The Commerce Department announced that U.S. exports increased by 2.4 percent in May 2010 to $152.3 billion from their April 2010 level. Imports in May increased 2.9 percent over April to $194.5 billion. Commerce Secretary Locke noted that exports continue to boost the number of U.S. goods and services sold overseas -- up almost 18 percent over the first five months of the year.

The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements has determined that, effective July 14, 2010, certain textile and apparel goods from Burkina Faso shall be treated as “folklore articles” and “ethnic printed fabrics” and qualify for preferential treatment under the African Growth and Opportunity Act, and imports of eligible products with an appropriate visa will qualify for duty-free treatment.

The Alcohol and Tobacco Trade and Tax Bureau on June 23, 2010 issued guidance stating that Kombucha products containing at least 0.5 percent alcohol by volume are alcohol beverages. Kombucha is a fermented tea that is typically marketed as a non-alcoholic beverage, which means that it may contain a trace amount of alcohol, as long as the overall alcohol content is less than 0.5 percent alcohol by volume.

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a notice that lists those applying for ocean transportation intermediary licenses as a non-vessel-operating common carrier (NVOCC), ocean freight forwarder (FF) or NVOCC/FF OTI, as follows:

The International Trade Commission has determined to delegate authority to the Secretary to the Commission to publish notice of the receipt of future complaints under section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (patent-based complaints) and to solicit comments relating to the public interest.

The Foreign Agriculture Service has issued July 9, 2010 Market and Trade Data reports on:

The International Trade Administration's U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service is organizing an Aerospace Supplier Development Mission to China from November 7-17, 2010, which will include representatives from a variety of U.S. aerospace industry manufacturers and service providers, and will introduce these suppliers to end-users and prospective partners.

Various U.S. government agencies are seeking comments on the following information collections for which they have requested or intend to request Office of Management and Budget approval or extension of approval (see notices for specific details):

On July 9, 2010, the Foreign Agricultural Service issued four Market and Trade data table reports for cotton, grain, oilseeds, and world agricultural production as a whole.

The Bureau of Industry and Security announces that the Sensors and Instrumentation Technical Advisory Committee will hold a partially open meeting on July 27, 2010. The agenda for the public session includes remarks from BIS Management and industry presentations.