Mexico recently issued timelines for verification activities and government enforcement of new labeling regulations for imported foods, a U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service report released Aug. 5 said. Among other provisions, the measure will exempt certain producers and importers from being penalized Sept. 1-Nov. 30 “during verification activities” for labels of prepackaged processed foods and nonalcoholic beverages. In addition, Oct. 1-Nov. 20, food and beverages that do not display the “front of pack warning sign,” which is required under Mexico’s new labeling law, can be “marketed and sold to the final consumer.” Previous guidance published on July 10 noted the allowance for use of temporary front of pack labeling stickers until March 31, 2021. The new labeling law will take effect Oct. 1.
The Canada Border Services Agency updated its memorandum for import, export and in-transit requirements of the Explosives Act and Regulations, the CBSA said in a July 31 notice. Among the changes are that “the Natural Resources Canada, on-line application system for permits, now includes the ability to apply for import, export and in transit permits,” the CBSA said.
Brazil added 225 items to its list of foreign capital goods and information technology and telecommunications goods subject to duty-free treatment under its Ex-Tarifario regime, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council said in a July 30 report. Many of the items, which include 98 capital goods and 127 IT and telecom goods, potentially could be imported from mainland China and Hong Kong, the report said. The goods are classified in Harmonized System chapters 82, 84, 85 and 90. The goods will benefit from duty-free treatment though Dec. 31, 2021.
The Canada Border Services Agency postponed the system release for its new e-manifest program until Nov. 1, a July 29 email to industry said. The changes were scheduled to be implemented June 28 but postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the CBSA said. The changes will require freight forwarders and certain carriers to “transmit advance secondary data for cargo” imported into Canada, Ocean Network Express, a container shipping company, reported. CBSA said industry will have an opportunity to “test” the changes with CBSA in early September. “Test packages will be made available, and the testing dates will be confirmed in the coming weeks,” the agency said.
Canada will remove trade barriers that hinder imports of Australian wine into the Canadian market, including in Ontario and Nova Scotia, Australia’s trade ministry said July 27. Australia said Canada’s “discriminatory measures” had disadvantaged Australian exporters for a “number” of years, and the lifted restrictions will lead to “increased access” for Australian wine exports. “Removing these trade barriers will mean our wine exporters can now compete on a level playing field with Canadian wine producers,” said Simon Birmingham, minister for trade, tourism and investment. Australia said it will continue to push Canada to lift import restrictions in Quebec, where trade barriers remain.
Fees on imported vehicles “required to be registered with the Registrar of Imported Vehicles,” will increase on Aug. 1, the Canada Border Services Agency said in a July 23 customs notice. The fee increases apply to imports using “a Vehicle Import Form - Form 1" or “Vehicle Imported for Parts Form - Form 3,” it said.
CBP will extend its travel restrictions on the northern and southern borders through Aug. 20, it said in a two notices released July 21. The travel restrictions were to expire July 21 (see 2006220016). The travel bans do not apply to cargo, and exempt crossing the border from Canada or Mexico to work in the U.S.