U.S. Trade Representative Kirk announced that USTR has received more than five hundred responses to requests for public comment on the pending free trade agreements that have been negotiated with Colombia and the Republic of Korea. (Press release, dated 09/15/09, available at http://www.ustr.gov/about-us/press-office/press-releases/2009/september/ustr-receives-public-comments-concerning-pending)
The Census Bureau reports that U.S. exports increased by 2.2 percent to $127.6 billion since June 2009, and imports increased 4.7 percent to $159.6 billion. In commenting on the report, Commerce Secretary Locke stated, "July is the third consecutive month that exports of goods and services have increased." (Census fact sheet, dated 09/10/09, available at http://www.commerce.gov/s/groups/public/@doc/@os/@opa/documents/content/prod01_008400.pdf and Commerce press release, dated 09/10/09, available at http://www.commerce.gov/NewsRoom/PressReleases_FactSheets/PROD01_008401 and
The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that Maran and K.S. Trading have agreed to pay a total of $85,000 in civil penalties to settle allegations that the firms knowingly failed to report to CPSC immediately, as required by federal law, that children's hooded sweatshirts they sold had drawstrings at the neck. (CPSC press release, dated 09/08/09, available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09339.html)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Port of Los Angeles has issued a Public Bulletin advising the public of, and inviting comments on, a proposed fee schedule change for the Centralized Examination Station operated by Price Transfer, Incorporated, for the CBP Anti-Terrorism Contraband Enforcement Team (A-TCET) at the Los Angeles/Long Beach Seaport. (Bulletin LA09-022, dated 09/03/09, available via email by sending a request to documents@brokerpower.com)
The Department of Homeland Security has issued a final rule which amends its regulations effective August 31, 2009 to exempt portions of a new U.S. Customs and Border Protection system of record entitled the ''Department of Homeland Security U.S. Customs and Border Protection-010 Persons Engaged in International Trade in Customs and Border Protection Licensed/Regulated Activities System of Records'' from certain provisions of the Privacy Act due to civil, criminal, and administrative enforcement requirements. Similar notices have been issued for new record systems for DHS/ICE,regulatory audit, and ACS among others. (D/N DHS-2009-0059, FR Pub 08/31/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-20745.pdf)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Port of Chicago has issued a Pipeline providing notice that effective November 5, 2009 it will no longer accept CBP Form 7501 (entry summary) versions dated prior to June 2009. According to port sources, this November 5th effective date is only for entries filed at the Port of Chicago and could be extended if Headquarters instructs them to push the date out further. (See today's ITT, 09082605, for BP update on the use of the new CBP Form 7501.)(Pipeline 09-18, dated 08/21/09, is available via email by sending a request to documents@brokerpower.com)
The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis announced on August 12, 2009 that total June exports of $125.8 billion and imports of $152.8 billion resulted in a goods and services deficit of $27.0 billion, up from $26.0 billion in May. June exports were $2.4 billon more than May exports of $123.4 billion. June imports were $3.5 billion more than May imports of $149.3 billion. Commerce Secretary Lockestated "While we are seeing signs that the worst part of the recent economic downturn is behind us, we still face challenges to resuscitate domestic manufacturing and expand U.S. exports." Fact sheet availablehere. (News Release, dated 08/12/09, available at http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/international/trade/tradnewsrelease.htm)
At a meeting in Washington, D.C., Commerce Secretary Locke listed his five priorities for improving the trade fundamentals of the U.S. as (1) enhancing trade promotion and the support we provide to U.S. exporters, (2) pursuing visa reform, (3) undertaking a review of export controls, (4) strengthening international intellectual property protections, and (5) promoting more intergovernmental cooperation in support of U.S. exporters. (07/22/09 Commerce Secretary speech available at http://www.commerce.gov/NewsRoom/SecretarySpeeches/PROD01_008221 )
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has posted the statement from USTR spokeswoman Carol Guthrie on the recent conclusion of the 5th round of negotiations for the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) that was held in Rabat on July 16 and 17, 2009. Participants in this meeting agreed that the next round will be hosted by the Republic of Korea in November 2009. With regard to the progress of negotiations, participants confirmed their intention to conclude the agreement as soon as possible in 2010. (Press Release, dated 07/20/09, available at http://www.ustr.gov/about-us/press-office/press-releases/2009/july/statement-ustr-spokeswoman-carol-guthrie-anti-counte-0)
In June 2009, the World Customs Organization Council adopted 221 sets of recommended amendments to the Harmonized System Nomenclature, to enter into force on 1 January 2012. Contracting Parties have 6 months during which they can object to a recommended amendment. Recommended amendments available here. (Notice, available at http://www.wcoomd.org/home_wco_topics_hsoverviewboxes_tools_and_instruments_backgrounddocumenths2012.htm)