DHS to Implement Steps to Streamline the Export/Import Process for America’s Businesses
Department of Homeland Security / http://www.dhs.gov/news/2014/02/19/dhs-implement-steps-streamline-exportimport-process-america%E2%80%99s-businesses
WASHINGTON – Today, Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson joined President Barack Obama in Toluca, Mexico for the North American Leaders Summit where the President announced an Executive Order (EO) on Streamlining the Export/Import Process for America’s Businesses. The EO establishes a December 31, 2016 deadline for completion and government-wide use of the International Trade Data System (ITDS), an automated capability that will allow businesses to transmit, through an “electronic single-window,” the data required by the U.S. Government for the importation and exportation of cargo.
“One of the top priorities for this Administration, and for the Department of Homeland Security, is to facilitate the lawful trade essential to our economy, while maintaining the highest standards of security,” said Secretary Johnson. “By leveraging resources like the International Trade Data System, we can modernize and simplify the way government interacts with businesses to further bolster our Nation’s economic competitiveness.”
Each year, more than 50 million containers and $3.8 trillion worth of goods cross our borders. Once completed, this secure “single-window” system will further enhance U.S. economic competitiveness by reducing costs associated with moving goods in and out of the country. The “single window” will also save businesses and the government time and money by reducing administrative costs, standardizing reporting requirements, and streamlining processes.
The EO today also establishes a two-tiered governance structure responsible for cost-effective implementation of the single-window and the development of policy solutions to facilitate commerce, while managing the risks presented by goods which flow into and out of the United States. The current ITDS Board of Directors, chaired by the Department of the Treasury, will continue to oversee the development of the ITDS automated capabilities and a newly expanded Border Interagency Executive Council (BIEC), chaired by the Department of Homeland Security, will be responsible for improving coordination among the dozens of agencies with border responsibilities and between the U.S. Government and other stakeholders.
DHS, in close collaboration with other U.S. Government agencies, will employ a phased approach to meet the December 2016 deadline for the completion of the ITDS. The first phase of this effort will begin in spring 2014, with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Food Safety Inspection Service, and the Environmental Protection Agency testing early technical capabilities for imports at select locations and with pre-identified industry partners. The second phase will begin in spring 2015 and will include both imports and exports as well as an expanded range of capabilities and industry users. By December 31, 2016, the U.S. Government shall utilize the ITDS as the primary means of receiving data and other relevant documentation required for the release of imported cargo and clearance of cargo for export.
FACT SHEET: National Strategy for Combating Wildlife Trafficking & Commercial Ban on Trade in Elephant Ivory
The White House / http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/02/11/fact-sheet-national-strategy-combating-wildlife-trafficking-commercial-b
Today (2/11/14) the United States announced a National Strategy for Combating Wildlife Trafficking. The Strategy will strengthen U.S. leadership on addressing the serious and urgent conservation and global security threat posed by illegal trade in wildlife.
In addition to the strategy, we are also announcing a ban on commercial trade of elephant ivory, which will enhance our efforts to protect iconic species like elephants and rhinos by prohibiting the import, export, or resale within the United States of elephant ivory except in a very limited number of circumstances.
Taken together, these actions will help ensure that the United States is not contributing to poaching of elephants and illegal trade in elephant ivory.
THE STRATEGY
The National Strategy for Combating Wildlife Trafficking establishes guiding principles for U.S. efforts to stem illegal trade in wildlife. It sets three strategic priorities: strengthening domestic and global enforcement; reducing demand for illegally traded wildlife at home and abroad; and strengthening partnerships with international partners, local communities, NGOs, private industry, and others to combat illegal wildlife poaching and trade.
THE IVORY BAN
Today we are also announcing a ban on the commercial trade of elephant ivory, which will enhance our ability to protect elephants by prohibiting commercial imports, exports and domestic sale of ivory, with a very limited number of exceptions. This ban is the best way to help ensure that U.S. markets do not contribute to the further decline of African elephants in the wild.
To begin implementing these new controls, federal Departments and Agencies will immediately undertake administrative actions to:
- Prohibit Commercial Import of African Elephant Ivory: All commercial imports of African elephant ivory, including antiques, will be prohibited.
- Prohibit Commercial Export of Elephant Ivory: All commercial exports will be prohibited, except for bona fide antiques, certain noncommercial items, and in exceptional circumstances permitted under the Endangered Species Act.
- Significantly Restrict Domestic Resale of Elephant Ivory: We will finalize a proposed rule that will reaffirm and clarify that sales across state lines are prohibited, except for bona fide antiques, and will prohibit sales within a state unless the seller can demonstrate an item was lawfully imported prior to 1990 for African elephants and 1975 for Asian elephants, or under an exemption document.
- Clarify the Definition of “Antique”: To qualify as an antique, an item must be more than 100 years old and meet other requirements under the Endangered Species Act. The onus will now fall on the importer, exporter, or seller to demonstrate that an item meets these criteria.
- Restore Endangered Species Act Protection for African Elephants: We will revoke a previous Fish and Wildlife Service special rule that had relaxed Endangered Species Act restrictions on African elephant ivory trade.
Support Limited Sport-hunting of African Elephants: We will limit the number of African elephant sport-hunted trophies that an individual can import to two per hunter per year.
