ILWU Canada illegal strike ruling averts Vancouver shutdown
Canada’s labor tribunal on Sunday ruled that a strike vote by union longshore foremen against DP World’s terminal at the Port of Vancouver was illegal, heading off the maritime employer’s threat to shut out workers at Canada’s largest container gateway in response.
The British Columbia Maritime Employer’s Association (BCMEA) called on the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to hold a hearing on Sunday after Local 514 of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Canada issued a 72-hour strike against DP World Centerm last Friday.
The CIRB found that Local 514 “failed to bargain in good faith when it conducted... Read More→
Wood Packaging Materials
Untreated wood poses a significant risk of introducing plant pests, including pathogens, that can be detrimental to agriculture and to natural, cultivated, and urban forest resources. U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations contain provisions to mitigate plant pest risk presented by the importation of such wood. Because the packaging materials are very often reused, the true origin of any piece of Wood Packaging Material (WPM) is difficult to determine and, thus, its treatment status cannot be ascertained. Therefore, the USDA amended its regulations by adopting the international standard for WPM approved by the Interim Commission on Phytosanitary Measures of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) on March 15, 2002. By adopting the IPPC guidelines, the U.S. harmonized its trade requirements with a host of other countries.
Most wood packaging materials are covered by the rule, including wooden packaging materials such as pallets, crates, boxes, and pieces of wood used to support or brace cargo. Wood packaging material is defined as wood or wood products (excluding paper products) used for supporting, protecting, or carrying cargo, including, but not limited to, dunnage, crating, pallets, packing blocks, drums, cases, or skids. The definition excludes manufactured wood materials, loose wood packing materials, and wood pieces less than 6mm thick in any dimension.
There are two treatment options: heat treatment or fumigation with methyl bromide. For heat treatment, WPM must be heat treated to achieve a minimum wood core temperature of 56°C for a minimum of 30 minutes. For fumigation, the WPM must be fumigated with methyl bromide in an enclosed area for at least 16 hours at the regulated dosage and then must be aerated to reduce the concentration of fumigant below hazardous exposure levels. After either of these treatments, the WPM must be marked in a visible location on each article, preferably on at least two opposite sides of the article, with a legible and permanent mark, approved by the IPPC, to certify that wood packaging material has been subjected to an approved treatment.
Marks will vary by country and treatment establishment. The mark must include the IPPC trademarked graphic symbol, the ISO two-letter country code for the country that produced the wood packaging material, a unique number assigned by the national plant protection agency of that country to the producer of the wood packaging material, and an abbreviation disclosing the type of treatment. Read More→
https://www.cbp.gov/border-security/protecting-agriculture/wpm
USITC MAKES DETERMINATION IN 5-YEAR (SUNSET) REVIEW CONCERNING CITRIC ACID AND CERTAIN CITRATE SALTS FROM BELGIUM, COLOMBIA, AND THAILAND
The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that revoking the existing antidumping duty orders on Citric Acid and Certain Citrate Salts from Belgium, Colombia, and Thailand would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time.
As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determination, the existing orders on imports of these products from Belgium, Colombia, and Thailand will remain in place.
Chair Amy A. Karpel and Commissioners David S. Johanson, Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, and Jason E. Kearns voted in the affirmative.
Today’s action comes under the five-year (sunset) review process required by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act. See the attached page for background on these five-year (sunset) reviews.
The Commission’s public report Citric Acid and Certain Citrate Salts from Belgium, Colombia, And Thailand (Inv. No. 731-TA-1374 -1376 (Review), USITC Publication 5524, July 2024) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the review.
The report will be available by August 1, 2024; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: https://www.usitc.gov/commission_publications_library.
BACKGROUND
The Uruguay Round Agreements Act requires the Department of Commerce to revoke an antidumping or countervailing duty order, or terminate a suspension agreement, after five years unless the Department of Commerce and the USITC determine that revoking the order or terminating the suspension agreement would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping or subsidies (Commerce) and of material injury (USITC) within a reasonably foreseeable time. Read More → https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2024/er0701_65364.htm
USITC VOTES TO CONTINUE INVESTIGATIONS ON DISPOSABLE ALUMINUM CONTAINERS, PANS, TRAYS, AND LIDS FROM CHINA
The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of disposable aluminum containers, pans, trays, and lids from China that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value and subsidized by the government of China.
