Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
WTO Agriculture negotiations chairperson Ambassador Falconer, on August 11, 2008, submitted his report on the July 2008 "package" talks to the Trade Negotiations Committee. Also, non-agricultural market access (NAMA) chairperson Stephenson, on August 12, 2008, submitted his report on the July 2008 "package" talks to the Trade Negotiations Committee. (WTO agriculture negotiations chairperson's report, dated 08/11/08, available at http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/agric_e/chair_texts_11aug08_e.doc; WTO non-agricultural market access chairperson's report, dated 08/12/08, available at
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1. WTO Chairs Circulate 'July Package' Reports
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/markacc_e/chair_texts_12aug08_e.doc.)
2. USTR Notice on Revised FY 2008 TRQ Allocations for Refined Sugar
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is providing notice of additional country-by- country allocations of the in-quota quantity of the tariff rate quota for imported refined sugar for the period August 14, 2008 through December 31, 2008. On August 14, 2008 the in-quota quantity of the TRQ for refined sugar for FY 2008 was increased by a total of 272,155 metric tons raw value, none of which is for specialty sugars. (See ITT's Online Archives or 08/11/08 news, 08081115, for BP summary of USDA notice on the increase in the FY 2008 refined sugar TRQ.) (USTR notice, FR Pub 08/13/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-18769.pdf.)
3. Notice of Completion of NAFTA Panel of the ITA's Final Scope Ruling on Certain Softwood Lumber from Canada
On June 25, 2008, the NAFTA Binational Panel issued a memorandum opinion and order, which granted the International Trade Administration's motion to dismiss the complaints concerning the ITA's final scope ruling on certain softwood lumber products from Canada. The Secretariat was instructed to issue a Notice of Completion of Panel Review on the 31st day following the issuance of the Notice of Final Panel Action, if no request for an Extraordinary Challenge was filed. No such request was filed. Therefore, the Panel Review was completed and the panelists were discharged from their duties. (ITA notice, FR Pub 08/13/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-18637.pdf.)
4. TWIC Enrollment for American Samoa
The Transportation Security Administration is announcing that enrollment for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential for the Port of American Samoa will begin on August 20, 2008. (TSA notice, FR Pub 08/13/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-18777.pdf.)
5. FMCSA to Meet Telephonically on Unified Carried Registration Plan
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will hold a telephonic meeting on September 4, 2008 on the continued work in developing and implementing the Unified Carrier Registration Plan and Agreement, etc. (FMCSA notice, FR Pub 08/14/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-18940.pdf.)
6. OFAC Adds Iranian Nuclear and Missile Entities
The Office of Foreign Assets Control designated five entities for their ties to Iran's nuclear and missile programs. All five designees are owned or controlled by, or acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, entities that have been designated by the United States or the United Nations Security Council. (OFAC notice, dated 08/12/08, available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/actions/20080812.shtml; Treasury press release HP-1113, dated 08/12/08, available at http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/hp1113.htm)
7. Illinois-Based Firm Settles Charges of Deemed Export Violations
The Bureau of Industry and Security announced that Ingersoll Machine Tools (IMT) of Rockford, Illinois has agreed to pay a $126,000 civil penalty to settle allegations that it committed eight unlicensed deemed exports to Italian and Indian foreign nationals in violation of the Export Administration Regulations. (BIS press release, dated 08/12/08, available at http://www.bis.doc.gov/news/2008/bis_press08122008.htm.)
8. Members Appointed to New Honey Packers and Importers Board
Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer announced the appointment of 10 members and 10 alternate members to serve on the new Honey Packers and Importers Board. They will serve staggered terms for the initial board beginning immediately and ending between Dec. 31, 2010 and Dec. 31, 2012. (USDA press release no. 0211.08, dated 08/08/08, available at http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2008/08/0211.xml.)
9. State Dept Begins Production of New U.S. Passport Card
The State Department has begun production of the new U.S. Passport Card, a wallet-sized document to be used for re-entry into the U.S. at land border crossings and sea ports of entry when arriving from Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean and Bermuda. (State Dept press release, dated 08/12/08, available at http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2008/aug/108164.htm.)
10. EPA Settles with Tyler Refrigeration for Importing Banned Refrigerants
The Environmental Protection Agency recently reached an $18,899 settlement with Tyler Refrigeration for importing banned refrigerants from Mexico in violation of the Clean Air Act. (EPA press release, dated 08/11/08, available at http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/5398677B7D40716D852574A20082EA4C.)
11. Florida Orchid Dealer Convicted in International Smuggling Operation
The Justice Department reports that Mac Rivenbark, of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, pled guilty in connection with the illegal importation of more than 1,400 orchid plants from the Republic of the Philippines in February 2005, contrary to the Lacey Act. (DoJ press release, dated 08/12/08, available at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls/PressReleases/080812-01.html.)
