Category Archives: U.S. Customs and Border Protection

CBP seizes counterfeit sports merchandise.

August 21, 2023 By in U.S. Customs and Border Protection Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment
Images of seized jerseys. Source: CBP.gov

This past July, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers seized shipments containing counterfeit merchandise bearing protected brands or trademarked logos of teams within Major League Baseball (MLB), Major League Soccer (MLS), and the National Football League (NFL).

For example, CBP officers in Cincinnati 100 shipments containing counterfeit merchandise with a total Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $155,919. An additional 34 shipments were abandoned by the importers.

In the past year, the People’s Republic of China is the primary source of counterfeit and pirated goods seized in the U.S., accounting for a total estimated MSRP value of almost $1.8 billion (USD) and about 60% of the total estimated MSRP value of all seizures for intellectual property rights.

If you have had your goods seized for suspicion of being counterfeit, contact trade and customs attorney David Hsu by text/call at 832-896-6288 or by email at 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.

Counterfeit Designer Clothes Worth Over $2 Million Seized

May 30, 2022 By in U.S. Customs and Border Protection Tags: , , , , , , , Leave a comment
Norfolk IPR_1
Counterfeit goods seized by Customs; source: CBP.gov

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Virginia seized a shipment of designer dresses and shawls estimated to be worth more than $2 million dollars due to trademark violations. The shipment destined for Ohio contained counterfeit dresses, women’s slippers and shawls (see above photo of the actual seized items). The seizure included 1,120 garments for violating intellectual property rights from brands such as Gucci, Apple and Louis Vuitton. If authentic, the MSRP value of the shipment was worth $2.3 million dollars.

If you have had your shipment seized for IPR violations, contact David Hsu by phone/text/email at 832-896-6288 or attorney.dave@yahoo.com to discuss your options.

CBP seizes palm oil due to forced labor findings.

March 9, 2022 By in forced labor, indentured labor, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Tags: , , , , , , , , Leave a comment
Image of seized palm oil. Source: cbp.gov

According to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) media release, CBP officers seized shipments of palm oil in due to information that the palm oil was manufactured by forced labor. The shipments valued at $2.5 million consisted of super packs of palmitic acid. Super packs are large flexible durable bags used to ship grain, sand, coffee beans and powdery substances.

The seized palmitic acid is a type of palm oil that has been refined into a powder and used in manufacture of food, drinks, skin and health care goods.

The seizure of palm oil is due to a January 28, 2022 CBP Notice of Finding where CBP determined that certain palm oil and products produced in Malaysia were made using convict, or forced or indentured labor. When CBP determines a good is produced using convict, or forced or indentured labor – the goods are inadmissible under 19 USC 1307 and 19 CFR 12.42.

If you have had your good seized for suspicion of forced labor – contact David Hsu by phone/text at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com.

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.

Fake jewelry and scarves valued over $3 million seized.

December 14, 2021 By in Customs Lawyer, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Tags: , , , , Leave a comment
Counterfeit “LV” bracelets, source: CBP.gov

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Cincinnati seized a shipment containing 1,830 counterfeit accessories such as scarves, bracelets, rings and earrings. The counterfeit goods contained marks from designer brands such as LV, Gucci, Chanel and Versace. As with most seizures by CBP, the items were easily identified as counterfeit due to poor product packaging and quality of the materials. According to the media release, the Center for Excellence and Expertise determined all of the goods to be counterfeit.

In total, the value of all the goods, if authentic would have a MSRP of approximately $3.09 million. If you have had your goods seized for suspicion of being counterfeit, contact seizure attorney David Hsu by phone/text at 832.896.6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com.

CBP Officers and Agriculture Specialists seize tomato shipment from company subject to a Withhold Release Order.

November 3, 2021 By in Customs Lawyer, forced labor, Mexico tomatoes, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, WRO Tags: , , , , , , Leave a comment
Image of the seized tomatoes, source CBP.gov

According to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) media release, CBP officers at the Pharr International Bridge detained a shipment of tomatoes from the company: Horticola Tom, S.A. de C.V., a company subject to a recent Withhold Release Order. The goods from Horticola Tom are suspected to have been produced using forced labor, and as such are barred from import to the US.

CBP Agriculture Specialists examined a shipment of tomatoes purported to be from a company not affected by recent WRO’s. However, when CBP reviewed the paperwork and compared the packaging of the tomatoes, CBP determined the tomatoes were from the grower, Horticola Tom.

As with all goods subject to a WRO, the tomatoes were re-exported back to Mexico.

If your company is subject to a WRO or your goods have been wrongfully detained, contact David Hsu by phone/text at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com to discuss your options moving forward.