CSMS Message Regarding Post-Importation Claims for Preferential Tariff Treatment
U.S. Customs Border & Protection / http://www.cbp.gov/document/forms/side-side-comparison-free-trade-agreements-and-selected-preferential-trade
Post-Importation Claims for Preferential Tariff Treatment (pdf)
CBP Port of Savannah Seizes Over $1.6 Million in Sunglasses for Counterfeit Trademark
U.S. Customs & Border Protection/ http://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/local-media-release/2014-08-12-000000/cbp-port-savannah-seizes-over-16-million-sunglasses
SAVANNAH, Ga. — On July 23, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Port of Savannah seized 377 cartons of sunglasses with an estimated manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $1,619,550.
The shipment is CBP Savannah’s second multi-million dollar seizure of counterfeit goods this year.
“Protecting the United States is more than just physical security; we prevent the importation of goods that infringe on legitimate businesses,” said Area Port director Lisa Brown. “We are vigilant to protect our domestic industries and the economy.”
CBP officers discovered the shipment of sunglasses in a container that was selected for examination. During the inspection, officers discovered that the items bore a similar trademark to the Ray Ban Sunglasses logo. The items contained logos and similarities on the hang tags and the sunglasses that infringes Ray Ban’s trademark.
Ray Ban is an international company owned by Luxottica Group S.P.A. Luxottica Group is a manufacturer of eyewear with more than 7,100 optical and sun retail stores in North America, Asia-Pacific, China, South Africa, Latin America and Europe. In addition to a global wholesale network involving 130 different countries, the Group manages leading retail chains in major markets in North America, Asia, China, and Latin America.
CBP protects businesses and consumers every day through an aggressive Intellectual Property Rights enforcement program. CBP targets and seizes imports of counterfeit and pirated goods, and enforces exclusion orders on patent-infringing and other IPR violative goods. Detailed information about recording intellectual property rights and reporting intellectual property infringement to CBP can be found on the CBP website.
Pollution, Whales Prompt Shipping Slow-Down in California
MSN News/ http://news.msn.com/us/pollution-whales-prompt-shipping-slow-down-in-california
Concerns about pollution and endangered whales in southern California have prompted six global shipping companies to try slower speeds in exchange for cash incentives, environmental groups said.
Read entire article here
USITC: News Releases and New Documents
US International Trade Commission / http://www.usitc.gov/?source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
Law Dedicated to the Late DEC Lt. John Fitzpatrick Establishes Tougher Penalties to Prevent Illegal Sales, Barter or Purchase of Ivory Articles
Albany, NY (August 12, 2014)
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed a new law to prevent the trade of illegal ivory articles by strengthening criminal and civil penalties for buyers and sellers whose actions are endangering elephant populations worldwide. The law bans the sale of elephant and mammoth ivory and rhinoceros horns, with limited exceptions for products such as antiques demonstrated to be at least 100 years old and containing only a small amount of ivory. The adoption of these stricter sanctions is a major step to deter the ivory trade in the U.S. and protect important species.
“Today, New York State is taking a stand against a dangerous and cruel industry that is endangering animals across the world,” Governor Cuomo said. “Restricting the market for ivory articles will help bring an end to the slaughtering of elephants and rhinoceroses and sends a clear message that we will not allow the illegal ivory trade to continue in New York. I urge other states and nations to join us in working to protect these endangered species for generations to come.”
Due to the demand for illegal wildlife products like ivory, poachers are slaughtering elephants and selling ivory articles for large profit. The Wildlife Conservation Society estimates that 96 elephants are killed every day to fuel the ivory trade. As a result of this illegal activity, some species of elephants and rhinos are threatened with extinction. New York is believed to be the largest market for ivory in the United States.
During this year’s legislative session, Governor Cuomo and legislative leaders worked together to develop a strong bill that prohibits transactions involving ivory materials, with very limited exceptions. The new law signed today expands the scope of activities that are illegal in New York and increases criminal and civil penalties to deter people from violating this law.
The Governor signed this legislation on World Elephant Day, a day devoted to raising awareness and support for the plight of Asian and African elephants and their habitats. More information can be found at http://worldelephantday.org/.
In 2012, a joint investigation by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Manhattan District Attorney’s office led to the seizure of elephant ivory worth more than $2 million from jewelers based in New York City. Under current law, while the product was seized and destroyed, the penalties imposed on the jewelers were minimal. This investigation exposed the need for increased sanctions to curtail New York’s role in this illegal trade.
The new law is dedicated in honor of Lt. John Fitzpatrick, a long-time Environmental Conservation Officer for DEC, who spearheaded investigations of illegal ivory sales, helped to institute new ivory permit procedures and raised awareness of the need to improve endangered species protections. Lt. Fitzpatrick passed away on May 7, 2014 at the age of 46.
DEC Commissioner Joe Martens said, “Governor Cuomo and the State Legislature have taken strong action to reduce and hopefully eliminate the illegal ivory trade in New York, an important step to enhance global protections for critical animal populations. The new provisions of this law set strict standards. In honor of the memory and tireless work of Lt. John Fitzpatrick, DEC will be vigilant in enforcing this new law and continue its efforts to stop ivory trade in New York State.”
Senator Andrew Lanza said, “The illegal ivory trade is an international crisis in which 35,000 African elephants were slaughtered in 2012 alone. Poachers who are supporting terrorism and the drug trade are acting with impunity helped in part by receptive markets in New York City and Asia. We will make a difference right here in New York with this new law which will lead to higher conviction rates and tough criminal sentences. I thank Governor Cuomo, Assemblyman Sweeney and all the conservationists and advocates who have given voice to this horror.”
