In calls hosted by CBP on the last day of NAFTA, and the first day of USMCA, trade professionals were anxious to understand what they should change in paperwork.

CBP Executive Assistant Commissioner for Trade Brenda Smith told reporters June 30 that CBP staffers “are very well-prepared to implement the agreement” that takes over from NAFTA at midnight.

The Labor Department is seeking comments on its interim rules for how automakers can establish that enough of their vehicles were produced with $16/hour labor. Stakeholders have until Aug. 31 to comment.

Although lawmakers thought eliminating the NAFTA certificate would be helpful, some importers are more comfortable with structure, so there will be a certificate template available on CBP's trade agreements web page “as soon as possible,” Adam Sulewski, USMCA Center project leader at CBP, said during a conference call June 29. He reminded importers, “We can accept those required nine data elements in any form.”

Concerns over imported and exported food during the COVID-19 pandemic are unfounded, and efforts to restrict food trade have no scientific basis, Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Stephen Hahn and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said in a joint statement June 24. “The United States understands the concerns of consumers here domestically and around the world who want to know that producers, processors and regulators are taking every necessary precaution to prioritize food safety especially during these challenging times. However, efforts by some countries to restrict global food exports related to COVID-19 transmission are not consistent with the known science of transmission,” they said. “There is no evidence that people can contract COVID-19 from food or from food packaging. The U.S. food safety system, overseen by our agencies, is the global leader in ensuring the safety of our food products, including product for export.”

The Food and Drug Administration on June 22 launched a new online system for U.S. exporters of animal food, drugs and devices to track and receive export certificates. The Center for Veterinary Medicine’s new Export Certification Application and Tracking System (eCATS) “will help facilitate exports by assisting industry in fulfilling importing country requirements for certification by CVM of CVM-regulated animal products,” FDA said. It also “provides a tool for foreign governments to verify the authenticity of export certificates provided to them by industry,” FDA said.

CBP's Miami seaport is urging exporters to more accurately provide filing information after seeing a “high number” of violations on vehicle export filings. The agency is specifically finding violations with “line details” and commodity descriptions in filings within the Automated Commercial Environment’s AESDirect application, CBP said in a June 19 notice to industry. The agency reminded industry that violators could be subject to fines of $10,000 per violation.

The Drug Enforcement Administration said it intends to temporarily add the synthetic opioid isotonitazene to Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. DEA can issue a final order temporarily adding the substance after a 30-day period. If issued, the final order will take effect immediately and stay in effect for a three-year maximum, pending completion of a permanent scheduling order.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is removing the Borax Lake chub (Gila boraxobius), a fish native to Oregon, from the Endangered Species List, a final rule said. Threats to the species have been “eliminated or reduced to the point where it no longer meets the definition of an endangered or a threatened species,” FWS said. The delisting takes effect July 13, 2020.

The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing new reporting requirements for eight chemicals under significant new use rules. The proposed SNURs would require notification to EPA at least 90 days in advance of a new use by importers, manufacturers or processors. Importers of chemicals subject to these proposed SNURs would need to certify their compliance with the SNUR requirements should these proposed rules be finalized, EPA said. Exporters of these chemicals would become subject to export notification requirements. Comments on the proposed SNURs are due July 15.