Norfolk CBP Officers are Not Blown Away by Counterfeit Hair Dryers Destined to New Jersey - U.S. Customs & Border Protection
NORFOLK, Va. – Are you willing to bet your health to get an unusually low price on a brand-new handheld hair dryer?
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Area Port of Norfolk-Newport News, Va., seized a shipment of 60 counterfeit and dangerous hair dryers from China on Friday. The hand-supported hair dryers, which were destined to an address in Hamilton, N.J., were valued at $4,800.
CBP officers examined the shipment on June 20 and suspected that the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) mark on the hair dryers may have been used without authorization, so officers detained the shipment to verify trademark authenticity.
CBP officers submitted product documentation and photographs to CBP’s trade experts at the Consumer Products and Mass Merchandising Center of Excellence and Expertise (CEE) for analysis. On July 1, CBP’s trade experts verified that the hair dryers were unauthorized to bear the UL marking. Merchandise bearing counterfeit marks is subject to seizure and forfeiture pursuant to CBP’s statutory and regulatory authorities.
Additionally, compliance investigators from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reported on July 2 that the hair dryers were not equipped with the required immersion protection device. The immersion protection device is a circuit interrupter that reduces the risk of electric shock if the hair dryer is immersed in, or otherwise contacts, water.
Counterfeiters generally manufacture products using substandard parts. Affixing the unauthorized UL certification mark falsely implies that a product has been certified to meet quality and safety standards for electrical equipment and wiring. Manufacturers who are willing to use fraudulent trademarks are also likely to cut corners on other product quality standards, which could lead to consumer safety threats such as electrical shock, burning, or fire.
“Handheld hair dryers are one of the most commonly and frequently used appliances in our homes, so consumers should be absolutely certain of the product’s quality and reliability. Don’t gamble with your family’s health and safety just to save a buck; buy an authentic hair dryer from a reputable and authorized vendor,” said Mark Laria, CBP’s Area Port Director for the Area Port of Norfolk-Newport News, Va.
The international trade in counterfeit consumer goods is illegal. It steals revenues from trademark holders, steals tax revenues from the government, funds transnational criminal organizations, and the unregulated products potentially threaten the health and safety of American consumers. Counterfeit consumer goods may also be sourced or manufactured in facilities that employ forced labor.
CBP protects businesses and consumers every day through an aggressive Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) enforcement program. During fiscal year 2023, CBP made nearly 20,000 seizures with an estimated manufacturer’s suggested retail price worth over $2.76 billion, had the goods been genuine.
Media can search for additional enforcement details by viewing CBP’s IPR webpage or by viewing CBP’s IPR Dashboard and CBP’s Annual IPR Seizures Reports.
U.S. trademark and copyright owners can register with CBP to have their intellectual property protected at the border through the through the e-Recordation program (https://iprr.cbp.gov/s/).
CBP encourages anyone with information about counterfeit merchandise illegally imported into the United States to submit an e-Allegation. The e-Allegation system provides a means for the public to anonymously report to CBP any suspected violations of trade laws or regulations related to the importation of goods in the U.S.
For more information about the consequences and dangers often associated with the purchase of counterfeit goods visit the Truth Behind Counterfeits public awareness campaign at CBP's Fake Goods Real Dangers website.
CBP's border security mission is led at our nation’s Ports of Entry by CBP officers and agriculture specialists from the Office of Field Operations. CBP screens international travelers and cargo and searches for illicit narcotics, unreported currency, weapons, counterfeit consumer goods, prohibited agriculture, invasive weeds and pests, and other illicit products that could potentially harm the American public, U.S. businesses, and our nation’s safety and economic vitality.
See what CBP accomplished during "A Typical Day" in 2023. Learn more at www.CBP.gov.
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Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force Publishes Updated Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Strategy - Office of U.S. Trade Representative
WASHINGTON – On July 9, the Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force (FLETF) published a second update to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) Strategy to Prevent the Importation of Goods Mined, Produced, or Manufactured with Forced Labor in the People’s Republic of China, which was initially issued in June 2022.
This update to the UFLPA Strategy highlights enforcement of the UFLPA’s rebuttable presumption, which prohibits goods from being imported into the United States that are either produced in Xinjiang, or by entities identified on the UFLPA Entity List, unless the importer can prove, by clear and convincing evidence, the goods were not produced with forced labor. Since the implementation of the UFLPA’s rebuttable presumption began in June 2022, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has examined more than 8,500 entries, valuing more than $3.3 billion to ensure that goods made with forced labor do not enter U.S. commerce.
