Category Archives: Customs Lawyer

Travelers to Iraq have $56,000 seized by Customs.

December 10, 2023 By in Customs Lawyer, FinCen Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment
Image of the seized currency and the detector dog.

According to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) media release, CBP officers at Dulles airport seized $56,400 from an a traveler bound for Iraq last Thursday. Travelers can carry an unlimited amount of currency or monetary instruments when they travel into or exit the US, however, 31 USC 5316 requires travelers to report all currency or monetary instruments of $10,000 or greater to a CBP officer and complete a Fincen 105 form.

A currency detector dog was inspection passengers leaving the US when they were alerted to a man’s carryon baggage. CBP officers explained the reporting laws and asked the travelers how much money was in their possession. The travelers reported $30,000 and signed the FINCENT 105 form.

However, upon inspection, CBP officers discovered $42,000 in their carry on baggage and an additional $14,400 in the checked luggage.

If you or someone you know has had their currency seized by Customs, contact trade and customs attorney David Hsu for immediate assistance. Call or text: 832-896-6288 or email attorney.dave@yahoo.com.

CBP Officers in Cincinnati Seize Counterfeit Jewelery Worth over $3 Million.

November 2, 2023 By in Customs Lawyer Tags: , , , Leave a comment
Image of seized jewelry – source: CBP.gov

From October 25 to October 28, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Cincinnati seized shipments containing 795 pieces of counterfeit designer items. The items were examined and determined to be counterfeit by CBP’s Centers of Excellence and Expertise (CEE). The CEE is composed of the agency’s trade experts – if genuine, would have had a combined Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $3.16 million.

The shipments arrived from Hong Kong and were destined to locations in Texas and Florida. The counterfeit jewelry contained logos from LV, Chanel, Van Cleef, Tory Burch, Gucci, Cartier, Tiffany, Rolex and more.

All the counterfeit items were seized and referred to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for further investigation.

If you have had your shipment seized, contact trade and customs attorney David Hsu at 832-896-6288, or attorney.dave@yahoo.com

One year update on the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act.

July 1, 2023 By in Customs Lawyer, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Uyghur, 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

Last year, the U.S Government, through the Department of Homeland Security implemented the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) under the authority of Section 307 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in an effort to eliminate goods suspected to be made with forced labor from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China.

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Customs has stopped about 4,300 shipments for UFLPA review and or enforcement of goods valued over $1.3 billion. Other statistics in the past year include 300 engagements with industry members, NGO’s, Congress and the media regarding the law. After one year, CBP is still committed to expand the UFLPA entity list of potential entities.

If you have an UFLPA issue, or want to take discuss UFLPA compliance and risk mitigation for your imports, contact David Hsu by text at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com, or DH@GJATradelaw.com.

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.

460 counterfeit “Rolex” watches seized.

June 5, 2022 By in Customs Lawyer, seizure notice Tags: , , , , , , Leave a comment
Partial image of the over 460 seized “Rolex” watches. Source: CBP.gov

According to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), media release, CBP officers seized over 460 counterfeit watches in late April from multiple shipments.

The two shipments seized originated from Hong Kong and were to be delivered to an individual home in Brooklyn. The CBP media release mentioned the address has a history of receiving counterfeit goods. Most likely CBP singled out these shipments and upon further inspection found a total of 460 counterfeit Rolex watches with a combined MSRP over $10 million if authentic.

If you have had your goods seized by Customs, or if you receive a notice from Customs detaining or seizing your goods, contact David Hsu anytime by phone/text at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com.

EMP Slot Machine Jamming Device Seized.

February 28, 2022 By in Customs Lawyer, Notice of Seizure Tags: , , , , , , Leave a comment
Image of EMP device, source: CBP.gov

According to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) media release. Officers at
the Port of Milwaukee seized a slot machine jamming device from Hong Kong. Slot machine jamming devices are prohibited by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC).

The FCC prohibits EMP devices because they emit a pulse that disrupts the machine’s electronics when within a meter range. The main reason the EMP devices are banned because the interfere with radio communications, mobile phones, and other communication devices.”

If you have had your shipment seized by Customs, contact David Hsu by phone/text at 832-896-6288 or email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com for immediate assistance about your options.

Counterfeit ED medication seized.

February 3, 2022 By in Customs Lawyer, Notice of Seizure, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment
Counterfeit Viagra pills, source: CBP.gov

Since the start of 2022, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers have seized 21 shipments of improperly imported erectile dysfunction medicine such Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra through the Port of Cincinnati. For the month of January, Officers seized approximately 32,556 pills of the prescription drugs in shipments of vitamins, supplements, watches, and other medications. In addition to being in pill form, seized shipments also contained over 1,000 packets of various jellies and honey containing sildenafil – the active ingredient in Viagra.

CBP seized the goods even though they were sold as “dietary supplements”. Additionally, only 3 percent of pharmacies overseas reviewed by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy are in compliance with U.S. pharmacy laws and practice standards – highlighting the risk of purchasing drugs online.

CBP recommends people think with their mind and not their wallet when purchasing prescription medications overseas because many are made in facilities that do not meet good manufacturing practices. Also, CBP says there are few measures in place to ensure the goods are manufactured correctly and may be potentially dangerous when consumed.

If you want to import medication from overseas, contact our office before you begin shipments. Contact David Hsu by phone/text at all times to: 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com.

Over $2 MM in counterfeit goods seized

February 3, 2022 By in Customs Lawyer, seizure notice, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Tags: , , , , , , , , Leave a comment
Image of seized goods, source: CBP.gov

In early February, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers In Chicago seized a shipment from Israel containing over $713,000 worth of counterfeit bracelets, rings, and necklaces from famous designer brands such as Cartier, LV and Versace.

Besides the shipment from Israel, Chicago’s CBP officers seized at lease one shipment a day containing counterfeit goods – bringing the January 2022 counterfeit seizure total of 29 shipments valued over $2.88 million, if authentic.

Besides bracelets, rings and necklaces, CBP officers seized counterfeit shoes, wallets, designer goods, and handbags. Shipments of counterfeit goods also arrived from other places such as China, Hong Kong, Russia, Thailand and Mexico.

If you have had your shipment seized for suspicion of being counterfeit – contact seizure attorney David Hsu by phone/text at anytime: 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com.