Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. WTO Update: Day 3 of Doha Round

2. Senate Finance Favorably Reports Burma Sanctions Resolution

On July 23, 2008, the Senate Finance Committee favorably reported S.J. Res. 41, approving the renewal of import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003. Senate Finance Chairman Baucus' statement is alsoavailable. (Senate Finance Committee press release, dated 07/23/08, available at http://finance.senate.gov/press/Bpress/2008press/prb072308A.pdf; Senator Baucus' statement, dated 07/23/08, available at http://finance.senate.gov/press/Bpress/2008press/prb072308.pdf.)

3. House Passes Burma Sanctions Resolution

On July 23, 2008, the House of Representatives passed H.J. Res. 93, amended, to approve the renewal of import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003. (Congressional Record, dated 07/23/08, available at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/B?r110:@FIELD(FLD003d)@FIELD(DDATE20080723)

4. President's Message on Continuation of Nat'l Emergency for Lapsed EAA

The House received a message from the President wherein he transmitted notification that the national emergency caused by the lapse of the Export Administration Act of 1979, as amended, is to continue in effect for 1 year beyond August 17, 2008. (Congressional Record, dated 07/23/08, available at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/B?r110:@FIELD(FLD003d)@FIELD(DDATE20080723)

5. BIS Expands Ankair's Temporary Denial Order to Cover Additional Items

The Bureau of Industry and Security is expanding the June 6, 2008 180 day Temporary Denial Order for Ankair, Yesilkoy Asfalti Istanbul No. 13/4, Florya, Istanbul, Turkey TR-34810 (Ankair) to include any commodity, software or technology exported or to be exported from the U.S. that is subject to the Export Administration Regulations, etc. BIS is taking this action because evidence has been presented indicating that Ankair has violated the TDO and that Ankair has engaged in and/or is about to engage in or attempt further violations of the EAR involving the re-export of additional U.S. origin aircraft to Iran without U.S. Government authorization, etc. (BIS notice, FR Pub 07/22/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-16425.htm)

6. Text of U.S.-Burkina Faso Millennium Challenge Compact Published

The Millennium Challenge Corporation is publishing a summary and the complete text of the Millennium Challenge Compact between the U.S. and Burkina Faso that was executed on July 14, 2008. (MCC notice, FR Pub 07/22/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-16755.htm)

7. TTB.gov and COLAs Online to be Unavailablefrom July 25 - 28th

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) will be making changes and performing tests on its Web site and COLAs Online application. Therefore, the TTB.gov and COLAs Online will be unavailable beginning at 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, July 25. Access to TTB.gov and COLAs Online for submitting and updating applications and the Public Registry should return to normal by 9 a.m. Eastern Time on Monday, July 28. (TTB notice available at http://www.ttb.treas.gov/labeling/ttb-colas-outage.shtml, additional COLAs Online information available at http://www.ttb.gov/industry_circulars/archives/2003/ic2003_06.html)

8. Seven Freight Forwarding Firms to Pay U.S. to Resolve Bid Rigging Allegations

The Justice Department reports that seven freight forwarding companies - Air Land Forwarders, Arpin International Group, Covan International, Jet Forwarding, and SIRVA, the parent company of Allied Freight Forwarding, Global Worldwide and North American Van Lines - agreed to pay the U.S. $666,237 for allegations of bid rigging in violation of the False Claims Act. The seven companies have contracts with the Defense Department to transport household goods belonging to military and civilian personnel between Europe and the U.S. (Press release, dated 07/21/08, available at http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2008/July/08-civ-629.html)

9. FSIS Updates Export Requirements, Eligible Foreign Establishments

The Food Safety and Inspection Service has posted updated export requirements for the following countries Korea (beef, poultry, pork), Jordan (beef poultry), Guatemala (red meat, poultry), Cuba (pork, poultry, beef, sheep/goat), Ukraine (poultry, pork, beef), Indonesia (poultry, beef), and Mexico (beef, poultry, pork, sheep/goat). In addition, FSIS updated its list of eligible foreign establishments in Brazil and Mexico certified to export meat and poultry to the U.S. (Countries hyperlinked to notices.)

10. CBSA Revises CANPASS Form

The Canada Border Services Agency posted a revised version of its form entitled "CANPASS - Remote Area Border Crossing (RABC) Permit." (Form available at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/publications/forms-formulaires/bsf386-eng.pdf)

11. CBSA Makes Final Determination in Steel Pipe Investigation

On July 21, 2008, the President of the CBSA made final determinations of dumping and subsidizing with respect to certain carbon steel welded pipe, commonly identified as standard pipe originating in or exported from China. The Canadian International Trade Tribunal is continuing its inquiry into the question of injury to the domestic industry and will make an order or finding by August 20, 2008. Provisional duties will continue to apply until this date. (Notice, dated 07/21/08, available at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/sima-lmsi/i-e/ad1373/ad1373-i08-nf-eng.html)