Monthly Archives: March 2020

New law prevents rural telecom carriers from using Huawei equipment.

March 14, 2020 By in Uncategorized Leave a comment
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Photo by Christian Heitz on Pexels.com

On Thursday, the Trump administration quietly signed legislation barring certain telecom carriers from using U.S. subsidies to purchase network equipment from China’s Huawei Technologies. While the nation focuses on the response to the Corona virus, President Trump signed this legislation that also requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to assist rural telecom providers with the costs involved in removing prohibited equipment from Huawei and replacing the equipment.

As you are aware, the US has taken measures to limit Huawei’s ability to threaten national security – some measures currently in place include barring military personnel from using Huawei manufactured smart phones and a campaign by the US to encourage foreign allies from using Huawei equipment in their upcoming 5G networks. 

If your business does any transactions with Huawei, contact experienced export compliance attorney David Hsu at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com or dh@gjatradelaw.com.

Suspected counterfeit corona virus test kits seized.

March 14, 2020 By in Attorney, corona virus, covid-19, FDA, Import Export Attorney, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , Leave a comment
Suspected counterfeit test kids – source: cbp.gov
Suspected counterfeit test kids – source: cbp.gov
Suspected counterfeit test kids – source: cbp.gov

That didn’t take long – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at LAX seized a package containing what they suspect are counterfeit COVID-19 (corona virus) test kids from the UK.

Earlier this week, the CBP officers inspected a package labeled as “Purified Water Vials” with a declared value of $196.81, upon further inspection, CBP officers found six bags of vials filled with a white liquid and labeled “Corona Virus 2019nconv (COVID-19)” and “Virus1 Test Kit”.

CBP turned over the suspected fake test kids to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for analysis.

In general, there is something you can do if your shipment has been detained or seized for being suspected as counterfeit – however, in this situation, and given the current concerns over corona virus, the importer of record will likely not get this shipment returned and may receive a civil penalty notice from CBP in the upcoming weeks.

CBP seizes $850k in counterfeit goods.

March 12, 2020 By in IPR, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , Leave a comment

Gucci Wallet

Counterfeit “Gucci” wallet, source: cbp.gov

According to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) media release, overnight CBP officers in Kentucky seized six packages containing goods that violated Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) violations. In other words, the DHL hub for air shipments from China contained a lot of fake goods.

According to the media release, CBP officers found fake Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Pokemon toys and Rolex watches. If authentic, the value of the goods totaled approximately $859,010.

If you have had your shipment seized for suspicion of counterfeit goods, contact experienced seizure attorney David Hsu at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com, dh@gjatradelaw.com.

CBP seizes $317k in counterfeit goods.

March 10, 2020 By in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , Leave a comment
Image of seized purses, source: CBP.gov
Images of seized shoes, source: CBP.gov

According to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) press release, CBP officers counterfeit consumer goods near the Philadelphia International Airport. If authentic, the merchandise would have had a manufacturer suggested retail price of $317,080.

The shipment from Turkey was shipped to an address to Delaware County, PA and contained wallets, sneakers, shoes, handbags, hats and belts with designer labels from brands such as: Burberry, Channel, Gucci, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Moschino and Versace. CBP Officers detained the shipment due to poor quality and packaging of the merchandise.

While not mentioned in the press release – luxury goods from a country other than where they are made is also a strong indication the goods are counterfeit. The media release does mention the packaging many counterfeit products are contained in plastics bags.

While these shipments were from Turkey, the press release did mention China was still the source for counterfeit and pirated goods, about 66% of the estimated MSRP value of all counterfeit seizures.

 

Counterfeit Oral-B toothbrush heads seized.

March 9, 2020 By in Uncategorized Tags: , , , Leave a comment
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Image of seized brushheads, source: CBP.gov

According to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) media release, CBP officers seized a shipment of 1,440 counterfeit Oral-B toothbrush heads from a shipment from Turkey. If authentic, the brush heads have a MSRP of $12,274.

Besdies this current shipment, CBP officers in Philadelphia also seized a shipment of over 20,400 counterfeit Oral-B heads from China.

For trademarked goods, CBP sends a sample of a suspected counterfeit goods shipment to the CBP Consumer Products and Mass Merchandising Centers for Excellence and Expertise. The CEE function is to verify the authenticity of trademarks.

Counterfeit seizures usually then result in CBP issuing a seizure notice to the importer of record. The importer of record has the option to file a petition, refer to court action, offer in compromise or abandon the goods.

If you have had your good seized, contact experienced seizure attorney David Hsu by phone/text at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com, dh@gjatradelaw.com.

CBP seizes unreported currency from South Korea.

March 5, 2020 By in FinCen, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment
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Image of seized currency, source: CBP.gov

According to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) media release, CBP officers seized $11,097 in reported currency from a passenger who arrived from South Korea to Washington Dulles International airport.

According to the media release, the passenger reported she was carrying $500. As usual, CBP officers will explain the reporting requirements. After explaining the requirements to her, she changed her declaration to $6,000. The media release doesn’t mention it – but she likely filled out the FinCen 105 form.

And as usual, after you sign the FinCen 105 form, CBP will search everything – in this instance, CBP discovered $11,097 in her baggage. CBP seized all her currency and did not give her any back for humanitarian reasons.

The reason she did not get anything back was likely because she was arriving home – CBP usually gives some money back for humanitarian reasons if the traveler is going out of the country.

If CBP has seized your currency, contact experienced currency seizure attorney David Hsu at attorney.dave@yahoo.com, dh@gjatradelaw.com or phone/text to: 832-896-6288.