Saudi Arabia Implements New Labeling Regulations

The Saudi Arabian Department of Customs has announced that, effective immediately, all items being shipped to Saudi Arabia through Jeddah, Dammam and Riyadh ports must have the country of origin engraved or affixed by a non-removable sticker. If the product is not labeled with the country of origin, the item will be returned to the sender, who will be held responsible for any cost incurred in extra labor, shipping, and penalty charges. Duty-exempted cargo must also be labeled with the country of origin. Any items imported before January 27, 2009 that are still inside the Department of Customs and lacking a proper label must be correctly labeled within two weeks from the date of release. For more information, contact your nearest U.S. Commercial Service office. (This article excerpted from the Feb. 2009 USSABC Business Bulletin. For this and other information on doing business with Saudi Arabia, see http://www.us-sabc.org. )

Exporter Alert: Avoid Scams From China

In recent months, U.S. companies have reported to the U.S. Commercial Service an uptick in unsolicited buyer requests from China. Common scams right now follow this pattern:

• The Chinese company contacted you, unsolicited, via the web
• The Chinese company has "Import - Export" in their name
• They want to purchase an unusually large volume of goods
• They insist that your senior executive travel to China to sign the contract
• They request money prior to signing the contract to pay for a reception or as part of contract administrative fees
• They have been in business for less than one year and/or have very young management
• They can provide no verifiable references

Does your scenario match the above? If so, please contact your nearest U.S. Commercial Service office for a report, which offers guidance to help U.S. firms avoid falling prey to these scams.

Upcoming BIS Seminar Event in Kansas City: Complying with US Export Controls (April 21-22) and How to Develop an Export Management and Compliance Program (April 23)

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) training seminars give you the opportunity to learn firsthand from experienced U.S. Government officials about export control policies, regulations, and procedures. The Bureau of Industry and Security will be in Kansas City, Missouri conducting two days of training on April 21-22 on how to comply with U.S. export control requirements on commercial goods, with a third day program on April 23 on how to develop an export management and compliance program. These two events will be held at the Sheraton Kansas City Sports Complex Hotel. Cost: $345 for April 21-22, $195 for April 23, and $515 for all three programs. Deadline to register is April 14. For more information and to register for these two valuable programs, please visit: http://www.buyusa.gov/kansascity/bis0409.html or contact Sally.Pacheco@mail.doc.gov or 816-421-1876.

Bureau of Industry and Security: Commodity Classification Website Solicitation

As a service to U.S exporters, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has established a webpage where sources of publicly available information on Commodity Classifications can be found. We invite companies to participate in this opportunity by providing information on where Commodity Classification information related to your products may be obtained. For more information on this opportunity please visit: http://www.bis.doc.gov/commodityclassificationpage.htm

Market of the Month; Portugal

Portugal, with a population of 10.6 million, is one of the oldest countries in Europe. Over the last two decades, Portugal has achieved a healthy level of growth. Portugal’s economy grew by 1.9% in 2007 and posted a 0.8% gain in 2008. There are many industries where U.S. exporters have made great strides in Portugal. Renewable energy (RE), for instance, continues to be a priority and strategic sector for the government with $11 billion in RE investments has been allocated for the period of 2006–2012. To help U.S. companies identify trade opportunities that the Portuguese market presents and potential Portuguese business partners, please contact your nearest U.S. Commercial Service office for further details about the Portuguese market, please visit: http://www.buyusa.gov/portugal/en/doing_business_in_portugal.html

UPCOMING WEBINARS TO HELP INCREASE YOUR EXPORT SALES

April 29, 2009: Economic Sanctions - What Every Exporter Should

The U.S. Commercial Service will host a webinar to introduce exporters to the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), an agency of the U.S. Department of Treasury. OFAC is the agency which administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions. This web-based seminar will describe OFAC and current sanctions programs, including a detailed explanation of the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (the SDN List). It will also discuss the key components of an effective OFAC compliance program and address enforcement issues. This program will help you understand your responsibilities as an exporter and how to comply with OFAC requirements. For additional information and to register, please visit: www.buyusa.gov/stlouis/economicsanctions.html, or contact: Margaret.Gottlieb@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov

April 29, 2009: Caribbean Series – Bahamas and Barbados

The U.S. Commercial Service is proud to present the third in a series of webinars on the Caribbean markets. This third webinar will focus on Bahamas and Barbados. You will learn about the key industry sectors and business opportunities for your company in these markets. For more information and to register, please visit: http://www.buyusa.gov/florida/5.html