Assemblyman Robert Sweeney said, “This new law will protect elephants, which are being slaughtered at the rate of 96 per day, to satisfy the vanity ivory market and to finance terrorism. The law now acknowledges the significant impact our state can have on clamping down on illegal ivory sales a continent away in order to save elephants from the ruthless poaching operations run by terrorists and organized crime which threaten their extinction.”
John Calvelli, WCS Executive Vice President for Public Affairs and Director of the 96 Elephants campaign, said, “We are honored to share this historic moment with the Governor and our growing family of supporters in bringing the ivory trade to an end in New York State, the number one importer of ivory in the United States. We hope that the leadership shown by Governor Cuomo and the New York State Legislature will prompt leaders around the globe to redouble their efforts to help save elephants for future generations.”
Peter Lehner, Executive Director of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), said, “Today New York became a leader in the global fight to save elephants worldwide. This groundbreaking new law will end New York’s role as the biggest ivory market in the United States and create a model for other states and countries around the world to follow. And it will help ensure that Africa’s few remaining elephant herds are not culled for trinkets and beads.”
Brian Shapiro, New York State Director for The Humane Society of the United States, said, “We applaud Governor Cuomo and state lawmakers for enacting and signing this important legislation that protects elephants and rhinos, cracks down on wildlife traffickers and ends New York’s role in the deadly international elephant ivory and rhino horn trades. The overwhelming support of the legislature and the public for this important bill is a testament to New York’s long-standing leadership in global affairs, such as safeguarding imperiled species. By prohibiting the trade of ivory and rhino horns, New York is providing a bold and much needed solution to save elephants and rhinos from an unprecedented global poaching crisis.”
Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., said, “The illegal ivory market is an international problem that requires local solutions. Every person involved in the ivory market - from the poacher to the importer to the seller to the buyer – is complicitin a species-wide crisis. This law appropriately strengthens penalties against those who play a critical role in the potential extinction of a species. I commend the Governor and State Legislature for enacting legislation that protects animals and honors Lt. Fitzpatrick’s legacy.”
CBP Stops Three Drug Loads At Presidio Port Of Entry
U.S. Customs & Border Protection / http://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/local-media-release/2014-08-12-000000/cbp-stops-three-drug-loads-presidio-port-entry
PRESIDIO, Texas -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operation officers working at the Presidio port of entry made three drug seizures in three days seizing 275 pounds of marijuana. The estimated street value of the seized contraband is $220,000.
“CBP officers at the Presidio port continue to step up and stop drug smugglers in their tracks,” said John Deputy, CBP Presidio Port Director. “The smuggling threat remains high however the vigilance exhibited by our officers stopped three drug loads in three days.”
The most recent of the three seizures was made at approximately 9:30 p.m. Saturday when a 2006 Jeep Commander with two female occupants arrived from Mexico. CBP officers selected the vehicle for a secondary examination. CBP officers scanned the vehicle using the Z-Portal x-ray system and noted anomalies in the appearance of the fuel tank. CBP officers removed the fuel tank and located non-factory metal boxes in the tank. CBP officers removed a total of 68 pounds of marijuana from the hidden compartments.
CBP officers arrested the driver of the vehicle, 26-year-old Claudia Angelica Quintana, and the passenger, 21-year-old Vilma Magaly Vargas Rodriguez. Both are from Chihuahua City, Chihuahua, Mexico. They were turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations special agents to face charges associated with the failed smuggling attempt.
CBP officers at the Presidio port made another seizure earlier in the day August 9. The seizure was made at approximately 2 a.m. when a 2002 Dodge Ram with three occupants arrived from Mexico. CBP officers selected the vehicle for a secondary examination and spotting signs of tampering on the vehicle. CBP officers scanned the vehicle using the Z-Portal x-ray system and noted anomalies in the appearance of the dashboard. CBP officers removed 79 pounds of marijuana from the compartment.
CBP officers arrested the driver of the vehicle, 20-year-old Gerhard Krahn of Ruthven Canada. They also took custody of the passengers, 18-year-old Willie Wiebe of Vauxall, Canada and 20-year-old Johan Siemens of Vauxhall, Canada. They were turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations special agents to face charges associated with the failed smuggling attempt.
The largest of the three seizures was made August 7 at approximately 10:20 a.m. when a 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser with a single occupant arrived from Mexico. CBP officers selected the vehicle for a secondary examination after noting that the driver was nervous during a routine discussion. CBP officers located signs of tampering in the vehicle and then found a hidden compartment in the floor. CBP officers scanned the vehicle using the Z-Portal x-ray system and confirmed that the vehicle contained a non-factory compartment. CBP officers removed 128 pounds of marijuana from the hidden compartment.
CBP officers arrested the driver of the vehicle, 58-year-old Ernesto Figueroa Pallares of Chihuahua City, Chihuahua, Mexico. He was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations special agents to face charges associated with the failed smuggling attempt.
While anti-terrorism is the primary mission of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the inspection process at the ports of entry associated with this mission results in impressive numbers of enforcement actions in all categories.
Hyundai Agrees to Pay $17.35 Million Fine in Brake Defect Case
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration/ http://www.nhtsa.gov/About+NHTSA/Press+Releases/2014/Hyundai-agrees-to-pay-$17.35-million-fine
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today announced that Hyundai has agreed to pay a $17.35 million civil penalty and comply with NHTSA oversight requirements outlined in a Consent Order as a result of the manufacturer failing to report in a timely manner a safety-related defect affecting 2009-2012 Hyundai Genesis vehicles. The defect involves corrosion in critical brake system components that can result in reduced braking effectiveness and increase the risk of a crash.