Additionally, the strategy highlights a significantly expanded UFLPA Entity List, from the initial 20 entities named in the 2022 Strategy to 68 entities as of the date of these Updates. The FLETF has also identified new high-priority sectors for enforcement – polyvinyl chloride, aluminum and seafood – to inform the trade community of supply chains that involve a higher risk of forced labor from the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
“The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to eliminating forced labor from our global supply chains and fighting against the human rights abuses committed against Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minorities in the People’s Republic of China,” Ambassador Katherine Tai said. “The second update to the UFLPA Strategy reflects this commitment and demonstrates our ongoing work to fully enforce the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act.”
The FLETF, chaired by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, leads efforts to monitor implementation of the UFLPA and the broader U.S. law prohibiting the importation into the United States of goods made wholly or in part with forced labor. In addition to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the FLETF is comprised of seven member agencies: the Office of the United States Trade Representative and the Departments of Labor, State, Treasury, Justice, and Commerce.
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Federal Register Notices:
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Certain Softwood Lumber Products from Canada: Notice of Initiation and Preliminary Results of Changed Circumstances Review
• Investigations; Determinations, Modifications, and Rulings, etc.: Certain Semiconductor Devices, and Methods of Manufacturing Same and Products Containing the Same; Notice of Request for Submissions on the Public Interest
• Rescission of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Administrative Reviews
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Certain Steel Nails from Taiwan: Preliminary Results and Rescission, in Part, of Antidumping Administrative Review; 2022-2023
• Certain Low Speed Personal Transportation Vehicles from the People's Republic of China: Initiation of Countervailing Duty Investigation
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Tungsten Shot from China; Institution of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Investigations and Scheduling of Preliminary Phase Investigations
• Investigations; Determinations, Modifications, and Rulings, etc.: Certain Eye Cosmetics and Packaging Therefor; Notice of Institution of Investigation
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Glycine from the People's Republic of China: Initiation of Changed Circumstances Review
• Certain Brake Drums from the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Türkiye: Initiation of Countervailing Duty Investigations
• Wooden Cabinets and Vanities and Components Thereof from the People's Republic of China: Final Scope Determination, Certification Requirements, and Recission of Circumvention Inquiries on the Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Orders
• Certain Tin Mill Products from Japan: Continuation of Antidumping Duty Order
• Sales at Less Than Fair Value; Determinations, Investigations, etc.: Certain Brake Drums from the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Türkiye: Initiation of Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigations
• Investigations; Determinations, Modifications, and Rulings, etc.: Certain Hydro dermabrasion Systems and Components Thereof; Notice of Institution of Investigation
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Certain Paper Shopping Bags from the People's Republic of China and India: Countervailing Duty Orders
• Certain Paper Shopping Bags from Cambodia, Colombia, India, Malaysia, Portugal, Taiwan, the People's Republic of China, and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Antidumping Duty Orders
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CBP Seizes Counterfeit Products Valued at Over Half a Million Dollars - U.S. Customs & Border Protection
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Rochester port of entry seized a variety of designer items for bearing counterfeit trademarks, to include beauty products and dietary supplements.
During the month of June, CBP officers at the Port of Rochester inspected several shipments that contained multiple “designer” handbags, wallets, clothing, watches, and sneakers. In addition, several cosmetics, beauty supplies and dietary supplements were also discovered. After a thorough examination of the merchandise, all the items were determined not to be authentic and were seized for bearing counterfeit trademarks. The beauty supplies and dietary supplements were also in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. These items in particular could pose a serious health threat to potential consumers. Had these items been genuine, the total Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) value would be approximately $575,000.00.
“Our CBP officers diligently work to protect honest and hardworking legitimate businesses by targeting and intercepting these fraudulent items,” said Rochester Port Director Ronald Menz. “We continue to protect our community and the consumer from these unregulated counterfeit items that could potentially cause severe health issues.”
CBP has the authority to detain, seize, forfeit, and ultimately destroy imported merchandise if it bears an infringing trademark or copyright that has been registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or the United States Copyright Office and has subsequently been recorded with CBP through the e-Recordation program. https://iprr.cbp.gov/s/. Other violations can include misclassification of merchandise, false country-of-origin markings, health and safety issues, and valuation issues.
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. It is also against the law to import counterfeit or pirated merchandise and individual consumers may be liable for a fine even if they did not intend to import counterfeit or pirated merchandise.
