C-TPAT
C-Air/C-Air International / www.c-air.com / Eric Jones - eric@cairla.com
C-Air continues to bring attention to their importers recommendations to further secure their supply chains. These steps will assist the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection as described within the points of C-TPAT, especially in combating terrorism and narcotic smuggling.
Importers should have in place standard instructions to their suppliers to inspect empty containers upon receipt at their facility and before stuffing. Customs recommends a seven point inspection process to insure the empty container is truly empty. Suppliers should inspect the container’s outside/undercarriage, inside/outside doors, right and left side of the container, along with the front wall, ceiling and floor of the container.
Suppliers should also have security procedures in place at the point of loading containers. The point of loading should be separate from the rest of the warehouse and staffed only by designated and authorized employees. Once the container is loaded, it should be closed and secured by a seal that meets or exceeds current ISO PAS 17712 standards for high security. For better security purposes, the fewer employees at the supplier location that have access to the seals the better.
Importers should also instruct their receiving warehouses in the United States to inspect the container’s seal to insure that it has not been tampered with. Should a seal be found to be compromised the receiving warehouse should report it to their local customs office at the port of entry, their nearest C-TPAT office, or telephoning 1-800-Be Alert.
C-Air is in the process of updating our website to include a button at our C-TPAT logo that will take importers directly to customs C-TPAT information and specific links to educate importers on the security procedures described here and other supply chain recommendations.
Urgent Need to Extend AGOA's Third-Country Fabric Provision and Implement CAFTA-DR Textileand Apparel Provisions
Office of the United States Trade Representative / www.ustr.gov
The United States is committed to boosting trade with African and Latin American nations through the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), our trade preference program for sub-Saharan Africa and our Central America – Dominican Republic – United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR). The urgent changes needed to AGOA and CAFTA-DR would build on two key U.S. trade initiatives that support trade and investment for more than forty-five of America’s developing country partners in Africa and the Western Hemisphere – offering duty-free treatment to their products, promoting regional integration, high standards of accountability, transparency, good governance, and the trade and economic opportunities that contribute to sustainable growth and development. Those countries – if they can grow their economies through trade and investment – also provide some of the best markets for American businesses to sell their goods and services.
Extension of AGOA’s Third-Country Fabric Provision
Critical to AGOA’s performance: AGOA is the cornerstone of America’s trade and investment policy with sub-Saharan Africa. AGOA’s performance and effectiveness are closely tied to its Third-Country Fabric (TCF) provision, which is set to expire in September 2012. The TCF provision is crucial to the continued survival of Africa’s textile and apparel industry – it has generated hundreds of thousands of jobs in sub-Saharan Africa, including in least developed countries, and has helped American retailers reduce their costs, diversify their supply chains, and provide greater low-cost apparel options for U.S. consumers. Swift passage of legislation extending AGOA’s TCF provision is necessary to ensure AGOA’s continued success – and the stability, development, and economic growth of sub-Saharan African countries. Congress has extended the TCF provision twice with bipartisan support.
The key to the African apparel industry’s development: Apparel trade under AGOA depends on the TCF provision. Global sourcing decisions for apparel are typically made up to nine months in advance, so failing to extend the TCF provision now means that apparel buyers are preparing to move production out of AGOA beneficiary countries, which will likely result in significant job losses and factory closures in Africa. The potential collapse of AGOA apparel exports – if third country fabric is not extended – will also have a negative impact on the cotton and textiles inputs, and would significantly weaken the prospects for the development of a viable and more vertically integrated African cotton-to-apparel value chain.
Helps American Retailers, Businesses, and Consumers: Imports under AGOA, particularly apparel imports made possible through the TCF provision help American retailers lower costs on apparel products. The TCF provision also provides retailers with an incentive to diversify their supply chains away from other sources, and provides low-cost sourcing options for American apparel retailers and consumers. AGOA also creates goodwill towards American companies that are undertaking a range of business partnerships with African companies, including sourcing apparel and other products from AGOA beneficiaries, and investing in rapidly growing African markets.
Modifications to CAFTA-DR Textiles Provisions
Critical to maximizing the FTA’s benefits: Legislation is also needed to implement technical corrections and modifications to the product-specific rules of origin for textile products covered under the CAFTA-DR—our agreement with Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua. The modifications that, among other things, provide certainty of duty-free treatment for women’s and girls’ woven pajama bottoms and clarity as to how certain items will be treated on the textiles “short supply” list of the FTA, which will promote use of the free trade agreement.
Supports the American textiles industry and other U.S. businesses: The CAFTA-DR provisions will promote U.S. exports to the region and help support jobs and production in America. The correction on sewing thread alone will help support an estimated 1,000 jobs in the United States, Central America, and the Dominican Republic, with U.S. production located in North Carolina, Florida, South Carolina, and Alabama. These changes to CAFTA-DR FTA have the strong support of the domestic textile industry as well as U.S. importers and retailers who source from the region.
