Trade News

The following is a statement from Alan D. Bersin, Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection released December 22, 2011.

HS classification and its compliance implications have been recognized by the CSCB and CBSA as a priority for education and training. As a result of our shared recognition of its importance and our ongoing collaboration on this subject area, we are pleased to announce that Vancouver will the site of the next CBSA/CSCB seminar on HS Classification on Monday, February 6, 2012.

The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, today issued the following statement on the Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia’s proposed trade restrictions on seal products: ...“The Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia has proposed trade restrictions on seal products.

The following message is from CFIA. The purpose of this message is to inform stakeholders that as of January 1, 2012, updated HS codes, as drafted by the World Customs Organization (WCO) will be implemented. These updates will affect the CFIA AIRS coding structure, and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Tariff codes. The AIRS system will incorporate the new coding structure on January 1. Information on changes to the HS codes can be found on the WCO web site at:

All of us at the CSCB national office in Ottawa wish you and your loved ones all the best for a safe and peaceful holiday season. May 2012 be a year of health, happiness and prosperity for you! ---- Joyeuses Fêtes de la part de la SCCD!

The following is excerpted from today's Winnipeg Free Press. VIC Toews had an anti-union reputation as Gary Filmon's labour minister in the late 1990s but at least one union is now ready to embrace him. The union that represents front-line customs and immigration officers issued a news release Wednesday praising Toews -- the public safety minister responsible for the Canada Border Services Agency -- for killing a proposal to close or reduce hours of operations of small and remote border crossings.

The following is excerpted from today's American Shipper. Test transmissions and processing of electronic sea and rail manifests for the new Automated Commercial Environment are going well, putting U.S. Customs and Border Protection on track to soon transition transportation providers to the new system, the agency announced Friday.

The following is excerpted from today's Journal of Commerce. Customs and Border Protection may allow exporters to join a voluntary supply chain security program, and Japan, Colombia and Costa Rica are onboard for a test run of the program. Trucking companies operating in Mexico and Canada may also be able share in tiered benefits through the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism. Participants in the program, established in 2002, usually receive fewer cargo inspections, which lowers import costs.

Canadian government announces faster, more convenient air travel to the United States for passengers and their baggage… For more details, please visit the Transport Canada website at: http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/mediaroom/releases-2011-h136e-6590.htm

On December 7, U.S. Customs and Border Protection hosted a free webcast of the Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of Customs and Border Protection (COAC) meeting. CBP is hosting webcast events to provide timely and up-to-date information to the international trade community on CBP trade policies and regulations. The COAC webcast was recorded and is now available for on-demand viewing for 30 days. To view the recording or documentation presented during the COAC meeting, please click on the following link:

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is warning the public not to consume the Serrano peppers described below because they may be contaminated with Salmonella. The affected fresh Serrano peppers, imported from the USA, were sold as follows: Unlabelled from bulk at Safeway stores and various independent grocery stores in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Yukon, between December 5 and 20, 2011, inclusively...

The following are now available on the CBSA Web site: Customs Notice 11-025, January 1, 2012 Version of the Departmental Consolidation of the Customs Tariff http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/cn-ad/cn11-025-eng.html

The CFIA Fish List has been updated, as follows: Acipenser brevirostrum has been added to the list: http://active.inspection.gc.ca/scripts/fssa/fispoi/fplist/fplist.asp?la…

As of December 10, 2011, there will be new requirements for certain aquatic animals (finfish, molluscs, and crustaceans) imported into Canada. Details are available on the CFIA website at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/fispoi/import/pol/airse.shtml

The following is excerpted from a 20 December 2011 news release by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. The Honourable Gerry Ritz, Agriculture Minister, and the Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, today announced that the Government of Canada has reached a new agreement on an export certificate with the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Canadian exporters of live cattle will benefit from access to the UAE market. Industry estimates that the market could provide up to $40 million in sales...

The following is excerpted from a 20 December 2011 news release by Transport Canada. Local commuters, farmers and truckers now have a safer, more reliable route to cross Deltaport Way at 41B Street without being delayed by long trains and truck traffic, thanks to a newly completed overpass.

The following is excerpted from a 20 December 2011 news release by Transport Canada. The Honourable Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Transport), and Steve Ashton, Manitoba's Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation, today announced new funding for two intelligent transportation systems (ITS) projects in Manitoba.

CBSA have clarified AMPS contraventions C360 and C005 with their issuing of AMPS Bulletin 11-002. This bulletin can be seen at: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/trade-commerce/amps/bulletin/amps-rsap2011-0… As well, the guidelines regarding C360 on the AMPS Master Penalty Document have been revised. Questions and comments on this revision can be sent to the CSCB at [email protected] __________________________________________________

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency uses a risk-based approach to verify that domestically produced and imported products meet Canadian standards and regulations. CFIA compliance and enforcement actions occur all along the supply chain and they involve numerous stakeholders and jurisdictions. Additional information is available at:

The following is excerpted from a 20 December 2011 news release by Transport Canada. The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, and the Honourable Craig Leonard, Minister of Energy for New Brunswick, today marked the reopening of runway 15-33 at the Fredericton International Airport. The runway was closed for several months because of rehabilitation work that was funded jointly by the Government of Canada, the Government of New Brunswick and the Fredericton International Airport Authority (FIAA)...