Chair Amy A. Karpel and Commissioners David S. Johanson, and Jason E. Kearns voted in the affirmative. Commissioner Rhonda K. Schmidtlein did not participate in this vote.
As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue its investigations of imports of disposable aluminum containers, pans, trays, and lids from China, with its preliminary countervailing duty determination due on or about August 9, 2024, and its preliminary antidumping duty determination due on or about October 23, 2024.
The Commission’s public report Disposable Aluminum Containers, Pans, Trays, and Lids from China (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-727 and 731-TA-1695 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 5523, July 2024) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations. Status of proceedings and additional information for these investigations can be found at the Commission’s Investigations Database System (IDS).
The report will be available by July 26, 2024; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: https://www.usitc.gov/commission_publications_library.
###
https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2024/er0628_65358.htm
PAPER SHOPPING BAGS FROM CAMBODIA, CHINA, COLOMBIA, INDIA, MALAYSIA, PORTUGAL, TAIWAN, AND VIETNAM, INJURE U.S. INDUSTRY, SAYS USITC
The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of paper shopping bags from Cambodia, China, Colombia, India, Malaysia, Portugal, Taiwan, and Vietnam that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value and imports of paper shopping bags that Commerce has determined are subsidized by the governments of China and India.
Chair Amy A. Karpel and Commissioners David S. Johanson, Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, and Jason E. Kearns voted in the affirmative.
As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determination, Commerce will issue countervailing duty orders on imports of this product from China and India and antidumping duty orders on products imported from Cambodia, China, Colombia, India, Malaysia, Portugal, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
The Commission also made negative findings concerning critical circumstances with regard to imports of these products from Cambodia, China, India, Taiwan, and Vietnam. As a result, imports of paper shopping bags from these countries will not be subject to retroactive antidumping or countervailing duties.
The Commission’s public report Paper Shopping Bags from Cambodia, China, Colombia, India, Malaysia, Portugal, Taiwan, and Vietnam (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-690-691 and 731-TA-1619-1625 and 731-TA-1627 (Final), USITC Publication 5522, July 2024) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigation.
The report will be available by July 19, 2024; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: https://www.usitc.gov/commission_publications_library.
Status of proceedings, links to relevant documents, and additional information for these investigations can be found at the Commission’s Investigations Database System (IDS).
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https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2024/er0621_65322.htm
Commerce Rule Advances U.S. National Security by Enhancing Coordination Between Commerce Export Controls and Treasury Sanctions
FINAL RULE: GREENHOUSE Gas Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles - Phase 3
Rule Summary
Related Information
Regulations for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Commercial Trucks & Buses
Regulations for Smog, Soot, and Other Air Pollution from Commercial Trucks & Buses
Para información en español, haga clic aquí.
On March 29, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a final rule, “Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles – Phase 3,” that sets stronger standards to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from heavy-duty (HD) vehicles beginning in model year (MY) 2027. The new standards will be applicable to HD vocational vehicles (such as delivery trucks, refuse haulers, public utility trucks, transit, shuttle, school buses, etc.) and tractors (such as day cabs and sleeper cabs on tractor-trailer trucks).
The final “Phase 3” standards build on EPA’s Heavy-Duty Phase 2 program from 2016 and maintain that program’s flexible structure, which is designed to reflect the diverse nature of the heavy-duty vehicle industry. The standards are technology-neutral and performance-based, allowing each manufacturer to choose what set of emissions control technologies is best suited for them and the needs of their customers. Read More → https://www.epa.gov/regulations-emissions-vehicles-and-engines/final-rule-greenhouse-gas-emissions-standards-heavy-duty#:~:text=Rule%20Summary,-Related%20Information&text=On%20March%2029%2C%202024%2C%20the,model%20year%20(MY)%202027
PAPER SHOPPING BAGS FROM CAMBODIA, CHINA, COLOMBIA, INDIA, MALAYSIA, PORTUGAL, TAIWAN, AND VIETNAM, INJURE U.S. INDUSTRY, SAYS USITC
The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of paper shopping bags from Cambodia, China, Colombia, India, Malaysia, Portugal, Taiwan, and Vietnam that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value and imports of paper shopping bags that Commerce has determined are subsidized by the governments of China and India.
Chair Amy A. Karpel and Commissioners David S. Johanson, Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, and Jason E. Kearns voted in the affirmative.
