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NFMS Asks for Comments on Toothfish Import Regs
September 5, 2014 by Brian Feito|Commerce Dept.

The National Marine Fisheries Service is asking for comments on its rules on importation of toothfish, as part of a broader review of its regulations. Under a final rule issued in 2007, toothfish, which are sometimes also called Chilean Sea Bass, must be caught by a boat with a vessel monitoring system as a condition of importation. The rule also exempts shipments of fresh toothfish from the NMFS preapproval process, allows importers of frozen toothfish to submit their CBP entry numbers subsequent to their application for preapproval, and requires electronic catch documents from all toothfish importers. Comments are due Oct. 8.

BIS Makes Technical Corrections to Aug. 7 Nuclear Suppliers Group Rule
September 4, 2014 by Brian Dabbs|Commerce Dept.

The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security made technical corrections to recent Export Administration Regulations changes involving licensing requirements for nuclear products. The BIS Aug. 7 final rule eliminated license requirements for certain items controlled for nonproliferation reasons in order to comply with the outcomes of a number of Nuclear Suppliers Group plenary summits since 2005 (see 14080620). Among the technical corrections issued in this Sept. 5 final rule, BIS is incorporating controls that apply to certain radiation-hardened TV cameras and lenses into the EAR. Those controls were unintentionally omitted in the Aug. 7 rule. The Sept. 5 final rule is effective immediately.

BIS Asks for Comments on Economic Impact of Foreign Policy Export Controls
September 3, 2014 by Brian Dabbs|Commerce Dept.

The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security is asking for stakeholder comments on the impact, primarily economic, of the foreign policy-based export controls currently in effect. The controls are included in the Export Administration Regulations. The Export Administration Act requires the president to submit a report to Congress on the impacts of the controls (here). Stakeholders must submit comments by Oct. 6 via www.regulations.gov, notice number BIS--2014-0024. BIS is asking for input on the following specific areas:

BIS Asks for Comments on Licensing Regime for US Ag Exports to Cuba
September 3, 2014 by Brian Dabbs|Commerce Dept.

The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security is asking for public comments on the Export Administration Regulations licensing procedures for U.S. agricultural exports to Cuba. BIS says it intends to incorporate the commentary into its biennial report on the licensing system, which will analyze fiscal years 2013-14. The Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 allows U.S. export of agricultural commodities, medicine and medical devices to Cuba and other state sponsors of international terrorism, as defined by the law, but only permit one-year licenses (here). BIS is asking for comments on the effectiveness of the licensing procedures. Stakeholders must submit comments by Oct. 6 via www.regulations.gov, docket number BIS--2014-0034.

Commerce Publishes State Level Export Stats, Pritzker Touts Continued Growth
September 3, 2014 by Brian Dabbs|Commerce Dept.

The Commerce Department on Sept. 2 released reports on export statistics broken down at the state level and on export figures registered in the top nearly 400 U.S. metropolitan areas across the country. In 2013, U.S. goods exports created 7.1 million jobs out of the total 11.3 million jobs generated through all exports, Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker said on a Sept. 2 conference call. Texas, California, Washington, Illinois and New York created roughly 43 percent of all export-related job growth in 2013, the state statistics briefing said (here). Houston, the largest metropolitan creator of export jobs in 2013, led 208 metropolitan areas that generated export job growth, the metropolitan statistic report said (here). Reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank remains a critical priority in continuing to boost exports, said Pritzker on the conference call, along with U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman and Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman. The reauthorization effort faces an uphill climb this month, as its charter is set to expire on Sept. 30 (see 14082601).

Vermont FTZ Applies for Expansion into Neighboring County
September 2, 2014 by Brian Feito|Commerce Dept.

The Northeastern Vermont Development Association has applied to expand the area served by Foreign-Trade Zone 286, said a notice from the FTZ Board. The zone currently has a service area that includes Caledonia, Essex and Orleans Counties, Vermont. Under the proposed expansion, it would also cover Lamoille County, Vermont. If approved, the zone’s grantee would be able to serve sites throughout the expanded service area based on companies’ needs for FTZ designation, said the FTZB. Comments are due by Nov. 3.