KWTC News :

KWTC to Offer Training on NAFTA and Other Free Trade Agreements

Free trade agreements are designed to help countries eliminate tariffs, quotas and preferences on most (if not all) goods and services traded between them.  Free Trade agreements can help your company open new markets and increase international sales. Currently US has FTAs with 17 countries and 2 trading blocs NAFTA & CAFTA-DR.  Understanding the rule of origin and other criteria is important. For instance, NAFTA reduces tariffs only on goods that qualify under the NAFTA rules of origin. Goods from non-NAFTA countries may qualify for preferential treatment if they are sufficiently transformed in a NAFTA country.  Products from other countries being transferred or undergoing only minor changes in North America are not eligible for NAFTA benefits. 

Anne Schmidt, Compliance Manager, Expeditors with over 20 years experience will be the instructor for this training. In this class, you will learn how to accurately complete the certificate of origin document necessary to receive the preferential rate of duty specified in each agreement. You will also learn how to legally document your activity and classify your products. The seminar will cover real-life case studies and common compliance errors. Please click here for program details.

International Trade News :

Duty-Free Import Benefits at Stake for Certain Countries and Products

Canada to Remove All Remaining Tariffs on Industrial Machinery and Equipment

The Canadian government has adopted a plan to eliminate all remaining import tariffs on industrial machinery and equipment, which range from 2% to 15.5%. Under this plan, duties on 1,160 tariff items were removed as of March 5 and tariffs on the remaining 381 items will be phased out over a five-year period. Import tariffs on 214 such goods had already been eliminated in 2009 to help Canadian businesses lower their production costs, enhance their productivity and improve their overall competitiveness. more...

Brazil Reveals U.S. Goods to be Subject to Higher Duties Beginning April 7

The Brazilian government announced March 8 a final list (see attached) of 102 goods that, when originating in the U.S., will be subject to increased import duties of 14-100% beginning April 7. Brazil is imposing these tariffs in retaliation for the United States’ failure to comply with a World Trade Organization ruling against its subsidies for cotton producers and exporters.

A press release from the Brazilian government states that the list “corresponds” to a retaliation amount of $591 million. The remaining amount of retaliation to which Brazil claims it is entitled, $238 million, will be applied in the sectors of intellectual property and services. more...

OFAC Allows Exports of Personal Communications Software and Services to Iran, Sudan, Cuba

The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has issued a final rule that, effective March 8, amends the Sudanese Sanctions Regulations and the Iranian Transactions Regulations to authorize the exportation of certain services and software incident to the exchange of personal communications over the Internet. Similarly, this rule amends the Cuban Assets Control Regulations to authorize the exportation of certain services incident to the exchange of personal communications over the Internet.more...

New Exemptions to Inspection Fees on Imports from Canada

The Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is adopting as a final rule, with changes, an August 2006 interim rule that removed the exemptions from inspection for imported fruits and vegetables grown in Canada and the exemptions from user fees for commercial vessels, trucks, railroad cars and aircraft, as well as international air passengers, entering the U.S. from Canada. As a result of that rule, all agricultural products imported from Canada are subject to inspection and all commercial conveyances arriving from Canada are subject to user fees.More...

Did you know?
KWTC members have access to a full database of trade leads, available at wtca.org. For questions, contact sarah.darnall@kwtc.org.

KWTC Events:

Thursday, April 27th, 2010
8:30am - 4:00pm

Stoll Keenon Ogden
2000 PNC Plaza
500 West Jefferson Street
Louisville, KY 40202

$150 - Members
$195 - Members

Sponsored by:

Click here for the flyer with more information and here to register

World Trade Day

Lexington, KY

September 1st, 2010

US Commercial Service:
"Complying with U.S. Export Laws: An Overview for Businesses"

April 13, 2010
8:00am -5:00pm

Roberts Centre
Wilmington, OH

To Register: click here 
Fee: $165.00 for first first registrant ($150.00 for second registrant from same company)

For more information click here

Have something to share?
Send us your news!

Member News :

LBAR.com - Enlist the expertise you need

Real estate transactions involve one of the biggest financial investments most people experience in their lifetime. The process of buying and/or selling a home can be complicated, but a REALTOR® is there to make life easier. We know the market, understand local conditions and are trained on the legal and disclosure requirements that come with a home buying/selling transaction. And REALTORS® subscribe to a strict Code of Ethics and have mandatory training and are considered the best of the real estate profession.  Visit www.lbar.com to find a REALTOR®.

As the region’s leading advocate for homeownership, the Lexington-Bluegrass Association of REALTORS® (LBAR) understands the value and joy of owning a home. LBAR represents more than 2,000 REALTORS® working in Anderson, Bourbon, Clark, Fayette, Franklin, Jessamine, Montgomery, Nicholas, Powell, Scott and Woodford Counties. Visit www.lbar.com or call 859.276.3503 for buying and selling resources and real estate listings.

KWTC membership means global business opportunities.
Don't miss out! For membership information, click here.