CBP recently announced that it seized 1,200 allegedly counterfeit Tiffany bracelets. CBP also estimated that if the bracelets were genuine they would have a total estimated Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $2.85 million. In Fiscal Year 2014, CBP made more than 23,000 seizures of counterfeit goods with a total MSRP of $1.2 billion, if [...]
The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) received two petitions on October 28, 2015, seeking to impose Antidumping and Countervailing Duties (AD/CVD). One alleges that certain iron mechanical transfer drive components (transfer drive components) from Canada and China are being sold at less-than-fair-value. The investigations for the transfer drive components, 701-TA-550 and 731-TA-1304-1305, allege that [...]
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) has added individuals to the Specially Designated Nationals (“SDN”) List for Counter Terrorism reasons. The designation comes pursuant to Executive Order 13224, which was issued by President George W. Bush due to the September 11, 2001 attacks. Designated parties include the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant [...]
James Garland Hurst and Scott Johnston recently presented at the Texas Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association Conference. The conference took place between Thursday, August 13, 2015 and Saturday, August 15, 2015, in San Antonio Texas. James Hurst presented on the Broker Known Importer Program (BKIP) and its impact both importers and customs brokers. Scott Johnston [...]
On July 14, 2015, after twenty months of negotiations, Iran and six world powers (P5+1) have concluded an agreement that will lift sanctions on Iran but impose strict limits on its nuclear program. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), between Iran, US, UK, France, Germany, Russia and China conditions the sanctions relief on Iran’s [...]
On June 29, 2015, President Obama signed into law the Trade Preferences Extension Act (H.R. 1295), which renews the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program. The GSP program provides non-reciprocal, duty-free treatment to certain products imported from developing countries for the use by U.S. companies in manufacturing goods for domestic consumption. The GSP has been [...]
On July 14, 2015, after twenty months of negotiations, Iran and six world powers (P5+1) have concluded an agreement that will lift sanctions on Iran but impose strict limits on its nuclear program. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), between Iran, US, UK, France, Germany, Russia and China conditions the sanctions relief on Iran’s [...]
The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (“DDTC”) and the Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) have proposed changes to U.S. Munitions List (“USML”) Category XII and the Commerce Control List (“CCL”). In sum, the proposed rule seeks to create a “bright line” between the USML and the CCL for the control of the articles found [...]
The Supreme Court of United States denied certiorari in the Trek Leather case, stylized as Shadadpuri v. United States in its petition. This denial places the final holding of Trek Leather with the most recent decision by the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (“CAFC”). Previously, in September 2014, the CAFC held that a “person” who may be liable for [...]
U.S. Customs seizes money (currency, cash, checks, etc.) every day from unsuspecting international travelers who fail to declare carried money over $10,000 or who fail to declare the correct amount. If your money has been seized (i.e., you are now a currency seizure “claimant”), and you obtained your money from legitimate sources and intended to [...]