Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
CBP's Port of Los Angeles issued Public Bulletin LA08-019 notifying drawback filers that the San Francisco Drawback Center will be assisting the Los Angeles Drawback Center with the processing of drawback claim liquidations. Effective on August 1, 2008, drawback claims submitted to the Los Angeles Drawback Center may be forwarded by CBP to the San Francisco Drawback Center for processing. (Bulletin LA08-019 is available via email by sending a requesthere.)
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1. San Francisco Drawback Center to Assist LA Drawback Center
2. Pipeline on CBP Procedures to be Used in Issuance of User Fee Decals & Transponders
CBP's Port of Chicago issued a Pipeline notifying the trade of the new procedures that CBP will use in the issuance of user fee decals and transponders. Beginning on September 24, 2008, the Decal and Transponder Online Procurement System (DTOPS) is scheduled to be available for user fee decal and transponder transactions. CBP adds that for all applications submitted after September 24, 2008, correspondence will no longer be accepted at the current Pittsburg, PA address. The new address for submitting all paper correspondence is: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Attn: DTOPS Program Administrator, 6650 Telecom Drive Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46278. (Pipeline 08-32 available via email by sending a request here.)
3. Coast Guard Modernization PEA Available
The Coast Guard issued a notice announcing the availability of the draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) for Coast Guard modernization. Through this modernization effort, the Coast Guard intends to update its command structure, support systems, and business practices. Comments are due 30 days after August 15, 2008. (Coast Guard notice, D/N USCG-2008-0751, FR Pub 08/15/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-18871.pdf.)
4. Danish Company, Subsidiaries Settle Charges for Illegal Exports/ Reexports
The Bureau of Industry and Security announced that Reson A/S (RAS) of Slangerup, Denmark, has agreed to pay a $119,250 civil penalty to settle allegations that it committed 29 violations of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). In addition, separate civil penalties were settled with RAS's subsidiaries including Reson, Incorporated of Goleta, California ($83,000), Reson Offshore Limited of Aberdeen, United Kingdom ($9,900), and a former subsidiary of RAS, Underwater Surveys of Cape Town, South Africa ($29,700) for their respective roles in the violations. Reson Incorporated also settled allegations concerning two deemed export violations, involving foreign nationals from France and the United Kingdom. (BIS press release, dated 08/14/08, available at http://www.bis.doc.gov/news/2008/bis_press08142008.htm.)
5. FMC Announces OTI Seminar for August 28th
The Federal Maritime Commission will hold a seminar on how to obtain an Ocean Transportation Intermediary (OTI) license and responsibilities of OTIs under the Shipping Act and regulations on August 28, 2008 in Honolulu, HI. (FMC notice available at http://www.fmc.gov/UserFiles/pages/File/OTI_Seminar_8-28-08.pdf.)
6. Commerce Dept Announces New Export Office in El Paso
The Commerce Department announced that it will open an Export Assistance Office in El Paso, Texas in early 2009. (Commerce press release, dated 08/12/08, available at http://www.trade.gov/press/press_releases/2008/elpaso_081208.asp.)
7. Hop Lee Trading Co. Recalls Dried Sweet Potato Due to Undeclared Sulfites
Hop Lee Trading Co. Inc. of Brooklyn, NY is recalling Flower brand Dried Sweet Potato because it contains undeclared sulfites. Flower brand Dried Sweet Potato is sold in a 12 ounce, un-coded, clear plastic package and was distributed nationwide. It is a product of China. (FDA press release, dated 08/12/08, available at http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/hoplee08_08.html.)
8. FAS' Global Agriculture Information Network Reports
FAS issued the following GAIN reports:
Barbados FAIRS Country Report: Annual
China Agricultural Situation: Weekly Hongbao
China Agricultural Situation: Weekly Hongbao
China Agricultural Situation: Weekly Hongbao
China Tomatoes and Products: Annual Report
China Agricultural Situation: Bulk Agricultural Commodity Reporting System
China Agricultural Situation: Weekly Hongbao
Colombia Trade Policy Monitoring: Annual
India Oilseeds and Products: Quarterly Lock up Report: August
Russian Federation Organic Products: Developments in the Russian Organics Market
China Fishery Products: U.S. Seafood Exports to China are Re-Exported to Third Countries
France Bio-Fuels: Bio-fuels Update
South Africa FAIRS Country Report: Annual
Thailand Grain and Feed: Weekly Rice Price Update
Tunisia Grain and Feed: Annual
9. I.E. Canada Announces Customs Duty & International Trade Course
The Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters (I.E. Canada) will hold a "Customs Duty and International Trade Course" on September 22-24, 2008 and November 24-26, 2008. (Update, dated 08/05/08, available at http://www.iecanada.com/events.html.)