As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determination, Commerce will issue countervailing duty orders on imports of this product from China and India and antidumping duty orders on products imported from Cambodia, China, Colombia, India, Malaysia, Portugal, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
The Commission also made negative findings concerning critical circumstances with regard to imports of these products from Cambodia, China, India, Taiwan, and Vietnam. As a result, imports of paper shopping bags from these countries will not be subject to retroactive antidumping or countervailing duties.
The Commission’s public report Paper Shopping Bags from Cambodia, China, Colombia, India, Malaysia, Portugal, Taiwan, and Vietnam (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-690-691 and 731-TA-1619-1625 and 731-TA-1627 (Final), USITC Publication 5522, July 2024) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigation.
The report will be available by July 19, 2024; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: https://www.usitc.gov/commission_publications_library.
Status of proceedings, links to relevant documents, and additional information for these investigations can be found at the Commission’s Investigations Database System (IDS).
###
https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2024/er0621_65322.htm
USITC INSTITUTES SECTION 337 INVESTIGATION OF CERTAIN WI-FI ACCESS POINTS, ROUTERS, RANGE EXTENDERS, CONTROLLERS AND COMPONENTS THEREOF
On Friday, June 14, 2024, the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) voted to institute an investigation of certain Wi-Fi access points, routers, range extenders, controllers and components thereof. The products at issue in the investigation are described in the Commission’s notice of investigation.
The investigation is based on a complaint filed by TP-Link USA Corporation of Irvine, CA, and TP-Link Corporation PTE Ltd. of Singapore, on May 7, 2024, and supplemented on May 15, 2024. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain Wi-Fi access points, routers, range extenders, controllers and components thereof that infringe patents asserted by the complainants. The complainants request that the USITC issue a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders.
The USITC has identified Netgear Inc. of San Jose, CA as the respondent in this investigation.
By instituting this investigation (337-TA-1405), the USITC has not yet made any decision on the merits of the case. The USITC’s Chief Administrative Law Judge will assign the case to one of the USITC’s administrative law judges (ALJ), who will schedule and hold an evidentiary hearing. The ALJ will make an initial determination as to whether there is a violation of section 337; that initial determination is subject to review by the Commission.
The USITC will make a final determination in the investigation at the earliest practicable time. Within 45 days after institution of the investigation, the USITC will set a target date for completing the investigation. USITC remedial orders in section 337 cases are effective when issued and become final 60 days after issuance unless disapproved for policy reasons by the U.S. Trade Representative within that 60-day period.
###
https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2024/er0617_65305.htm
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles – Phase 3
Rule Summary
Related Information
Regulations for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Commercial Trucks & Buses
Regulations for Smog, Soot, and Other Air Pollution from Commercial Trucks & Buses
Para información en español, haga clic aquí.
On March 29, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a final rule, “Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles – Phase 3,” that sets stronger standards to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from heavy-duty (HD) vehicles beginning in model year (MY) 2027. The new standards will be applicable to HD vocational vehicles (such as delivery trucks, refuse haulers, public utility trucks, transit, shuttle, school buses, etc.) and tractors (such as day cabs and sleeper cabs on tractor-trailer trucks).
The final “Phase 3” standards build on EPA’s Heavy-Duty Phase 2 program from 2016 and maintain that program’s flexible structure, which is designed to reflect the diverse nature of the heavy-duty vehicle industry. The standards are technology-neutral and performance-based, allowing each manufacturer to choose what set of emissions control technologies is best suited for them and the needs of their customers.
Final Rule: Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles -Phase 3 (pdf) (20.1 MB, published April 22, 2024)
Final Rule Correction: Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles -Phase 3 (pdf) (435 KB, published June 17, 2024) Read More →
DHS Adds PRC-Based Seafood, Aluminum, and Footwear Entities to Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Enforcement List
Release Date: June 11, 2024
UFLPA Entity List Currently Restricts Goods from 68 PRC-Based Companies from Entering the United States
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the addition of three People’s Republic of China (PRC)-based seafood, aluminum, and footwear companies to the Uygur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) Entity List. Through these actions, DHS is increasing its focus on seafood, aluminum, and shoes—sectors that play an important role in Xinjiang’s economy – and ensuring goods made with forced labor are kept out of the U.S. market.
