Trade News

EICS Bulletin - Maintenance Interruption at 04:00ET Sunday May 6, 2012 (both Web and EDI) DFAIT is scheduling system maintenance to the EICS system between 04:00 ET and 12:00 ET Sunday, May 6, 2012. The system will be unavailable during this period, and any active sessions will be terminated. Questions or problems can be directed to the following EICS help desk email: [email protected] _________________________________________________

The following is excerpted from a 3 May 2012 press release by Transport Canada. The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, met today with Mr. Feng Zhenglin, China’s Vice-Minister of Transport, at the International Transport Forum’s 2012 summit. “I am very pleased with the outcomes of our discussions today and look forward to continuing to build on an already excellent working relationship with China,” said Minister Lebel. This release is available in its entirety at:

Members may be interested in the Testimony of Gene Garza, Director of Field Operations, Laredo Field Office, Office of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Department of Homeland Security before House Homeland Security Committee Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security on 'Using Technology to Facilitate Trade and Enhance Security at Our Ports of Entry' which is available on the CBP website at:

The Nineteenth Annual Report to the Prime Minister on the Public Service of Canada has been posted on the Clerk of the Privy Council website and is available at: http://www.clerk.gc.ca/eng/feature.asp?pageId=300 _________________________________________________

The following is from the 1 May 2012 edition of the Journal of Commerce. Vehicles are top commodity in U.S.-Canada trade, at $8.7 billion The value of surface-transportation trade between the U.S. and Canada and Mexico rose 17.4 percent year-over-year to $78.1 billion in February, the Transportation Department reported. In February, 87.4 percent of U.S. trade by value with Canada and Mexico moved via land, 8.7 percent moved by vessel, and 3.9 percent moved by air.

The following is excerpted from a 30 April 2012 news release by Industry Canada. The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for Science and Technology, wrapped up an official visit to Brazil yesterday, where he was part of the official delegation of His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada.

The following is excerpted from a 1 May 2012 news release by the Department of Finance Canada. The Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, today highlighted the Harper Government’s contributions to helping build a strong manufacturing sector and how key elements of Economic Action Plan 2012 will significantly strengthen the ability of Canadian businesses to grow and create high-value jobs.

Chapter 03 was published to: i) add the following OGD extensions 03.02.81.5541.02 - Mustelus palumbes - TSN 160264 - Shark (fresh or chilled) 03.02.81.6048.82 - Odontaspis ferox - TSN 159880 - Shark (fresh or chilled) 03.02.81.6048.84 - Odontaspis noronhai - TSN 159884 - Shark (fresh or chilled) 03.02.85.9049 - Other Seabream species not listed (fresh or chilled) 03.03.55.9049 - Other Trachurus species not listed (frozen) 03.03.81.5541.02 - Mustelus palumbes - TSN 160264 - Shark (frozen)

The Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) is now back up and running. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. Thank you for your co-operation during this time. _________________________________________________

Please be advised that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) ‑ Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) is down. At the moment, we are unable to predict when service will be restored, however, we will keep you informed as information becomes available. For assistance, please contact one of the Import Service Centre (ISC). We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your cooperation. _________________________________________________

The following is excerpted from the 30 April 2012 edition of CBC News. Canada's gross domestic product declined by 0.2 per cent in February, which means the country's overall economy contracted. Temporary closures in mining and other industries contributed to the decline, Statistics Canada said Monday. Economists had been expecting a slight 0.2 per cent rise in GDP, so the decline was a surprise. This article is available in its entirety at:

The following has been updated and is now available on the CBSA Web site: Memorandum D2-1-1, Temporary Importation of Baggage and Conveyances by Non-residents http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d2/d2-1-1-eng.html _________________________________________________

The following is a 27 April 2012 release by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada. Minister Fast today told the Economic Club of Canada that an ambitious Canada-EU trade agreement will be the cornerstone of the Harper government’s ambitious pro-trade plan, and that benefits will be generated for hard-working Canadians from coast to coast to coast.

The following is excerpted from a 30 April 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, with Australia’s Minister of Trade and Competitiveness, Craig Emerson.

The following is excerpted from a 30 April 2012 news release by Transport Canada. Merv Tweed, Member of Parliament for Brandon-Souris and Chair of the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, today addressed the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in North America (CILTNA) Annual Transportation Situation and OutlookConference. MP Tweed spoke on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec.

CBSA has advised that the Excel spread sheet sent on April 23rd listing NRCan regulated goods indicated an expiry date of June 6 for certain HS classifications. This was incorrect and an expiry date of May 1 should have been indicated. The spread sheet has been updated and it should be noted that the list on CBSA’s website at this URL is correct: http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/eservices/ogd-amg/hs-sh-eng.html#nrcan2

The CSCB has reviewed the policy regarding the awarding of CCS points for events that do not fall within the current time frame requirements. CCS designates are reminded of the current policy which provides that events must be at least 3 hours duration in order to be considered for the minimum of 5 CCS points. This policy review was prompted by the fact that webinars, including the one hosted by FITT in conjunction with the CSCB on April 25th, are now a common source of information. However, these webinars are rarely 3 hours in length.

This is a reminder that a full database backup of the production database (PROD) is scheduled for Saturday, May 5th, 2012. CFIA systems will be unavailable from 3am to 7am EST. Please note that full database backups of the production database (PROD) are scheduled for the first Saturday of every month between 3am to 7am EST. _________________________________________________