Enhanced import controls on food products from Japan

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced the implementation of enhanced import controls on milk products, fruits, and vegetables from areas of Japan affected by the ongoing nuclear crisis (Japanese prefectures of Fukushima, Gunma, Ibaraki, and Tochigi).

The Agency says these products will not be allowed entry into Canada without acceptable documentation verifying their safety, and any potentially contaminated products will be disposed of in accordance with protocols from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.

Given the evolving nature of the Japanese situation, these measures will be adjusted, as warranted, to ensure the Canadian food supply remains protected.

The total volume of agri-food imports from Japan to Canada was approximately $42.6 million in 2010, which is less than 0.3% of food entering Canada.

Canada imported 2,833 kg of dairy products from Japan last year. This represents approximately 0.001% of all dairy products imported into the country. Fresh fruit and vegetables accounted for 1, 778,145 kg or approximately 0.045% of all fruit and vegetables imported into Canada.

Additional information is available on the CFIA website at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/imp/eartere.shtml

CBSA concludes certain steel grating from China is dumped and subsidized

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) made final determinations of dumping and subsidizing, pursuant to the Special Import Measures Act, in respect of certain metal bar grating of carbon, alloy or stainless steel, consisting of load-bearing pieces and cross pieces, produced as standard grating or heavy-duty grating, in panel form, whether galvanized, painted, coated, clad or plated, originating in or exported from the People's Republic of China.

Provisional duties have been payable on the subject goods since December 20, 2010, following a preliminary decision.

In November 2010 the Canadian International Trade Tribunal's (CITT) preliminary injury inquiry determined that the dumping and subsidizing of the grating of carbon had caused or threatened to cause injury or retardation to Canadian industry.

The Tribunal is continuing its final inquiry into the question of injury and will make an order or finding by April 19, 2011. Provisional duties will continue to apply until this date.

Further details are available on CBSA's website.

Investments in Newfoundland and Labrador transportation infrastructure

Officials from the Federal and Provincial governments announced new investments in infrastructure projects that will increase the efficiency of the transportation system in Newfoundland and Labrador. The federal government will contribute up to $15.68 million to these projects, while the provincial contribution will amount to $14.43 million.

The funded projects include the following:

• Port of Argentia: Roll-on/Roll-off Ramp. This Port of Argentia project consists of the construction of a new roll-on/roll-off ramp to complement short sea shipping operations.

• Gander International Airport: Runway Upgrade. This project involves the rehabilitation of runway 3-21. This improvement will facilitate increased trade and traffic through the airport.

• St. John's International Airport: Instrument Landing System. This project involves installing a category III instrument landing system to aid in navigation in and out of the airport, particularly in foggy conditions. These upgrades will facilitate increased traffic and improve the reliability, safety and efficiency of the airport.

• Marine Institute of Memorial University: SmartBay Expansion. This project involves additional buoys and sensors to enhance marine traffic management and maintain safe operations in Placentia Bay, a high-traffic and significant industrial area of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Federal support for these projects is from the Gateways and Border Crossings Fund, which is designed to support transportation and trade-related infrastructure at Canada's strategic gateways and border crossings.

Seaway is optimistic as it opens 53rd navigation season

Officials marked the official opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway's 53rd navigation season at the St. Lambert Lock. The Seaway's Management Corporation (SLSMC) predicted that cargo shipments would rise by about seven per cent to 39.1 million tonnes for 2011.

"Projections for the 2011 season foresee continued strength in the traditional staple cargoes of grain and iron ore" said SLSMC President and CEO Terence Bowles. Shipments of road salt are projected to increase to replenish inventories depleted over a challenging winter season. Project cargo is pegged to rise due in part to continued activity in the oil sands."

Announcements by Algoma Central Corporation, Canada Steamship Lines, and the Canadian Wheat Board to build state-of-the-art vessels bring about the prospect of fleet renewal, with the addition of vessels that offer leading edge engine technology, fuel efficiency and environmental performance. "This initial investment by our clients, amounting to over $350 million dollars, serves as a strong endorsement for the future of the St. Lawrence Seaway" said Mr. Bowles.

Collister Johnson Jr., Administrator of the U.S. Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, noted that the marine mode continues to be the most energy efficient mode of transportation. "In an era of rapidly rising fuel prices, moving more cargo via the marine mode will serve to lessen our dependence on imported petroleum and bolster our national security" said Johnson.

Since the Seaway's inception in 1959, over 2.5 billion tonnes valued in excess of $375 billion has been transported via the Seaway's locks and channels.

Technical documents

Government memorandums, notices and decisions.

This page lists newly published government memorandums, notices, regulations and decisions. Clicking on a title will open the document (in a new window) as published by the relevant department or agency on its own Web site.

