China and Canada must resolve ongoing disputes that have hurt exports of canola since China blocked Canadian imports of the product nearly a year ago (see 1903060058), the Canola Council of Canada said in a Feb. 27 news release. “The canola sector is being targeted by China over a dispute with Canada,” said Jim Everson, president of the CCC. “Farmers and the industry they’re part of cannot continue to shoulder the impact of something entirely out of their control.” Canola seed exports to China were down about 70% in 2019 due to trade disruption, the trade group said.
Canada is holding consultations on the possible modernization of the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement, Canada said in a notice. “A modernization of the CUFTA provides an opportunity to increase the Agreement’s benefits for Canadians by further diversifying and expanding Canada’s preferential access to Ukraine, and advancing an inclusive approach to trade in order that the benefits of trade are widely shared,” it said. “A modernization of the CUFTA would also help reinforce the rules-based international system and promote the development of global value chains, strengthening Canada’s connectivity to the region.” Comments are due by March 16, it said.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency will add the organic import requirements for seeds and grains from chapter 07 in the Automated Import Reference System in March, the CFIA said in a Feb. 21 email. “This update covers dried leguminous vegetables,” it said. The agency is phasing in the requirements (see 1905290046).
Brokers and importers should not use the Single Window Initiative (SWI), Integrated Import Declaration (IID), Service Option 911 for goods “imported via the postal stream,” the Canada Border Services Agency said in a notice. “The SWI IID is a cargo centric model, which means the associated cargo data must be on file with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) electronically in order for a SWI IID transaction to obtain release,” it said. Imported postal goods don't have any associated cargo data, the agency said.
Brazil added 282 items to its list of foreign capital goods and information technology and telecommunications goods subject to duty-free treatment under the country’s Ex-Tarifario regime, according to a Feb. 11 Hong Kong Trade Development Council report. Among the additions, 241 items are capital goods and 41 are IT and telecommunications goods, the report said. The goods will benefit from duty-free treatment though Dec. 31, 2021. Brazil also updated its list of auto parts that qualify for duty exemptions, removing 19 items from the list and modifying several product descriptions, the HKTDC said.
The Canada Border Services Agency issued a customs notice on Feb. 10 to “clarify exporter and carrier obligations related to the proof-of-report and offer guidance on how to complete an export declaration.” The notice spells out three export scenarios and how to use the Canadian Export Reporting System in such cases. The system uses a “proof-of-report number” to indicate “that goods to be exported have been reported to the” CBSA.