Trade News

The CSBA has updated their website with Frequently Asked Questions regarding e-Manifest. The FAQs can be seen here: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/manif/faq-eng.html

The minutes of the Sarnia General meeting between CBSA and brokers that took place on 28 October 2010 are available on the Ontario Region page of the members site. To access, please login, click on the Regions tab, and then Ontario Region link.

Softwood Lumber Exports to the United States: 2011 Export Allocation Methodologies Serial No. 174 Date: November 29, 2010 This Notice to Exporters is to inform exporters of the Minister’s decision respecting the allocation methodology and provide the eligibility criteria for export allocations of certain Softwood Lumber Products first manufactured in Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan and exported to the United States in 2011.

Effective December 1, 2010, CFIA will require imports of fresh fruits and vegetables to indicate either the Federal Produce Licence Number or the DRC Membership Number. As a result, CFIA has posted the following on their website: List of CFIA Licensees: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/frefra/qual/fruveglicsliste.sh…

Education Seminar in CSCB Toronto Region on NAFTA - Understanding HS Classification and NAFTA Rules The CSCB Toronto Region is offering a seminar entitled "NAFTA - Understanding HS Classification and NAFTA Rules" on December 9, 2010, between 3:00 and 6:00 pm. The seminar will be led by Paul Coulombe, Senior Trade Consultant, Russell A. Farrow Ltd. and will take place at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel, 6257 Airport Road in Mississauga.

Members may be interested in the following determination published on November 27, 2010, in Part I of the Canada Gazette. 1. Under the Special Import Measures Act, a determination of evidence that disclosed a reasonable indication that the dumping and subsidizing of steel grating had caused injury. http://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2010/2010-11-27/html/commis-eng.html#…

The following is from the 26 November 2010 edition of Canadian Transportation and Logistics ”ctl.ca”. Railway cargo traffic rose in September, on the strength of an increase in domestic loadings as well as more traffic received from American railways, according to a report from Statistics Canada. The culmination of these activities resulted in total rail traffic rising to 24.3 million metric tonnes in September, up 9.5% from September 2009.

The following is excerpted from a 29 November 2010 news release by Statistics Canada. Canada's overall current account deficit (on a seasonally adjusted basis) widened by $4.6 billion to reach a high of $17.5 billion in the third quarter. This marks the eighth quarterly deficit since the fourth quarter of 2008. Stronger imports of goods accounted for the bulk of the increase in the deficit in the third quarter, as exports of goods also weakened.

The following is excerpted from a 29 November 2010 news release by Statistics Canada. In October, the Industrial Product Price Index (IPPI) and the Raw Materials Price Index (RMPI) were up 0.5% and 1.7% respectively from September. Both indexes advanced mainly because of petroleum and metal products. The 0.5% increase in the IPPI in October follows advances of 0.4% in August and 0.3% in September. The IPPI has been on a moderate upward trend since November 2009.

The following is a 26 November 2010 news release by Department of Finance. The Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, today released The Fiscal Monitor for September 2010. Highlights September 2010: budgetary deficit of $3.9 billion There was a budgetary deficit of $3.9 billion in September 2010, compared to a deficit of $5.0 billion in September 2009.

Notice of Conclusion of Reinvestigation Dumping file #: 4214-21 Dumping case #: AD/1372 Subsidy file #: 4218-25 Subsidy case #: CV/121 The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has today concluded a re-investigation of the normal values, export prices and amounts of subsidy of certain thermoelectric coolers and warmers originating in or exported from the People's Republic of China, pursuant to the Special Import Measures Act (SIMA).

The following is a 25 November 2010 news release by DFAIT. The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada will host the North American Foreign Ministers Meeting on December 13, 2010, in Wakefield, Quebec.

The following is a 25 November 2010 news release by Industry Canada. The Harper government today introduced the Improving Trade Within Canada Act (ITCA) to implement enhancements to the resolution process for government-to-government disputes under the Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT).

The following is excerpted from the 26 November 2010 edition of “globeandmail.com”. The Canadian dollar was sharply lower Friday as worries continued to grow over European debt, a pullback in commodities and tensions in Korea. The loonie was down 1.04 cents (U.S.) at 98 cents as other major currencies also moved lower against the greenback, traditionally seen as a safe haven currency in times of trouble.

The following is a 25 November 2010 news release by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed that the virus detected in a commercial poultry operation in the Rural Municipality of Rockwood, Manitoba is low pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza. Pathogenicity refers to the severity of the illness caused in birds.

Congratulations to the students who successfully completed the CCS (Certified Customs Specialist) course and are now entitled to use the CCS designation. The passing grade for the CCS course is 65%. The final grade is based on the results of the final examination plus the results of four tests taken throughout the year. The average grade this year was 71%, and the mark that occurred the most was 75%. The highest grade was 97%, with 1 student achieving this mark. The following students received the highest marks – well done!

The following is excerpted from a 24 November 2010 news release by Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat. Today, the Government of Canada continued its action to ensure respect for taxpayers' dollars by strengthening the rules surrounding spending on travel, hospitality and conferences. The announcement was made in Ottawa by the Honourable Stockwell Day, President of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, and the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State (Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec)...

Officials scramble to set up private pat-down stalls The following is excerpted from the 25 November 2010 edition of “ottawacitizen.com”. Air passengers in Canada could soon confront armed airport border guards after having already cleared a full-body pat-down in a separate screening room. Federal authorities say they are considering arming the airport border guards who greet travellers arriving on international flights.

The following is a 24 November 2010 news release by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed the presence of an avian influenza virus in a commercial poultry operation in the Rural Municipality of Rockwood, Manitoba. Further testing is underway to determine the precise subtype and pathogenicity of the virus. Pathogenicity refers to the severity of the illness caused in birds. Clinical assessment and laboratory analysis to date suggests this is likely a low pathogenic virus.

CSCB members will be pleased to see a D Memorandum on the policy surrounding the Penalty Reinvestment Agreement (PRA). This agreement was formerly known as the Penalty Relief Agreement and later the Penalty Reduction Agreement; however, a D Memorandum or Customs Notice had never been issued explaining this Agreement.