Purolator USA has announced that its Itasca, Ill., processing facility has been approved by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to participate in its Certified Cargo Screening Program (CCSP). As a CCSP participant, Purolator will be able to screen customers’ air shipments at its Itasca facility so that upon arrival at the airport shipments can be quickly loaded on to their designated flights.

“We are very pleased to have our CCSP certification in place,” commented Purolator USA Regional Manager Randy Stomp. “By screening our customers’ shipments at our Itasca facility, we will be able to ensure that shipments arrive at the airport cleared for takeoff and ready to be loaded onto their scheduled flights.

Purolator received its CCSP certification following an application and review process administered by the TSA. To date, CCSP approval has been awarded to only 450 locations. Stomp said that Purolator has plans to seek CCSP approval for additional processing facilities.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has accepted one bid from an exporter under the Dairy Export Incentive Program (DEIP) for cheddar cheese to Asia and Eurasia.

The bid is as follows:

• One bid for cheddar cheese to Asia and Eurasia
  • The award totaled 40 metric tons of cheddar cheese.
  • Delivery period: October 1 to November 30, 2009.
  • Bonus: $275.00 per metric ton.
  • Remaining global DEIP balance: 2,103 metric tons.
  • The bonus was awarded to Interfood, Inc.

Consolidators International (CII), a Los Angeles-based wholesaler, has begun the implementation of screening process under a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) program whereby freight carried in bellies of passenger aircraft must be screened.

In announcing his company’s new inspection program, President Julian Keeling commented, “[A]lthough CII is geared to serve all forwarders with international air shipments, we expect to be helpful particularly to smaller and mid-sized consolidators.” He noted that CII is one of the first smaller air freight organizations to obtain the highly sophisticated equipment required to screen shipments under the TSA mandate. “We can save other forwarders time and money when utilizing the screening process at CII,” he added.

The massive equipment, consisting of an x-ray machine and an Explosive Trade Detector (ETD), are housed in a secure, sealed-off portion of the CII warehouse. The x-ray machine is capable of examining large wooden skids with a weight capacity on their rollers of 4,000 to 6,000 lbs. The Explosive Trade Detector is a portable device that is rubbed on cargo and picks up particles of known “problematic” compounds. CII’s warehouse is located just a short distance from LAX’ cargo facilities.

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration announced on Sept. 18 that Toledo Express Airport will be the recipient of a $3.4 million grant for improvements to the existing BAX Global Cargo Hub located there.

The funds are expected to enable BAX Global to improve its operation and the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority to attract new business to the area. The sorting facility will be enlarged to provide more work space, and larger doors will be installed to accommodate wide-body aircraft, which will provide greater capacity for bulk load operations and processing by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. A cross dock will be installed to expedite the handling of air-to-truck and truck-to-air cargo.

“This project benefits from a broad base of political support and I would like to specifically thank Governor Strickland, Representative Szollosi, Representative Ujvagi and Commissioner Gerken for being steadfast advocates for Toledo Express and BAX Global,” said Michael J. Stolarczyk, President of the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority. “Once complete the BAX Global Cargo Hub will be the premiere international air cargo facility in the country - a truly efficient, low-cost, high throughput operation. Toledo Express Airport has an economic impact of $640 million for northwest Ohio. Reinvestments in this regional asset, such as this grant and the $1 million commitment from BAX Global, ensure our viability and encourage growth.”

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced Sept. 28 that it will begin assessing Fiscal Year 2010 user fees for import- and export-related services that it provides for animals, animal products, birds, germ plasm, organisms, and vectors, and for certain veterinary diagnostic services.

On October 1, 2009, the veterinary diagnostic services user fees for fiscal year 2010 will take effect. The regulations, which include charts showing all the fiscal year 2010 veterinary import/export user fees, are available at Regulations.gov.

For information on Veterinary Services import and export program operations, contact Dr. Freeda Isaac, Director, National Center for Import and Export, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 39, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231; (301) 734-8364.

For information on Veterinary Diagnostic program operations, contact Dr. Elizabeth Lautner, Director, National Veterinary Services Laboratories, VS, APHIS, 1800 Dayton Avenue, Ames, IA 50010; (515) 663-7301.

For information concerning user fee rate development, contact Mrs. Kris Caraher, Section Head, User Fees Section, Financial Services Branch, FMD, MRPBS, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 54, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 734-5901.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov last week called U.S.-Russia bilateral trade, economic ties, and investment relations “among the priorities of Russian foreign policy,” and pointed to recent examples of positive commercial cooperation between the United States and Russia in the areas of aviation, agricultural equipment, metals, and fast moving consumer goods.

His remarks came during the 17th annual meeting of the U.S.-Russia Business Council in New York, which highlighted opportunities for strengthening commercial collaboration between the United States and Russia as the two countries seek to resume economic growth amid the ongoing global economic crisis.

“We attach great importance to the prospects for development of scientific and technological cooperation with the United States in the field of cutting edge technologies,” Minister Lavrov said.

His remarks were echoed by U.S. Ambassador to Russia John Beyrle, who noted the potential for the United States and Russia to become strong business partners. Beyrle suggested that Russia stands at a critical crossroads in its economic development, and he argued that a strong Russia is in the interests of the United States.

Asked about the possibility of a simplified immigration regime for U.S. citizens and other foreigners, Minister Lavrov said that Russia is ready to go as far as its U.S. partners in establishing a visa-free business and tourist regime.

Minister Lavrov also highlighted recent collaboration between Russia’s Association of Regional Banks and the International Finance Corporation to stabilize regional banks in Russia, and he called on U.S. banks and financial institutions to support a follow-on agreement to these efforts.

