Category Archives: wood packaging material

CBP finds rare first-in-nation pest in importation of corn.

September 6, 2019 By in pest, pests, Uncategorized, USDA, wood packaging material, wood wasps Tags: , , , Leave a comment
cratosomus2

A specimen of Cratosomus punctulatus
Gyllenhal, source: cbp.gov

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Brownsville, Texas intercepted a rare “First in Nation” pest in a shipment of corn.  The interception of the pest occurred at the Los Indios International Bridge import lot in a shipment of fresh corn from Mexico.
When the corn was inspected, CBP officers found the pest and submitted it to a U.S. Department of Agriculture entomologist. The initial identification was later confirmed by a national specialist as Cratosomus punctulatus Gyllenhal (Curculionidae) a pest not known to occur in the United States and intercepted for the first time in the nation.
This is a type of snout weevil that are plant feeders and many weeevils are pests of agricultural crops and forests.
If you have had your shipment seized due to pests or other invasive species, there may be some alternatives besides the ones given to you by Customs – contact experienced wood packing material and pest seizure attorney David Hsu by phone/text at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com or dh@gjatradelaw.com.

Importer Alert – CBP enforcing wood packaging material regulations.

December 17, 2018 By in Uncategorized, wood packaging material, wood wasps, wooden packaging materials Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment
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U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers along with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) officers in Houston are strictly enforcing the USDA’s prohibition of non compliant wood packaging material (WPM).

Non compliant materials are typically ordered for immediate exportation along with any associated cargo in the same bill of lading. CBP and USDA officers typically find WPM non compliant if evidence of prohibited live insects is found during inspection. If any invasive species such as a wood boring wasp or other insects and larvae are found during inspection, CBP/USDA will issue an Emergency Action Notice ordering the cargo to typically be exported in 7 days for repackaging and/or fumigation.

A finding of noncompliance will have a detrimental impact on shippers, importers, consignees and the resulting delay in reexportation can cause major problems for time sensitive project cargo.

If you or someone  you know has had a WPM issue with the presence of larvae or living insects or if you  have received an emergency action notice – contact experienced trade attorney David Hsu at 832-896-6288 or by email at: attorney.dave@yahoo.com

CBP stops harmful Asian Gypsy Moth found aboard a vessel.

October 8, 2018 By in Asian gypsy moth, Uncategorized, wood packaging material, wood wasps Tags: , , , , Leave a comment
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In late April, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture specialists stopped the importation of viable eggs of the Asian Gypsy Moth found aboard a vessel

Once the vessel arrived at the port, CBP agriculture specialists found egg masses which they suspect were to be the Asian Gypsy moth.

The Asian gypsy moth is harmful to US vegetation because it feed on trees and plants. The danger is further highlighted by the fact a female gypsy moth can lay hundreds of eggs that develop into caterpillars.

If you have had a vessel detained by CBP and received a notice from CBP regarding pests – contact experienced customs attorney, David Hsu at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com.

CBP reports first encounter with Rosy Gypsy Moth from transport ship in Baltimore.

September 20, 2018 By in fumigation, pests, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Uncategorized, wood packaging material Tags: , , , , Leave a comment
shallow focus photography of black ship

Photo by Sascha Hormel on Pexels.com

CBP issued a press release yesterday reporting the first encounter of the Rosy Asian Gypsy Moth (AGM) (species: Lymantri mathura). CBP with the U.S. Department of Agriculture discovered the moth aboard a ship in Baltimore and suspect the destructive pest may have been due to a June part call in Japan (a high risk AGM area).

The USDA says the AGM is a threat to forests and urban landscapes as the moth can travel up to 25 miles per day and lay egg masses which yield hundreds of hungry caterpillars. The hungry hungry caterpillars are said to be voracious eaters that attack more than 500 species of trees and plants.

If CBP Agriculture Specialists have detained your vessel at a port and there are issues of whether to turn the ship around or fumigate – call experienced attorney David Hsu at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com.

Emergency Action Notice for Wood Packaging Materials – Increased CBP Enforcement!

July 13, 2018 By in pests, Uncategorized, wood packaging material, wood wasps, WPM Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment
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Since late 2017, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has increased their enforcement of regulations surrounding the use of Wood Packaging Materials (WPM) in shipments entering the US.

In a September 25, 2017 message, CBP began imposing penalties for a 1st violation of the WPM regulations (7 C.F.R. 319.40 – 3). This news is significant as penalties under 19 U.S.C. 1595a or 1592 can be enormous. In addition to these penalties, monetary loss also results from from having to export entire shiploads of cargo, even when just a small portion of it is in violation. Frequent violations in the WPM regulations are regarding improper markings or pests. CBP will always inspect shipments containing WPM for a proper mark and the presence of any invasive pests.

There is a lot of plant construction underway along the Gulf coast. Shiploads of wood packaged steel structures have been halted by Customs at the port and directed to immediately export.

The first indication of a problem is if you receive an “Emergency Action Notice” (EAN) from Customs. The EAN will typically require the immediate exportation of the cargo at great expensive to the importer, the manufacturer and at a great hassle to all parties involved (broker, shipper, forwarder, manufacturer, vendor, seller, buyer, etc!).

If you have received an Emergency Action Notice, contact experienced trade and WPM attorney David Hsu by phone or text at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com. Time is of the essence for these WPM cases and call us for immediate options.

 

Got bugs? CBP vigorously checking ports and looking at wood packaging materials – did you receive an EAN?

June 13, 2018 By in EAN, IPPC, pests, Uncategorized, wood packaging material, WPM Tags: Leave a comment
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If you are importing anything into the Port of Houston (or any sea port) please be advised CBP is increasing scrutiny of cargo and solid wood packing materials for pests.

Last November, Customs changed the penalty provisions for violations of shipments that do not comply with wood packaging material regulations. Wood packaging materials (WPM) are required to meet the “Guidelines for Regulating Wood Packaging Material in International Trade”. The PDF of the regulations can be found here (last accessed July 13, 2018).

What is Wood Packaging Materials (WPM)?

-Hardwood or softwood packaging
-Created using glue, heat, pressure, or a combination of all three
-Used to support, protect or carry an item
-Examples include pallets, skids, containers and crates.

In other words, the definition is very broad – call our office if you want to verify your materials are considered “wood” packaging materials.

WPM violations include:

(1) markings not approved by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC);
(2) WPM not stamped in accordance with the ISPM 15 standard;
(3) WPM that is infested.

If there are any WPM violations, Customs will send you an Emergency Action Notification (EAN) and in most cases Customs will ask you to export the violating items.

If you receive an EAN for any WPM violations, contact customs attorney David Hsu at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com.

Any Customs case involve pests or WPM are time sensitive and you have to act fast – do not hesitate to contact our office.