If you have information about counterfeit merchandise being illegally imported into the U.S., CBP encourages you to submit an E-Allegation. The E-Allegation reporting tool provides a means for the public to anonymously report to CBP any suspected violations of trade laws or regulations related to the importation of goods into the U.S.
CBP has established an educational initiative to raise consumer awareness about the consequences and dangers that can be associated with the purchase of counterfeit and pirated goods. Information about the Truth Behind Counterfeits campaign can be found at The Truth Behind Counterfeits | U.S. Customs and Border Protection (cbp.gov)
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FDA, FTC Continue Joint Effort to Protect Consumers Against Companies Illegally Selling Copycat Delta-8 THC Food Products - Food & Drug Administration
FDA, FTC Issue Warning Letters to Companies Selling Food Products Containing Delta-8 THC That Mimic Chips, Candies and Snacks from Popular National Brands
Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued warning letters to five companies for illegally selling copycat food products containing delta-8 THC and introducing them into the marketplace in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act). The warning letters were issued to: Hippy Mood, Earthly Hemps, Shamrockshrooms.com, Mary Janes Bakery Co. LLC and Life Leaf Medical CBD Center. The FDA also issued a warning letter independently to the company Grow God LLC for the same FD&C Act violations.
These warnings serve as part of the FDA and FTC’s ongoing joint effort to take action against companies selling illegal copycat food products containing delta-8 THC. In June 2023, the two agencies worked together to warn six other companies for selling edible food products containing delta-8 THC in packaging that could easily be confused for foods sold by popular national brands. All six of those companies no longer have such products in stock.
“Inadequate or confusing labeling can result in children or unsuspecting adults consuming products with strong resemblance to popular snacks and candies that contain delta-8 THC without realizing it,” said FDA Principal Deputy Commissioner Namandjé Bumpus, Ph.D. “As accidental ingestion and/or overconsumption of delta-8 THC containing products could pose considerable health risks, the companies who sell these illegal products are demonstrating complete neglect for consumer safety. The FDA will continue to work to safeguard the health and safety of U.S. consumers by monitoring the marketplace and taking action when companies sell products that present a threat to public health.”
In June 2022, the FDA warned consumers about children accidentally ingesting food products containing delta-8 THC. From Jan. 1, 2021, to Dec. 31, 2023, the FDA received over 300 adverse event reports involving children and adults who consumed delta-8 THC products. Nearly half of these reports involved hospitalization or emergency department visits, and approximately two-thirds of these adverse events followed ingestion of delta-8 THC-containing food products such as candy or brownies. Adverse events included, but were not limited to, hallucinations, vomiting, tremor, anxiety, dizziness, confusion, and loss of consciousness.
Copycat food products containing delta-8 THC are particularly concerning to the FDA as they are extremely easy to purchase and are often available to youth. The FDA is also concerned about the processes used to synthesize delta-8 THC, as impurities or variations in the composition process can result in products that may be harmful or have unpredictable effects on consumers.
In addition, packaging that is almost indistinguishable from many popular snacks can be confusing for consumers. Several of the companies warned today illegally sell copycat food products containing delta-8 THC, including chips, cookies, gummies or other snacks that mimic well-known snack food brands by using similar brand names, logos, or pictures on packaging that consumers, especially children, may confuse with traditional foods. See below:
Hippy Mood “Trips Ahoy!”
Earthy Hemps “Slushers”
Mary Jane’s Bakery Co. LLC “Infused Sour Slizzles”
Life Leaf Medical CBD Center “Double Stuff Stoneo”
“Companies that market and sell edible THC products that are easily mistaken for snacks and candy are not only acting illegally, but they are also putting the health of young children at risk,” said Samuel Levine, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “Those that prioritize profits in front of children's safety are at serious risk of legal action.”
The FDA encourages health care providers and consumers to report adverse reactions associated with FDA-regulated products to the agency using MedWatch or the Safety Reporting Portal.
The FDA has requested written responses from the companies within 15 working days stating how they will address these violations and prevent their recurrence. Failure to promptly address the violations may result in legal action, including product seizure and/or injunction.
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FDA Updates Guidance to Further Empower Companies to Address the Spread of Misinformation - Food & Drug Administration
Today (7/08/24), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is advancing its mission of ensuring the public has access to accurate, up-to-date science-based information to inform decisions about FDA-regulated medical products to maintain and improve their health. The agency is providing updated recommendations to empower industry seeking to voluntarily address misinformation about or related to their approved/cleared medical products.
