Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. President Signs Highway Trust Fund Transfer Bill into Law

2. House Committee Reports FY 2009 DHS Appropriations Bill

On September 18, 2008, the House Appropriations Committee reported H.R. 6947, a bill to make fiscal year (FY) 2009 appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (H. Rept. 110-862). (Congressional Record, dated 09/18/08, available at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/B?r110:@FIELD(FLD003d)@FIELD(DDATE20080918)

3. CBSA Cancels its Customs Notice on the Meaning of Other Like Goods, Etc.

The Canada Border Services Agency announced that it has cancelled its customs notice CN532, "Clarification on the Meaning of Other Like Goods, the Eligibility and Filing Time Frames for Providing a Submission Under Paragraph 61(1)(c) of the Customs Act." (Cancellation notice, dated 09/16/08, available at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/new-neuf/menu-eng.html)

4. Canada Order Amending Certain Textile & Apparel Remission Orders

According to the Canada Gazette, under six longstanding duty remission Orders (named below) certain textile and apparel manufacturers are allowed to be remitted the customs duties paid or payable on the importation of certain products in order to complement their domestically produced lines. Remission benefits under these six remission Orders are to be gradually phased out by December 31, 2009. The six are the Tailored Collar Shirts Remission Order, 1997; the Outerwear Greige Fabrics Remission Order, 1998; the Shirting Fabrics Remission Order, 1998; the Outerwear Apparel Remission Order, 1998; the Blouses, Shirts and Co-ordinates Remission Order, 1998 and the Outerwear Fabrics Remission Order, 1998. (Canada Gazette, dated 09/17/08, available at http://canadagazette.gc.ca/partII/2008/20080917/html/sor256-e.html)

5. Canada Revises its Import Control List to Include Certain Milk Protein Substances

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada has issued a notice advising Canadian importers that effective September 8, 2008, the Import Control List (ICL) has been amended to include milk protein substances with a milk protein content of 85% or more by weight, calculated on a dry matter basis, that does not originate in a NAFTA country, Chile, Costa Rica, or Israel classified under tariff items 3504.00.11 and 3504.00.12 of the Schedule to the Customs Tariff. (Notice, dated 09/16/08, available at http://www.international.gc.ca/eicb/agric/brokers0916-en.asp)

6. CBSA Revised Memoranda

The Canada Border Services Agency posted revised versions of the following:

Memorandum D3-1-1: Policy Respecting the Importation and Transportation of Goods

Memorandum D11-6-3: Administrative Policy Respecting Re-determinations or Further Re-determinations Made Pursuant to Paragraph 61(1)(c) of the Customs Act

Memorandum D1-6-1: Authority to Act as Agent

7. Treasury Dept Implements Certain Aspects of Terrorism Reauthorization Act

The Treasury Department has issued an interim final rule, effective September 16, 2008, as part of its implementation of amendments made by the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 (Reauthorization Act) to Title I of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002. The Reauthorization Act extends the Program through December 31, 2014, revises the definition of an "act of terrorism," and makes other changes. This interim final rule contains regulations that Treasury is issuing to implement certain aspects of the Reauthorization Act. In particular, the rule addresses mandatory availability and disclosure requirements. Written comments must be submitted on or before October 16, 2008. (FR Pub 09/16/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-21578.pdf)

8. Supplemental Notice on Manufacturing Council Meeting

The International Trade Administration has issued a supplemental notice stating that the Manufacturing Council will hold a meeting to deliberate for approval a draft letter of recommendation on Sustainable Manufacturing metrics on September 23, 2008 in Rochester, NY. (FR Pub 09/16/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-21572.pdf)

9. FDA to Hold Meeting on Preparing for ICH Meetings in Brussels

The Food and Drug Administration has issued a notice announcing that it will hold a public meeting on October 21, 2008 in Rockville, MD on the preparation for the International Conference on Harmonization meetings that are scheduled to be held in Brussels on November 10-13, 2008. (D/N FDA-2008-N-0484, FR Pub 09/16/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-21573.pdf)

10. FMCSA Announces Public Listening Session on CSA 2010

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued a notice announcing a public listening session to obtain feedback from interested parties on its Comprehensive Safety Analysis 2010 (CSA 2010) initiative, a comprehensive review, analysis, and restructuring of FMCSA's current safety fitness determination process and enforcement programs. The session will be held on October 16, 2008 in Arlington, VA. Comments are due by January 31, 2009. (D/N FMCSA-2004-18898, FR Pub 09/16/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-21561.pdf)

11. FMCSA Will Consider Preventability When Motor Carriers Contest Denial of Safety Permits

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued a notice stating that it will consider preventability when a motor carrier contests the denial of a hazardous materials safety permit based upon a crash rate in the top 30% of the national average and presents compelling evidence that one or more of the crashes listed in the Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS) was not preventable and thus not reflective of the motor carrier's suitability to transport the type and quantity of hazardous materials that require a safety permit. (FMCSA may not issue a safety permit to a motor carrier that has a crash rate, driver, vehicle or hazardous material out-of-service rate in the top 30% of the national average.) (FR Pub 09/16/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-21563.pdf)