Effective June 12, 2024, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will apply a rebuttable presumption that goods produced by these entities will be prohibited from entering the United States. By identifying entities found to utilize and/or facilitate the forced labor of Uyghurs and other persecuted groups from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR), the UFLPA Entity List provides companies with more information about the potential involvement of forced labor in their supply chains.
The entities being added to the UFLPA Entity List today include Dongguan Oasis Shoes Co., Ltd. (also known as Dongguan Oasis Shoe Industry Co., Ltd.; Dongguan Luzhou Shoes Co., Ltd.; and Dongguan Lvzhou Shoes Co., Ltd.), Shandong Meijia Group Co., Ltd. (also known as Rizhao Meijia Group), and Xinjiang Shenhuo Coal and Electricity Co., Ltd.
“The Department of Homeland Security will not tolerate forced labor in U.S. supply chains and will enforce our laws across all industries and sectors,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “We will continue to investigate companies that use or facilitate forced labor and will hold those entities responsible. We urge stakeholders across industry, civil society and our international partners to work with us to eliminate the scourge of forced labor.” Read More →
MATTRESSES FROM BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA, BULGARIA, BURMA, ITALY, PHILIPPINES, POLAND, SLOVENIA, AND TAIWAN, INJURE U.S. INDUSTRY, SAYS USITC
The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of mattresses from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Burma, Italy, Philippines, Poland, Slovenia, and Taiwan that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value.
Chairman David S. Johanson and Commissioners Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, Jason E. Kearns, and Amy A. Karpel voted in the affirmative.
As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, the U.S. Department of Commerce will issue antidumping duty orders on imports from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Burma, Italy, Philippines, Poland, Slovenia, and Taiwan.
The Commission made an affirmative critical circumstances finding with regard to imports of this product1 from Burma. The Commission made negative critical circumstances findings with regard to imports of this product from Bosnia, Italy, the Philippines, and Taiwan.2
The Commission’s public report on Mattresses from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Burma, Italy, Philippines, Poland, Slovenia, and Taiwan (Inv. Nos. 731-TA-1629-1631, 1633, 1636-1638, and 1640 (Final), USITC Publication 5520, June 2024) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.
The report will be available by July 9, 2024; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: https://www.usitc.gov/commission_publications_library.
Status of proceedings, links to relevant documents, and additional information for these investigations can be found at the Commission’s Investigations Database System (IDS).
1 Chairman David S. Johanson dissenting.
2 Commissioner Jason E. Kearns dissenting with respect to Bosnia.
###
USITC VOTES TO CONTINUE INVESTIGATIONS ON CRYSTALLINE SILICON PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS, WHETHER OR NOT ASSEMBLED INTO MODULES FROM CAMBODIA, MALAYSIA, THAILAND, AND VIETNAM
The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells, Whether or Not Assembled into Modules, from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value and subsidized by the governments of Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. The USITC also determined that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is threatened with material injury by reason of Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells, Whether or Not Assembled into Modules, from Cambodia that are allegedly subsidized by the government of Cambodia.
Chairman David S. Johanson and Commissioners Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, Jason E. Kearns, and Amy A. Karpel voted in the affirmative.
As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue its investigations of imports of Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells, Whether or Not Assembled into Modules, from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, with its preliminary countervailing duty determinations due on or about July 18, 2024, and its preliminary antidumping duty determinations due on or about October 1, 2024.
The Commission’s public report Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells, Whether or Not Assembled Into Modules from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam; Inv. Nos. 701-TA-722-725 and 731-TA-1690-1693 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 5517, June 2024) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.
The report will be available by July 5, 2024; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: https://www.usitc.gov/commission_publications_library. Read More →
https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2024/er0607_65269.htm
USITC INSTITUTES SECTION 337 INVESTIGATION OF CERTAIN SURFACE CLEANING DEVICES AND COMPONENTS THEREOF
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) voted to institute an investigation of certain surface cleaning devices and components thereof. The products at issue in the investigation are described in the Commission’s notice of investigation.
The investigation is based on a complaint filed by SharkNinja Operating LLC of Needham, MA; Omachron Alpha Inc. of Hampton, Canada; and Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. of Hampton, Canada, on April 23, 2024, and supplemented on May 9, 2024. An amended complaint was filed on May 16, 2024, and supplemented on May 23, 2024. The amended complaint, as supplemented, alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain surface cleaning devices and components thereof that infringe patents asserted by the complainants. The complainants request that the USITC issue a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders.
