Tag Archives: Seizure

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
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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
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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.

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.

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
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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
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– 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.

Louisville CBP seizes over $95 million in counterfeit goods over 3 month period.

December 3, 2019 By in Attorney, Import Export Attorney, Uncategorized Tags: , , , Leave a comment
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Image of seized counterfeit watches, source: CBP.gov

According to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection media release,  CBP officers in Louisville, Kentucky seized 164 shipments containing counterfeit goods with an estimated MSRP of $95 million. This figure represents an increase of 75% over the same period last year.

The seized items include counterfeit designer bags, jewelry, shoes, sunglasses and more. While CBP handles the seizures, CBP officers work along with the CBP Consumer Products and Mass Merchandising Centeres for Excellence and Expertise (CEE) to verify authenticity of trademarks. As a side note, I have never had a trademark holder agree that the goods were not counterfeit – I don’t believe any trademark holder will agree their goods are authentic.

The rest of the media release talks about why buying counterfeit goods are bad (poor quality control, maybe contains hazardous materials, funds criminal activity, etc.).

If you have had your good seized, contact experienced seizure attorney David Hsu at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com, dh@gjatradelaw.com. There may be something we can do to get your seized goods back.

CBP seize counterfeit Patriots, Astros and Yankees rings.

November 18, 2019 By in Attorney, Import Export Attorney, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , Leave a comment
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Counterfeit Patriots Super Bowl Ring – source: CBP.gov

According to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) media release, officers seized nine counterfeit Patriots Super Bowl rings and two other counterfeit championship rings for the Houston Astros and New York Yankees.

If authentic, the rings would carry a manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) of $526,000. The shipment from China was described as a “box” with a value of $14.00.

After the shipment was detained, CBP and the Consumer Products and Mass Merchandising Centers for Excellence and Expertise verified the rings were counterfeit.

If you have had a shipment detained for counterfeit goods, you need to give us a call. Customs has and will send penalty notices and there may be some other options. Contact experienced seizure attorney David Hsu by phone/text at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com, dh@gjatradelaw.com.

Fake airbags from China seized in Ontario, California.

November 13, 2019 By in Attorney, Honda, Import Export Attorney, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment
Fake Honda Airbag 1

Image of seized airbag, source: cbp.gov

According to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) press release, officers at Ontario International Airport (ONT) express air cargo operations in Ontario, California along with the import specialists (IS) assigned to the Automotive & Aerospace Center of Excellence (AA Center) seized counterfeit Honda airbags arriving in packages from China.

Eight Honda airbags were arriving from China when CBP officers discovered the airbags during an examination of the express packages. The airbags were sent to import specialists who focused on automobile parts and confirmed the airbags were in violation of Honda’s  protected mark. If the airbags were genuine, they carried an estimated manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $4,856.

The remainder of the CBP article highlights the dangers of purchasing fake parts that may not function as well as OEM parts.

If you have had your shipment seized by Customs for suspicion of counterfeit goods, contact experienced seizure attorney David Hsu by phone/text at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com, dh@gjatradelaw.com.

CBP seizes +$2 million in counterfeit goods from China.

November 9, 2019 By in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , Leave a comment
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Counterfeit goods seized by CBP, source: cbp.gov

According to a  U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) media release, officers in Washington Dulles airport seized fake goods from China with a MSRP of $2 million destined to Flushing, New York.

The air cargo shipment contained 2,601 coin purses, 459 purses, and backpacks with counterfeit logos of luxury brand names such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Chanel.

When CBP seizes suspected counterfeit goods, they send samples and photos to the CBP Consumer Products and Mass Merchandising Centers for Excellence and Expertise (CEE) for verification with the trademark holders.

The goods were determined to be counterfeit (no trademark holder has ever agreed that a product was not counterfeit), and if authentic, would have an MSRP of $2,244,370.

If you have had your shipment seized by CBP on suspicion of being counterfeit, contact experienced seizure attorney David Hsu for assistance, we can explore your options. If you have received a penalty notice for violation of intellectual property rights, give us a call or text at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com, dh@gjatradelaw.com.

CBP conducts anti-counterfeit operations in New Orleans.

November 1, 2019 By in Attorney, Import Export Attorney, trademark, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment
people walking on paved road

Photo by kendall hoopes on Pexels.com

According to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) media release, CBP officers in the New Orleans Field Office partnered with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for their “Operation Safety Claus”. As indicated by the name of the operation, “Operation Safety Claus” is a joint anti-counterfeiting law enforcement operation in metro New Orleans to target the importation of counterfeit goods during the holiday season.

According to the press release, in the past few weeks, CBP officers have seized items such as makeup, contact lenses, hair products, eyelashes, and clothing. During the Halloween holiday, CBP seized an increase in items like contact lenses, makeup and other cosmetics. CBP warns counterfeit goods may contain bacteria, heavy metals, or other toxins that pose a health risk.

As in all their media releases related to counterfeit goods, CBP highlighted the public safety risk of counterfeit goods, the sale of counterfeit goods to fund illicit activities and crime and restated their counterfeit seizure figures.

If your property has been seized by CBP, you must respond or risk a civil penalty down the road and a loss of your shipment. Contact experienced seizure attorney David Hsu by phone/text at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com, dh@gjatradelaw.com.

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HSI New Orleans Deputy Special Agent in Charge Gilbert S. Trill explained that selling and purchasing counterfeit items is an intellectual property crime, often used to fund international and transnational criminal organizations. These crimes can also have an adverse effect on the United States, in terms of reduced innovation, repressed job markets, and reduced quality. Additionally, it puts the public at risk with little recourse.

“You’re not going to be able to sue an illegal activity or transnational criminal organization,” he said.

On a typical day in 2018, U.S. Customs and Border Protection alone seized $3.7 million worth of products with Intellectual Property Rights violations, with the IPR industry topping $ billion nationally. Many of these products are shipped through mail facilities throughout the country.

“The discovery and interception of counterfeit merchandise that pose safety hazards to our citizens is an illustration of how CBP works every single day to keep dangerous goods from the commerce of the United States,” said Mark S. Choina, Assistant Port Director, Trade, Port of New Orleans.

The New Orleans office of HSI covers Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, while the New Orleans CBP office covers Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, and Tennessee. For more information on IPR, visit https://www.cbp.gov/trade/priority-issues/ipr.