The Census Bureau published a set of questions and answers to provide more guidance for Automated Export System users trying to determine how to report the Ultimate Consignee in their Electronic Export Information (see 2310110044 and 2309080052). The Dec. 13 guidance answers questions on items involving ultimate consignees and routed export transactions, transactions that involve a license exception, how Census determines changes in the characteristics of an export that may add value to the item, transactions subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, and more.

The Drug Enforcement Administration is temporarily adding six synthetic cannabinoids -- MDMB-4en-PINACA, 4F-MDMB-BUTICA, ADB-4en-PINACA, CUMYL-PEGACLONE, 5F-EDMB-PICA and MMB-FUBICA -- to Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, it said in a temporary scheduling order. The listing takes effect Dec. 12, and will be in effect for up to three years.

The Drug Enforcement Administration is listing nine fentanyl-related substances -- meta-fluorofentanyl, meta-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl, para-methoxyfuranyl fentanyl, 3-furanyl fentanyl, 2′,5′-dimethoxyfentanyl, isovaleryl fentanyl, ortho-fluorofuranyl fentanyl, alpha′-methyl butyryl fentanyl, and para-methylcyclopropyl fentanyl -- under Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, it said in a final rule released Dec. 6. The nine substances had already been temporarily controlled under a 2018 order that's set to expire Dec. 31, 2024. The permanent listing takes effect Dec. 7.

The Fish and Wildlife Service is issuing a final rule listing the contiguous U.S. distinct population segment of the North American wolverine (Gulo gulo luscus) as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The listing includes a 4(d) rule for this species that prohibits importation and exportation without a permit. New import and export restrictions set by the agency’s final rule take effect Jan. 2.

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau seeks comments by Jan. 22 on several information collections related to its regulation of alcoholic beverages, including some specific to imports and exports. The agency seeks input in advance of submission for approval by the Office of Management and Budget of information collections including Form TTB F 5100.11 for removals of distilled spirits, denatured spirits and wines, without payment of tax, for export purposes, as well as of information generally required from importers of alcoholic beverages, among other things.

EPA is proposing to amend its recently issued restrictions on two persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) chemicals, decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE) and phenol, isopropylated phosphate (3:1) (PIP (3:1)). The changes affect conditions for use and processing of the two chemicals, as well as certain exemptions from prohibitions on the chemicals and compliance dates for phase-outs. Comments are due Jan. 8.

The Census Bureau this week emailed tips on how to address the most frequent messages generated this month in the Automated Export System.

CBP this week updated the Automated Export System’s Trade Interface Requirements License and License Exemption Type Codes to add a new export information code for License Type C60, the agency said in a CSMS message. CBP said the Census Bureau requested the update, which added Export Information Code MS for License Code C60, a code used to accompany exports of 600 series items, which include certain defense and dual-use items overseen by the Commerce Department. CBP said AES users should contact Census if they have questions.

The Census Bureau upgraded the severity of response message 26C in the Automated Export System to alert exporters when the U.S. Principal Party in Interest fields for the address state and the state of origin don't match, the agency said in a Nov. 9 email to industry. The agency previewed the message last year (see 2212220023) as "informational" (see 2302070055) but last week upgraded it to a "Compliance Alert." Compliance Alerts are sent in AES "when a reporting compliance violation has or has likely occurred," according to the agency's website. "The filer is required to review filing practices and take steps to conform with export reporting compliance." The change takes effect Nov. 14.

The Fish and Wildlife Service is removing the island bedstraw (Galium buxifolium) and Santa Cruz Island dudleya (Dudleya nesiotica), two plant species found in the Channel Islands National Park off the coast of California, from the Endangered Species List, it said in a final rule published Nov. 7. An FWS review indicated that “threats to island bedstraw and Santa Cruz Island dudleya have been eliminated or reduced to the point that these species have recovered and no longer meet the definition of an endangered or threatened species," the agency said. The delisting takes effect Dec. 7.