PortTruckPass Program has been Delayed
Port of New York and New Jersey / http://www.panynj.gov/port/port-news-announcements.html
Please be advised that the start of the PortTruckPass program has been delayed until a future date. On that date all trucks will be required to have an RFID tag mounted on the exterior driver side mirror. Any truck that does not have the tag mounted on driver side mirror will be turned away. Tags being held out of the window by the driver or on the dashboard will be rejected by gate personnel.
The start date will be announced two weeks in advance. Until then, we will continue testing your tags at the terminal gates, so please mount your tag on the exterior driver side mirror to avoid access problems at the terminals.
Note: Global Terminal is currently requiring RFID tags to be properly mounted on the exterior driver side mirror of all trucks seeking access to the terminal . If you call on Global Terminal, you must have a properly mounted RFID tag.
FMCSA Establishes New Unified Registration System for DOT Operating Authority
U.S. Department of Transportation /
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/about/news/news-releases/2013/urs.aspx
The Federal Motor Carrier Administration (FMCSA) has published a final rule that will combine 16 different forms that carriers, freight forwarders and brokers currently use to register and update their information with the agency into a single, electronic “smart form.” The new Unified Registration System will increase efficiency by streamlining the registration process for industry and enabling FMCSA to maintain more accurate information on the entities it regulates. The streamlined web-based system will begin operating in 2015. At that time, all new applications and updates to existing records will be handled through the new system.
OTEXA (Office of Textile and Apparel) - ANNOUNCEMENTS
OTEXA /
http://otexa.ita.doc.gov/
08/27/2013 – Determination to Approve CAFTA-DR Commercial Availability Request: Certain Polyester Nylon Cut Corduroy Fabric - 184.2013.07.25.Fabric.Alston&BirdforSPCGlobal
India's Trade, Investment and Industrial Policies will be Focus on New USITC Investigation
U.S. International Trade Commission / http://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2013/er0829ll1.htm?source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has launched an investigation to examine a wide range of Indian policies that discriminate against U.S. trade and investment.
The investigation, Trade, Investment, and Industrial Policies in India: Effects on the U.S. Economy, was requested jointly by the Senate Committee on Finance and the House Committee on Ways and Means.
As requested, the USITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, will report on recent policies and measures in India that affect U.S. exports and investment and evaluate the effects of such barriers on U.S. firms and the U.S. economy.
In its examination, the USITC will enumerate restrictive trade and investment policies that India maintains or has recently adopted, determine which sectors of the U.S. economy are most affected by these policies, and describe the competitiveness of Indian firms in these sectors. The USITC will provide several case studies of U.S. firms or industries that have been particularly affected by India's restrictions.
As requested, the USITC will also perform a quantitative analysis of the effects of such measures. The USITC will survey a sample of U.S. firms to measure perceptions of India's policies and the impact of those policies on firms' strategies toward India. The survey results will complement the quantitative analysis of the effects of these policies on trade, investment, and the U.S. economy.
The USITC will deliver the report to the Committees by November 30, 2014.
The USITC will hold a public hearing in connection with the investigation on February 13, 2014. Requests to appear at the hearing should be filed no later than 5:15 p.m. on January 21, 2014, with the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. For further information, call 202-205-2000.
The USITC also welcomes written submission for the record. Written submissions should be addressed to the Secretary of the Commission at the above address and should be submitted at the earliest practical date, but no later than 5:15 p.m. on April 11, 2014. All written submissions, except for confidential business information, will be available for public inspection.
Further information on the scope of the investigation and appropriate submissions is available in the USITC's notice of investigation, dated August 29, 2013, which can be obtained from the USITC Internet site (www.usitc.gov) or by contacting the Office of the Secretary at the above address or at 202-205-2000.
CBP Seizes $3.9 Million in Counterfeit Consumer Goods
U.S. Customs & Border Protection / http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/national/08272013_3.xml
Washington — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized a shipment of 70,000 counterfeit consumer products July 22 at the port of Newark, N.J. Working closely with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, CBP officers intercepted an estimated $3.9 million worth of the illicit products, including razor blades, toys, sunglasses, markers and batteries, for violating intellectual property laws.
The shipment, which arrived from China, was targeted using CPSC-defined health and safety rules through the Commercial Targeting and Analysis Center in Washington, D.C. In conjunction with CPSC, CTAC identified the cargo for physical examination upon arrival in Newark.
