The Food Safety and Inspection Service reports that the United States Codex Office conducted its first colloquium with Coordinating Committee on Asia member countries in Bangkok, Thailand, January 31-February 2. The colloquium provided an opportunity for an exchange of views between the U.S. Delegates and 30 Delegates from the region in preparation for the upcoming meetings of the committees on Contaminants in Foods (CCCF), General Principles (CCGP), and Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods (CCRVDF). The colloquium was attended by delegates from the following countries: Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Mongolia, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and Thailand.
Brian Feito
Brian Feito, Managing Editor, International Trade Today, Export Compliance Daily and Trade Law Daily. A licensed customs broker who spent time at the Department of Commerce calculating antidumping and countervailing duties, Brian covers a wide range of subjects including customs and trade-facing product regulation, the courts, antidumping and countervailing duties and Mexico and the European Union. Brian is a graduate of the University of Florida and George Mason University. He joined the staff of Warren Communications News in 2012.
The International Trade Commission has voted to institute an investigation of certain video displays and products using and containing same (337-TA-828).
The International Trade Administration has made a preliminary affirmative antidumping determination that large power transformers from Korea are being, or are likely to be, sold in the U.S. at less than fair value (A-580-867). The ITA found preliminary AD rates of 21.79% to 38.07%, which are officially effective as of February 16, 2012. U.S. Customs is expected to implement these AD cash deposit/bond requirements soon.
The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has affirmed the International Trade Commission’s assessment of civil penalties against Ninestar1 for failure to comply with cease and desist orders and a consent order2 issued in the original investigation of certain ink cartridges and components thereof (337-TA-565).
On February 15, 2012, the Federal Maritime Commission announced that five compromise agreements have been reached for a total of $490,000 in civil penalties for alleged violations of the Shipping Act. The agreements were reached with eight non-vessel-operating common carriers (NVOCCs) and related companies providing ocean transportation services.
The Federal Maritime Commission will hold a meeting on February 22, 2012, to receive staff recommendations and a draft proposed rule regarding the Rules of Practice and Procedure under 46 CFR Part 502, hear a staff briefing on economic and trade conditions, and discuss the Ocean Transportation Intermediary (OTI) Licensing Requirement.
The Bureau of Industry and Security announced that its Transportation and Related Equipment Technical Advisory Committee will be holding a partially open meeting on March 1, 2012, in Washington, DC. The Committee advises the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Export Administration with respect to technical questions that affect the level of export controls applicable to transportation and related equipment or technology. During the open session, the committee will hear status reports by working group chairs. The open session will be accessible via teleconference to 20 participants on a first come, first serve basis. Requests to join the conference are due by February 23, 2012.
The Bureau of Industry and Security announced that its President’s Export Council Subcommittee on Export Administration (PECSEA) will be holding an open meeting on March 1-2, 2012, in Los Angeles, CA. PECSEA advises the Department of Commerce on matters pertinent to portions of the Export Administration Act, as amended, including the Obama administration’s export control reform initiative, policies encouraging trade, and policies controlling trade for national security and foreign policy reasons. The subcommittee will hear comments and papers by the public, review a field hearing, discuss the status of the 2012 workplan, hold subcommittee breakout sessions, and tour the Port of Los Angeles. A limited number of seats will be available for the public sessions on both days.
The Census Bureau has issued AES Broadcast #2012013 as part of a new series of monthly educational broadcast messages on the Automated Export System. This month Census is highlighting AES error codes 503 (License Code Missing) and 624 (Schedule B/ HTS Number Outdated -- Cannot Be Used). The broadcast covers the reasons for these error messages and how to resolve them. Email documents@brokerpower.com for a copy of the February 14, 2012 broadcast.
The International Trade Commission is considering the issuance of a limited exclusion order and/or cease and desist order directed against American Automotive Parts, Inc. (AAP), in light of a January 14, 2012, finding that AAP is in default1 in the ITC’s section 337 proceedings for certain starter motors and alternators (337-TA-755).