China Commerce Ministry begins anti-dumping investigation on synthetic rubber products from the US, EU and South Korea.

June 28, 2019 By in tires, Uncategorized Tags: , , , Leave a comment
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China’s Commerce Ministry said they will begin an anti-dumping investigation on imports of a synthetic rubber product from the United States, South Korea and the European Union. The investigation of ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM) was started by the request of Jilin Petrochemical and Shanghai Sinopec Mitsui Elastomers Co. Ltd. EPDM is commonly used in electric cables and tires.

Shipments of EPDM from the US, South Korea and the EU account for about 80% of China’s overall EPDM imports.

Jilin and Shanghai Sinopec claim the prices of EPDM from the U.S., South Korea and European Union are below the prices of the product in the Chinese markets, and the dumping into China had caused harm to them.

While our firm does handle antidumping actions initiated by the US Department of Commerce, I thought it was interesting to read about China initiating an antidumping investigation on US goods.

Chinese drone manufacturer DJI to shift some production to America.

June 27, 2019 By in Drone, Made in USA, Uncategorized Tags: , , , 1 Comment
black dji mavic drone

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Well known Chinese drone manufacturer – DJI will shift some production to the US to counter growing skepticism from the Trump administration. The Trump administration has suspected the flying drones could be used to send surveillance data back to China.

DJI announced they would open a production facility in Cerritos, California to assemble a version of their drone that is popular with federal and other government agencies. Known as the “Government Edition”, the new drones can only save data on the drone itself and not transmit any data, additionally, the information saved on the drone can only be accessed once the drone lands – there is no ability to wirelessly transmit information through the drone.

With a 70 percent market share for all drones in the US, it is no wonder DJI is taking great effort to be on the good side of the Trump administration.

Do you say your goods are “Made in the USA”? That’s great, and if you do, be sure you meet all the requirements to say your goods are “Made in the USA”. Contact country of origin expert David Hsu at 832-896-6288 or by email at dh@gjatradelaw.com, attorney.dave@yahoo.com for a free no cost or obligation consultation.

Nokia looking to benefit from Huawei ban.

June 27, 2019 By in Huawei, Nokia, Uncategorized Tags: , , , Leave a comment
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According to Tommi Uitto, President of mobile networks at Nokia, Nokia has signed 43 commercial 5G deals while Nokia has signed 50.

At the end of March, Nokia had 30 contracts while Huawei had 40, indicating Nokia has been winning more 5G customers than Huawei. Specifically, Nokia has been expanding its 5G business in Australia, New Zealand and the US – where Huawei’s 5G involvement is limited after their inclusion on the BIS entity list.

While the Huawei ban may help in some markets, Uitto indicates the ban may increase Huawei’s aggressiveness in other markets in countries where they can compete.

Facebook no longer allow pre-installation on Huawei smartphones.

June 27, 2019 By in entity list, Huawei, Uncategorized Tags: , , , Leave a comment
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As reported by CNN Hong Kong, Facebook has stopped allowing Huawei to preinstall the Facebook application on Huawei smartphones in response to Huawei’s inclusion on the BIS entity list.

Huawei is the second largest smartphone brand in the world (behind Samsung) and the target of a US export ban. The US is concerned Huawei equipment can be used for Chinese spying, a claim vehemently denied by Huawei. Any US firms that supply to Huawei will need a license in order to export software, goods or service to Huawei.

If you have any questions about how the Huawei export ban may impact your business, contact experienced export compliance attorney David Hsu at 832-896-6288 or by email at dh@gjatradelaw.com, attorney.dave@yahoo.com.

CBP Beagles find Giant African snails.

June 27, 2019 By in Uncategorized, USDA Tags: Leave a comment
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Image of Giant African Snails, source: cbp.gov

Two CBP beagles and CBP Agriculture Specialists found live Giant African Snails in a suitcase along with fruits and vegetables in another.

Seized food products are destroyed and the snails were sent to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for further evaluation. In both instances, the travelers were not penalized, but warned and advised of the proper declaration of pests and agriculture products.

A quick Google search found a link to an US Department of Agriculture website discussing the Giant African Snail. The snails were first found in Florida in the 1960’s and after 10 years and a $1 million dollars, they were eradicated. Unfortunately, the snails were reintroduced to the US in 2011 and are currently being eradicated. The USDA claims snails consumer over 500 types of plants and can damage plaster and stucco while also caring a parasite that causes meningitis in humans.

CBP seizes ancient mummy linens.

June 26, 2019 By in antiques, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , Leave a comment
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Image of the seized mummy linens, source: CBP.gov

The Port Huron, Michigan U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations (OFO) seized ancient Egyptian mummy linens earlier in May.

CBP randomly examined a Canadian mail truck and an inspection revealed five jars containing ancient Egyptian mummy lien. Working with an archeological organization in DC, CBP believes the antiques are from the Ptolemaic Dynasty 305-30 BC and the importer was unable to prove that the artifacts were removed from Egypt prior to April 2016. Imports after April 2016 are subject to the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act.

The seized items will likely be turned over to the State Department for repatriation.

If you import any antiques and want to ensure you are in compliance, contact experienced trade attorney David Hsu BEFORE you import by phone/text at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com, dh@gjatradelaw.com.

CBP seizes fur coats for lack of documentation.

June 26, 2019 By in Uncategorized Tags: , , , Leave a comment
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Image of the seized furs, source: CBP.gov

U. S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers working seized a shipment of fur coats valued at $76,736. The fur coats were seized because they did not have the required documentation as required under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) of Wild Fauna and Flora. As the US is a party to CITES, the trade of items listed in CITES such as whale teeth, ivory, tortoise shell, reptile, fur skins, coral and birds all need to be authorized by a permit.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined the seized furs were garments from mink, fox, chinchilla and sable – species covered under CITES.

If you plan on shipping goods covered under CITES, contact experienced import attorney David Hsu before hand to ensure you are in compliance with the multitude of regulations enforced by CBP. David can be reached by phone/text at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com, dh@gjatradelaw.com.

CBP seizes Chinese tires for NHTSA violations.

June 26, 2019 By in NHTSA, tires, Uncategorized Tags: , , , Leave a comment
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Image of sized tires. Source: cbp.gov

According to a CBP media release, CBP officers in Philadelphia seized tires for violating federal motor vehicle safety standards and regulations. Specifically, the tires were for trailer and mobile home applications and did not contain the mandatory markings that tell important safety information and use for customers. The tires also lacked brand identification that is needed in case a recall occurs.

The media release also further highlights CBP’s function of enforcing the rules and regulations of the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) in order to ensure the safety of the traveling public.

If you or anyone you know has had a Customs seizure for violations of any type or if you want to ensure your imports are in compliance with the alphabet soup of federal agencies and their endless rules and regulations; contact experienced seizure attorney David Hsu by text/mobile at 832-896-6288 or by email at dh@gjatradelaw.com, attorney.dave@yahoo.com.

Micron resumes Huawei shipments.

June 25, 2019 By in entity list, Huawei, Uncategorized Leave a comment
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Micron Technology Inc. based in Idaho manufactures chips for smartphones and other devices. Following the inclusion of Huawei on the entity list, Micron has determined they could resume shipment of their products to China as the products are not subject to EAR or entity list restrictions.

News of the continued shipment caused Micron stock to rise as high as 10%. Besides Micron, the New York Times has reported that Intel also started to resume shipments of their chips to Huawei.

China may blacklist FedEx after Huawei delivery mistakes.

June 25, 2019 By in blacklist, FedEx, Huawei, Uncategorized Leave a comment
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According to a recent Bloomberg article, China is considering blacklisting US-based FedEx Crop.

The blacklist was created this past May to single out firms China believes to be unreliable entities that damage the interests of domestic Chinese companies.

In addition to FedEx not delivering a package containing a Huawei smartphone from the UK to the US. Huawei previously diverted documents to be shipped from Japan to China to the United States instead without authorization.