“Regulated industry plays a critical role in ensuring consumers have accurate information about medical products. We’ve updated our draft guidance to help further ensure industry has clarity and additional flexibility to promptly and proactively issue responsive communications to address misinformation they are seeing,” said FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf, M.D. “The growing spread of rumors about science and medicine continues to put patients and consumers at risk. We remain steadfast in our commitment to address this public health concern and continue to support and encourage all parties in the public health ecosystem to take an active role.”
In today’s health care system, health care providers and consumers often turn to the internet to obtain health and medical-related information. However, not all information found online about medical products is reliable. There are many false statements and conclusions shared online and the structure and popularity of social media platforms have meant that false, inaccurate and/or misleading information about medical products can spread rapidly to a broad audience. Basing medical decisions on inaccurate information can have adverse consequences as it can lead patients and health care providers to choose treatments that are not safe and effective, or to forgo treatments that are. The FDA believes it is critically important to promptly address misinformation about medical products. The revised draft guidance issued today supports the efforts of medical product companies that share this interest in helping the public get factual, accurate and scientifically sound information about medical products.
Specifically, the revised draft guidance, Addressing Misinformation About Medical Devices and Prescription Drugs Questions and Answers, sets out a policy that supports companies that issue certain kinds of internet-based communications (“tailored responsive communications”) to address internet-based misinformation about or related to their approved/cleared medical products when that misinformation is created or disseminated by an independent third party. For example, a company might choose to use this type of communication when a celebrity, healthcare provider or influencer, not acting on behalf of the company, posts false, inaccurate and/or misleading representations of fact about the company’s approved/cleared medical product on social media. Additionally, this revised draft guidance provides companies with many examples that illustrate the types of misinformation found online that a company might choose to address with a tailored responsive communication, along with some considerations relevant to the current digital information environment.
The revised draft guidance also describes existing avenues (“general medical product communications”) that companies might also choose to use to address misinformation about their medical products wherever that misinformation may appear. This draft guidance revises and replaces the draft guidance for industry, Internet/Social Media Platforms: Correcting Independent Third-Party Misinformation About Prescription Drugs and Medical Devices, issued in June 2014. The revised draft guidance is open for public comment for 60 days.
In addition to providing these updated draft recommendations, the FDA has taken and will continue to take steps to communicate accurate, up-to-date, science-based information to the public. Some examples of such efforts include:
• Providing timely, digestible, factual information to news media and other organizations.
• Creating resources on the FDA’s website and social media to address common questions about the products the agency regulates.
• Participating in speaking engagements to draw attention to the dangers of misinformation and to provide factual information about FDA-regulated medical products and public health issues.
• Providing interested parties with toolkits of resources; and
• Posting memos and other regulatory documents that outline the agency’s decision-making, consistent with applicable law(s).
The FDA will continue to proactively offer resources about medical products to provide factual and scientifically sound information to the public. The agency remains committed to helping address misinformation and continues to support other interested parties that choose to engage on this critical issue.
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Can You Spot an Investment Scam? - Federal Trade Commission
Investment scammers claim you’ll get big returns investing in a hot new money-making “opportunity” — maybe something like cryptocurrency. Some scammers say you’ll likely make a lot of money if you follow their proven system or method. But will you?
We know that there are plenty of scammers hawking phony investment opportunities. In 2023, people told the FTC that they lost $4.6 billion to investment scams — more than any other category. And military consumers reported high median losses to investment scams: $7,000. What do you need to know to avoid investment scams?
One big red flag is if someone pressures you to commit quickly. Scammers want you to act fast and might tell you that space is limited or that you’re getting a special deal that will expire soon. They don’t want you to take time to research them or their offer. Here are some steps to take if you’re considering an investment opportunity.
• Do some homework. Search online for the name of the company or program and words like “review,” “scam,” “fraud,” or “complaint.” Other people’s experience with the company can alert you to possible problems. Visit Investor.gov, a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) website, for more advice on investing and avoiding fraud.
• Verify investment claims on your own. Never put money into an investment based only on what someone claims or what you read in an online newsletter, review, or blog. Scammers will often invent stories or testimonials about how successful people are at making money with their investment offer.
• Know the risk. There are no guaranteed returns — and no investments without risks. Don’t trust anyone who plays down the risk of an investment or who acts like risk disclosures are just a formality or something you don’t need to worry about.