Canada "is no longer accepting requests from the remission of surtaxes" now that the retaliatory tariffs on the U.S. are no longer in effect, the Department of Finance Canada said in an update to its page on the process for remission requests. Canada officially announced the end to the tariffs on May 20 (see 1905200054).
The Mexican Secretariat of Economy has announced a 90-day grace period for new requirements to submit proof of compliance with certain Mexican product standards at the time of entry, according to a circular issued by the Mexican Confederation of Customs Broker Associations that posted by consultancy AJR Comercio Exterior. Under regulations issued in October, imports subject to some Mexican standards will be denied entry into Mexico beginning June 3, 2019, if they are not accompanied by a certificate of compliance previously entered into an automated system by the third-party certifier (see 1904100076).
Canada posted a list of "key dates and access quantities of the various Tariff Rate Quotas (TRQ) for the import of supply managed goods under the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)." Global Affairs Canada mentioned the list as an important update for importers and exporters on May 23.
Importers of goods from Vietnam into Mexico cannot currently request preferential duty treatment under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the Mexican Confederation of Customs Broker Associations said in a May 21 circular posted by consultancy AJR Comercio Exterior. Though Vietnam has notified Mexico of the format of its certificate of origin to request preferential treatment, some doubts have surfaced about certificates that are being presented by importers, CAAAREM said.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will continue trade in swine products "in the event African swine fever (ASF) is reported in either country," the chief veterinary officers from both countries said in a joint statement. "For business continuity, Canada and the United States have worked to modify their export certificates to allow trade of live swine, swine semen, pet food and animal by-products and meat to continue trade in approved disease-free zones in the event of an ASF outbreak," the CVOs said. The two countries previously set out principles for trade and zoning to help slow the spread of diseases.
Argentina will exempt certain capital goods and temporary imports from a fee increase that took effect May 7, according to a notice in the country’s Boletin Oficial. Effective May 21, capital goods imported for production of hydrocarbons from unconventional reserves, as well as other capital goods under certain programs and all temporary imports, will be subject to a zero percent “tasa de estadistica” (statistical fee). Argentina had increased the fee, which is similar to the U.S. Merchandise Processing Fee, to 2.5 percent for all imports beginning May 7 (see 1905090056).
Brazil is streamlining certain requirements for imports of used machinery and equipment and goods eligible for tax benefits, the Brazilian Ministry of Economy said in a May 9 press release. In a notice published May 8, the Brazil Ministry of Economy extended the validity period of domestic production analyses, which form part of the initial stage of the approval process for used and benefit-eligible goods by determining whether there are any like domestic goods, according to an alert from the Hong Kong Trade and Development Council. Brazil is also adding several documents to its Ministry of Economy Electronic Information System (SEI/ME) related to importation of used production lines to expedite the import process, the press release said.