Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. EPA Waiver of Buy American Requirement for Certain Projects

2. ITA Announces Funding for Market Development Cooperator Program

The International Trade Administration has announced the availability of funding for the FY 2009 Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP). Through this program, ITA helps to underwrite the start-up costs of foreign market development ventures that industry organizations are often reluctant to undertake without Federal government support. The ITA will hold a public meeting to discuss MDCP proposal preparation, procedures, and selection process on April 22, 2009 in Washington, DC (D/N 090401622-9623-01, FR Pub 04/07/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-7823.pdf)

3. FSIS Asks for OMB Approval of ANPR on "Natural" Claim

The Food Safety and Inspection Service has submitted to the Office of Budget and Management for approval an advance notice of proposed rulemaking entitled "Product Labeling: Use of the Voluntary Claim "Natural" on the Labeling of Meat and Poultry Products." (To see that OMB received the ANPR, click here and select "Department of Agriculture" from the first dropdown box.) (RIN 0583-AD30 dated Fall 2008, available at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaViewRule?ruleID=289623)

4. APHIS Rule Will Allow Import of Certain Sweet Oranges, Grapefruit from Chile

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a final rule, effective May 7, 2009, which will amend the fruits and vegetables regulations to allow the importation, under certain conditions, of sweet oranges and grapefruit from Chile into the continental U.S. (D/N APHIS-2007-0115, FR Pub 04/07/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-7844.pdf)

5. AMS Relaxes Size Requirements for Grapefruit

The Agricultural Marketing Service has issued an interim final rule, effective April 8, 2009, relaxing the minimum size requirement for white seedless grapefruit grown in Florida and for white seedless grapefruit imported into the U.S. for the fresh market. This rule relaxes the minimum size requirement for domestic shipments, making it the same as required for export shipments. Comments received by June 8, 2009 will be considered prior to issuance of a final rule. (D/N AMS-FV-09-0002; FV09-905-1 IFR, FR Pub 04/07/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-7822.pdf)

6. Amendments to Mushroom Research, Promotion Order Proposed

The Agricultural Marketing Service has issued a proposed rule to amend provisions of the Mushroom Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Order to reapportion membership of the Mushroom Council to reflect shifts in U.S. mushroom production as well as to add language to the powers and duties section of the Order allowing the Council the power to develop and propose good agricultural and handling practices and related activities for mushrooms. Comments are due by May 7, 2009. (D/N AMS-FV-08-0047; FV-08-702, FR Pub 04/07/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-7476.pdf)

7. DDTC Posts License Processing Times for March 2009

DDTC has updated its table of license processing times to include March 2009, which also includes the number cases received, cases closed, and cases open at the end of the month. (Notice, dated 04/02/09, available at http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/metrics/index.html)

8. CARB Advisory on Composite Wood Products

The California Air Resources Board has issued a regulatory advisory entitled "Composite Wood Products ATCM Advisory: 09-01 Applicability of the Sell-through Period for Retailers Purchasing Non-complying Composite Wood Panels." This regulatory advisory is time sensitive due to the approaching expiration of manufacturer, importer, and distributor sell-through periods for composite wood panels. Retailers may sell non-complying composite wood panels until December 31, 2009 (for MDF, PB, and HWPW-VC), and until June 30, 2010 (for HWPW-CC). CARB also revised its Composite Wood ATCM website. (Notice, dated March 2009, available at http://www.arb.ca.gov/toxics/compwood/outreach/advisory_retailers.pdf)

9. Miami Bulletin on USDA AQAS Pest Identification Database

U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Port of Miami has issued an Information Bulletin regarding the implementation of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agriculture Quarantine Activity System (AQAS) Pest Identification Database (AQAS Pest ID). Effective immediately, the AQAS Pest ID will replace the USDA Local Pest ID currently used by USDA in Miami. (Bulletin 09-022, dated 04/03/09, available via email by sending a request to documents@brokerpower.com)

10. Miami Bulletin on Paperless Entries & ITAR Licensing Requirements

CBP's Port of Miami issued an Information Bulletin advising the trade of new requirements when making entry for merchandise subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations licenses and license exemptions. (Bulletin 09-023, dated 04/02/09, available via email by sending a request to documents@brokerpower.com)

11. Chicago Pipeline on Stone & Glassware Seminar

CBP's Port of Chicago issued a Pipeline announcing an outreach seminar on the tariff classification of building stone and household glassware on April 23, 2009. (Pipeline 09-06, dated 04/01/09, available via email by sending a request to documents@brokerpower.com)

12. Revised FDA Import Alerts

The Food and Drug Administration has posted revised versions of the following Import Alerts on the detention without physical examination of:

and Guidance of Foods Containing Illegal and/or Undeclared Colors

Devices That Have Not Met Device GMPs

Unapproved New Drugs Promoted in the U.S.

13. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Report

The Foreign Agricultural Service issued the following GAIN report:

Vietnam Grain and Feed: Annual

14. CBP Accredits/Approves Firms as Commercial Gauger and/or Laboratory

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued notices stating that it has accredited and approved the following companies as a commercial gauger and/or laboratory for petroleum and petroleum products, organic chemicals and vegetable oils, and to test petroleum and petroleum products for customs purposes, in accordance with 19 CFR 151.12 and 151.13, on the effective dates listed (see individual notice for dates of next triennial inspections):

(CBP notices, FR Pub 04/06/09, hyperlinked to date)