Pipe seized due to false country of origin markings.

December 12, 2019 By in country of origin, marking, pipe, pipe spools, seamless pipe, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , Leave a comment
Seized pipe

Image of suspected false “MADE IN CANADA” marking, source: CBP.gov

According to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) media release, CBP officers inspected and seized a commercial truck carrying pipe stenciled with the words “Made In Canada” as the country or origin marking. However, upon further inspection, CBP officers determined the pipe contained other markings indicative of a third country of origin.

As a result, CBP officers seized the 48 pieces of pipe with an invoiced value of $9,677.

If you have any questions about marking or country of origin, give us a call. We also assist companies and importers with determining what is the correct country of origin and whether we can quantify goods as a different country of origin based on substantial transformation. 

We are here to answer all your country of origin questions, call/text David Hsu for immediate assistance at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com, dh@gjatradelaw.com.

CBP prohibits invasive pests from importation to the US.

December 11, 2019 By in Customs Lawyer, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, pest, pests, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Uncategorized, wood packaging material, wood wasps, wooden packaging materials, WPM Tags: , , , , , , Leave a comment
CHM Invasive Pests Insects.jpg

Image of invasive pests, source: CBP.gov

As we enter the holiday season, Agriculture Specialists with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) were busy conducting searches of trucks containing Christmas tree and greenery shipments. Over 200 trucks and 170,000 plant units were inspected, resulting in the interception of more than 350 invasive pests. Two of the invasive pests can be seen in the photo above.

Mid-November to early-December are the busiest times for the importation of trees and greenery used around the holidays. Without the help of CBP Agriculture Specialists, some of those pests may have arrived to certain parts of the US where they do not have any natural predators, resulting in millions of dollars in damage and the loss of large numbers of trees.

Typically if your imported items contain invasive pests, the items will be destroyed and not allowed into the stream of commerce. Our clients frequently encounter invasive pests (such as the wood-boring wasp) and their larve in wood packaging materials (WPM) used in the shipment of breakbulk and other containerized shipping to the US.

If you or anyone you know has had an invasive pest issue with WPM or your shipment is being denied entry into the US due to invasive pests, contact experienced WPM attorney David Hsu by phone/text at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com, dh@gjatradelaw.com.

Customs seizes $21,000 in unreported currency.

December 11, 2019 By in Attorney, FinCen, Import Export Attorney, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment
IAD Currency1L 120619

Image of seized currency, source: CBP.gov

According to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) media release, CBP officers seized $21,255 in unreported currency from traveler headed to Pakistan departing from Washington Dulles International Airport.

The passenger was headed to Pakistan through Turkey and was stopped for further inspection prior to boarding the plane. The traveler reported she had $6,000 and also told Customs officials she understood the currency reporting requirements.

Most of the time, Customs will make a traveler sign the FinCen 105 form before conducting a more detailed inspection.

After the traveler declared she had $6,000, a subsequent search by officers revealed she was carrying a combined $21,255. Customs returned her $255 for “humanitarian purposes” and seized $21,000 for violation of currency reporting requirements.

Depending on the amount seized, Customs may or may not return some money to the traveler for “humanitarian purposes” and the amount is discretionary.

Customs may or may not issue civil and criminal penalties for violation US currency requirements – in this instance, HSI was not involved so I do not believe Customs will pursue any criminal penalties.

If you have had your hard-earned currency seized by Customs, call experienced currency seizure attorney David Hsu by phone/text at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com, dh@gjatradelaw.com. There are certain deadlines that must be met to ensure your seized currency is not forfeited.

Trump Administration may place overseas Amazon.com websites on the counterfeit goods list.

December 6, 2019 By in Amazon, Notorious Markets List, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , 1 Comment
black amazon echo on table

Photo by Fabian Hurnaus on Pexels.com

According to the Wall Street Journal, the Trump Administration may place several of Amazon.com’s international websites on the “Notorious Markets” list.

The “Notorious Markets” list is an annual publication by the U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) Office of global marketplaces known to sell counterfeit goods.

In response, Amazon claims they “strictly prohibit” counterfeit products on their online platforms and take many efforts to prevent customers from buying counterfeit goods.

In the past, the Notorious Markets list has included Taobao (China’s largest e-commerce platform owned by the Alibaba Group).

Currently, the USTR has been asked by the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) to include domains owned and operated by Amazon on the list.

If you have any questions about the Notorious Markets List, contact experienced trade attorney David Hsu by phone/text at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com, dh@gjatradelaw.com.

Customs seizes $25,000 in unreported currency.

December 6, 2019 By in Attorney, FinCen, Import Export Attorney, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , 1 Comment
round silver and gold coins

Photo by David McBee on Pexels.com

According to a Customs media release, CBP officers at Dulles International Airport seized $25,151 in unreported currency from a U.S. couple traveling to Accra, Ghana.

As you are aware, all travelers must report all currency more than $10,000 to a CBP officer when entering or leaving the country. 

Here are the other currency reporting requirements:

-There is no limit how much money you can bring into or out of the US.

-However, if you or people you are traveling with have more than $10,000 in currency or negotiable monetary instruments, you must fill out a “Report of International Transportation of Currency and Monetary Instruments” FinCEN 105 (former CF 4790).