The United States will continue to lead global efforts to protect the world’s iconic animals and preserve our planet’s natural beauty for future generations. Combating wildlife trafficking will require the shared understanding, commitment, and efforts of the world’s governments, intergovernmental organizations, NGOs, corporations, civil society, and individuals. At this week’s London Conference on the Illegal Wildlife Trade, we hope other countries will join us in taking ambitious action to combat wildlife trafficking. In the coming months, we will take further steps to implement the National Strategy, and will work with the Congress to strengthen existing laws and adopt new ones to enhance our ability to address this global challenge
International Trade Administration - PRESS RELEASES
http://www.trade.gov/press/press-releases/
- 02/11/2014 Commerce Preliminarily Finds Dumping of Imports of Steel Threaded Rod from India
- 02/12/2014 Commerce Preliminarily Finds Countervail able Subsidization of Imports of Chlorinated Isocyanurates from the Peoples Republic of China
- 02/18/2014 Commerce Preliminarily Finds Dumping of Imports of Certain Oil Country Tubular Goods from India, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, and Vietnam, and No Dumping of Imports of Certain Oil Country Tubular Goods from Korea
FTC, FBI Warn Consumers About ‘Cryptolocker,’ A New Breed of Computer Malware
Federal Trade Commission / http://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2014/02/ftc-fbi-warn-consumers-about-cryptolocker-new-breed-computer
How much is everything on your computer worth to you? About $300? The criminals behind a new malware program are betting on it.
The Federal Trade Commission, the FBI and other federal agencies are warning consumers and businesses about “Cryptolocker,” a malware program that holds the files on your computer for ransom, and doesn’t allow you to access them until you pay up. Even then, there’s no guarantee. It’s essentially extortion, with all your personal documents, photos, and files at risk.
Cryptolocker is spread mostly through email and “drive-by” downloads. The email might look like a routine message from a legitimate company, like a tracking notice from a shipping company. If you click on the hyperlink in the email, Cryptolocker encrypts everything on your hard drive and in your shared folders. When the job is done, you get a “ransom note” demanding payment via Bitcoin or some other anonymous payment method. The criminals behind this malware say they’ll give you the encryption key if you pay, but they’re hardly trustworthy. And there’s no other way to unlock your files. For tips about how to protect your business from Cryptolocker, read Lock, stock, and peril.
Computer security experts say the best way to minimize the damage Cryptolocker can do is to back up your computer files often. There are other good computer security habits that can help you avoid downloading Cryptolocker and other malware, too. To learn more, read Back, back, back it up, and watch Protect Your Computer from Malware.
The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC’s online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 2,000 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC’s website provides free information on a variety of consumer topics. Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.
The Strays of Sochi: Subject to CBP Inspection
U.S. Customs & Border Protection / http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/highlights/strays_sochi.xml
As the Olympic Games wind down in Sochi, Russia, U.S. athletes will be returning home to share their stories about their victories and defeats, but some members of Team USA have announced they plan to bring home more than just medals and souvenirs. Many have reportedly made plans to adopt one or more of the hundreds of stray dogs roaming Sochi.
Of course, it is one thing to board a flight home with “man’s best friend,” but it is quite another to clear Customs and Border Protection with any animal from foreign destinations. Enter CBP agriculture specialists, who encounter all kinds of live animals every day at U.S. land, sea, and air ports of entry.
The Sochi strays – like all live animals – are subject to CBP inspection at U.S. ports of entry. Normally, dogs must have a certificate showing they have been vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days prior to entry. If a dog appears to be ill, then further examination by a licensed veterinarian at the owner’s expense may be required.
The Sochi strays, however, have no such documentation. Most do not have any tags indicating they have been examined by a Russian veterinarian. That is likely to present challenges for travelers returning with dogs from Sochi.
The bottom line: Dogs may be imported without proof of rabies vaccination only under two conditions:
1. if they have either spent the previous six months in a country that is free of rabies; or
2. if they are vaccinated for rabies within four days of arrival at their final U.S. destination and within 10 days of entry into the U.S., followed by a required 30-day confinement period.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Russia is not considered rabies free. ( Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) )
If the dogs must be vaccinated, their owners must fill out a “confinement agreement” form, consenting to the quarantine of the animal until it is considered adequately vaccinated against rabies – typically at least 30 days post-vaccination. Confinement is legally defined as “restriction of a dog or cat to a building or other enclosure at a U.S. port, en route to destination and at destination, in isolation from other animals and from persons except for contact necessary for its care or, if the dog or cat is allowed out of the enclosure, muzzling and keeping it on a leash.”
Puppies (dogs under 3 months of age), which are considered too young to be vaccinated, must remain confined until they are old enough to be vaccinated and then at least 30 days beyond that date.
CDC regulations require importers to provide a contact address where the dog will be kept during the confinement period. If the importer will be housing the dog at several addresses or traveling with the animal, all points of contact must be provided to the Quarantine Station. Travelers importing animals should contact their Quarantine Station if they have any questions or concerns. ( Quarantine Station )
CBP also enforces regulations set forth by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. ( U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) ) For example, owners of dogs imported from countries or regions affected with foot-and-mouth disease – and Russia is one of these countries – are advised to take the following precautions to prevent the introduction of the disease into the U.S.:
•The feet, fur, and bedding of the pets should be free of any excessive dirt or mud;
•The pet's bedding should be free of any straw or hay, or other natural bedding;
•The pet should be bathed as soon as it reaches its final destination;
•The pet should be kept separate and apart from all livestock for at least five days after entry into the U.S.
State regulations also apply to the U.S. importation of live animals. Travelers who decide to adopt an animal in any foreign country should consult their state veterinarian or visit the USDA website that links to state regulations. ( U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) )
Following importation, all dogs are subject to state and local vaccination or health certificate requirements. All pet dogs arriving in the state of Hawaii and the territory of Guam, even from the U.S. mainland, are subject to locally imposed quarantine requirements. Find additional information in the Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control. ( Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control )
Finally, many airlines have rules governing the transport of live animals on their aircraft. Travelers can find these rules on the carriers’ websites.