On September 25, the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) commended conferees on the agriculture appropriations bill on text slated for the fiscal year 2010 agriculture appropriations conference report (PDF) regarding the use of appropriated funds by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) with respect to potential imports of poultry products from China. The conference agreement would allow USDA to use appropriated funds in fiscal year 2010 to promulgate or implement a rule allowing imports of processed poultry or poultry products from China only after the Secretary of Agriculture notifies Congress that certain conditions have been met.

“We applaud the conferees for finding a path forward that will permit the USDA to conduct a science-based risk assessment of Chinese processed poultry. It sends a strong signal to China that the United States abides by its trade obligations and will base decisions about imports on sound science,” said NPPC President Don Butler. “We expect China to do the same.”

As the world’s biggest exporter of pork, the U.S. pork industry has an interest in making sure that foreign governments base their trade decisions on science. Last year, the industry exported nearly $5 billion of pork, including almost $690 million to China, the second-largest destination.

NPPC was part of a coalition of agriculture and business organizations that urged Congress to look closely at the issue. In August, NPPC issued a grassroots call to action, asking pork producers around the country to contact their members of Congress and urge them to find a science-based solution to the issue. In mid-September, more than 130 pork producers came to Washington to meet with their congressional delegations on the issue.

“China is a very important market for the U.S. pork industry,” Butler said. “Given the current economic state of our industry, with producers losing more than $21 per hog over the past 2 years, U.S. pork exports to China are NPPC’s No. 1 trade priority.”

The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) has announced that U.S. Representative Michael E. McMahon (D-N.Y.) will address New York-area businesses about expanding their sales in foreign markets and creating U.S. jobs on October 5 at the New York stop of the “Exports Live! Real Deals, Real Profits” seminar series.

Other speakers will include New York Governor David A. Paterson, Stuart D. Aronson of GE Capital - Sponsor Finance, and Karen G. Mills, administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration as detailed in yesterday’s story.

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In a notice (PDF) published in the Federal Register on September 28, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced that its Advisory Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid will hold an open meeting on October 21 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Jack Morton Auditorium, Media and Public Affairs Building, George Washington University, 805 21st Street, NW., Washington, DC 20052.

The primary focus of the meeting will be on food security and what has and has not worked in implementing USAID programs. USAID Acting Administrator Alonzo Fulgham and Franklin Moore, Deputy Assistant Administrator of USAID’s Bureau for Africa, will both provide keynote presentations during the meeting.

A panel discussion on best practices will include presentations from Tom Verdoorn, Vice President of the International Development Division of Land O’Lakes; Peter McPherson, President of the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities and Leader Group Member of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs; and Kristin Penn, Senior Director for Agriculture at the Millennium Challenge Corporation.

Persons wishing to attend the meeting can register with USAID online or with Deborah Lewis by e-mailing dlewis@usaid.gov or calling (202) 712-0936.

An application has been submitted to the Foreign-Trade Zones Board (the Board) by ATC Logistics & Electronics (ATCLE), an operator of FTZ #196, requesting processing authority within FTZ #196 in Fort Worth, Texas. The application was submitted pursuant to the provisions of the Foreign-Trade Zones Act, as amended (19 U.S.C. 81a- 81u), and the regulations of the Board (15 CFR part 400). It was formally filed on September 16, 2009.

The ATCLE facility is located within Site 2 of FTZ #196. The facility is used for the kitting of personal navigation devices. Components and materials sourced from abroad (representing 97% of the value of the finished product) include the following: LCD tape; plastic self-adhesive labels; dummy SIM cards; labels; LCD film; screw covers; plastic brackets and washers; USB connector housings; foam strips; rubber O-rings, gaskets, buffers and serial port plug covers; foam fronts; leather bags and holsters; screws and nuts; locking washers; anti-ESD foil; LCD copper; antennas and parts; speaker labels; steel brackets; label printers; disk drives; stylus pens; USB travel chargers with captive cables; power adapters; batteries; microphones; speakers; recorded media; GPS units; remote controls; FM transmitters; keyboards; SIM cards; plastics kits; SD card doors; shield cases; car kits; LCD modules; capacitors; keypads; rail clamps; switches; cables; adaptors; integrated circuits; security tags; adhesive mounting discs; bean bag mounts; LCD optis unified (flat panel display); LCD multi-source (flat panel display 5; high definition); battery analyzers; and battery adapters (duty rate ranges from duty-free to 6.5%).

FTZ procedures could exempt ATCLE from customs duty payments on the foreign components used in export production. The company anticipates that some 10% of the plant’s shipments will be exported. On its domestic sales, ATCLE would be able to choose the duty rates during customs entry procedures that apply to the assembled personal navigation device kits (duty-free) for the foreign inputs noted above. FTZ designation would further allow ATCLE to realize logistical benefits through the use of weekly customs entry procedures. Customs duties also could possibly be deferred or reduced on foreign status production equipment. The request indicates that the savings from FTZ procedures would help improve the facility’s international competitiveness.

Elizabeth Whiteman of the FTZ staff is designated examiner to evaluate and analyze the facts and information presented in the application and case record and to report findings and recommendations to the board.

The FTZ Board is inviting public comment from interested parties. Submissions (original and 3 copies) should be addressed to the board’s executive secretary at the following address: Office of the Executive Secretary, Foreign-Trade Zones Board, Room 2111, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230-0002. The closing period for their receipt is November 27, 2009. Rebuttal comments in response to material submitted during the foregoing period may be submitted during the subsequent 15-day period to December 14, 2009.

A copy of the application will be available for public inspection at the address above and in the “Reading Room” section of the board’s Web site.

For further information, contact: Elizabeth Whiteman; Phone:  (202) 482-0473; E-Mail: ElizabethlWhiteman@ita.doc.gov.