CBP on Feb. 6 resolved an issue in the Automated Export System that caused filers to briefly experience issues “receiving responses,” the agency said in a CSMS message. The agency reported the issue around 1:30 p.m. EST and said the system was working normally at around 3:30 p.m. EST.

The Census Bureau is extending by 30 days the comment period for an information collection related to its Automated Export System, the agency said in a notice. The information collection mentions the agency’s 2021 proposed rule that could require exporters to declare the country of origin for their items through a new “conditional” data element in AES (see 2112140033), a proposal that has been met with strong pushback from industry (see 2301230008 and see 2203160026). Comments were previously due Jan. 20 (see 2211180006).

The Census Bureau announced Jan. 26 that the Automated Export System is functioning properly after reporting problems with the application earlier this week (see 2301250029). The agency said it deactivated its downtime policy and all AES applications are “now operational.” Exporters should file all Electronic Export Information for shipments exported under the AES Downtime Policy, along with any new AES transactions, to receive an Internal Transaction Number, Census said. “Due to the high volume of shipments that are being processed at this time, please be patient in obtaining an AES response message,” the agency said. “Do not submit shipments more than once.”

The Census Bureau this week reported “issues” with the Automated Export System, saying the application was “not properly functioning for users.” Census and CBP are working “to determine the cause and resolution for the problem,” the agency said in a Jan. 25 email to industry. “Additional guidance will be provided if the issue persists.”

The EPA is proposing new reporting requirements under a significant new use rule for per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that have not been imported, manufactured or processed for many years and are consequently designated as inactive on the agency's Chemical Substance Inventory, it said in a notice released Jan. 25. 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 by March 27.

The Fish and Wildlife Service is removing five species that occur on San Clemente Island, California -- the San Clemente Bell’s sparrow (Artemisiospiza belli clementeae) (formerly known as the San Clemente sage sparrow, Amphispiza belli clementeae), San Clemente Island bush-mallow (Malacothamnus clementinus), San Clemente Island paintbrush (Castilleja grisea), San Clemente Island lotus (Acmispon dendroideus var. traskiae), and San Clemente Island larkspur (Delphinium variegatum ssp. kinkiense) -- from the Endangered Species List, it said in a final rule released Jan. 24. An FWS review indicated that the “threats to the species have been eliminated or reduced to the point that the species have recovered," the agency said. The delisting takes effect Feb. 24.

The Census Bureau emailed tips Jan. 24 on how to address the most frequent messages generated this month in the Automated Export System. Response code 171 is a fatal error for when the Transportation Reference Number is not allowed to be reported for the Mode of Transportation reported for a shipment. Census said a Transportation Reference Number is required for vessel shipments and allowed for air, rail or truck shipments but can’t be reported for a shipment using any other mode of transportation, such as mail, fixed or other. The filer should verify the Mode of Transportation Code and Transportation Reference Number, correct the shipment and resubmit.

FDA on Jan. 12 signed a Mutual Recognition Agreement with Switzerland’s Agency for Therapeutic Products (Swissmedic) that will allow the U.S. and Switzerland to rely on each other’s inspections of pharmaceutical and veterinary drug facilities, avoiding the need for duplicate inspections, FDA said in a statement that day. Prior to the MRA’s entry into force, FDA still must “determine whether Swissmedic is capable of conducting inspections that meet U.S. requirements, and Swissmedic must make a similar determination with respect to the FDA meeting Swiss requirements,” FDA said. The MRA includes privisons on when the regulators intend to accept official good manufacturing practice documents from the other; how regulators will transmit the documents; and the establishment of two committees “to facilitate the effective functioning of the MRA,” said a release from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, which also signed the agreement.

CBP recently deployed a new link to the Automated Export System Direct Portal as part of its ACE Portal modernization efforts, the Census Bureau said in a Jan. 12 email to industry. The ACE “References Tab” now has a link, AES Direct UI (login required), to access the AES portal, Census said. “Users should begin navigating to the AESDirect Portal using only the ‘AES Direct UI’ link,” the agency said. “Access through the ‘Legacy ACE’ link will be discontinued in the future.”

The Fish and Wildlife Service is issuing a final rule reclassifying the Fender’s blue butterfly (Icaricia icarioides fenderi), an insect found only in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, from endangered to threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The listing includes a 4(d) rule for this species that prohibits importation and exportation without a permit. The rule becomes effective Feb. 13.