office/press-releases/2009/june/statement-us-trade-representative-ron-kirk-united-sta)

8. FDA Issues Draft Guidance on Reportable Food Registry and Delays its Implementation

The Food and Drug Administration is announcing the availability of a draft guidance entitled Guidance for Industry: Questions and Answers Regarding the Reportable Food Registry as Established by the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007. The draft guidance, when finalized, will assist the industry in complying with the Reportable Food Registry requirements prescribed by the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007 (FDAAA). FDA is also announcing a further delay in the implementation of the Reportable Food Registry of FDAAA until September 8, 2009, to consider any comments received on the draft guidance, allow for further testing of the electronic portal for reportable foods, etc. Comments on the draft are due by July 27, 2009. (D/N FDA-2009-D-0260, FR Pub 06/11/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-13614.pdf)

9. Census Reports Goods and Services Deficit Increased in April 2009

The Census Bureau reports that the U.S.' international deficit in goods and services increased to $29.2 billion in April 2009 from $28.5 billion (revised) in March, as exports decreased more than imports. Commerce Secretary Lock's statement on the data is available hereH; USTR Kirk's comments are available hereH. (Notice, dated 06/10/09, available at http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/Press-Release/current_press_release/press.html)

10. Census Announces Revised Goods and Services Data

The Census Bureau has issued a press release stating that Census and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) are jointly publishing revised data on U.S. trade in goods for 2005-2007 and the first three months of 2008 and revised data on services for 2004-2007 and the first three months of 2008. (Census press release notice, dated 06/10/09, available at http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/Press-Release/2008pr/final_revisions/.)

11. APHIS Canadian Border Agricultural Clearance PPQ Manual

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has posted a June 10, 2009 version of its Canadian Border Agricultural Clearance Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Manual, which serves as a guide for authorized Federal officers at ports of entry along the Canadian Border. (Manual, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/canadian.shtml)

12. APHIS PPQ Manual for Agricultural Clearance

APHIS has posted a June 10, 2009 version of its PPQ manual for agricultural clearance, formerly known as Airport Maritime Operations Manual, which provides CBP personnel working at airport and maritime locations with the guidelines, directions, and policy for clearing carriers and passengers/crew and controlling garbage and cargo. (Manual, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/mac.shtml)

13. FSIS Posts Updated Meat/Poultry/Egg Inspection Directory

The Food Safety and Inspection Service has posted an updated "Meat, Poultry and Egg Product Inspection Directory," a listing of establishments that produce meat, poultry, and/or egg products regulated by FSIS. (Directory, dated 06/01/09, available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/MPI_Directory_Establishment_Name.pdf)

14. Spanish Language Seminars on AES Requirements Offered

The Commerce Dept is offering a 5-part series of Spanish-language webinars designed to educate U.S. exporters on the new AES requirements, on June 11 and June 16 (filing requirements), June 18, (export commodity classification), June 23 (AES overview), and June 25 (PC Link). The five part series requires separate registration for each session ($50 each). (Notice, available at http://www.export.gov/logistics/aes/eg_main_018985.asp)

15. FTZB Approves Expansion of Houston FTZ

The Foreign Trade Zones Board has approved the expansion of FTZ 84, for the Port of Houston Authority to expand its zone to include six additional sites. (FR Pub 06/11/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-13625.pdf)

16. BIS Denies Export Privileges To Person Exporting Mercedes to Syria

The Bureau of Industry and Security is denying export privileges to Ghassan Tabbaa until January 3, 2013. On January 3, 2008, in the U.S. District Court for Southern District of Florida, Ghassan Tabbaa pled guilty to and was convicted of violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) for knowingly and willfully violating the embargo against Syria by attempting to export and re-export two Mercedes Benz automobiles from the U.S. to Syria via the Lebanese Republic. (FR Pub 06/11/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-13689.pdf)

17. WHO Raises Flu Pandemic Alert to Phase 6 for Swine Flu (H1N1)

On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization raised the flu pandemic alert to its highest level of phase 6 for Influenza A (H1N1) as the scientific criteria for an influenza pandemic have been met. The WHO states that nearly 30,000 confirmed cases have been reported in 74 countries. However, present evidence shows that the overwhelming majority of patients experience mild symptoms and make a rapid and full recovery. (WHO press release, dated 06/11/09, available at http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/statements/2009/h1n1_pandemic_phase6_20090611/en/index.html)

18. DHS, HHS Secretaries Issues Statements on H1N1 Virus Pandemic Status

The Department of Homeland Security has issued statements from DHS Secretary Napolitano and Health and Human Services Secretary Sebelius regarding the World Health Organization's decision to raise the pandemic threat level on the H1N1 virus. (statements, dated 06/11/09, available at http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1244741856481.shtm.)

19. WTO Issues Trade Policy Review for New Zealand

The World Trade Organization has posted its Trade Policy Review for New Zealand. According to the WTO, New Zealand has remained among the more open economies in the world due to prudent macroeconomic policies, however, GDP growth is expected to slow down significantly in 2008/09 owing to a recession in the first three quarters of the current fiscal year. (Notice, available at http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tpr_e/tp316_e.htm)

20. ASEAN Deputy SG Speaks at Meeting to Prepare for Single ASEAN Market by 2015

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations has posted the remarks of the Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN Pushpanathan at the 18th meeting of ASEAN Directors-General of Customs, who are working to support the establishment of a Single Market and Production Base under the ASEAN Economic Community by 2015. (Remarks, dated 06/09/09, available at http://www.aseansec.org/Speech-DSG-18-DG-Customs.pdf)

21. FAS Commodity and Market Intelligence Reports

The Foreign Agricultural Service has issued commodity and market intelligence reports with the following titles:

U.S. Cotton Has Become More Export Dependent than Other Commodities

Brazil's Soybean Oil Exports Squeezed by Rising Biodiesel Demand

Afghanistan: Wheat Production Recovers in 2009/10 Season

Eastern Brazil Precipitation: April 1-June 4, 2009H

Wheat Stocks Surge, But Market Availability Limited

22. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports

The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:

Vietnam Agricultural Situation: News Summary No. 16

China Agricultural Situation: Draft Standard for Imported Food

23. FMC Lists OTI Applications

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a notice that lists those applying for OTI licenses as a non-vessel-operating common carrier (NVOCC), ocean freight forwarder (FF) or NVOCC/FF OTI, as follows:

(Notices, FR Pub 06/10/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-13639.pdf and http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-13651.pdf)