Once identified at the port, CBP personnel examined the shipment, discovered intellectual property violations and seized the goods.
“The partnership between CBP, CPSC and other agencies at the CTAC enables greater sharing of information and targeting to ensure the safety of imported products,” said CBP Assistant Commissioner Allen Gina. “Interagency collaboration at the CTAC, combined with the vigilance of CBP officers at the ports truly exemplifies one U.S. Government working together at the border to protect American consumers.”
Counterfeit goods threaten American innovation, the competitiveness of its businesses, the livelihood of its workers and the health and safety of consumers who purchase inferior products that do not meet federal safety standards. CBP protects businesses and consumers from these risks every day through aggressive targeting and enforcement programs.
In fiscal year 2012, CBP and its investigative partner U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement seized 22,848 shipments for intellectual property rights violations, for a total retail value of $1.26 billion. ( IPR Seizure Statistics: FY 2012 (pdf - 1,629 KB.) )
CTAC is a fusion center that combines resources, personnel and expertise from various federal agencies to protect the American public from harm caused by unsafe imported products. The center accomplishes this through better communication, information-sharing and by reducing redundant inspection activities. For additional information on CTAC, please visit CBP.gov/CTAC.
CBP Seizes $1.2 Million of Fake Designer Watches at LAX
U.S. Customs & Border Protection / http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/local/08272013_2.xml
Los Angeles — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers and import specialists assigned to the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) seized 215 watches bearing counterfeit Rolex, Louis Vuitton, Cartier and Omega registered trademarks.
The merchandise, which arrived from China via air cargo, was seized by CBP officials on August 8. If genuine, the seized watches estimated manufacturer’s suggested retail price, sold at retail to the consumer would be $1,250,500.
“This seizure of these trademarked watches is testament to our officers’ vigilance in protecting the intellectual property rights of manufacturers and retailers,” stated Todd C. Owen, director of the Los Angeles Field Operations office of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. “It is just another example of the caliber of the CBP officers in performing their day-to-day duties.”
CBP officers discovered the counterfeit merchandise after inspecting the shipment manifested as “watches” with a declared value of $173 and weighing 68 pounds.
Counterfeit and pirated goods pose a serious threat to our nation’s economic vitality, the health and safety of the American consumers, our critical infrastructure and national security.
Approximately $1.26 billion worth of counterfeit goods originating overseas were seized by CBP in 2012.
With an estimated manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $186 million, watches and jewelry ranked as a top-five commodity seized by CBP in fiscal year 2012. In the same period, watches and jewelry represented eight percent of the total number of seizures by CBP nationwide.
CBP Assists HSI in $1.5 Million Counterfeit Goods Seizure from Puerto Rican Flea Market
U.S. Customs & Border Protection / http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/local/08282013_5.xml
San Juan, Puerto Rico — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers and import specialists supported special agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), in seizing approximately $1.5 million in counterfeit and pirated merchandise as part of Operation Forged Dreams. The operation took place Sunday with assistance from CBP, the Puerto Rico Department of Health's Office of Investigations, the Puerto Rico Police Department and the Puerto Rico Department of Consumer Affairs.
“The trade in counterfeit and pirated goods threatens America’s innovation economy, the competitiveness of our businesses, the livelihoods of U.S. workers, and, in some cases, national security and the health and safety of consumers,” indicated Marcelino Borges, director of CBP field operations in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. “The trade in these illegitimate goods is associated with smuggling and other criminal activities, and often funds criminal enterprises.”
"Stealing intellectual property is not a victimless crime," said Angel Melendez, special agent in charge of HSI San Juan. "The bottom line is counterfeit and pirated goods steal revenue from legitimate businesses and shortchange buyers who think they're getting the real deal. Those involved in intellectual property rights violations should take note that we are actively looking for contraband on a daily basis and counterfeit goods will be seized and violators prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
During the operation, HSI special agents and partner law enforcement officers targeted 23 retailers of counterfeit and pirated goods at the Arecibo flea market. They seized 10,000 CDs, 50,000 DVDs, 565 watches, 368 video games, 220 pieces of jewelry, 1,161 sunglasses and 204 handbags, among other items, infringing on the trademark of Gucci, Michael Kors, Microsoft, Nintendo, Casio, Ray Ban, Coach, Dolce & Gabbana, Oakley, Nike, Adidas, Tous, NBA and Pandora. The total manufacturer's suggested retail value (MSRP) of the seized goods is approximately $1.5 million.