The USITC has identified the following respondents in this investigation:
Dyson, Inc. of Chicago, IL,
Dyson Technology Limited of Malmesbury, United Kingdom, and
Dyson Canada Limited of Toronto, Canada.
By instituting this investigation (337-TA-1404), the USITC has not yet made any decision on the merits of the case. The USITC’s Chief Administrative Law Judge will assign the case to one of the USITC’s administrative law judges (ALJ), who will schedule and hold an evidentiary hearing. The ALJ will make an initial determination as to whether there is a violation of section 337; that initial determination is subject to review by the Commission.
The USITC will make a final determination in the investigation at the earliest practicable time. Within 45 days after institution of the investigation, the USITC will set a target date for completing the investigation. USITC remedial orders in section 337 cases are effective when issued and become final 60 days after issuance unless disapproved for policy reasons by the U.S. Trade Representative within that 60-day period.
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USITC INSTITUTES SECTION 337 INVESTIGATION OF CERTAIN SENSORS WITH PIXELS AND PRODUCTS CONTAINING SAME
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) voted to institute an investigation of certain sensors with pixels and products containing same. The products at issue in the investigation are described in the Commission’s notice of investigation.
The investigation is based on a complaint filed by SiOnyx, LLC of Beverly, MA, on April 30, 2024, and supplemented on May 7, 2024. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain sensors with pixels and products containing same that infringe patents asserted by the complainant. The complainant requests that the USITC issue a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders.
The USITC has identified the following respondents in this investigation:
Samsung Electronics, Co., Ltd. of Suwon, South Korea,
Samsung Electronics America, Inc. of Ridgefield Park, NJ, and
Samsung Semiconductor, Inc. of San Jose, CA.
By instituting this investigation (337-TA-1403), the USITC has not yet made any decision on the merits of the case. The USITC’s Chief Administrative Law Judge will assign the case to one of the USITC’s administrative law judges (ALJ), who will schedule and hold an evidentiary hearing. The ALJ will make an initial determination as to whether there is a violation of section 337; that initial determination is subject to review by the Commission.
The USITC will make a final determination in the investigation at the earliest practicable time. Within 45 days after institution of the investigation, the USITC will set a target date for completing the investigation. USITC remedial orders in section 337 cases are effective when issued and become final 60 days after issuance unless disapproved for policy reasons by the U.S. Trade Representative within that 60-day period.
###
DHS Adds PRC-Based Seafood, Aluminum, and Footwear Entities to Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Enforcement List
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the addition of three People’s Republic of China (PRC)-based seafood, aluminum, and footwear companies to the Uygur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) Entity List. Through these actions, DHS is increasing its focus on seafood, aluminum, and shoes—sectors that play an important role in Xinjiang’s economy – and ensuring goods made with forced labor are kept out of the U.S. market.
Effective June 12, 2024, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will apply a rebuttable presumption that goods produced by these entities will be prohibited from entering the United States. By identifying entities found to utilize and/or facilitate the forced labor of Uyghurs and other persecuted groups from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR), the UFLPA Entity List provides companies with more information about the potential involvement of forced labor in their supply chains.
The entities being added to the UFLPA Entity List today include Dongguan Oasis Shoes Co., Ltd. (also known as Dongguan Oasis Shoe Industry Co., Ltd.; Dongguan Luzhou Shoes Co., Ltd.; and Dongguan Lvzhou Shoes Co., Ltd.), Shandong Meijia Group Co., Ltd. (also known as Rizhao Meijia Group), and Xinjiang Shenhuo Coal and Electricity Co., Ltd.
“The Department of Homeland Security will not tolerate forced labor in U.S. supply chains and will enforce our laws across all industries and sectors,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “We will continue to investigate companies that use or facilitate forced labor and will hold those entities responsible. We urge stakeholders across industry, civil society and our international partners to work with us to eliminate the scourge of forced labor.” Read More →
https://www.dhs.gov/news/2024/06/11/dhs-adds-prc-based-seafood-aluminum-and-footwear-entities-uyghur-forced-labor
DHS Announces 26 Additional PRC-Based Textile Companies to the UFLPA Entity List
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the addition of 26 textile companies based in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) Entity List. Effective May 17, 2024, goods produced by the named 26 entities will be restricted from entering the United States. By focusing on cotton manufacturers based outside of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) that source cotton from the XUAR, their designation will increase transparency and ensure responsible companies can conduct due diligence on their supply chains to ensure they do not include goods made with forced labor.
The Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force (FLETF), chaired by DHS, is taking these steps as part of the United States’ commitment to eliminating the use of forced labor in the U.S. supply chain and promoting accountability for the ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity against Uyghurs and other religious and ethnic minority groups in the XUAR.
“The Department of Homeland Security will not tolerate forced labor in our nation’s supply chains,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “Today's announcement strengthens our enforcement of the UFLPA and helps responsible companies conduct due diligence so that, together, we can keep the products of forced labor out of our country. We will continue to execute on our textile enforcement strategy and hold the PRC accountable for their exploitation and abuse of the Uyghur people.”
Since the UFLPA was signed into law in December 2021, the FLETF has added 65 entities to the UFLPA Entity List. These entities reach into the apparel, agriculture, polysilicon, plastics, chemicals, batteries, household appliances, electronics, and food additives sectors, among others. The interagency FLETF – which also includes the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and the U.S. Departments of Commerce, Justice, Labor, State, and the Treasury – voted to add the 26 companies to the UFLPA Entity List. Today’s announcement represents the largest ever one-time expansion to the UFLPA Entity List. Read More →
https://www.dhs.gov/news/2024/05/16/dhs-announces-26-additional-prc-based-textile-companies-uflpa-entity-list
US Customs tightens enforcement on low-value e-commerce trade
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has suspended several customs brokers from a program that was designed to speed entry for low-value shipments but has paved the way for an explosion of e-commerce imports from China and India that the agency is struggling to police.
CBP didn’t spell out specifics in Friday’s suspension announcement but implied the intermediaries were penalized because filings for cargo release repeatedly failed to comply with requirements that the importer use “reasonable care” to properly classify and value goods, and for late filing of required data.
Under a 2016 update to U.S. trade regulations, the aggregate retail value of articles that a single person in one day can import free of duty and taxes — and without a detailed, formal customs declaration — was raised to $800. The previous threshold to qualify for an import duty exemption was $200.
The de minimis — or minimum — threshold was changed to accommodate the growing appetite for purchases made online and shipped directly to the consumer’s door and because the duties on low-dollar imports were so small it wasn’t worth the expenditure of CBP resources to collect them, according to trade compliance experts. The rule changes led to a wave of just-in-time packages from companies such as Shein and Temu, overwhelming CBP’s ability to identify suspicious parcels and raising alarm that smugglers of fentanyl, counterfeits and other illicit products are exploiting the process. Read More →
BRASS ROD FROM BRAZIL, INDIA, MEXICO, SOUTH AFRICA, AND SOUTH KOREA INJURE U.S. INDUSTRY, SAYS USITC
The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of brass rod from Brazil, India, Mexico, South Africa, and South Korea that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value and subsidized by the Government of South Korea.
Commissioners Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, Jason E. Kearns, and Amy A. Karpel voted in the affirmative. Chairman David S. Johanson voted in the negative.
As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, Commerce will issue antidumping and countervailing duty orders on imports of this product from Brazil, India, Mexico, South Africa, and South Korea.
The Commission’s public report Brass Rod from Brazil, India, Mexico, South Africa, and South Korea (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-688 and 731-TA-1612-1613 and 1615-1617 (Final), USITC Publication 5513, June 2024) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.
The report will be available by June 19, 2024; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp.
UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20436
FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS
Brass Rod from Brazil, India, Mexico, South Africa, and South Korea
Investigation Nos: 701-TA-688 and 731-TA-1612-1613 and 1615-1617 (Final)
Product Description: The products covered by this investigation are brass rod and bar (“brass rod”), which is defined as leaded, low-lead, and no-lead solid brass made from alloys such as, but not limited to the following alloys classified under the Unified Numbering System (UNS) as C27450, C27451, C27460, C34500, C35000, C35300, C35330, C36000, C36300, C37000, C37700, C48500, C67300, C67600, and C69300, and their international equivalents. The brass rod subject to these investigations has an actual cross-section or outside diameter greater than 0.25 inches but less than or equal to 12 inches. Brass rod may be produced in accordance with ASTM B16, ASTM B124, ASTM B981, ASTM B371, ASTM B453, ASTM B21, ASTM B138, and ASTM B927. Conformity to an ASTM standard is not required for the merchandise to be included within the scope. Read More →
https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2024/er0522_65207.htm