Will mutually benefit the textile and apparel sectors of the United States and its CAFTA-DR partners: The United States, Central America, and the Dominican Republic have a long history of co-production arrangements. U.S. exports of textiles and apparel to the CAFTA-DR region were $3.8 billion in the 12-month period ending February 2012, and increased 15 percent over the prior 12-month period. U.S. imports of textiles and apparel from the CAFTA-DR region were $8.0 billion in March 2011 through February 2012, 10 percent higher than the previous 12-month period. Approximately 73 percent of those imports were made from either U.S. or regional yarns and fabrics.
For these reasons, it is imperative that Congress urgently act to renew AGOA’s TCF provision and implement CAFTA-DR technical changes related to textiles and apparel as soon as possible.
CBP, EU Sign C-TPAT Mutual Recognition Decision
U.S. Customs & Border Protection / www.cbp.gov
Washington — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the European Union (EU) signed today a Mutual Recognition Decision between CBP’s Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program and the EU’s Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program.
CBP Acting Commissioner David V. Aguilar and Director-General Heinz Zourek, European Union Taxation and Customs Union Directorate (TAXUD) signed the decision, which recognizes compatibility between the EU and the U.S. cargo security programs.
“I can look back with pride on the considerable work that was completed by CBP and TAXUD to make this effort come to fruition and that we always maintained the necessary focus on security throughout the process,” said Acting Commissioner Aguilar.
“Today's decision on the mutual recognition of the EU and U.S. trade partnership programmes is a win-win achievement: It will save time and money for trusted operators on both sides of the Atlantic while it will allow customs authorities to concentrate their resources on risky consignments and better facilitate legitimate trade,” said Director-General Zourek.
C-TPAT is a voluntary government-business initiative to build cooperative relationships that strengthen and improve overall international supply chain and U.S. border security. C-TPAT recognized that U.S. Customs and Border Protection can provide the highest level of cargo security only through close cooperation with the ultimate owners of the international supply chain such as importers, carriers, consolidators, licensed customs brokers, and manufacturers.
FDA Proposal Aims to Help Reduce Unnecessary Radiation Exposure for Children
U.S. Food & Drug Administration / www.fda.gov
Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that it is seeking public comment on a proposal encouraging manufacturers to consider the safety of children in the design of new X-ray imaging devices. In the draft guidance, FDA is recommending that manufacturers design new X-ray imaging devices with protocols and instructions that address use on pediatric patients.
It also proposes that manufacturers who do not adequately demonstrate that their new X-ray imaging devices are safe and effective in pediatric patients should include a label on their device that cautions against use in pediatric populations.
To help health care providers more safely use their current equipment on pediatric patients, the FDA is collaborating with the Alliance for Radiation Safety in Pediatric Imaging (ARSPI) and manufacturers, through the Medical Imaging and Technology Alliance (MITA), to develop pediatric imaging radiation safety training materials.
The FDA has also launched a pediatric X-ray imaging website that provides information on the benefits and risks of imaging using ionizing radiation, recommendations for parents and health care providers to help reduce unnecessary radiation exposure, and information for manufacturers of X-ray imaging devices.
The guidance, website, and ongoing collaborations with ARSPI and MITA are part of FDA’s Initiative to Reduce Unnecessary Radiation Exposure from Medical Imaging, launched in February 2010.
When used appropriately, X-ray imaging, such as a CT, fluoroscopy, and conventional X-ray, can provide valuable information to help with diagnosis, treatment planning, and surgical intervention in adults and children. At the same time, these types of exams expose patients to ionizing radiation, which can be of particular concern in pediatric patients.
The cancer risk per unit dose of ionizing radiation is generally higher for younger patients than adults, and younger patients have a longer lifetime for the effects of radiation exposure to manifest. Also, the use of X-ray equipment settings designed for adults can result in a larger radiation dose than necessary to produce a useful image for a smaller pediatric patient.
“The risk from a medically necessary imaging exam is quite small when compared to the benefit of accurate diagnosis or intervention. There is no reason for patients who need these exams to avoid them,” said Jeffrey Shuren, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health. “Parents should engage in a discussion with their child's physician about benefits and risks of X-ray, computed tomography (CT), and fluoroscopy exams.”
A workshop scheduled for July 16, 2012, will bring together industry, X-ray imaging equipment users (e.g., physicians, radiologic technologists, and physicists), and patient advocates to discuss FDA’s draft guidance.
Customs and Border Protection at Hidalgo Seizes Over Half Million Dollars in Methamphetamine
U.S. Customs & Border Protection / www.cbp.gov
Hidalgo, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations at the Hidalgo/Reynosa International Bridge seized over 40 pounds of methamphetamine, arrested a child smuggler, arrested two imposters and also arrested five individuals wanted on state/local arrest warrants this weekend.