Canada Border Services Agency

• SIMA - Certain steel grating from China - Notice of Final Determination.
• Memorandum D15-1-91 Whole Potatoes Originating In or Exported From the United States of America. Multiple revisions, see memorandum.
• Memorandum D17-1-3 Casual Importations. Multiple revisions, see memorandum.

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

• EICB Imports: Textiles and clothing - NAFTA Tariff Preference Level Utilization. Updated March 21.
• EICS Message - APRIL 2011 Softwood Lumber Quotas Now Available.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

• Additional import controls in place for food products from Japan.
• Official CFIA Forestry Notice – Asian Gypsy Moth Certification for Marine Vessels Entering Canadian Ports
• Import requirements for lumber of tropical or non-tropical wood species from all countries except the continental United States - Plant Protection Act.
• Meat Hygiene Directive MHD 2011-21 Chapter 1 - Section 1.2.2.1
• Meat Hygiene Directive MHD 2011-17 Chapter 11 - Section 11.7.3 - Peru
• Directive D-95-03 March 18, 2011 (12th Revision) Asian Gypsy Moth (Lymantria Dispar L.) - Plant Protection Policy for Marine Vessels. See directive for list of revisions.

Statistics Canada

• Canadian Automated Export Declaration (CAED). There is a patch for CAED 2011 that will allow the application to be used with service pack 1 of the Windows 7 operating system.

International Chamber of Commerce

• ICC launches online Incoterms 2010 training. ICC has further expanded its online training offerings with the launch of Incoterms® 2010 Online Training, making its services even more accessible and convenient to users of the rules worldwide.

European Union

• "Made in" labels should be compulsory for textiles, says Internal Market Committee. "The current absence of harmonised rules on origin marking puts the EU at a disadvantage vis-à-vis its main trade partners, such as Canada, China, Japan, and the USA, who require origin marking for imported goods".
• Commission and Canada reach provisional solution in beef dispute. Under this roadmap, Canada would suspend all its sanctions on European products, while the EU would increase market access opportunities for beef imports.

United States

• U.S. CBP CSMS# 11-000072 - HSU 1101 Changes to the 2011 Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
• U.S. CBP CSMS# 11-000071 - Japanese product review by FDA. FDA is updating the importing community on its activities related to the ongoing crisis in Japan.
• USITC Report - China's Agricultural Trade: Competitive Conditions and Effects on U.S. Exports.
• USITC Restoration of 2011 HTS Alphabetic Index. The Alphabetical Index to the 2011 edition of the HTS has been restored to the USITC Web site and will be published in the future.
• USDA Announces Final Rule on the Establishment of a Dairy Import Assessment. The 2008 Farm Bill specifies that importers of dairy products be assessed a rate of 7.5 cents per hundredweight, or the equivalent thereof.

Consultation on Canada-U.S. perimeter security and economic competitiveness

The Federal Government announced on Sunday the launch of a public consultation on the shared vision for Canada-U.S. perimeter security and economic competitiveness. The project was initiated in early February in a joint declaration by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and President Barack Obama.

"The Government of Canada is focusing on creating jobs and expanding economic growth through free, open and secure trade with the United States," said Minister of International Trade Peter Van Loan. "We are seeking Canadians' input on ways both countries can move forward to a safer, more secure and prosperous future. I invite all interested parties to make their views known."

The U.S. and Canadian governments jointly published a document outlining some key issues: The United States-Canada Joint Border Threat and Risk Assessment.

For more information on the public consultation or to submit comments, consult www.borderactionplan.gc.ca.

The consultation period is scheduled to run from March 13 to April 21, 2011. A report summarizing the findings of the consultation will be published later in the year.

Strict enforcement of Canada's Organic Product Regulations to begin in July

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is reminding members of the organic sector that the transitional enforcement of Canada's Organic Products Regulations expires on June 30, 2011.

Canada's Organic Products Regulations came into effect on June 30, 2009. Since then, the CFIA has been managing the regulations through the Stream of Commerce and Enforcement Policy. This two-year implementation policy was designed to allow producers to make the adjustments required to become fully compliant with the regulations.

After June 30, 2011 the CFIA will apply its standard compliance and enforcement activities. These include the following:

• detaining non-compliant products and/or removing them from store shelves
• correcting non-compliant labelling
• returning non-compliant imported products to the country of origin

The Organic Products Regulations set out rigorous standards for certifying products as organic by accredited certification bodies. Products that meet the production requirements and contain at least 95 percent organic content may be labelled as "organic" and may feature the Canada Organic logo.

These regulations apply to both domestic and imported products. Regardless of origin, all products seeking organic certification must meet Canada's standards.

Additional information is available on CFIA's website.

Harmonized System and Customs Tariff changes in January 2012

Extensive modifications to the Harmonized System (HS) will come into effect on January 1, 2012. As the HS is the foundation of most countries' customs tariffs, including Canada and the United States, the changes will have an impact on several international traders.

