Contributing Lawyers

Canada

Cyndee Todgham Cherniak

United States

Susan Kohn Ross

Australia

Andrew Hudson

Canada Border Services Agency Gives Self Mixed Review in Internal Audit

On February 22, 2010, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) posted an internal audit report concerning the adequacy and effectiveness of the control framework for the administration of permit, licence and other requirements...

Thai Cigarette WTO Report Will Provide Answers About Related Party Transaction Value

There is a World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute that has been flying under world radar because it is between two developing countries, the Philippines and Thailand and a "sin product", being cigarettes. "Thailand — Customs and...

Canada Likely to Soon Impose Additional Export Controls & Economic Sanctions Against Iran

Canadian businesses should expect a new round of Iran Sanctions in the near future. On February 10, 2010, Prime Minister Harper issued the following statement:

"Canada is deeply disturbed by Iran's decision further to enrich its...

Import Safety Commercial Targeting And Analysis Center

Continuing to ramp-up product safety enforcement, DHS has announced the creation of the Import Safety Commercial Targeting and Analysis Center (CTAC). Modeled after current Customs targeting centers, CTAC is supposed to...

CPSC Further Extends Testing And Certification Deadlines

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has agreed to extend the deadline by which testing and certification of lead content in the substrate of some children’s products must commence, but that does not change the...

This is a Good Time for Sugar Expiry Review

On December 29, 2009, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) gave notice that the Canadian antidumping and countervailing duty orders regarding sugar are scheduled to expire on November 1, 2010 (In particular, the...

Visitors to the Vancouver 2010 Olympics Need to Comply with Canada's Customs/Import Laws

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has not yet released a policy statement or guidance for the many visitors to Canada, who specifically plan to attend the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. Canada is looking forward to receiving the...

Australian AAT issues decision in major bed linen TCO case and opens the way for major refunds

The Australian Administrative Appeals Tribunal (“AAT”) handed down an important decision yesterday which opens the way for importers of certain bed linen to claim up to $70 million in customs duty refunds.

 

The case, General...

The ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement to start on 1 January 2010. What should traders be doing now!

Although it has been the subject of some media coverage, we are pleased to provide the following reminder as to the commencement of the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement ("AANZFTA") on 1 January 2010.

The AANZFTA...

Commencement date for Australia - NZ and ASEAN FTA confirmed

According to a media release of 25 October 2009 from the Australian Trade Minister, it has been agreed that the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement will come into force on 1 January 2010 following discussion between...

Food Safety Seminar Series

Given the rising importance placed on food safety, the Foreign Trade Association, iwhich is headquartered in the Greater Los Angeles area, is hosting a two-part series providing an international perspective on food safety. Laws...

WTO Establishes Panel to Hear Canada's Challenge of South Korean Import Ban on Beef

On August 31, 2009, the WTO agreed to establish a dispute settlement panel to consider Canada's challenge against South Korea's ongoing import ban against Canadian beef.

The establishment of the panel follows more than six years...

ISF Penalty Guidelines Published

As has been widely publicized, Customs has published the penalty guidelines for the Importer Security Filing program. Carrying on its goal of getting importers to participate as soon as possible, the first mitigating factor...

Alcopops legislation finally bubbles through Australian Parliament

Tariff Proposals - Taxation without legislation

Readers would be aware of the long-standing methods adopted by successive Australian Federal Governments to effect changes to rates of excise and customs duties before implementing...

WTO Panel Decision in China Publications & Audiovisual Case Important

On August 12, 2009, the WTO issued the DSB Panel Decision in DS363 "China — Measures Affecting Trading Rights and Distribution Services for Certain Publications and Audiovisual Entertainment Products". To obtain a copy of the...

Australian Customs tighten practices in monitoring compliance

The Australian Customs and Border Protection Service ("Customs") has recently issued two new rulings whose impact is considered below.

Customs compliance monitoring program

 

The 2008/2009 Federal Budget contained reference to...