Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. Commerce Dept Comments on January 2010 Retail Sales

The Commerce Secretary released data for January 2010 indicating that retail sales increased 0.5 percent from December, exceeding the 0.3 percent increase expected by the private sector. Retail sales rose 7.6 percent at an annual rate in the fourth quarter, following a gain of 6.4 percent in the third quarter. (Press release, dated 02/12/10, available at http://www.commerce.gov/NewsRoom/PressReleases_FactSheets/PROD01_008908)

2. U.S. Holds Trade & Investment Talks with East African Community

USTR has issued a news release announcing that the U.S. and East African trade and development officials met in Kampala, Uganda to discuss implementation of the U.S.-East African Community (EAC) Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA). The TIFA provides a forum for advancing cooperation on trade and investment issues between the U.S. and the five EAC member states - Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. (Press release, dated 02/16/10, available at http://www.ustr.gov/about-us/press-office/press-releases/2010/february/united-states-holds-trade-and-investment-talks-ea)

3. AAFA Comments on Footwear Reclassification for Freight Rates

The American Apparel and Footwear Association has submitted comments to the National Motor Freight Traffic Association's Commodity Classification Standards Board urging the CCSB to vote for an AAFA-sponsored proposal that would reverse the CCSB's recent reclassification of footwear for determining domestic freight rates. (Comments, dated 02/05/10, available at http://www.apparelandfootwear.org/letters/footwearfreightaafanmftacomments100205.pdf.)

4. U.S. Chamber of Commerce to Challenge EPA's Endangerment Finding on Greenhouse Gases

On February 12, 2010, the U.S. Chamber Commerce filed a formal petition indicating it will challenge the Environmental Protection Agency's endangerment finding for greenhouse gases, based on lapses in the EPA's process in making that decision. (Press release, dated 02/12/10, available at http://www.uschamber.com/press/releases/2010/february/100212_petition.htm)

5. CBP's Port of New York/Newark Implements New FTZ Mailbox

CBP's Port of New York/Newark has issued an Informational Pipeline notifying the FTZ community of the implementation of a new FTZ mailbox. The Port has created a centralized mailbox for all FTZ questions and issues. (Pipeline No. 10-004-NWK is available via email by sending a request to documents@brokerpower.com.)

6. CBP's Port of LA/LB to Hold Steel Seminar in March

CBP's Los Angeles/Long Beach Seaport has issued a Public Bulletin announcing that it will hold an updated Steel Identification, Classification, and Trade Law Seminar on March 18 and 19, 2010 in Long Beach. The registration deadline is February 23, 2010. (Bulletin LA10-002 and registration form is available via email by sending a request to documents@brokerpower.com.)

7. CBP's Port of LA/LB Announces Relocation of Dock Exam Team

CBP's Port of Los Angeles/Long Beach has issued a Public Bulletin announcing that effective February 1, 2010, the LA/LB Seaport Dock Examination Team (DET)will relocate their operations. (Bulletin LA10-003 is available via email by sending a request to documents@brokerpower.com.)

8. CPSC Announces Revision of Voluntary ASTM Crib Standard, Mandatory Standard Expected in 2010

In an information sheet on crib safety, the Consumer Product Safety Commission noted that in December 2009, ASTM, the group that develops voluntary manufacturing standards for cribs, revised its standard to no longer allow the sale of cribs that have a traditional drop side. CPSC Chairman Tenenbaum has also reported to Congress that new mandatory rules for cribs will be established in 2010. (Information sheet, posted 02/12/10, available at http://www.cpsc.gov/onsafety/2010/02/safe-sleep-part-1-the-crib/)

9. Balli to Pay $17 Million in Fines for Unlicensed Export of 747 Aircraft to Iran

The Justice Department has announced that Balli Aviation Ltd. pleaded guilty to charges regarding the export of three Boeing 747 aircraft from the U.S. to Iran without first having obtained the required export license from the Bureau of Industry and Security or authorization from the Office of Foreign Assets Control. Balli agreed to pay a $2 million criminal fine under a plea agreement and a related $15 million civil settlement. (Press release, dated 02/05/10, available at http://www.bis.doc.gov/news/2010/doj02052010.htm)

10. State Dept Briefing on State of Int'l Climate Negotiations Post-Copenhagen

The State Department has posted a transcript of a February 16, 2010 briefing by Special Envoy Todd Stern on the state of international climate negotiations post-Copenhagen. (Briefing, dated 02/16/10, available at http://www.state.gov/g/oes/rls/remarks/2010/136755.htm.)

11. EC Posts Proposals for Council Decision on Originating Goods under Various EC Agreements

The European Commission's Taxation and Customs Union has posted numerous customs proposals for decision by the European Council under various agreements between the EC and other countries, concerning the list of working or processing required to be carried out on non-originating materials in order that the product manufactured can obtain originating status, pursuant to the entry into force of the Harmonised System 2007. (Proposals, available at http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/common/legislation/proposals/customs/index_en.htm)

12. WCO Authorized Economic Operator Conference Announced

The World Customs Organization is announcing that its WCO Authorized Economic Operator Conference will be held inGuatemala on April 14 - 16, 2010. Its theme will beCustoms and Trade Promoting Opportunities to Gain Competitive Advantages in International Commerce. More information available here.

13. DDTC Name Change Notice

The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls has announced the following entity name change(s) for new DDTC license applications. New license applications received after the listed effective date will be considered for return without action for correction to the new name (notice hyperlinked):

14. FAS Issues Agricultural Trade Reports

The USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service has issued the following February 11, 2010 Production, Market and Trade Reports:

Argentina: Timely Rain Improves Conditions for Corn Crop

Barley: A Decade of Change & Export Redistribution

Cotton: Global Use and Trade Growth Dominated By A Few Countries

U.S. Soybean Prices Fall as Buyers' Focus Turns to South America

(Reports, posted 02/11/10, available at http://www.fas.usda.gov/current.asp)

15. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports

The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:

Japan - Designation of new food additives (3-Methyl-2-butanol, et. al.): Sanitary/Phytosanitary/Food Safety

Italy - Agricultural News for Italy and the EU - January 2010

Poland EU-27 - Poland considers restrictive biotech law - farmers fighting back: Biotechnology, Grain and Feed