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12

NOTICE:  U.S. Customs eBonds Become Effective on January 3, 2015

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and answers pertaining to CBP's eBond initiative


C-TPAT Container and Seal Security
C-Air Customhouse Brokers - Eric Jones, Los Angeles Office / www.cairla.com

C-Air has been a C-TPAT certified customs broker since the inception of the program in 2003.  As part of our continuing service to educate our import clients and related vendors, we would like to remind them of the importance of maintaining the security of containers loaded and destined for the United States.

US Customs outlines a seven point inspection process for checking empty containers prior to loading cargo destined for the US.  They also provide a seventeen point inspection process for all tractor/trailers hauling containers within the US. 

Importers are requested by US Customs C-TPAT regulations to train their suppliers to properly inspect containers prior to loading.  Both the 7-point container inspection and 17-point tractor/trailer inspection guidelines are available from the C-TPAT button within C-Air’s webpage.

US Customs announced this year that the ISO (International Organization for Standardization) published a new standard for security seals that went into effect May 15, 2014. Seals are to be used for all containers packed for transit to the US.  The ISO defines three levels of seal strength, “I” for Indicative, “S” for Security and “H” for High Security.   

C-TPAT security criteria states that a High Security seal must be affixed to all loaded containers bound for the US.  Importers are encouraged to view all C-TPAT links and documents from C-Air’s website (www.cairla.com).


Philly CBP Intercepts Two First-In-Nation Insect Pests in Maritime Shipments from Costa Rica, Brazil
U.S. Customs & Border Protection / http://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/local-media-release/2014-12-08-000000/philly-cbp-intercepts-two-first-nation-insect-pests

CBP Also Intercepts a First Locally Reported Chinese Wax Scale from Spain

PHILADELPHIA – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed today that two recent insect species that U. S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture specialists in Philadelphia intercepted in maritime shipments were the first recorded interceptions of those insects in the United States.

The USDA also confirmed that a third recent insect interception is a first reported discovery of that species for the Philadelphia area.

CBP agriculture specialists intercepted Dalmochrimnus guatemalanus (Lygaeidae), a species of seed bug, in a shipment of cassava and chayotes from Costa Rica on November 7; and Stenygra setigera (Cerambycidae), from the Longhorned Beetle family, in a container of granite from Brazil on November 17. These seed bug and longhorned beetle interceptions are the first reported in the United States.

CBP agriculture specialists also intercepted Ceroplastes sinensis (Coccidae), or Chinese Wax Scale, in a shipment of persimmons on November 20. This is the first reported interception locally of Chinese Wax Scales.

“Keeping these insect pests out of the United States is of grave concern for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and our agriculture specialists take their job very seriously,” said Susan Stranieri, CBP Port Director for the Area Port of Philadelphia. “Holding the line against destructive insects at our nation’s borders protects America’s varied agricultural industries, and saves our nation’s economy the expense associated with eradicating and recovering from new invasive species.”

During all three interceptions, CBP submitted the insect specimens to USDA entomologists for complete identification.

Dalmochrimnus guatemalanus  are members of the Lygaeidae family or seed bugs, and are significant pests of crops, grains, shrubs and trees. They are not known to occur in the United States. The USDA prescribed that the shipment of Costa Rica cassava and chayotes be fumigated. They were destined to a Maryland importer.

Stenygra setigera are members of the Cerambycidae family of longhorned beetles native to Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina and Bolivia. They are serious wood-boring pests of forests. The importer is deciding between fumigating, re-exporting or destroying the shipment of Brazilian granite, which was destined to Delaware.

Ceroplastes sinensis are a pest of commercial citrus crops in Spain including oranges, lemons and tangerines. The insect has a waxy external layer that acts as a protective barrier against pesticide treatments, making pest control a difficult task. The importer fumigated the shipment of persimmons.

CBP agriculture specialists work closely with USDA’s, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) to protect our nation’s agriculture resources against the introduction of foreign plants, plant pests, and animal diseases. Visit the USDA website for more information on the USDA APHIS PPQ program.

CBP agriculture specialists have extensive training and experience in the biological sciences and agricultural inspection. On a typical day, they inspect tens of thousands of international air passengers, and air and sea cargoes nationally being imported to the United States and seizes 4,380 prohibited animal products and plant materials, and intercepts 440 agriculture insect pests and diseases.

Visit CBP's Agriculture webpage to learn more about how CBP protects America's agriculture industries against destructive invasive insects and plants, and from plant and animal diseases.


CBP vs. Forest Prime Evil
U.S. Customs & Border Protection / http://www.cbp.gov/frontline/2014/12/frontline-december-forest-prime-evil

How wood packaging pests threaten America’s timber treasures

What would you say is the most serious threat to our nation’s forests? Wildfires? Logging and timber industry interests? Urban sprawl and development?

It’s actually something smaller than a paper clip. It’s an insect.  

Make that insects – specifically, non-native, invasive wood-boring beetles such as the emerald ash borer and the Asian longhorned beetle. Insects actually destroy more timber each year than wildfires, but because they quietly do their damage to small, isolated stands of trees in remote areas, they don’t make the headlines like more photogenic wildfires.

Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists are responsible for intercepting these wood-boring pests at U.S. ports of entry. Currently, agriculture specialists work at 167 sea, air and land ports of entry. Their mission is preventing the entry of invasive plants and foreign animal diseases.  

Some cargo entering the U.S., whether at a land, sea or air port of entry, is packed on or in wood packaging material. This material is subject to rules and regulations that require it to be treated to prevent pest infestation.

