(DC Velocity – Toby Gooley)
When it comes to cargo security, air and ocean transportation probably are where you’ve focused your efforts. But if you have any involvement with the storage, transportation, and distribution of chemicals, warns the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), then you need to add those activities to your list of security concerns – right now.
CFATS, the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (6 CFR Part 27) establishes risk-based performance standards for chemical facility security. The final rule was published in late 2007, and DHS plans to ramp up enforcement in 2010. Read more here.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Surface Transportation Trade with U.S. Fell 19% in October to US$36.3B
(The Canadian Press)
Cross-border trade continued to improve last October even though goods carried mostly by trucks, rail and pipelines was down 19% to US$36.3 billion from the same month in 2008, the U.S. Department of Transportation said Wednesday. Surface transportation trade with the United States was 4.3% higher than in September 2009. Monthly changes can be affected by seasonal variations, the agency said in its report.
More than US$19 billion of goods were exported from Canada in October, compared to US$18.1 billion in September and US$25 billion in October 2008. Imports from the United States totalled US$17.2 billion, up from US$16.6 billion in September but down from US$19.7 billion in October 2008.
Trucks accounted for about 65% of all cross-border trade. Railways carried 16% and pipelines 12%. The remaining shipments were made by mail and other transportation. Railway exports from Canada enjoyed the largest monthly increase, growing by 9.7%, while imports fell 5.4%. Read more here.
Cross-border trade continued to improve last October even though goods carried mostly by trucks, rail and pipelines was down 19% to US$36.3 billion from the same month in 2008, the U.S. Department of Transportation said Wednesday. Surface transportation trade with the United States was 4.3% higher than in September 2009. Monthly changes can be affected by seasonal variations, the agency said in its report.
More than US$19 billion of goods were exported from Canada in October, compared to US$18.1 billion in September and US$25 billion in October 2008. Imports from the United States totalled US$17.2 billion, up from US$16.6 billion in September but down from US$19.7 billion in October 2008.
Trucks accounted for about 65% of all cross-border trade. Railways carried 16% and pipelines 12%. The remaining shipments were made by mail and other transportation. Railway exports from Canada enjoyed the largest monthly increase, growing by 9.7%, while imports fell 5.4%. Read more here.
US Steel Adds to its Complaint Against Chinese Steel Imports
(Malia Spencer — Pittsburgh Business Times)
In another federal petition, U.S. Steel Corp. (NYSE:X) said Thursday that it wants duties placed retroactively on seamless standard, line and pressure pipe that is imported from China if a federal trade commission finds that the Asian nation is dumping the product into the American market.
The Downtown Pittsburgh-based steelmaker — along with TMK IPSCO, a Downers Grove, Ill., manufacturer; V&M Star LP, a Houston manufacturer; and two labor groups — filed a complaint in September with the U.S. International Trade Commission over Chinese-made steel pipes imported during 2008. The pipe, which is not welded, and up to 16 inches in outside diameter, is used to move liquids and gases and can be found in plumbing and heating systems or industrial piping systems. […]
During this investigation US Steel has opted to ask that if any duties are implemented, they be retroactive 90 days from the date of the determination, the company said. Normally, duties would be assessed from date of the determination forward.
The Department of Commerce is expected to make a preliminary determination around Feb. 16. Read more here.
In another federal petition, U.S. Steel Corp. (NYSE:X) said Thursday that it wants duties placed retroactively on seamless standard, line and pressure pipe that is imported from China if a federal trade commission finds that the Asian nation is dumping the product into the American market.
The Downtown Pittsburgh-based steelmaker — along with TMK IPSCO, a Downers Grove, Ill., manufacturer; V&M Star LP, a Houston manufacturer; and two labor groups — filed a complaint in September with the U.S. International Trade Commission over Chinese-made steel pipes imported during 2008. The pipe, which is not welded, and up to 16 inches in outside diameter, is used to move liquids and gases and can be found in plumbing and heating systems or industrial piping systems. […]
During this investigation US Steel has opted to ask that if any duties are implemented, they be retroactive 90 days from the date of the determination, the company said. Normally, duties would be assessed from date of the determination forward.
The Department of Commerce is expected to make a preliminary determination around Feb. 16. Read more here.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
New ACE Release Offers Expanded Functionality for AD/CV Entries
(CBP)
Custom and Border Protection’s (CBP’s) plans to conduct a National Customs Automation Program (NCAP) test concerning new Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Entry Summary, Accounts and Revenue (ESAR III) capabilities. These new capabilities include functionalities specific to the filing and processing of anti-dumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) entries and case management.
A notice in the Federal Register announces the test’s commencement, describes the eligibility, procedural and documentation requirements for voluntary participation in the test, outlines CBP’s development and evaluation methodology, and invites public comment concerning any aspect of the test.
Custom and Border Protection’s (CBP’s) plans to conduct a National Customs Automation Program (NCAP) test concerning new Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Entry Summary, Accounts and Revenue (ESAR III) capabilities. These new capabilities include functionalities specific to the filing and processing of anti-dumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) entries and case management.
A notice in the Federal Register announces the test’s commencement, describes the eligibility, procedural and documentation requirements for voluntary participation in the test, outlines CBP’s development and evaluation methodology, and invites public comment concerning any aspect of the test.
Monday, January 4, 2010
European Business Groups Warn EU over Protectionism
(The Telegraph – Angela Monaghan)
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has joined forces with some of its European counterparts to warn against protectionist measures in the wake of the global recession. In a letter to the European Union Council, the eight signatories opposed a proposal to make it compulsory to place labels on goods imported to the EU marking their origin. The representatives from the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland and Sweden, as well as Britain, argued that the proposal was discriminatory.
“The proposed regulation discriminates against products manufactured outside the EU. It is difficult for EU leaders to criticise the Buy American initiative if they are going to support this proposal,” they said. “Adding a new requirement on top of existing ones would only result in raising the financial and administrative burden for importers.”
The proposal is being discussed by the European Commission and the business groups have intervened in the hope that they can influence the decision. Read more here
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has joined forces with some of its European counterparts to warn against protectionist measures in the wake of the global recession. In a letter to the European Union Council, the eight signatories opposed a proposal to make it compulsory to place labels on goods imported to the EU marking their origin. The representatives from the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland and Sweden, as well as Britain, argued that the proposal was discriminatory.
“The proposed regulation discriminates against products manufactured outside the EU. It is difficult for EU leaders to criticise the Buy American initiative if they are going to support this proposal,” they said. “Adding a new requirement on top of existing ones would only result in raising the financial and administrative burden for importers.”
The proposal is being discussed by the European Commission and the business groups have intervened in the hope that they can influence the decision. Read more here
ASEAN-China Open World’s Largest Free Trade Area
(Agence France-Presse)
Covering a market of 1.7 billion consumers, China and Southeast Asia established the world’s biggest free trade area (FTA) on December 30, liberalizing billions of dollars in goods and investments. Eight years in the making, the ASEAN-China FTA will rival the EU and the North American Free Trade Area in terms of value and surpass those markets in terms of population. Officials hope it will expand Asia’s trade reach while boosting intra-regional trade that has already been expanding at 20% a year.
“In 2010 we are sending a strong signal that ASEAN is open,” explained H.E Sundram Pushpanathan, of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). China has just overtaken the U.S. to become ASEAN’s third largest trading partner, and will leap Japan and the EU to become “number one” within the first few years of the FTA, said Pushpanathan, Deputy Secretary-General for the ASEAN Economic Community.
Under the agreement, China and the six founding ASEAN countries – Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand – are to eliminate barriers to investment and tariffs on 90% of products. Later ASEAN members, including Vietnam and Cambodia, have until 2015 to follow suit. Read more here.
Covering a market of 1.7 billion consumers, China and Southeast Asia established the world’s biggest free trade area (FTA) on December 30, liberalizing billions of dollars in goods and investments. Eight years in the making, the ASEAN-China FTA will rival the EU and the North American Free Trade Area in terms of value and surpass those markets in terms of population. Officials hope it will expand Asia’s trade reach while boosting intra-regional trade that has already been expanding at 20% a year.
“In 2010 we are sending a strong signal that ASEAN is open,” explained H.E Sundram Pushpanathan, of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). China has just overtaken the U.S. to become ASEAN’s third largest trading partner, and will leap Japan and the EU to become “number one” within the first few years of the FTA, said Pushpanathan, Deputy Secretary-General for the ASEAN Economic Community.
Under the agreement, China and the six founding ASEAN countries – Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand – are to eliminate barriers to investment and tariffs on 90% of products. Later ASEAN members, including Vietnam and Cambodia, have until 2015 to follow suit. Read more here.
SIMA – Notice of Final Determination Re Certain Carbon Steel Plate and High Strength Low Alloy Steel Plate Originating in or Exported from Ukraine
(CBSA)
On January 4, 2010, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) made a final determination of dumping pursuant to paragraph 41(1)(a) of the Special Import Measures Act with respect to hot-rolled carbon steel plate and high strength low alloy steel plate not further manufactured than hot-rolled, heat-treated or not, in cut lengths in widths from 24 inches (610 mm) to 152 inches (3,860 mm) inclusive and in thicknesses from 0.187 inches (4.75 mm) up to and including 3.0 inches (76.0 mm) inclusive (with all dimensions being plus or minus allowable tolerances contained in the applicable standards e.g. ASTM standards A6/A6M and A20/A20M), originating in or exported from Ukraine; excluding universal mill plate, plate for use in the manufacture of pipe and plate having a rolled, raised figure at regular intervals on the surface (also known as floor plate).
Read the complete decision here.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Fear of Flying: How Customs Stole Our Infinite Variety
(Video: CNN • Story: Chidanand Rajghatta – Times of India)
When Officer Figueros of the US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agency began his 10 pm shift last Monday at Washington’s Dulles International
Airport, he walked to the top of the immigration and customs line and asked the female visitor, “Are you travelling alone, ma’am?” She nodded yes, and Figueros, with exaggerated courtesy, held out his elbow and walked her to his kiosk to process her entry into the US.
Weary and cranky after delayed - and exhausting - flights from across the world, travellers in the queue cheered Figueros embroidered welcome, relieved by the comic relief he provided late in the night. Many of them were missing connecting flights in the US, and CBP and airline officials were doing their best to ease the travellers’ onward passage. But beneath the merry frontal welcome in keeping with the holiday spirit, the mood among airport and airline security officials and in the immigration and customs outpost was fraught with anxiety and tension. Read more here.
Related: 10 New Air Travel Regulations You Need to Know (FamilyTravelForum.com)
Update: Fear of flying? What happens on the ground is scarier (Vancouver Sun)
When Officer Figueros of the US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agency began his 10 pm shift last Monday at Washington’s Dulles International
Airport, he walked to the top of the immigration and customs line and asked the female visitor, “Are you travelling alone, ma’am?” She nodded yes, and Figueros, with exaggerated courtesy, held out his elbow and walked her to his kiosk to process her entry into the US.
Weary and cranky after delayed - and exhausting - flights from across the world, travellers in the queue cheered Figueros embroidered welcome, relieved by the comic relief he provided late in the night. Many of them were missing connecting flights in the US, and CBP and airline officials were doing their best to ease the travellers’ onward passage. But beneath the merry frontal welcome in keeping with the holiday spirit, the mood among airport and airline security officials and in the immigration and customs outpost was fraught with anxiety and tension. Read more here.
Related: 10 New Air Travel Regulations You Need to Know (FamilyTravelForum.com)
Update: Fear of flying? What happens on the ground is scarier (Vancouver Sun)
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