Wednesday 26 May 2021 | 4.00 – 4.30 PM BST As companies make increasing use of cloud services, and with the ease of remote working allowing people to log on worldwide, the risk of accidentally breaching export controls is increasing. Sending or providing access to controlled information abroad, even to members of your company, could leave you with a fine or even a criminal conviction. The UK Export Control Joint Unit has published new guidance…
The EU, as a result of the United States’ failure to bring the Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act (‘CDSOA’) in compliance with its obligations under the World Trade Organization (‘WTO’) agreements, was authorised to impose an additional customs duty on certain products of the United States. In conformity with the WTO authorisation to suspend the application of concessions to the United States, the Commission is to adjust the level of suspension annually to the…
On April 29, 2021, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) published in the Federal Register a general notice that announces that CBP is modifying the collections process for deferred payments of internal revenue taxes owed on consumption entries of distilled spirits, wines, and beer imported into the United States (other than in bulk containers). The primary modification announced in the notice is the harmonization of the determination of the due date for deferred tax payments…
On April 26, 2021, the US Trade Representative (USTR) published in the Federal Register a notice that makes a technical amendment to the exclusions that apply to certain products of China covered by the September 24, 2018 action (List or Tranche 3) that were exported from China before May 10, 2019, and entered the United States after May 10, 2019, and before June 15, 2019. The September action imposed additional 10% ad valorem duties on…
On April 23, 2021, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) published in the Federal Register a general notice that advises the public that the quarterly Internal Revenue Service interest rates used to calculate interest on overdue accounts (underpayments) and refunds (overpayments) of customs duties will remain the same from the previous quarter. For the calendar quarter beginning April 1, 2021, the interest rates for overpayments will be 2 percent for corporations and 3 percent for…
On April 22, 2021, Office of the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) published in the Federal Register a notification of continuation of temporary travel restrictions at land ports of entry and ferries between the United States and Mexico from April 22, 2021 to May 21, 2021. For purposes of the temporary alteration in certain designated ports of entry operations authorized under 19 U.S.C. 1318(b)(1)(C) and…
On 19 April 2021, the UK Government announced that the UK and Serbia signed a Partnership, Trade and Cooperation Agreement to ensure £682m trade can continue and grow between the two countries. The announcement said: The Agreement secures continued preferential trade access between the UK and Serbia with significant savings for business to support jobs and the wider economy. It also sets out how the two countries will strengthen political, economic, security and cultural ties,…
Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry announced that on 9 April 2021, Singapore deposited its instrument of ratification with the Secretary-General of ASEAN and became the first country to complete the official process for ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement. It is understood that China, Japan and Thailand completed their domestic procedures to approve RCEP, but apparently have not deposited their instruments of ratification with ASEAN. RCEP is the world’s largest free trade agreement and…
Global Affairs Canada announced that the Canada-United Kingdom Trade Continuity Agreement (Canada-UK TCA) entered into force on April 1, 2021 – preserving preferential market access for both Canadian and UK businesses. Resources: The full text of the Canada-UK TCA may be found here.A Joint Interpretative Instrument. Statement by Canada and the UK interpreting the Canada-UK TCA provisions.Chapter summaries – Chapter-by-chapter guide to the Canada-UK TCA key provisions.Economic Impact Assessment – Assessmentconducted by the Office of…
On 24 March 2021, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry (“Minister”) issued updated Guidelines on the National Security Review of Investments (“Updated Guidelines”). The Updated Guidelines outline additional factors and clarify existing factors the Canadian government will consider in assessing investments for potential national security concerns under the Investment Canada Act (ICA). These new factors include sensitive personal data, intangible assets, certain sensitive technologies, and critical minerals. The Updated Guidelines also formalize that investments by state-owned…