Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. President Signs Economic Stimulus Bill into Law

2. USTR Amends HTS to Correct Chapter 98 Subchapter Note on ATPDEA for Peru and Bolivia

The U.S. Trade Representative has issued a notice, which makes rectifications to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule to reflect that Peru remains a designated beneficiary country for purposes of the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act and that the President has suspended Bolivia's designation as a beneficiary country for the purposes of the ATPDEA. (See ITT's Online Archives or 02/05/09 and 02/06/09 news, 09020510 and 09020615, for previous BP summaries on Peru's eligibility for ATPA/ATDEA.)(USTR notice, FR Pub 02/17/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-3395.pdf)

3. DEA Issues Proposed Rule to Place Tapentadol in Schedule II

The Drug Enforcement Administration has issued a proposed rule to place the substance tapentadol, including its isomers, esters, ethers, salts and salts of isomers, esters, and ethers whenever the existence of such isomers, esters, ethers, and salts is possible, into schedule II of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Written comments are due in 30 days of February 17, 2009. (DEA proposed rule, FR Pub 02/17/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-3318.pdf)

4. APL Ltd. to Pay U.S. $26.3 Million to Resolve Fraud Allegations for Inflated Shipping Costs to Military in Iraq, Afghanistan

The Justice Department states that APL Ltd. has agreed to pay the government $26.3 million to resolve allegations that it submitted false claims to the U.S. in connection with contracts to transport cargo in shipping containers to support U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. The government alleges that APL, a wholly-owned American subsidiary of Singapore-based Neptune Orient Lines Limited, knowingly overcharged and double-billed the Department of Defense to transport thousands of containers from ports to inland delivery destinations in Iraq and Afghanistan. (Justice Department news release, dated 02/13/09, available at http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2009/February/09-civ-120.html)

5. CRS Report on U.S.-Vietnam Relations in 2009

The Congressional Research Service has posted a report that provides an overview of U.S. relations with Vietnam, including policy issues, the economic and political situation in Vietnam, and a list of pertinent legislation. (Report, dated 02/05/09, available at http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/R40208_20090205.pdf)

6. USDA Posts Latest U.S. Agricultural Trade Statistics

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has summarized the latest U.S. agricultural trade statistics, using the most recent data released by the Commerce Department. USDA has also posted agricultural trade multipliers. (USDA summary, dated 02/11/09, available at http://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/FATUS/MonthlySummary.htm)

7. NY and NJ Port Authority File Application to Expand FTZ

The Foreign Trade Zone Board is announcing that an application has been submitted by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, grantee of FTZ 49, requesting authority to expand its zone to include an additional site located in Edison, New Jersey, within the Newark/New York Customs and Border Protection port of entry. (FTZB notice, FR Pub 02/17/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-3173.pdf)

8. OFAC Publishes Name of Individual No Longer on SDN List/Blocked

OFAC is publishing the name of an individual who is unblocked and removed from its list of "Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons" pursuant to Executive Order 12978, Blocking Assets and Prohibiting Transactions With Significant Narcotics Traffickers. (OFAC notice, FR Pub 02/17/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-3319.pdf)

9. OFAC Publishes Names of 26 Entities and 14 Individuals Blocked Under Kingpin Act

The Office of Foreign Assets Control is publishing the names of 26 entities and 14 individuals whose property and interests in property have been blocked pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (21 USC 1901-1908, 8 USC 1182). (OFAC notice, FR Pub 02/17/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-3318.pdf)

10. FMC Lists OTI Reissuance and Revocations

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued two notices that either reissue or revoke an ocean transportation intermediary (OTI) license, as follows:

(Notices, FR Pub 01/15/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-780.pdf and http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-774.pdf)