-If you are traveling with a family, then count everyone, everyone in your traveling party.

-You can obtain a FinCen 105 form before traveling or when going through CBP. If you have questions, CBP officers can assist you.

Do you have a question about the CBP currency reporting requirements? Contact David Hsu by phone/text at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com, dh@gjatradelaw.com.

Huawei shipping phones made without US components.

December 5, 2019 By in Huawei, Import Export Attorney, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , Leave a comment
smartphone outside hiking technology

Photo by Ingo Joseph on Pexels.com

As a result of the current export ban on US companies to do business with China’s Huawei, Huawei’s latest flagship (the Mate 30) is now shipping without US parts.

According to arstechnica.com, the new Mate 30 includes flash memory from Samsung (Korea) or Japan’s Toshiba and chips from US based Skyhook and Qorvo have been replaced by Huawei’s own HiSilicon versions.

As the article mentions, while sourcing non-US hardware isn’t a problem for Huawei, the biggest problem is software and app support. Huawei cannot use Google apps or Google’s Play store for users to download apps. As a result, popular apps like Netflix, Facebook, Twitter, Uber, Lyft and Amazon are not found on the Mate 30 phones.

In addition to including Huawei on the sanction list, the White House may consider putting Huawei on the Treasury Department’s “Specially Designated Nationals” (SDN) list, effectively prohibiting Huawei from the US banking system.

If you have any questions about the Huawei export ban, or are interested in updating your company’s compliance program to become compliant with the multiple landmines that occur when exporting, contact experienced trade compliance attorney David Hsu by phone/text at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com, dh@gjatradelaw.com.

US may impose 100% tariff on French champagne, cheese and handbags over digital services taxes.

December 5, 2019 By in digital services, France, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , 1 Comment
photo of hugging couple taking selfie with a crowd of people and the eiffel tower in the background

Photo by Dominique ROELLINGER on Pexels.com

This past Monday, the Trump administration announced the United States may impose duties of 100% on $2.4 billion in imports from France of items including champagne, handbags, and cheese in response to France’s 3% tax on digital services earned by companies with more than $27 million in French revenue and 750 million euros worldwide.

The US opposition to the tax has bipartisan support, with top Republican and top Democrat Senators Charles Grassley and Ron Wyden claiming “the French digital services tax is unreasonable, protectionist and discriminatory.”

French officials counter by saying the digital tax is not aimed specifically at US technology companies, but rather any digital firm.

The public is able to submit public comments through January 14th on the proposed tariffs and a public hearing is scheduled for January 7th.

If you have any questions how the proposed duties may impact your business, contact experienced trade attorney David Hsu by phone/text at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com, dh@gjatradelaw.com.

US China trade war update.

December 5, 2019 By in international trade, trade deal, trade law, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment
top view of skyscrapers

Photo by Nextvoyage on Pexels.com

According to a Bloomberg article today, sources close to the negotiations indicate the US and China are working on an agreement to phase one of a trade deal, despite Congress’ recent resolution in support of the Uighur population in Xinjiang coupled with the Trump administration’s signing of a bill supporting pro-democracy Hong Kong protesters.

The agreement will likely occur before December 15th, when the next list of tariffs are set to rise. Currently issues include guarantees of China’s purchases of US agricultural goods and which duties to roll back.

More news will be posted once an agreement has been reached. If you have any questions how the US/China trade war will impact your business, contact David Hsu by phone/text at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com, dh@gjatradelaw.com.

 

Children’s toys containing lead seized by CBP.

December 5, 2019 By in consumer product safety commission, CPSC, lead paint, toys, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment
CHM toys pic 1.jpg

Image of seized toys containing lead, source: CBP.gov

According to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers seized 190 toy finger puppets after it was determined that they contained excessive amounts of lead. The article does not specify the country of origin, but does say the shipment originated from Ottawa, Ontario and destined for a distribution center in the US.

CBP officers detained the shipment of toys to examine whether the toys contained lead in the paint. With the involvement of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), they determined the toys were contaminated with lead. As a result, the finger puppets will be destroyed by CBP.

If you have had a shipment seized by Customs, contact experienced seizure attorney David Hsu for immediate help by cell/text at 832-896-6288, or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com, dh@gjatradelaw.com.

Counterfeit Juul pods seized by CBP.

December 3, 2019 By in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment
Juul Pods1.jpg

– Image of counterfeit Juul pods, source: CBP.gov

According to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection media release, CBP officers at the port of St. Louis seized 2,379 counterfeit Juul pods. The counterfeit Juul pods were shipped from Hong Kong to an address in Missouri. If authentic, the approximate value of the seized pods were approximately $38,040.

Due to the recent media attention of vaping deaths, the United States Food and Drug Administration (and through CBP) is very concerned about harmful products that may cause illnesses and death to people who vape.

One other giveaway is the importation of Juul pods, as Juul pods are produced in the US according to US government standards.

If you have had your goods seized, and want to discuss your options. Contact experienced seizure attorney David Hsu by cell/phone at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com, dh@gjatradelaw.com.