REQUEST FOR TARIFF RELIEF ON VISCOSE RAYON YARN

The Department of Finance has invited views on a request for tariff relief on the following rayon yarn:

• Multiple (folded) or cabled yarn solely of viscose rayon, measuring per single yarn less than 192.31 decitex, for use in the manufacture of mattress ticking

This yarn is currently dutiable at 8% under the

TRANSPACIFIC CARRIERS ANNOUNCE INCREASE IN CAF SURCHARGES

Effective December 1, 2008, CTSA carrier members will increase the Currency Adjustment Factor (CAF) to 1% on ocean freight from Asia and the Indian sub-continent. The surcharge is calculated on the total ocean freight charges excluding fuel recovery (BAF) and is reviewed on a monthly basis.

Surcharges are implemented by steamship lines and

TARIFF RELIEF RECOMMENDED ON THREE & FOUR LAYER OUTERWEAR FABRICS

In request number TR-2007-005, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) recommended to the Minister of Finance that tariff relief be granted on importations from all countries on the following fabrics for use in the manufacture of water-resistant or waterproof, breathable recreational outerwear, including alpine hiking and climbing, skiing or mountaineering

RE-INVESTIGATION INTO ANTI-DUMPING DUTY RATES ON LAMINATE FLOORINGS

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has initiated a re-investigation of the normal values and export prices of laminate flooring originating in or exported from China and France. The subject goods are defined as:

• Laminate flooring in thickness ranging from 5.5mm to 13mm (other than laminate hardwood flooring where the hardwood component

TARIFF RELIEF RECOMMENDED ON THREE & FOUR LAYER OUTERWEAR FABRICS

In request number TR-2007-005, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) recommended to the Minister of Finance that tariff relief be granted on importations from all countries on the following fabrics for use in the manufacture of water-resistant or waterproof, breathable recreational outerwear, including alpine hiking and climbing, skiing or mountaineering

PLASTIC BABY BOTTLES MAY NOT CONTAIN BISPHENOL A

The government of Canada announced it will proceed with drafting regulations to prohibit the importation, sale and advertising of polycarbonate baby bottles that contain bisphenol A (BPA). The government will also take action to limit the amount of BPA that is being released into the environment.

The Ministries of Environment and Health

ADDITIONAL ONLINE SERVICES AVAILABLE FROM THE CANADA REVENUE AGENCY

Through “My Business Account”, companies can use this secure online service to:

• check the status of goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST)* returns and see when Notices of Assessment were issued;
• access a variety of business tax information and services, including account balances and activities.
• transfer payments and credits within

CANADA-EUROPEAN UNION SUMMIT MAY BEGIN FREE TRADE TALKS

Canadian and European officials have reported that plans are underway to begin negotiating a free trade agreement with the 27 nations of the European Union at the Canada-European Union Summit October 17, 2008.

The 27-country European Union, with 500 million people and 30% of global GDP, is the world’s single biggest market

ADVANCED MANIFEST REGULATION IN CHINA REQUIRES DATA 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE

Please be advised that the Customs administration in China has announced a 24-hour Advanced Manifest regulation to begin January 1, 2009.

Under this regulation, all ocean carriers must submit a list of manifest data to China Customs at least 24 hours prior to cargo loading, with the exception of