12. ICE Returns More than 1,000 Artifacts to Iraq

Immigration and Customs Enforcement has issued a press release announcing that it has completed the repatriation of 1,046 cultural antiquities to the Government of Iraq that were seized in four separate investigations dating back to 2001. (Press release, dated 09/15/08, available at http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/0809/080915washington.htm)

13. Manufacturing & Technology Trade Mission to Australia

Export.gov has issued a notice announcing that there will be a Manufacturing and Technology Trade Mission to Sydney and Melbourne, Australia on November 17-21, 2008. It will be open to U.S. suppliers of innovative products and technologies for building, construction, energy (production, extraction, and renewable), and transportation. (Notice available at http://www.export.gov/australiamission/doc_eg_australianmission.asp)

14. ERS Updates its U.S. Agricultural Trade Data

The Economic Research Service has updated its "Latest U.S. Agricultural Trade Data" to include July 2008. (Data, updated 09/11/08, available at http://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/FATUS/MonthlySummary.htm)

15. New Cuba Travel Web Site and Updated Request for Release of Blocked Wire Transfers Form

The Office of Foreign Assets Control has issued a notice announcing that it recently added two new features to its Web site to facilitate the public's submission of requests for Cuba travel licenses and Requests for the Release of Blocked Wire Transfers. These new features incorporate voluntary use forms with two dimensional barcode technology. The Commerce Department also posted Secretary Gutierrez's statement on Cuba, in which he discusses licenses for transfer of funds to Cuba. (OFAC notice, dated 09/12/08, available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/actions/20080912a.shtml; Gutierrez's statement, dated 09/11/08, http://www.commerce.gov/NewsRoom/PressReleases_FactSheets/PROD01_007213)

16. FMCSA Posts Disaster Relief Info for Drivers and Motor Carriers

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has posted to its Web site information to assist motor carriers and drivers in understanding how disasters may affect their transportation operations. (Information available at http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/emergency/disaster-relief.htm)

17. CBP Continues, Adds New Import Restrictions on Certain Cambodian Archaeological Material

CBP issued a final rule, effective September 19, 2008, amending its regulations to reflect both continuing and new import restrictions on certain archaeological material from Cambodia. (CBP final rule, D/N USCBP-2008-0076, FR Pub 09/19/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-22034.pdf)

18. APHIS Requests Info on Genetically Engineered Animals

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is seeking public comment and scientific and technical empirical data and information concerning ongoing and future research on genetically engineered animals, etc. APHIS' interest is to ensure that genetically engineered animals imported into the U.S. or moved interstate do not present risks to U.S. livestock health. Comments must be received on or before November 18, 2008. (APHIS notice, FR Pub 09/19/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-21977.pdf and APHIS fact sheet, dated September 2008, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/biotechnology/content/printable_version/faq_ge_animal_08.pdf)

19. State Dept Amends ITAR to Clarify Certain Drugs Not Chemical Agents

The State Department issued a final rule, effective September 19, 2008, amending the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) to clarify that certain anti-tumor drugs are not within the definition of "chemical agents." (State Department final rule, D/N FDA-2008-N-0423, FR Pub 09/19/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-21832.pdf)

20. FSIS, FDA Meeting on Codex Antimicrobial Resistance Task Force

The Food Safety and Inspection Service and the Food and Drug Administration are sponsoring a public meeting on September 25, 2008 in Rockville, MD, to discuss the agenda items coming before the 2nd session of the Codex ad hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and to present draft U.S. positions on the agenda items. (FSIS notice, D/N FSIS-2008-0032, FR Pub 09/19/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-22080.pdf)

21. OFAC Designates 3 Individuals Under Kingpin Act

The Office of Foreign Assets Control is publishing the names of 3 additional individuals whose property and interests in property have been blocked pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act. (OFAC notice, FR Pub 09/19/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-21961.pdf)

22. DEA Proposes Initial 2009 Assessment of Needs for Ephedrine, Etc.

The Drug Enforcement Administration issued a notice proposing the initial year 2009 assessment of annual needs for certain List I chemicals (ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine) in accordance with the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005 (CMEA). Comments due on or before October 20, 2008. (DEA notice, D/N DEA-314P, FR Pub 09/19/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-21960.pdf)

23. Various Agencies Seek Comments on Information Collections

Various U.S. government agencies are seeking comments on the following information collections for which they have requested or intend to request Office of Management and Budget approval or extension of approval (see notices for specific details):

APHIS 1 Information Collection (FR Pub 09/02/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-20288.pdf

CPSC Information Collection (FR Pub 09/02/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-20284.pdf

APHIS 2 Information Collection (FR Pub 09/05/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-20608.pdf

ITA Information Collection (FR Pub 09/11/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-21030.pdf

BIS Information Collection (FR Pub 09/11/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-21033.pdf

APHIS 3 Information Collection (FR Pub 09/02/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-20286.pdf