The International Trade Administration’s proposal to strengthen representative accountability in antidumping and countervailing duty proceedings “will be an effective tool in deterring misconduct and/or fraudulent behavior by parties, their counsel and other non-attorney representatives,” said the Customs & International Trade Bar Association (CITBA) in comments on the ITA’s June 26 proposed rule. Most comments generally supported the proposal, although some requested clarifications of key terms in the proposed regulation and others were against the creation of a public registry of disbarred representatives. But not all were in favor. “We believe that these proposed regulations have not been fully thought through, do not achieve any legitimate objectives, fail to provide objective standards, and should not be adopted in their current form,” said law firm Riggle & Craven.
Mexico's Diario Oficial of Aug. 14, lists notices from the Secretary of the Economy as follows:
The Panamanian government approved the Panama Canal Authority’s (ACP) proposed toll increase. Effective Oct. 1, 2012, and Oct. 1, 2013, respectively, the ACP will increase the tolls for general cargo, dry bulk, tanker, chemical tanker, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), vehicle carrier and ro-ro, and the segment known as others. The remaining segments -- container, reefer and passenger -- will not be adjusted at this time, nor will the price per twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) for containers carried onboard a vessel, ACP said. Additionally, there will be changes to tolls applicable to small vessels based on vessel length, to incorporate adjustments not previously considered.
Japan Customs is set to begin advance electronic filing of maritime container cargo information in March 2014, it said in an update on implementation of the Advance Filing Rules. Beginning then, Carriers and Non-Vessel Operating Common Carriers (NVOCC) will be required to electronically submit to Japan Customs information on maritime container cargoes to be loaded on a vessel intended to entry into a port in Japan, in principle no later than 24 hours before departure of the vessel from a port of loading. Until implementation of the rules is “well-established,” the deadline for filing will be relaxed to no later than departure for certain short-distance shipping routes.
Kodak filed an appeal with the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit of the International Trade Commission's finding of no violation by Apple and Research in Motion in the Section 337 patent investigation of smartphones with built-in cameras. In its July opinion, the ITC had affirmed an administrative law judge's final determination in the investigation of certain mobile telephones and wireless communication devices featuring digital cameras, and components thereof (337-TA-703), finding that Apple and RIM committed no violations because Kodak's patents were obvious. Email documents@brokerpower.com for a copy of the appeal.
The International Trade Commission will review an administrative law judge’s finding that uPI Semiconductor violated a consent order in the ITC’s enforcement proceeding in certain DC-DC controllers and products containing same (337-TA-698). According to the ALJ’s June 8 enforcement initial determination, after issuance of a consent order in August 2010, uPI DC-DC controllers and downstream products containing uPI accused controllers had been imported and/or sold in the U.S. without complainant Richtek’s consent or agreement. The ALJ recommended modifying the consent order to clarify that the order applies (and has always applied) to all uPI affiliates, and imposing a civil penalty of $750,000 against uPI. The ITC will review certain infringement findings, the ALJ’s finding that uPI violated the consent order and, should the ITC consider revoking the consent order and issuing an exclusion order, the effects of that remedy upon the public interest. Written submissions are due by Aug. 23.
The International Trade Administration issued the final results of its administrative review of the antidumping duty order on saccharin from China (A-570-878) for 11 manufacturer/exporters. The ITA found, as it did in the preliminary results, that the China-wide rate of 329.94% applies to the four reviewed China manufacturer/exporters1, and determined that the six reviewed third-country manufacturer/exporters2 will have AD rates applicable to their Chinese suppliers. The ITA also rescinded the AD review with respect to Kingchem LLC, due to a timely withdrawal of the Petitioner's request for administrative review with respect to Kingchem. These rates, which are effective Aug. 15, are expected to be implemented by CBP soon.
On Aug. 13 the Food and Drug Administration posted new and revised versions of the following Import Alerts on the detention without physical examination of:
During the week of Aug. 6-12, the Food and Drug Administration modified the following existing Import Alerts (not otherwise listed on the FDA's new and revised import alerts page) on the detention without physical examination of:
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued the August Interstate Certified Shellfish Shippers List (ICSSL). The ICSSL is published monthly for the information and use by food control officers, the seafood industry and other interested persons. The shippers listed have been certified by regulatory authorities in the U.S., Canada, Chile, Korea, Mexico and New Zealand under the uniform sanitation requirements of the National Shellfish Program.