Agriculture is the largest industry and employer in the U.S., with more than $1 trillion in annual economic activity. Invasive species have caused $138 billion annually in lost agriculture revenue, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Native insects – even those that feed on trees, such as the mountain pine beetle – are valuable sources of food for birds and other wildlife.

Non-native pests – often referred to as invasive – pose an increased threat because they have few natural predators. Native bird populations have not developed a taste for, say, the Asian longhorned beetle and are not likely to do so for thousands of years. Mother Nature takes her sweet time when it comes to evolution.

Read entire article

'Tis The Season to Avoid Holiday Hoaxes, Scams

U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) / http://www.ice.gov/news/releases/tis-season-avoid-holiday-hoaxes-scams

Friday, Nov. 28 marked the unofficial start to the holiday shopping season and signaled to some that their sales of fake merchandise would kick into high gear.

It was also when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) began to promote its public-awareness campaign to be wary about buying counterfeit merchandise.

“Black Friday” sales drew consumers by the thousands to line up for hours to get a drastically reduced TV, pair of shoes or piece of furniture.  Those who chose to literally avoid the holiday rush could also take advantage of “Cyber Monday” and catch equally attractive deals online.

While the sales that many businesses are providing in their stores and online are tempting, there are still many shoppers who are always looking for an even better deal. However, in doing so, HSI agents warn that consumers have to be on alert this holiday season to avoid hoaxes and scams when shopping for their loved ones.

According to HSI Dallas Supervisory Special Agent John McNair, consumers must be vigilant and cautious because products can be counterfeited. The most popular counterfeited items sold to consumers during the holidays are handbags and electronic products such as cell phones, handheld devices, and their many accessories.

One of the red flags consumers should look out for is an extreme price difference from what others are charging.

“Around the holidays, we as shoppers are always looking for a bargain,” said HSI Dallas Assistant Special Agent in Charge John Wells. “However, if you see designer handbags selling extremely under market value, there’s something wrong.”

With the increase of holiday shopping being done online, not only is there a greater threat of consumers being hoaxed and falling for scams, but with personal information being provided, identity theft is also a serious concern.

“Counterfeiters have mastered the process of packaging counterfeit products, and that includes the websites that sell counterfeit products,” Wells said.  “The sophisticated-looking websites selling high-end name-brand products may lead back to China.  And the products, may not only be inferior, they may be dangerous.”

In addition to all the other problems associated with buying counterfeit merchandise, funding organized crime is another extreme downside.  Counterfeits have become big business that make big profits for their criminal organizations.

ICE involves itself in hoax and scam prevention for enforcement and education. During the holidays, agents offer the following tips to avoid buying counterfeit merchandise:

  • If the price seems too good to be true, then it probably is.
  • Buy from reputable manufacturers, and stores.
  • Research online sellers before purchasing.  The comments of people who have made previous purchases may be especially helpful.
  • Don't buy anything advertised via bulk email ("SPAM”).
  • Be suspicious of websites that do not provide a toll-free contact number.
  • When submitting financial information online, verify that the website is secure, that payments are submitted to website addresses beginning with https://.

Hoaxes can happen at any time. However, during the holidays, when shopping increases and consumers are looking for deals that are inexpensive and easily accessible, the threat is heightened. Holidays are supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, so when shopping, shop wisely.

 


USTIC:  News Releases & Documents

U.S. International Commission / http://www.usitc.gov/

News Release: Sec. 337 Inv. Three-Dimensional Cinema Systems [12/8/2014]

News Release: Sec. 337 Inv.  --  Certain Coaxial Cable Connectors and Components Thereof and Products Containing Same   [12/5/2014] 


U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Italian Customs Joint Operation Nets 115,000 Counterfeit Luxury Items
U.S. Customs & Border Protection / http://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/national-media-release/2014-12-05-000000/us-customs-and-border-protection-italian-customs

WASHINGTON - In partnership with Agenzia Delle Dogane E Dei Monopoli (Italian Customs), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently completed Operation Dolce Vita, a bilateral Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) enforcement operation that targeted high value luxury items from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. The operation included an information exchange and targeting of suspect cargo at all ports of entry in both the U.S. and Italy.

“Joint Customs operations such as Dolce Vita, and the sharing of trade intelligence are key to protecting the trademark holder, the consumer, and the economy from counterfeit products,” said CBP Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske.  

Operation Dolce Vita conducted April 27 through May 10, 2014, resulted in 470 seizures of nearly 115,000 counterfeit items.  This number includes a transshipment of 63,000 bottles of perfume seized by Italian Customs.  The luxury goods seized were watches and jewelry at 38 percent (19,661 units) followed by footwear at 35 percent (18,062 pair), handbags and wallets at 12 percent and eyewear at 7 percent.  Italy’s seizure of 63,000 bottles of perfume exceeds the 19,661 units of watches and jewelry, and would make perfume the greatest number of goods seized.

"Operation Dolce Vita is the perfect example of bi-lateral cooperation.  This successful operation recognized the vulnerability of consumers in both our countries to predatory trade practices,” said Assistant Commissioner Charles Stallworth, CBP Office of International Affairs.  “It is important to understand this type of operation does not just protect against financial loss but also represents a critically important effort to protect the public's health and safety.  Many of the counterfeit goods are applied to the person and therefore expose consumers to unknown and often dangerous combinations of chemicals and additives."

In response to the overall threat, CBP has designated IPR enforcement as a priority trade issue and devotes significant resources to collecting advanced information from the trade and targeting high-risk IPR-infringing shipments.

“The intelligence gained in this operation will be instrumental in identifying future targets for IPR enforcement action.” said Richard Quinn, CBP Attaché in Italy.  “CBP is looking forward to conducting follow-up operations with Italian Customs to protect legitimate businesses and consumers from intellectual property thieves.”

 
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