Tag Archives: import

Over 10,000 assault weapons parts seized by Customs.

June 26, 2020 By in ATF, firerams, Import Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment
Image of seized parts, source: CBP.gov

According to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) media release, CBP officers seized a shipment from China containing over 10,000 assault weapons parts being smuggled into the country. The shipment from Shenzhen, China was to be sent to a home in Florida and valued at approximately $129,600.

According to the media release, the packing list listed the items as “100 Steel Pin Samples”. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) regulates and restricts firearms and ammunition and importers of any firearms, ammunition or parts must be a licensed importer, dealer or manufacturer.

If you would like to be a licensed importer with ATF, contact David Hsu by phone/text at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com.

China blocks imports of Australian beef in response to Australian inquiry to the origin of the corona virus.

May 18, 2020 By in Australia, covid-19, Import, Uncategorized Tags: , , , Leave a comment

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Photo by Catarina Sousa on Pexels.com

According to theweek.in, an India news publication – Beijing is blocking imports of Australian beef after the Australian goverment asked for an inquiry into the source of the origin of the corona virus. However, China’s foreign ministry claims the suspension of beef imports is to protect Chinese consumers after violations of inspection and quarantine requirements by Australian companies.

The article highlights other instances of Beijing restricting imports:
1. China blocks imports of Norwegian salmon after a human rights prisoner was awarded the nobel prize
2. China blocks imports of canola from Canada to pressure Canada to release Huawei executive
3. China blocks imports of Philippine bananas in response to dispute over territory in the South China Sea

However, the article notes this is the first time Beijing has used banning imports in response to criticism over the corona virus. In response to the ban on Australian beef, the Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australia draws clear lines on certain issues And those things are not to be traded.

This isn’t the first time China has blocked imports of Australian goods – in 2019, China suspended imports of Australian coal in response to Australia’s government recision of a visa for a Chinese businessman.

Will be interested to see what happens to the status of Australian beef imports to China.

Corona virus’ January and February impact on trade.

April 26, 2020 By in corona virus, Export, Import, Import Export Attorney, international trade, trade law, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , Leave a comment

birds eye view photo of freight containers

Photo by Tom Fisk on Pexels.com

According to the Financial Times, global trade dropped 2.6 percent in February compared to the same time in 2019. This February drop also follows a 1.5 percent drop from January 2020. Specifically, China had a 7.3 percent fall in imports in January 2020 due to parts of the country shutting down in response to the Corona virus. For February, China had another 3.2 percent drop for the month.

The US did not show any impact in trade volume while the EU trade volume dropped 1.5 percent for February 2020. Will be interesting to see March and April numbers when reported.

General importing/exporting questions? Contact experienced trade attorney David Hsu by phone/email at: attorney.dave@yahoo.com.

Port Laredo #1 in two-way trade.

April 25, 2020 By in Export, Import, Import Export Attorney, Laredo, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , Leave a comment

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Photo by Yigithan Bal on Pexels.com

They say everything is bigger in Texas and Port Laredo is no exception.

According to census data analysis by WorldCity, for the second time in a year, Port Laredo has occupied the number 1 spot out of 450 international gateways, with a recorded 18.6 billion in two-way trade for the month of February. At the number 2 spot for recorded trade of $17.2 billion, the Port of Los Angeles. Port Laredo also surpassed the Port of Los Angeles in March 2918.

World City attributed LA’s second place ranking to the US-China trade war and corona virus pandemic impacting LA and the state of California.

Port Laredo is located in South Texas along the U.S. Mexico border and includes four vehicle bridges, international rail bridge and an international airport. World City expects Port Laredo to continue holding the lead as the Port of Los Angeles seaport will be impacted by the corona virus and ongoing trade war.

Questions about importing/exporting? Contact experienced trade law attorney David Hsu by phone/text at 832-896-6288 for a no cost or obligation consultation. Email attorney.dave@yahoo.com.

CBP seizes counterfeit 3M masks.

April 23, 2020 By in Attorney, Import Export Attorney, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

3MMasks

Image of seized “3M” masks, source: CBP.gov

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers in Cincinnati examined a package from China with its contents manifested as “mask” on April 3rd. Upon examination, CBP officers discovered 2,000 counterfeit masks branded as 3M. If authentic, the value of the masks would have been approximately $7,000. The package was destined to an individual residence in Austin, Texas.
*****
If CBP seizes your goods for violating intellectual property rights, such as importing facemasks using the “3M” mark, you will receive a Notice of Seizure or Seizure Notice in the mail. The notice will be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested (CMRRR) and will be sent to the address on the package or the listed importer of record.
From 30 days of the date of notice (and not the day you receive it), you will need to file a response. The options are: forfeit the items, offer in compromise, refer to court or file a seiure petition.
What if you do nothing? Then after 30 days, CBP will begin forfeiture of the seized goods – ie, CBP will take and destroy the items.
And then? Then you (importer of record) may receive a civil penalty notice (ie, a fine) for importing goods that violate a trademark registered with Customs.
If you have had your shipment seized by Customs, contact David Hsu by phone/text anytime at 832.896.6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com.

Unlabeled hand sanitizer seized by Customs.

April 19, 2020 By in corona virus, hand sanitizer, Import, Import Export Attorney, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , Leave a comment

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Actual image of the seized hand sanitizer, source: CBP.gov

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers at the Bridge of the Americas international crossing seized a shipment of unlabeled gel product April 15 that was claimed to be hand sanitizer.

The U.S. citizen was driving a car from Mexico and declared they had personal use quantity of hand sanitizer. During a secondary evaluation, CBP offers found 2,205 unlabeled bottles in the vehicle along with 1,000 unmarked masks. CBP officers declared the shipment a “commercial quantity”.

If you have had a shipment of personal protective equipment or hand sanitizing products seized by CBP during the coronavirus pandemic, contact experienced seizure attorney David Hsu by phone/text at 832-896-6288 or by email attorney.dave@yahoo.com.

Port Houston closing two terminals due to corona virus.

March 19, 2020 By in corona virus, Export, Import, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

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Photo by Nick Bee on Pexels.com

An employee working at two Port Houston terminals tested positive for the coronaviorus. The Port of Houston Authority reported an employee working at the Barbours Cut and Bayport container terminals tested positive for COVID-19 and as a result the public terminals are closed with operations temporarily suspended. The Port of Houston Authority owns and operates the Barbours Cut Container Terminal and the Bayport Container Terminal.

The Houston ship channel and the other private terminals are still in operation. The Port Houston is one of the largest container ports in the Gulf of Mexico and handle approximately 70% of the containers moving through the gulf.

Counterfeit designer bags seized from Turkey.

March 18, 2020 By in Attorney, Import Export Attorney, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , Leave a comment

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Image of seized purses, source: CBP.gov

According to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) media release, CBP officers in Philadelphia seized a shipment of 32 counterfeit designer brand purses from Turkey. If authentic, the handbags would have a retail price of $113,683.

This is the second significant shipment of designer brand handbags that CBP officers recently seized in Philadelphia, following the $317,080 in counterfeit designer brand products officers seized February 24.

According to the media release, CBP suspected the goods were counterfeit because of the poor quality and packaging.

What happens next?
The importer of record in Atlanta will receive a seizure notice (Notice of Seizure). The IOR can then petition for release, refer to court, abandon the goods or offer in compromise.

If you have been suspected of importing counterfeit goods, don’t risk the civil penalty by Customs, contact experienced seizure attorney David Hsu at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com.

Costco approved as FDA’s first Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP) company.

March 18, 2020 By in FDA, Import, Import Export Attorney, Uncategorized, VQIP Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment

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Photo by Alexander Isreb on Pexels.com

Costco Wholesale was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as the first company in the FDA’s Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP).

The VQIP is a voluntary fee-based program ($16,681 FY2020) that helps expedite the review and importation of foods into the US. One main requirement is for importers to demonstrate they maintain control over the safety and security of the supply chain. As the supply chain reaches overseas, most food importers such as Costco need to ensure the locations of their foreign suppliers are certified by the FDA’s third-party certification program.

If you are a food importer and want to take advantage of benefits offered by being a VQIP, contact experienced customs and trade law attorney David Hsu by phone/text at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com.

CBP seize human brain in shipment from Canada Post.

February 19, 2020 By in biological agents, CDC, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Brain

Photo of the actual brain seized by Customs, source: CBP.gov

According to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) media release, CBP officers seized a human brain at the Area Port of Port Huron during a routine examination of a Canadian mail truck.

The outer packaging labeled the shipment as an “Antique Teaching Specimen” and was opened by CBP. Inside CBP found the human brain in a jar (actual seized item image above), without any appropriate paperwork as required by the Centers for Disease Control.

Shipments containing body parts do need the required approval from the CDC – if you have any questions or need  help applying for this permit, contact experienced import seizure attorney David Hsu by phone at 832-896-6288 or email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com, dh@gjatradelaw.com.