12. West African Art Dealer Sentenced for Illegal Ivory Smuggling
The Fish and Wildlife Service reports that Tania Julie Siyam, a 32-year-old Canadian citizen, was sentenced to serve 60 months in prison and pay a $100,000 fine for illegally smuggling ivory from the West African country of Cameroon to the U.S. (FWS press release, dated 08/07/08, available at http://www.fws.gov/news/NewsReleases/showNews.cfm?newsId=9E6A02F6-C6BD-C5AC-32DB8470A41261DC.)
13. ERS Updates its U.S. Agricultural Trade Data
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service updated its "Latest U.S. Agricultural Trade Data" to include June 2008. (ERS dat sets available at http://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/FATUS/MonthlySummary.htm.)
14. BTS Releases Freight Transportation Services Index
According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI) rose 0.1 percent in June from its May level, rising for the second consecutive month. (BTS press release, dated 08/13/08, available at http://www.bts.gov/press_releases/2008/bts039_08/html/bts039_08.html.)
15. ITA Fact Sheet on June Exports, Includes Western Hemisphere FTA Info
The International Trade Administration issued its fact sheet on June 2008 export statistics. The fact sheet includes a "trade spotlight" section on free trade agreements in the Western Hemisphere. (ITRA press release, released 08/12/08, available at http://www.commerce.gov/s/groups/public/@doc/@os/@opa/documents/content/prod01_006913.pdf.)
16. FSIS Updates Export Requirements, Eligible Foreign Establishments
The Food Safety and Inspection Service has posted updated export requirements for the following countries Japan(beef, pork, poultry, other meats), Japan (egg products), Costa Rica(meat, poultry, pork), Belize (beef), and Korea(beef, pork, poultry). In addition, FSIS updated its list of eligible foreign establishments in Brazil, Mexico, and Australia certified to export meat and poultry to the U.S.
17. FTZB Notice
The following Foreign Trade Zone Board notice was published:
18. FAS Posts Market and Trade Data Reports
The Foreign Agricultural Service has posted the following Market and Trade Data Feature Reports:
Afghanistan: Severe Drought Causes Major Decline in 2008/09 Wheat Production
Rice Prices Drop as Supply Perception Changes
Argentina: Dry Weather Hampers Sowing Campaign for Wheat
Cotton: Lower World Stocks Increase U.S. Exports, Despite Smaller Crop
Chinese Demand for Vegetable Oil Fueling Imports as Domestic Sources Stagnate
19. FAS' Global Agriculture Information Network Reports
FAS issued the following GAIN reports:
Canada Agricultural Situation: This Week in Canadian Agriculture, Issue 23
European Union-27 Oilseeds and Products: Oilseeds Update July 2008
Hong Kong Poultry and Products: Live Chicken Retail Sales Resume
Hong Kong FAIRS Subject Report: Hong Kong Passed Nutrition Labeling Regulation
Hong Kong Biotechnology: Annual
India Agricultural Situation: Weekly Highlights & Hot Bites, 32
India Agricultural Situation: Monsoon Update (6)
Saudi Arabia FAIRS Country Report: Annual
Venezuela Agricultural Situation: Tariff Rate Quotas
20. Canada Preliminary Dumping/Subsidizing Determinations on Certain Containers from China
On August 13, 2008, the Canada Border Services Agency made preliminary determinations of dumping and subsidizing with respect to certain thermoelectric containers originating in or exported from China. (CBSA notice, dated 08/13/08, available at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/sima-lmsi/i-e/ad1372/ad1372-i08-np-eng.html.)
21. CBSA Cancels Customs Notices
The CBSA cancelled the following:
CN486: Proposed Regulatory Changes in Support of the Free And Secure Trade (FAST) Commercial Driver Program and the Alternative Presentation of Persons Under the Customs Act
CN542: Advance Commercial Information - Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) Cargo and Conveyance Reporting
CN604: Cancellation of Memorandum D19-9-6, Regulations Respecting the Importation of Human Pathogens
CN605: Advance Commercial Information - Updates on Cargo and Conveyance Electronic Reporting for Air Mode and for Marine Shipments Loaded in the United States
CN630: Advance Commercial Information - Updates on the Implementation of Cargo and Conveyance Reporting for Air Mode and Marine Shipments Loaded in the United States
CN652: Advance Commercial Information (ACI) - Updates on the Implementation of ACI Phase II Air and Marine
(CBSA notice, dated 08/13/08, available at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/new-neuf/menu-eng.html.)
22. CBSA Revised Memoranda
The CBSA posted revised versions of the following:
Memorandum D3-5-2: Marine Cargo - Import Movements
Memorandum D3-5-1: Commercial Vessels in International Service
Memorandum D3-2-2: Air Cargo - Import and In-Transit Movements
Memorandum D3-2-1: International Commercial Air Traffic and Conveyance Reporting