Given delays caused by sequestration funding cuts, CBP will reiterate to the ports its commitment to giving priority to C-TPAT shipments designated for examination, it said in an update to its FAQ on sequestration. The agency is currently working with its NAFTA partners to manage the flow of traffic at land border crossings, with the aim of continuing to offer front-of-the-line priority for its trusted partners in the face of the backlog created by reduced staffing, it said. But despite sequestration, CBP said implementation of the CEEs is currently on schedule. The agency also still hopes to complete ACE within its originally scheduled timeframe.
Mexico's Diario Oficial of April 3, lists notices from the Secretary of the Economy as follows:
The International Trade Administration issued the preliminary results of its countervailing duty administrative review on drill pipe from China (C-570-966) for Shanxi Yida Special Steel and its affiliates. These CV rates are not in effect. The ITA may modify them in the final results of this review and change the estimated CV cash deposit rates for these company.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a proposed safety standard for soft infant and toddler carriers. According to CPSC, the standard would be based on the voluntary standard developed by ASTM International, ASTM F2236-13, “Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Soft Infant and Toddler Carriers.” The proposed rule passed by a 2-1 vote March 27, with Commissioner Nancy Nord dissenting. Comments on the proposed rule are due by June 19.
The Environmental Protection Agency established pesticide tolerances for residues of flumioxazin in globe artichoke, cabbage, Chinese napa cabbage, olives, pomegranate, and prickly pear pads and fruit. The tolerances are effective April 5. Objections and requests for hearings are due by June 4.
On April 3 the Food and Drug Administration posted new and revised versions of the following Import Alerts on the detention without physical examination of:
The Food and Drug Administration issued its weekly Enforcement Report for April 3 that lists the status of recalls and field corrections for food, drugs, biologics, and devices. The report covers both domestic and foreign firms.
The Food and Drug Administration is proposing to require premarket approval for three devices: sorbent hemoperfusion devices for treatment of hepatic coma and metabolic disturbances; cranial electrotherapy stimulators for treatment of depression, anxiety, and insomnia; and transilluminators for breast evaluation. Should FDA finalize its proposed order, a pre-market approval (PMA) application or notice of development of product development protocol (PDP) will be required before commercial distribution of these class III devices. Comments on the proposed order are due by May 6. The PMA requirements would be effective 90 days from issuance of the final order.
The Foreign Trade Zones Board issued the following notices for April 4:
A listing of recent antidumping and countervailing duty messages from the International Trade Administration posted to CBP's website April 3, along with the case number(s) and CBP message number, is provided below. The messages are available by searching for the listed CBP message number at addcvd.cbp.gov. (CBP occasionally adds backdated messages without otherwise indicating which message was added. ITT will include a message date in parentheses in such cases.)