It is expected that governments will make the changes to their tariffs "revenue neutral" so as not to change the rates of duty applicable to goods, but tariff classifications will have to be adjusted to match the changes.

The HS 2012 amendments are the fifth revision of the Harmonized System Nomenclature since the World Customs Organization Council approved its adoption in 1983, though it is only the fourth to make major amendments.

HS 2012 includes 220 sets of accepted amendments, divided as follows:

• 98 relate to the agricultural sector;
• 27 to the chemical sector;
• 9 to the paper sector;
• 14 to the textile sector;
• 5 to the base metal sector;
• 30 to the machinery sector; and
• an additional 37 that apply to a variety of other sectors.

Environmental and social issues of global concern are the major feature of these amendments, particularly the use of the HS as the standard for classifying and coding goods of specific importance to food security and the early warning data system of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

We will publish further information for our clients and partners as soon as the Canadian and U.S. governments publish their amended customs tariffs.

Norway joins Canada in WTO dispute over EU seal import ban

Norway submitted a request to the World Trade Organization (WTO) for the establishment of a dispute settlement panel in connection to the European Union's ban on seal products.

Canadian Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Gail Shea, applauded the decision: "We are encouraged by Norway's decision to join Canada in requesting the establishment of a dispute settlement panel by the WTO. Canada welcomes Norway's support for our position that the European Union's ban on seal products is groundless.

Our Government has consistently and firmly maintained that the Canadian seal hunt is safe, sustainable and economically legitimate. We welcome Norway's strong and principled stand in support of sealers and the sealing industry.

While the value of the seal harvest may appear negligible to the anti-sealing lobby, it provides important income for thousands of families every year in remote coastal and northern communities. We will continue to ensure that Canadians have the opportunity to harvest seals in a safe, sustainable and humane manner."

Trucking associations announce rate increases

The Freight Carriers Association of Canada (FCA), which represents motor carriers engaged in for-hire trucking in the Canadian domestic market, and the North American Transportation Council (NATC), which represents Canadian and U.S. based motor carriers engaged in for-hire trucking in the North American transborder market have recommended rate increases to their members.

FCA has reviewed cost increases in Canadian labor and non-labor expenses (excluding fuel). Based on its analysis FCA is increasing the Canadian Domestic base rate scales they offer to the industry by 2.6% effective March 28, 2011.

NATC is increasing the cross-border rates they offer to the industry by 4.6% effective March 28, 2011. This increase is based on Canadian cost increases coupled with revenue need information from U.S. sources.

Technical documents

Government memorandums, notices and decisions.

This page lists newly published government memorandums, notices, regulations and decisions. Clicking on a title will open the document (in a new window) as published by the relevant department or agency on its own Web site.

Canada Border Services Agency

• Customs Notice CN11-003 Clarification on Release and Accounting of Casual Importations of Personal Effects.
• Notice to Fasterner Importers (5). Normal values have been issued for products manufactured by Top-Green Corporation of Chinese Taipei.
• Certain Steel Structural Tubing from Korea, South Africa and Turkey. Notice of conclusion of re-investigation to update the normal values and export prices.
• Goods subject to anti-dumping or countervailing duties. Measures in Force. Last reviewed March 11, 2011.

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

• Softwood Lumber Working Group on Data and Reconciliation - Results of April 2009 to September 2009 Post-reconciliation results export volumes (fbm) February 11, 2011
• Report on Exports of Military Goods from Canada 2007-2009. As part of Canada's effort to encourage greater transparency on military exports, DFAIT has published periodic reports on annual exports of military goods and technology since 1990.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

• CFIA liaison Magazine - Volume 1, Number 3 Winter 2011.
• CFIA Meat Hygiene Directive MHD 2011-19 Chapter 11 - Section 11.7.3 - European Union.
• CFIA - Canada's Organic Product Regulations (OPR): The Stream of Commerce and Enforcement Policy will expire on June 30, 2011, and will be replaced by standard CFIA compliance and enforcement activities.
• CFIA - China - Code of Practice for the Harvest, Transport, Processing, and Export of Seal Products Intended for Human Consumption.

United States

• U.S. CBP - Country of Origin of Textile and Apparel Products. Final rule effective March 17, 2011. [PDF]
• U.S. National Organic Program: Amendment to National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances. USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. [PDF]
• U.S. FDA Food Safety Modernization Act: Title III--A New Paradigm for Importers; Public Meeting; Food and Drug Administration. [PDF]
• Argentina expands coverage of import licensing requirements to include additional textile items. Effective March 7, 2011 Argentina has expanded the product coverage of imports that are subject to a non-automatic import licensing requirement. From the U.S. Department of Commerce's Office of Textiles and Apparel.