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Canada – International Trade Minister announces tariff elimination on tech products

By 1 Min Read

  Global Affairs Canada reported that on July 4, 2016, the Hon. Chrystia Freeland, Minister of International Trade announced the implementation of the  expanded Information Technology Agreement (ITA). Canada’s implementation of the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) expanded ITA eliminates tariffs on 201 tech and information-related products. On July 1, 2016, Canada permanently locked in its duty-free status on the majority of products covered under the expanded ITA. The remaining tariffs will be eliminated over three years.…

Save the Date! November 15-16, 2016: A Year-End Review of Import/Export Developments

By 1 Min Read

  Each year Baker & McKenzie trade compliance lawyers from around the world come together to present a year-end review of import and export developments. Mark your calendars for this year’s two-day conference, which will be held Tuesday, November 15 through Wednesday, November 16 at the Hyatt Regency in Santa Clara, California. If you are unable to attend the conference, but still wish to participate, we will offer a live webcast option as well. A formal email invitation with…

US – CBP proposes expanded definition of ‘Importer Security Filing Importer’

By 2 Mins Read

  On July 6, 2016, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) published in the Federal Register¬ a notice of proposed rulemaking [USCBP-2016-0040] to amend the CBP regulations to expand the definition of Importer Security Filing (ISF) Importer for certain types of shipments (foreign cargo remaining on board (FROB), immediate exportation (IE), and transportation and exportation (T&E) in-bond shipments, and for merchandise being entered into a foreign trade zone (FTZ)) to ensure that the party that has…

Switzerland lifts sanctions against Liberia

By 2 Mins Read

  In accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2288 (2016) of 25 May 2016, the Federal Council has decided to repeal the ordinance on measures against Liberia. The Swiss government announced that the repeal came into force at 6 pm on 6 July 2016. The announcement said: Welcoming the steady progress made by the Liberian government in rebuilding the country, the United Nations Security Council took the decision, set out in Resolution 2288 (2016) of 25…

Brexit Webinar: Implications for Businesses for Trade in Goods and Services and Customs

By 2 Mins Read

  On the 23rd of June, the UK voted in favour of leaving the European Union.  The biggest impact for businesses will be the terms of trade between the UK and the EU-27, as well as between the UK and the rest of the world – this will determine how businesses access different markets when exporting and importing goods and services.  This means that international trade law expertise will become critical to companies seeking to…

Canada announces plans to accede to Arms Trade Treaty

By 2 Mins Read

  On June 30, 2016, Global Affairs Canada announced that as part of Canada’s commitment to transparency and rigour in export controls, the Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of International Trade, announced plans to accede to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). The announcement from Global Affairs stated: The government announced new measures that will allow Canada to demonstrate compliance with the ATT while enhancing Canada’s already robust export…

Russia to gradually lift foreign trade sanctions on Turkey

By 2 Mins Read

  Russia took a decision to gradually repeal foreign trade sanctions applied to Turkey.  On June 30, 2016 the Russian President issued Decree No. 314 which lifted some of the sanctions imposed on Turkey. Namely the Decree (i) provides for the resumption of charter flights between Russia and Turkey, (ii) allows Russian travel agencies to sell tours to Turkey, as well as (iii) instructs the Russian Government to hold negotiations with the Government of Turkey on…

US – OFAC and other agencies adjust civil penalties for inflation

By 2 Mins Read

  On July 1, 2016, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) published in the Federal Register an interim rule (with request for comments) to amend its regulations for the relevant sanctions programs it administers to implement the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990, as amended by the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 and the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015. In particular, this rule adjusts for inflation the…

US – FDA proposes rules for ACE filings

By 2 Mins Read

  On July 1, 2016, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published in the Federal Register a proposed rule to establish requirements for the electronic filing of entries of FDA-regulated products in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) or any other electronic data interchange (EDI) system authorized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), in order for the filing to be processed by CBP and to help FDA in determining admissibility of that product. ACE is a…

US – President implements WTO expanded Information Technology Agreement as well as AGOA and GSP HTS revisions

By 4 Mins Read

  On June 30, 2016, President Obama signed a Presidential Proclamation — Implementing the World Trade Organization Declaration on the Expansion of Trade in Information Technology Products and For Other Purposes. The Proclamation implements the July 28, 2015, Declaration on the Expansion of Trade in Information Technology Products (Declaration), which established a framework for eliminating duties on certain information and communication technology products. These products include advanced semiconductors, medical equipment, and a range of audio…