On May 5, 2012 a gold 2001 Honda Odyssey driven by a 54-year-old male Mexican national arrived at the Hidalgo International Bridge and the driver presented his legal permanent resident card to the CBP officer. The vehicle and occupant were referred to secondary for a more thorough examination and it was there that officers discovered 23 packages of alleged methamphetamine weighing approximately 18.72 kilograms (41.27 pounds) which was hidden within the vehicle. CBP seized the narcotics and the vehicle as well.
The male traveler was released to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) for further investigation.
Also on May 5, 2012 at the Hidalgo International Bridge CBP officers encountered two adult male travelers at the pedestrian crossing who presented Mexican border crossing cards. Both travelers were referred to secondary for further document review and through the use of database checks, it was revealed that the documents presented were legitimate documents that belonged to someone else. CBP officers discovered that the two travelers were citizens and nationals from Guatemala without legal documents to enter or reside in the United States.
On May 6, 2012 CBP officers working at the Pharr/Reynosa International Bridge encountered a 32-year-old female United States citizen from Hidalgo, Texas and two minor male children in a green 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier. The adult female traveler presented a U.S. passport card for herself and State of Texas birth certificates for the two boys. The vehicle and occupants were referred to secondary for further inspection and document review. In secondary CBP officers discovered that only one of the boys was related to the adult female and was a U.S. citizen, the other boy was found to be a Guatemalan national without documents to enter or reside in the United States.
The adult female traveler and two males were incarcerated pending appearance before a U.S. Federal Magistrate on criminal charges for violation of U.S. immigration law. The United States citizen child was released to an adult family member who arrived to take custody and the Guatemalan boy was released to a U.S. Health and Human Services-Office of Refugee Resettlement facility where he will be temporarily housed.
Lastly, CBP officers at the Hidalgo/Pharr International Bridges arrested five individuals wanted on state/local arrest warrants this weekend. The arrest warrants ranged from probation violations, failure to appear, driving while intoxicated (DWI), to juveniles reported missing. All individuals were subsequently released to the custody of either the Hidalgo or Pharr Police Departments for further investigation.
‘This was a busy weekend for our officers in Hidalgo and Pharr”, said Efrain Solis Jr., Port Director, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas, “but through their excellent commitment and diligence, this load of hard narcotics and the child smuggler were intercepted. Our ability to check everyone attempting to cross the border through our databases allows us to detect those who present someone else’s documents and those wanted on arrest warrants thus keeping our country safe.
Federal Law Enforcement Agencies Join Movie Industry to Unveil New Anti-Piracy Warning
U.S. Immigration & Customs & Enforcement / www.ice.gov
WASHINGTON — The National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center), led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), has joined together with the FBI and six major American movie studios to launch an updated anti-piracy warning to be displayed on new releases. The anti-piracy warning will begin appearing in selected DVDs and Blu-rays released this week. The six movie studios, all members of the Motion Picture Association of America, have agreed to utilize the anti-piracy warning.
The joint FBI/HSI anti-piracy warning displays, for the first time, the HSI badge alongside the FBI anti-piracy warning seal and states that, "The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement is investigated by federal law enforcement agencies and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000." A second screen displays the IPR Center logo with the educational message, "Piracy is not a victimless crime. For more information on how digital theft harms the economy, please visit www.iprcenter.gov."
"Our nation's film and TV business is critical to our economy," said ICE Director John Morton. "Its creativity and imagination have made American entertainment one of our greatest exports over the decades, but criminals are increasingly engaging in new forms of digital theft. Law enforcement must continue to expand how it combats criminal activity; public awareness and education are a critical part of that effort."
The IPR Center works closely with public and private entities to increase awareness and information sharing about the harmful effects of piracy on American innovation, lost jobs and the economy. The IPR Center also brings attention to the organized criminal enterprises often behind IP theft and the public safety implications of counterfeit goods.
In June 2010, HSI launched Operation In Our Sites, which targets online commercial intellectual property crime, including websites offering pirated movies and television shows as well as a diverse array of counterfeit goods, such as sports equipment, shoes, handbags, athletic apparel, sunglasses and DVD boxed sets. To date, more than 760 domain names of websites engaged in the sale and distribution of counterfeit goods and illegal copyrighted works have been seized as a result of Operation In Our Sites. Eleven individuals have been charged with crimes or arrested, and more than $1 million has been seized as criminal proceeds.
As the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security, HSI plays a leading role in targeting criminal organizations responsible for producing, smuggling and distributing counterfeit and pirated products. HSI focuses not only on keeping counterfeit products off our streets, but also on dismantling the criminal organizations behind such illicit activity.
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 20 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, the U.S. economy and our war fighters.
To report IP theft or to learn more about the IPR Center, visit www.IPRCenter.gov.