Trade News

The following is a 4 February 2011 release by DFAIT. Minister of International Trade Peter Van Loan attends the Financial Times Global Investment Series: 'Focus on Canada' conference in New York City on February 3rd to promote Canada as an attractive destination for investment. During his two-day visit Minister Van Loan will also meet with foreign business leaders to highlight the importance of Canada-U.S. commercial relations. Related information is available on the DFAIT website at:

Conectivity between EICS and CBSA has been re-established. Issued permits are now being sent to Customs.

The following is from the 3 February 2011 edition of Canadian Transportation and Logistics ”ctl.ca”. CN, the Montreal Port Authority (MPA) and the two companies that operate the port's three key container terminals have announced two level of service agreements (LSAs) designed to drive a strong focus on supply chain efficiencies.

Connectivity bewteen EICS and CBSA is down due to technical problems. An investigation is underway, and further information will be provided as it becomes available.

The following is from the 2 February 2011 edition of The Journal of Commerce ”joc.com”. With contract expired nearly a year ago, a possible strike deadline is next week Waterfront employers at Canada’s Pacific Coast ports and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada will resume contract negotiations next week as a potential strike deadline approaches at midnight Feb. 9.

The following is a 2 February 2011 news release by Transport Canada. The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Peter Van Loan, Minister of International Trade, today announced that Canada and Qatar have successfully concluded an air transport agreement that allows for direct scheduled air services between the two countries for the first time.

Further to the message of 31 January 2011, the CBSA information sheet titled "Attention highway carriers using carrier code “77YY”" is available here: http://cscb.ca/listinfo/77YY_tear_away_updated.pdf

Although payment for February’s monthly K84 statements will be due as usual on February 28, 2011, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) realizes that some months have fewer days to arrange for payment, creating a challenge for clients. Therefore, the CBSA will not issue a late payment penalty or charge interest if the payment is received after February 28, 2011, but on March 2, 2011 before 4:30 PM local time. Should payments be received after March 2, 2011, 4:30 PM local time, they will be subject to interest and penalties dating back to March 2, 2011.

Chapter 01 was published to change the recommendation from "Refuse Entry" to "Refer to CFIA - Veterinary inspection" for the end use "Travellers & Personal use and not for resale or distribution" from various countries. 01.06.32 Psittaciformes (including parrots, parakeets, macaws and cockatoos). 01.06.39.2096 Psittaciformes (including parrots, parakeets, macaws and cockatoos). 01.06.39.2097 Songbirds less than 3 days old (Passerines of the sub-order passerii (oscines)).

Item 125.2 - Milk Protein Substances with a Milk Protein Content of 85% or More by Weight, Calculated on the Dry Matter, that do not Originate in a NAFTA Country, Chile, Costa Rica, or Israel - SER787 Serial No. 787 Date: January 27, 2011 1.0 Purpose 1.1 The purposes of this Notice are:

The following message is from CBSA (EDI11-005). Family Day – February 21, 2011 in the provinces of Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba: For the purposes of calculating the accounting period, February 21, 2011 will be considered a holiday for these provinces and any late accounting penalties will be waived without the client having to submit an application. This applies to transactions released from February 14, 2011 to February 21, 2011 that were accounted for in the affected provinces.

The AMPS Professional Development Module – one in a series of six modules – has been updated to include changes made as a result of the AMPS (Administrative Monetary Penalty System) review. This module is perfect for someone who is just learning about AMPS, or for someone who needs to know about recent changes to the AMPS program, how to appeal a penalty, and how to enter into a Penalty Reinvestment Agreement (PRA).

The following is from the 31 January 2011 edition of The Journal of Commerce ”joc.com”. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is gathering international support for an all-modes "trusted shipper" program similar to the trusted traveler program for airline passengers in the U.S. Napolitano told reporters in London on Friday that the program would allow qualified shippers to move cargo with fewer inspections, while others would get "much more intensive inspection." She declined to give further details.

Director-General Pascal Lamy, in his inaugural address to the UNCTAD Global Commodities Forum in Geneva on 31 January 2011, said that “through the Doha Round, WTO Members have an opportunity to dismantle even more of the artificially-created barriers that hinder commodity trade”. He added that “for food trade, the climate crisis makes a properly functioning transmission belt (between demand and supply) even more imperative”. This is what he said: “The Man-Made Causes of Price Volatility”

The following is a 1 February 2011 news release by Reuters Canada. Canada's dollar returned to above parity against a broadly softer U.S. dollar on Tuesday, though gains were held in check by a softer price of oil. The currency skidded nearly a penny in the previous session, hitting its lowest level this year before paring losses, after Finance Minister Jim Flaherty's cautious remarks on employment prompted investors to price in a weak January jobs figure on Friday.

The D-03-08, Phytosanitary requirements to prevent the introduction into and spread within Canada of the Emerald Ash Borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire has been revised and will be published on the CFIA website soon at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/protect/dir/d-03-08e.shtml Thus, effective February 21st, 2011, the following import requirements will apply: From non-regulated states in U.S to Canada 44.01.22.0122.09 Ash wood chips 44.03.99.0151.08-Ash bark and bark mulch

The following is a 31 January 2011 news release by Department of Finance. The Harper Government today released the Seventh Report to Canadians on the Implementation of the Economic Action Plan. The report was released by Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, who was joined by Julian Fantino, Minister of State (Seniors).

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) today announced administrative changes to its operations in southern Ontario. Effective April 1, 2011, the CBSA will amalgamate its two regions in Windsor/St. Clair and Niagara Falls/Ft. Erie. This change will not impact border operations and all ports of entry and services offered will remain. The principle change is that the administration of the regional headquarters offices will be consolidated into one regional office located in Fort Erie.

Starting Date Appeal No. Appellant Act Type of Hearing 2011-02-01 AP-2010-014 Massive Prints, Inc. Customs Act Public Hearing Postponed to 2011-02-02 AP-2010-004 Nestle Canada Inc. Customs Act Public Hearing 2011-02-10 AP-2009-017 Nutricia North America Customs Act Public Hearing