This is the fifth seizure of counterfeit and pirated goods by HSI San Juan in the last 11 months. During a four-day ( operation ) in February, HSI special agents and their partners targeted 15 retailers of counterfeit goods at prominent locations in the Puerto Rican municipalities of Carolina, Toa Baja, Caguas, Bayamon, Guaynabo and San Juan. The seized items included counterfeit designer clothing, jewelry, cosmetics, handbags, sunglasses and sportswear with an MSRP of $4,788,032. During a two-day ( operation ) in December 2012, HSI special agents and their partners targeted 17 retailers of counterfeit goods in the municipalities of Bayamon, Caguas, Canovanas, Ponce and San Juan. They seized 4,749 counterfeit items infringing on the trademark of more than 38 brands. The total MSRP of the seized goods was approximately $2 million. In September 2012, HSI special agents ( seized ) more than $18 million in counterfeit contact lenses and other merchandise during the execution of several search warrants in eight municipalities.
Operation Forged Dreams is an HSI San Juan initiative intended to bring a multi-agency and industry united front against individuals and organizations exploiting trade and financial systems by importing, exporting, selling, storing, manufacturing or otherwise handling counterfeit and pirated goods that may present a hazard to public health and safety.
During fiscal year 2012, CBP officers conducted more than 136 seizures related Intellectual Property Rights violations, with a domestic value of approximately $2 million.
CBP and HSI continued to step up enforcement against these dangerous products, and the resulting seizures help keep consumers safe. CBP and HSI protect businesses and consumers every day through an aggressive IPR enforcement program. CBP targets and seizes imports of counterfeit and pirated goods, and enforces exclusion orders on patent-infringing and other IPR violative goods.
This investigation was supported by the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center in Washington. ( National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center ) The IPR Center is one of the U.S. government's key weapons in the fight against criminal counterfeiting and piracy. As a task force, the IPR Center uses the expertise of its 21-member agencies to share information, develop initiatives, coordinate enforcement actions and conduct investigations related to IP theft. Through this strategic interagency partnership, the IPR Center protects the public's health and safety and the U.S. economy.
For more information on the IPR Center please visit IPRCenter.gov.
Working Together to Combat Human Trafficking & Violence Against Women
U.S. Department of Homeland Security / http://www.dhs.gov/blog/2013/08/28/working-together-combat-human-trafficking-violence-against-women
Over the past four years, DHS has worked to stop human trafficking, combat violence against women, and raise awareness about protections available to vulnerable populations. Earlier this week, I met with our stakeholders from the law enforcement and first responder communities as well as faith-based groups and members of the judicial system to introduce DHS’ Council on Combating Violence Against Women, which will build on the progress made by the DHS Blue Campaign to combat human trafficking and apply those successes to addressing the security of women and children.
This past March, Secretary Napolitano announced the formation of DHS’ Council on Combatting Violence Against Women, also known as the Council, which is co-chaired by the Assistant Secretary for the Office for State and Local Law Enforcement and myself. The Council brings together experts from across DHS to identify and share best practices related to our policies and programs in order to improve our ability to combat violence against women.
Together with our stakeholders, we have made great strides to better protect vulnerable populations from violence and human trafficking. However, these accomplishments would not be possible without the Violence Against Women Act and the Trafficking Victim Protection Act, two important pieces of legislation that were reauthorized earlier this year. These laws also provide critical support to immigrant victims when stepping forward to report crimes – but there is still more work to be done.
The Council will leverage the accomplishments of the Blue Campaign and support these laws through enhanced public awareness, training, victim assistance, and law enforcement investigations. In June, the Blue Campaign unveiled new public awareness materials, including posters, a PSA entitled “Out of the Shadows,” and informational guides tailored for the general public and our stakeholders. By increasing awareness of human trafficking and training individuals to recognize the indicators of such heinous crimes, everyone can do their part to help law enforcement rescue victims.
I encourage you to take our Blue Campaign training, display our posters, watch our PSA and share our information guides with your family, friends and coworkers. For more information, visit the DHS Blue Campaign on Facebook and visit our website:
www.dhs.gov/bluecampaign.