May 14, 2009: Selling Medical Equipment in Mexico

This webinar will cover distribution, marketing, and regulatory issues related to selling medical equipment in Mexico. This highly focused, interactive seminar in a "virtual classroom" will give you the edge you need to sell successfully in the lucrative Mexican market. You'll find out what other companies are doing to be successful in Mexico and get key insights into distribution, marketing, and regulatory issues related to selling medical equipment in Mexico. For more information and to register, please visit: http://www.buyusa.gov/healthcare/medbrazilmexico.html

May 20, 2009: Small is Beautiful Webinar Series – Export Opportunities in Europe – Spain & Portugal

This presentation will provide a country profile with current facts and figures, identifying key challenges and major growth opportunities, offering business strategy insights, and highlighting Spain and Portugal's competitive advantages for U.S. exporters of all sizes and capabilities. For more information and to register, please visit: [http://www.buyusa.gov/europe/team_events.html#_top]

UPCOMING TRADE SHOWS AND MISSIONS

May 5-6 2009: Aerospace Suppliers Development Mission, Montreal, Quebec

The U.S. Commercial Service Canada and the U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration are proud to present the Aerospace Supplier Development Mission 2009 to Montreal, Canada on May 5-6, 2009. This mission offers an ideal opportunity for U.S. aerospace export-ready companies to gain valuable international business exposure in Canada's highly important aerospace market, the fifth largest aerospace industry in the world. Participating U.S. companies will benefit from this excellent program to establish business relations with prospective agents, distributors and end-users in Canada. In 2008, Canada ranked in the top 3 export markets for U.S. aerospace products, generating close to $8 billion in U.S. export sales. Registration is open on a first come, first serviced basis. For more information and to register, please visit: http://www.buyusa.gov/canada/en/aerospacemissionmontreal.html

May 20-24, 2009: Italy – Autopromotec

The 23rd International Autopromotec, certified by the U.S. Department of Commerce, will be held in Bologna, Italy, May 20–24, 2009 and will showcase the latest innovations in automotive repair, collision repair, vehicle service and maintenance equipment including tires, spare parts and car wash equipment. Special focus will be on equipment for hybrid vehicles, fuel cell suppliers, biodiesel, bioethanol, hydrogen and compressed natural gas (CNG) among other “green” fuel technologies. The U.S. Commercial Service Italy will conduct a pre-show promotion of U.S. exhibitors to Italian distributors and customer contacts and be available at the exhibition to assist U.S. firms by facilitating contacts between exhibitors and business visitors. For more information, please visit: http://www.buyusa.gov/auto/autopromotec2009.html

June 7-9, 2009: The Netherlands – ReMaTec

ReMaTec 2009 is the world’s most complete trade exhibition for the remanufacturing industry and will bring together remanufacturing professionals in the fields of automotive, heavy-duty, agricultural, marine and industrial engines and parts. U.S. exhibitors will benefit from the U.S. Commercial Service pre-show promotion to buyers in the Netherlands. For more information, please direct inquiries to: automotive.team@mail.doc.gov or visit: http://www.buyusa.gov/netherlands/en/rematec.html

June 10-13, 2009: Fieldays 2009 in New Zealand

The U.S. Commercial Service New Zealand is offering a catalog show for U.S. companies to display their product literature at Fieldays 2009, June 10-13, 2009. For only $50, the Commercial Service will have a booth at Fieldays to showcase U.S. companies’ product literature and to advise companies on US agricultural opportunities in New Zealand. If you are considering expanding into the New Zealand market, then don’t miss this unique opportunity to showcase your products at New Zealand's premier agribusiness event bringing buyer and seller together to create an agricultural hypermarket. To find out how your company can be represented at Fieldays 2009, please contact Janet.Coulthart@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov

June 27-29, 2009: U.S. Cosmetics and Toiletries Catalog Show in Egypt

The U.S. Commercial Service Cairo, is organizing a catalog show for U.S. cosmetics and toiletries companies to be held at major local exhibition: the “Cairo International Conference Hall”, HEBEX show the largest annual exhibition in Cairo, Egypt for body care from June 27-29, 2009 This exhibition offer you a rare chance to showcase as well as market your products, technologies and services directly to Egyptian distributors and customers. If you are interested in participating in this catalog show, please contact: hanzada.farid@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov