Tag Archives: Seizure

CBP officers seize counterfeit televisions.

May 6, 2020 By in Customs Lawyer, HDMI, IPR, television, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Uncategorized, USB Tags: , , , , , , , Leave a comment
Televisions

Image of seized television, source: CBP.gov

According to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) media release, CBP officers at Minneosta’s International Falls Port of Entry inspected a rail container and found 440 televisions that violated intellectual property rights (IPR) regulations. If genuine, the MSRP of the goods would retail for approximately $175,560.

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The CBP media release did not specify what IPR violations occurred. Judging by the photo above provided by Customs, I suspect there may be two issues:

(1) The USB logo is used, however, the manufacturer of this TV may not have been qualified to display the certified USB logo.

(2) I think the main reason is the use of the “HDMI” logo on the box. The HDMI logo, and High-Definition Multimedia Interface are trademarks or registered trademarks to HDMI Licensing, LLC.

Based on what’s on the press release, there are several options for the importer of record. If you have had any goods seized by Customs, contact customs seizure attorney David Hsu anytime by phone/text at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com, dh@gjatradelaw.com.

Fake Cialis and Viagra Pills Seized by CBP.

May 5, 2020 By in Customs Lawyer, FDA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Uncategorized, viagra Tags: , , , , , , , Leave a comment
Counterfiet Cialis 1

Counterfeit medication from Turkey; source: CBP.gov

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Kentucky seized counterfeit Cialis and Viagra pills in Kentucky. The shipment from Turkey was destined to a city in California and labeled as “throat lozenges and candies”. However, CBP’s experienced officers looked at the totality of the circumstances and determined the route of the shipment and the packaging of the pills were indicative of being counterfeit pills.

Customs warns consumers of the dangers of buying counter medicines – which may have the incorrect or harmful ingredients.

If you have had your shipment seized by Customs, contact customs seizure attorney David Hsu by phone/text at anytime at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com.

More counterfeit COVID-19 test kits seized.

May 5, 2020 By in corona virus, covid-19, FDA, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment
Test Kit 1

Image of seized COVID-19 test kit, source: CBP.gov

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in New Jersey seized another shipment containing counterfeit COVID-19 test kits. A secondary inspection of the shipment discovered 25 COVID-19 test kits not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This seizure was just 25 out of the 600 COVID test kits seized at the Rochester airport.

All imported test kits are presumed to lack FDA approval as the FDA has only allowed 50 companies to develop and distribute the COVID test kits and the companies that manufactured the seized test kits have not been approved.

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My guess for the large number of imports and seizures of the test kits are due to family members overseas sending kits to their family in the US who want to be sure they do not have the virus and pass on to older family members.

If you have had your good seized by customs and want to know what you can do next, contact experienced seizure attorney David Hsu by phone at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com.

COVID-19 test kits seized by Chicago Customs and Border Protection.

May 2, 2020 By in corona virus, covid-19, Customs Lawyer, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment
CV8 (1)

Seized test kits, source: CBP.gov

Since the start of the pandemic and the nationwide shutdown, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers have seized an increased number of unapproved or ocunterfeit COVID-19 tests. For example, at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, the international mail facility has seized 11 shipments containing a total of 1,147 test kits. The seized test kits have a value of $10,847 and most of the test kits came from England.

CBP warns the public of the health risks of using unapproved and counterfeit safety equipment. CBP advises the public to go to medical professionals in the US for testing instead of relying on potentially dangerous home testing kits.

According to CBP, the test kits were manifested as “Test Kit Not Restricted” and upon further examination Customs found packages labeled “COVID-19 Rapid Test Device”. As the devises are not FDA approved, they were seized and likely turned over to the FDA to be destroyed.

If you have had your shipment seized by Customs, contact experienced seizure attorney David Hsu by phone/text at anytime: 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com.

CBP Half-Million Dollars in Counterfeit Electronics and Dental Gels

April 28, 2020 By in U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , Leave a comment
Seized iPhone, source: CBP.gov
Seized items, source: CBP.gov

According to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) media release, CBP officers in Philadelphia seized a half-million dollars’ worth of counterfeit electronics in Philadelphia in mid-April. The two shipments from China contained more than 20,000 pieces of 35 different counterfeit consumer electronics, such as video gaming systems, speakers, watches, cameras, scanners, DVD players, headphones, chargers and other electronics. Besides the consumer electronics, they also seized counterfeit injectable dental gels.

The MSRP of the seized goods, if authentic are estimated to be approximately $519,510.

If you have had your good seized by Customs for suspicion of being counterfeit, contact experienced seizure attorney David Hsu by phone/text 24/7 at 832-896-6288 or by email at 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.
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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
sanitizer1

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.

$51k in counterfeit electronics, Apple Air Pods, Jordans and purses seized.

April 10, 2020 By in Attorney, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment
PIT Apple762H 022420

Counterfeit Apple charger.

PIT Gucci889L 040520

Counterfeit “Gucci” purse.

According to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) media release, CBP officers in Pittsburgh seized counterfeit consumer goods that included electronics, air pods, sneakers and designer brand purses. If authentic, the value of the seized goods would be more than $51,000. The two above photos are from the CBP media release.

It is obvious the purse is a counterfeit, however, I don’t believe the importers of the AC adapter should have their adapters seized – there is no way an importer or manufacturer would use an image of a red apple and believe someone would think that is a real Apple product.

The counterfeit goods were shipped in 23 separate boxes, of which 19 boxes were from Hong Kong, 2 from China, and 1 each from Singapore and Taiwan. The media release further itemizes the seized goods: 264 flawless shavers (no idea what these are), 235 Apple chargers (which wouldn’t confuse anyone as to their authenticity), 120 “Apple” ear pods, 60 HDMI switches, 21 fully-loaded Nintendo-like gaming systems (probably the emulators running Nestopia?), 20 pairs of Air Jordans and counterfeit purses featuring brand names such as Louis Vuitton, Prada, Fendi and Gucci.

If you have had your good seized and you received a seizure notice from Customs, contact experienced customs seizure attorney David Hsu by phone/text at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com.

Children’s clothing seized by CBP for excessive lead levels and flammability risks.

March 27, 2020 By in Attorney, CPSC, Federal Hazardous Substances Act, flammable fabrics act, lead, lead paint, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment
Kids Pajamas CHM

Seized clothing, source: CBP.gov

According to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) media release, CBP officers seized commercial shipments of girls clothing and pajamas. The shipment from China was tested by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and found to contain excessive amounts of lead, violating the Federal Hazardous Substances Act. The other shipment contained pajamas also manufactured in China. Upon testing by the CPSC, Customs found the pajamas failed the flammability requirements under the Flammable Fabrics Act.

As a result of the violations, Customs seized the merchandise and will likely destroy the goods. I do not see any possibility the FPF paralegal would allow these goods to be entered into the US.

As I previously mentioned, CBP will first detain a shipment, have the shipment tested and then seize the shipment. After a seizure, Customs will send a Notice of Seizure to the importer of record for both shipments. Given the value of the shipment, $700 for the clothing and $1,500 for the pajamas, I don’t believe an importer of record will contest the seizures, much less hire an attorney to handle the seizure.

If you have had your goods seized for violating the CPSC regulations, Flammable Fabrics Act, the Federal Hazardous Substances Act or any other regulations from the alphabet soup of federal agencies, call experienced seizure attorney David Hsu by phone/text at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com.

72,000 counterfeit vaping pods seized.

March 26, 2020 By in Uncategorized, vaping Tags: , , , , , , , Leave a comment
pexels-photo-3544140

Photo by Wildan Zainul Faki on Pexels.com

According to a U.S. Customs and Border Protections (CBP) media release, CBP officers seized over 72,000 counterfeit disposable flavored pods from Hong Kong mimicking the “Pop” brand Blue Razz Disposable Vaping Devices. If authentic, the value of the pod packets would be valued over $1.1 million.

No surprise on this seizure of vaping pods given the prior deaths of young individuals from vaping. The FDA is working to lower the number of illnesses and deaths related to vaping and no surprise Customs would seize these goods. CBP and FDA believe counterfeit pod vaping ingredients may not meet the stringent regulations set by the US FDA, resulting in a further increase in illnesses and death.

If you have had your good seized by Customs and you have received a seizure notice, contact experienced seizure attorney David Hsu to discuss your options. Contact David Hsu by phone/text at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com.