Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. Industry Groups Protest Senate Bill That Would Impose 27.5% Tax on Imports from China

2. Registration Packet from Canada Revenue Agency for Softwood Lumber Products Export Charge

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has mailed out a registration packet to interested parties regarding a new export charge on softwood lumber products that it expects to impose, retroactive to October 1, 2006, as a result of the recent Softwood Lumber Agreement (SLA) between the U.S. and Canada. The packet contains a cover letter, the Softwood Lumber Products Export Charge - Registration Form (Form B253 E), a supplemental form for multiple regions or mills, to allow the assignment of a registration number to each primary processing mill (Form B253-2 E), and a form to request a business number (BN). Information regarding this registration requirement is available at (800) 935-0313.

3. Stanford University Study Shows Supply-Chain Security Pays Shippers Back

The Journal of Commerce reports that, according to a Stanford University study of major shippers and logistics providers, supply-chain security not only costs shippers - it pays them back. The article states that study participants - 11 manufacturers and three third-party logistics providers - reported on average a 48% reduction in cargo examinations and inspections, and a 49% reduction in cargo delays as a result of implementing secure processes and technologies. The article further states that the manufacturers experienced average reductions of 29% in transit times and a 28% in delivery time windows. Logistics service providers saw a 90% reduction in theft, tampering, pilferage and loss of freight, a 50% reduction in damages and a 75% reduction in inventory. (JoC dated 08/07/06, www.joc.com)

4. New U.S. - China Strategic Economic Dialogue

The Washington File reports that the U.S. and China have created an overarching, bilateral framework, the U.S.-China Strategic Economic Dialogue, to review economic issues between the two countries. The article states that the dialogue will focus on bilateral and global strategic economic issues of common interests and concerns. (Washington File Pub 09/20/26, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2006&m=September&x=20060920155010ajesrom0.6483728)

5. PHMSA Issues Minor Editorial Corrections and Clarifications to HMR

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has issued two final rules, the first of which, effective October 1, 2006, corrects editorial errors, makes minor regulatory changes and improves the clarity of certain provisions of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR). The second final rule corrects a minor error in the first. (PHMSA 1st final rule, D/N PHMSA-2006-25496 (HM-189Z), FR Pub 09/14/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-15282.pdf) (PHMSA 2nd final rule, D/N PHMSA-2006-25496 (HM-189Z), FR Pub 09/20/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-7793.pdf)

6. GAO Issues Report on U.S. Semiconductor and Software Industries in China and India

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has issued a report entitled, Offshoring: U.S. Semiconductor and Software Industries Increasingly Produce in China and India, which addresses how offshoring in semiconductor manufacturing and software services has developed over time, factors that enabled the expansion of offshoring in these industries, and trends in the U.S.-based activities of these industries as they have become more global. (GAO-06-423, dated September 2006, available at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d06423.pdf)

7. BIS Denies Certain Export Privileges and Imposes Civil Penalty to Individual for Activities Involving Export Without License

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued an Order based on a Settlement Agreement denying certain export privileges for a period of twenty years from the date of entry of the Order to Mazen Ghashim and related person MNC Group International, Inc. dba Wearform dba Sports Zone dba Soccer Zone for activities involving the export of computers to Syria without the required license under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). The Order also assesses a $1,089,000 civil penalty against Ghashim, $1,067,000 of which is to be waived under certain conditions. (FR Pub 09/21/06 available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-7877.pdf)

8. BIS Denies Certain Export Privileges and Imposes Civil Penalty to Company for Activities Involving Export Without License

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued an Order based on a Settlement Agreement denying certain export privileges for a period of twenty years from the date of entry of the Order to Gashim Group, Inc. dba KZ Results for activities involving the export of computers to Syria without the required license under the EAR. The Order also assesses a $1,089,000 civil penalty against KZ Results, $1,067,000 of which is to be waived under certain conditions. (FR Pub 09/21/06 available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-7876.pdf)

9. CBP Seeks Comments on Information Collections

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is seeking comments on the following proposed or continuing information collections: