Trade News

The following is excerpted from a 1 March 2012 release by Statistics Canada. Canada's current account deficit (on a seasonally adjusted basis) narrowed by $2.0 billion in the fourth quarter to $10.3 billion, largely the result of an increase in the export of goods. For 2011, the current account deficit declined to $48.3 billion following a record high of $50.9 billion in the previous year. This release is available in its entirety at:

E646, Customs Self Assessment - Importer Application - Part 1 Form has been updated and is available on the CBSA website at: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/forms-formulaires/e646-eng.pdf _________________________________________________

The following is excerpted from a 29 February 2012 news release by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Canadian cattle producers will benefit from new access to yet another international market. Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and International Trade Minister Ed Fast announced today that Azerbaijan has agreed to export conditions to allow Canadian cattle to enter the country immediately, building on a recent string of market access success stories.

The following is now available on the CBSA Web site: Customs Notice 12-006, Mandatory Electronic Reporting Policy for Marine Carriers http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/cn-ad/cn12-006-eng.html _________________________________________________

Members may be interested in the testimony of CBP Assistant Commissioners Kostelnik, Borkowski, McAleenan, and Chief Fisher before the House Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Homeland Security which is available on the CBP website at: http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/newsroom/congressional_test/appropr… _________________________________________________

Members may be interested in the following, published on 29 February 2012 in Part II of the Canada Gazette. 1. Under the Food and Drugs Act; Regulations Amending the Food and Drug Regulations (1347 — Sulfonamides). http://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2012/2012-02-29/html/sor-dors14-eng.h… 2. Under the Food and Drugs Act; Regulations Amending the Food and Drug Regulations (1527 – Maximum Residue Limits for Veterinary Drugs)

The CFIA has contacted the CSCB regarding issues with faxing packages to the NISC and NSO. They have stressed that faxes not be resent, and details are provided in the following message from CFIA. They are attempting to fix the faxing issue this weekend and will be providing an update after that time. The updates taking place this weekend are expected to have minimal impact on business.

Chapter 20 was published to add the following OGD extensions for the end uses "Human consumption" and "Other end uses". 20.08.99.7101 - Sweetened banana chips (dried) 20.08.99.7102 - Sweetened mango (dried) This generated a requirement version change for the following HS codes. 20.01.10 - Cucumbers and gherkins 20.01.90 - Other 20.02.10 - Tomatoes, whole or in pieces 20.02.90 - Other 20.03.10 - Mushrooms of the genus Agaricus 20.03.90 - Other

The Quebec Region is offering a seminar on eManifest on Thursday, March 1, 2012, between 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm. The seminar will take place at SHERATON MONTREAL AIRPORT HOTEL at 12505 Côte de Liesse in Dorval. Speakers: Mr. Paul Hughes, Agility Logistics Co. and senior CBSA representatives 5 CCS Points towards maintenance of the CCS designation will be awarded for this seminar. Come and hear the latest developments on eManifest and get your questions answered!

Starting Date Appeal No. Appellant Act Type of Hearing 2012-03-08 AP-2011-023 Curve Distribution Services Customs Act File Hearing 2012-03-27 AP-2011-028 A. H. McElroy Sales & Service (Canada) Ltd. Customs Act Public Hearing 2012-03-27 and 28 AP-2011-003, AP-2011-016 and AP-2011-025 Abricot International Inc. Customs Act Public Hearing 2012-04-03 AP-2011-011 Bauer Hockey Corporation Customs Act Public Hearing

The following is now available on the CBSA Web site: Customs Notice 12-005, Classification of Airsoft Guns http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/cn-ad/cn12-005-eng.html _________________________________________________

Appeal No. Appeal Name Act AP-2009-014 Transport Desgagnés Inc. Customs Act AP-2010-002 Frito-Lay Canada, Inc. Customs Act AP-2010-006 Komatsu International (Canada) Inc. Customs Act AP-2010-033 AP-2010-042 Contech Holdings Canada Inc. Customs Act AP-2011-008 Jockey Canada Company Customs Act

The following is excerpted from a 28 February 2012 news release by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada. The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, and his provincial and territorial counterparts responsible for international trade issued a joint statement following their annual meeting in Ottawa:

The following is excerpted from the 28 February 2012 edition of the Financial Post. Talks on a free trade agreement between Canada and the European Union may take months longer to complete than initially planned as Canada seeks the best possible deal, Ottawa said on Tuesday. The agreement is particularly important for Canada, which is seeking to diversify exports away from the giant U.S. market. This article is available in its entirety at:

The following is from the 28 February 28 2012 edition of the Journal of Commerce. Trade rose 27 percent from December 2009, says Transportation Department U.S. surface transportation trade in December with Canada and Mexico totaled $74.2 billion, an 11.6 percent increase from a year earlier, according to the Transportation Department. Trade with the United States’ North American Free Trade Agreement partners, rose 27 percent from December 2009 and 40.3 percent above the recession levels of December 2008.

The following is excerpted the 28 February 28 2012 edition of the Journal of Commerce. U.S. intelligence agency, along with various other departments, to aid center The White House on Tuesday announced the formation of a trade enforcement center to ensure exporters’ trading rights achieved through international agreements and protect exporters from other countries’ unfair trade practices.

The following is from the 28 February 28 2012 edition of American Shipper. Business people involved in trade compliance and security usually think of countries integrating their supply chain security programs when they hear the term mutual recognition. But the practice of trade partners granting reciprocal recognition to each other's rules and regulations really can apply to all types of cross-border activity.

Those CCSs that are paying individually should have received a renewal email with instructions on how to proceed with an online payment. If you have not, please just login to your account and click on the “Renew your CCS designation” link from the CCS Resources menu and follow the instructions to complete your renewal. Once your payment is processed, you will be emailed a receipt that you can use for tax purposes. You may also provide it to your employer for reimbursement.

The following is excerpted from a 28 February 2012 release by Statistics Canada. Canadian ports and marine terminals handled 450.0 million tonnes of cargo in 2010, up 9.8% from 2009. This was the first increase in tonnage in three years and the largest growth rate in two decades. The gain, which followed declines of 11.7% in 2009 and 1.1% in 2008, was the result of strong increases in both international and domestic cargo shipments. Total tonnage was 3.0% below levels seen before the most-recent economic slowdown.

The following is excerpted from a 24 February 2012 news release by CBP. To find and fight illegal drugs, criminals and contraband, Customs and Border Protection must take new approaches to the technology and information available today, CBP Acting Commissioner David V. Aguilar told a group of business leaders yesterday.