CBP is allowing an additional 30 days, until April 15, for comments on an existing information collection for free entry of unaccompanied articles. CBP proposes to extend the expiration date of this information collection without a change to the burden hours or to the information collected. The agency issued its original request for comments Dec. 26 (see 12122617).
CBP is asking for comments by April 15 on an existing information collection on applications to establish a centralized examination station (CES). CBP proposes to extend the expiration date of this information collection without a change to the burden hours or to the information collected.
The Census Bureau released its final rule revising the Foreign Trade Regulations at 15 CFR 30 March 13, changing the postdeparture filing program and requiring mandatory filing of export information through the Automated Export System, or AESDirect, for shipments of self-propelled vehicles and temporary exports (see 13031307). The final rule also adds some new data elements and outlines exemptions to Electronic Export Information (EEI) filing.
Mexico's Diario Oficial of March 13, lists notices from the Secretary of the Economy as follows:
Mexico is eliminating its requirement of a phytosanitary import certificate for lumber exports to the country, according to the Foreign Agricultural Service. According to FAS, notice published in the Mexican Diario Oficial March 4 by the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources amended Mexican regulation NOM-016-SEMARNAT-2013 to remove the import certificate requirement, effective July 2. A phtosanitary export certificate will still be required. The move removed “onerous shipping requirements … while still enabling Mexico to better protect itself against invasive forest pests,” FAS said.
The International Trade Commission is seeking comments by April 12 for its fourth annual report on the effectiveness of the "Two for One" Earned Import Allowance Program (EIAP) for certain apparel from the Dominican Republic. The ITC is required to conduct this annual review of the EIAP to evaluate the effectiveness of the program and make recommendations for improvements.The EIAP provides an uncapped benefit for duty-free imports of bottoms (woven cotton pants and trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts, and skirts and divided skirts) assembled in the Dominican Republic from foreign fabric, provided such imports are accompanied by a certificate documenting the purchase of certain U.S.-produced woven cotton fabric at a ratio of two for one.
The International Trade Commission voted to begin a Section 337 investigation to determine if imported smartphones from HTC, LG Electronics, Motorola, Nokia, and Pantech infringe patents on semiconductor manufacturing held by Tela Innovations. Specific devices mentioned in the Feb. 8 complaint included the HTC One X, LG Spectrum 2, Motorola Atrix HD, Nokia Lumia 920, and the Pantech Flex (see [Ref:13021126). In its investigation, titled “certain integrated circuit devices and products containing the same,” the ITC will determine whether to issue limited exclusion and cease and desist orders against the following respondents:
The International Trade Administration issued the final results of the antidumping duty administrative review of corrosion-resistant carbon steel flat products from South Korea (A-580-816), making changes to its preliminary calculations that resulted in above-de minimis AD rates for six companies. HYSCO retained its zero rate from the preliminary results, and its entries will not be subject to assessment of AD duties or AD cash deposits The new rate is effective March 14, and will be implemented by CBP soon.
The International Trade Administration made a preliminary affirmative determination that countervailable subsidies are being provided to producers and exporters of hardwood and decorative plywood from China (C-570-987). The ITA found preliminary CV rates of de minimis to 27.16 percent. Effective March 14, CBP will suspend liquidation of entries of subject merchandise and collect CV duty cash deposits, with the exception of entries of merchandise produced and exported by three companies -- Dongfang, San Fortune, and Shanghai Senda -- that received preliminary de minimis rates.
Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the following voluntary recalls March 12 (country of manufacture in parentheses):