Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
MSNBC reports that Mattel Inc. has recalled about 9 million more Chinese-made toys from the U.S. market which may contain lead paint or magnets that children could inhale or swallow, just two weeks after it recalled 1.5 million toys made in China for its Fisher Price unit because of their lead paint hazard. Mattel stated that the problem was discovered as part of a wide-scale investigation into all of its Chinese factories following the discovery of the Fisher-Price lead paint problem. (MSNBC article, including a list of the recalled toys, dated 08/15/07, available at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20274625/)
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1. Mattel Inc. Recalls More Toys Made in China
2. Colombia Signs FTA with Guatemala/Honduras/El Salvador, Effective 2008
American Shipper reports that Colombia has signed a free trade agreement with Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador which will take effect in 2008 and will eliminate tariffs and taxes on 75% of industrial products and 72% of agricultural products over a period of ten years. Colombian President Alvaro Uribe has stated that Colombia sees this FTA becoming a bridge between Central and South America. (American Shipper, dated 08/13/07, available at http://www.compairdata.com/compairdatanews/070813_107.asp)
3. FAS Announces Fee for 2008 TRQ Licenses to Import Certain Dairy Articles
The Foreign Agricultural Service has announced that the fee to be charged for the 2008 tariff rate quota (TRQ) year for each license issued to a person or firm by the Department of Agriculture authorizing the importation of certain dairy articles, which are subject to the TRQs set forth in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule, will be $150 per license, effective January 1, 2008. (FR Pub 08/14/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/07-3944.pdf)
4. DHS Secretary's Remarks Available on New Flight Security Measures
The Department of Homeland Security has posted to its Web site the remarks made by DHS Secretary Chertoff at a press conference regarding the Secure Flight program and the Advance Passenger Information System, both of which were recommended by the 9/11 Commission and which Secretary Chertoff states will further enhance the U.S.' ability to identify potentially dangerous people before they are allowed to board an aircraft bound for the U.S. (Sec. Chertoff's remarks, dated 08/09/07, available at http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1186693761881.shtm)
5. Chinese Toothpaste Distributed to Hotels is Recalled Worldwide
The Los Angeles Times reports that Chinese toothpaste distributed in hotels worldwide by a U.S. company, Gilchrist & Soames, has been recalled because it may contain a chemical used in antifreeze. The company voluntarily recalled the 0.65-ounces tubes of toothpaste after independent tests showed some samples contained diethylene glycol, or DEG. (LA Times, dated 08/14/07, available at http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-recall14aug14,1,526538.story)
6. ICE Cracks Down on Sale, Distribution of Illegal Gaming Chips, Etc.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has issued a press release announcing that it has executed 32 federal search warrants in 16 states as part of an investigation into the alleged sale and distribution of illegal modification chips and disc copyright circumvention devices, representing the largest national enforcement action of its kind targeting this type of illegal activity. The modification chips and circumvention devices allow users to play illegally obtained, pirated and/or counterfeit software on video game consoles. (ICE press release, dated 08/01/07, available at http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/070801washington.htm)
7. BIS Corrects 2 Orders Denying Export Privileges to Clarify Individual Scope
The Bureau of Industry and Security has issued two notices correcting the Orders denying certain export privileges for Walter L. Lachman and Maurice Subilia to correct certain standard language regarding the scope of the Orders, which were incorrectly defined in a way that made each appear as a corporation rather than an individual. (Lachman correction, FR Pub 08/09/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/07-3887.pdf; Subilia correction, FR Pub 08/09/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/07-3888.pdf)
8. Recent CPSC Press Releases on Recalls
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued separate press releases (dated 07/01/07 - 07/31/07) announcing that the following companies, in cooperation with the CPSC, are voluntarily recalling the products listed below. Due to the large number of recalls, this is Part II of a three-part series of summaries. (Press releases available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prereljul07.html)
Code Legend according to releases: D - Distributor, I - Importer, M - Manufacturer, N/A - Not Applicable, R - Retailer, W - Wholesaler, A - Agent. |