Monthly Archives: February 2023

CBP seizes $200,000 in unreported currency from Nigeria bound traveler.

February 4, 2023 By in Customs Lawyer, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Tags: , , , , Leave a comment
stack of different currency with photo of men and buildings
Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), officers at Philadelphia International Airport seized $200,000 in unreported currency from a New Jersey traveler bound for Nigeria. Prior to the seizure, CBP Officers explained the currency reporting laws. Afterwards, the traveler declared to CBP he possessed $11,000. However, during a search of his baggage, officers discovered $200,068 in U.S. dollars and about $251.00 in Nigerian naira.

The total seizure of $200,319 represents the thrid largest unreported currency seizure since 2003. After seizing the funds, CBP remitted about $1,250 back to the traveler for “humanitarian purposes”.

If you have had your currency seized by CBP, contact currency seizure attorney David Hsu by phone/text at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com, DH@GJATradeLaw.com.

Solar panel shipments are half of all Uyghur forced labor inspections.

February 4, 2023 By in Customs Lawyer, forced labor, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Uyghur Forced Labor Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment
black and white photograph of a woman protesting on street against genocide of uyghurs
Photo by Chrisna Senatus on Pexels.com

The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) was signed into law by President Biden in December 2021 and took effect in June 2022. The UFLPA requires importers and manufacturers to prove any goods made in Xinjiang, or include Xinjiang in the supply chain, are free from the use of forced labor. If the importers cannot prove forced labor was used in the production of the goods or components, then the goods would not be allowed entry into the US.

Additionally, importers can request a review from CBP of their supply chain, and if approved, the UFLPA will not apply to their goods.

From June to December 2022, half of all shipments held for inspection by CBP were related to solar panels or related components that are used by the solar industry. Out of those shipments held for inspection, about one-third were released after inspection.

As a background, since 2014, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has engaged in repressing the Uyghur Muslims and other minorities in the Xinjiang region in far-west China. Some methods of repression include human rights abuses, mass detention, re-education camps and forced labor. The PRC claims the actions are counter terrorism efforts and camps provide vocational training.

If you have had your goods investigated for suspicion of forced labor or if your company would like to apply for a Customs review of your supply chain, contact David Hsu by phone/text at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com; DH@GJATradeLaw.com.

CBP finds dolphin skull in passenger entering the US.

February 4, 2023 By in Customs Lawyer, US Fish and Wildlife Tags: , , , , Leave a comment
Dolphin
Dolphin skull, source: CBP.gov

According to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) media release, CBP officers during routine x-ray screenings found an image of a skull-shaped object in one of the bags. US Fish and Wildlife Services evaluated the skull to be a young dolphin skull.

In general, some types of fish, wildlife, and or products made from fish and wildlife are not permitted to be imported or exported. The list of prohibited items includes wild birds, mammals, marine mammals, fish, reptiles, or any animal part or product – including skins, bones, tusks, feathers or eggs.

If you have had certain fish, wildlife or products permitted seized by Customs, contact customs seizure attorney David Hsu by phone or text at anytime at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com; dh@gjatradelaw.com.

Top selling Amazon “EzriCare” eyedrops banned from importation to the US.

February 3, 2023 By in Attorney, CDC, FDA, Import Export Attorney Tags: , , , , , , , Leave a comment
a woman using an eye drops
Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announcement today (Thursday, February 2, 2023); imports of products made by Indian healthcare company, Global Pharma Healthcare Private Limited and sold under the brand names “EzriCare” or “Delsam Pharma” are restricted from importation to the US.

The import ban is a result of a recall of the eye drops due to violations of manufacturing regulations by the manufacturer, lack of microbial testing and concerns over tamper-evident packaging. The violations have led to a potential bacterial contamination that increases the risk of eye infections that may result in blindness or even death.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention claims at least 55 people around the US have been impacted by the bacterial contamination. So far one person has died from the infection and 5 of 11 patients with infections in their eyes have lost their vision.

The eye drops are top sellers on Amazon and also available through Walmart. If you or your company are on the FDA “red list”, contact attorney David Hsu by phone/text at anytime, 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com; dh@gjatradelaw.com.

CBP detains suspected aluminum from Xinjiang.

February 3, 2023 By in Uyghur Forced Labor Tags: , , , , , , , Leave a comment
silver and black coffee cups
Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com

This past week, US Customs and Border Protection issued a detention notice to AP Moller-Maersk A/S under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, signed by US President Joe Biden in 2021. The UFLPA requires companies to document goods from or produced in Xinjiang are not produced using forced labor.

Since 2021, CBP focused on cotton, tomatoes and polysilicon from the Xinjiang region and this recent detention notice now includes aluminum to the list.

The UFLPA requires companies to perform due diligence of their supply chain and the implementation of compliance programs to ensure the products they import do not contain any cotton, tomatoes, polysilicon and aluminum that may have been produced by forced labor.

Contact David Hsu if you or your company needs a compliance program or want to evaluate their supply chain by phone or text anytime at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com; dh@gjatradelaw.com.

CBP seizes counterfeit goods totaling over $686,000.

February 3, 2023 By in Import Export Attorney, Notice of Seizure Tags: , , , Leave a comment
Seized counterfeit goods, source: CBP.gov

According to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) media release, CBP officers seized two shipments at the International Mail Facility near O’Hare International Airport. The shipments orginated from Thailand and were to be delivered to Alabama and Texas. The seizure of 451 pieces of jewelry, apparel would have been worth $686,000 if genuine and not counterfeit.

The counterfeit goods were marked with popular luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, Rolex Watches and others.

CBP noted the poor packaging, low declared value and overall low quality as indicating the goods were counterfeit.

If you have had your goods seized by CBP, contact David Hsu at anytime by phone or text at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com; DH@GJATradeLaw.com.