Customs and Trade Law Weekly Snapshot GalleryCustoms and Trade Law Weekly Snapshot
COVID-19, HTSUS, International Trade, Iran, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), U.S. Department of State (DOS), U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), U.S. Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR)
- Customs and Trade Law Weekly Snapshot Gallery
Customs and Trade Law Weekly Snapshot
Canada, Export, Import, International Trade, Mexico, Snapshot, U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC), U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), USMCA
Customs and Trade Law Weekly Snapshot
Here is a recap of the latest customs and international trade law news: 
Customs and Trade Law Weekly Snapshot
Here is a recap of the latest customs and international trade law news:
Ongoing Hoverboard Concerns
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Address Ongoing Litigation & Seizure of one of the hottest toys, the Hoverboard.
Hoverboards, as they are commonly known, are self-balancing two-wheeled electric scooters. They are powered by controversial rechargeable batteries that have recently garnered attention for malfunctioning, causing devices to catch fire and destroy homes. The lithium-ion batteries have been known to overheat, catch fire, and explode without warning.
Several airlines have begun to prohibit transportation of the boards aboard aircraft, due to safety concerns. Amazon.com is placing safety first and offering consumers that have purchased a hoverboard from Amazon a full refund. Hoverboards are also facing additional litigation from Mark Cuban, who potentially has a patent infringement claim against Walmart for selling the devices.
According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, “The federal government continues to work in close coordination on this serious issue. Officials from CPSC, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration are regularly sharing information and insights with a common goal of taking whatever steps are necessary to prevent injuries and property damage from fires and falls.” They recommend having a fire extinguisher handy and keeping the device far away from combustible materials while charging. There are not currently any safety standards in place for hoverboards, which would require proof of sound design, manufacturing, and quality control processes. This lack of regulation adds to the danger […]
Do You Want to be a “Trusted Trader”? C-TPAT is No Longer Enough
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently published the long awaited Federal Register Notice, dated June 16, 2014, discussing the “Announcement of Trusted Trader Program Test.” This new “Trusted Trader” program is big news for U.S. and non-resident Canadian importers, and if implemented will combine the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) and Importer Self Assessment (ISA) programs, making ISA extinct. CBP is currently recruiting test companies that have to be willing to go through an 18 month program test.
What is the Trusted Trader Program?
- CBP will unify CTPAT and ISA programs into a new “Trusted Trader” program. Companies will still have the option to apply for CTPAT and opt out of the Trusted Trader Program, but, the ISA program will be replaced by the Trusted Trader program. CBP aims to align the Trusted Trade program with Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programs, which focus on a combined trade and security compliance model.
- CBP is collaborating with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), to develop the new “Trusted Trader” program aims to “streamline the process through which importers can establish to CBP that they strive to secure their supply chains and strengthen their internal controls for compliance with the existing laws and regulations administered or enforced by CBP.” The 3 government agencies will collaborate, share information, streamline the application and validation process; and increase the efficiencies in the existing trade programs.
- CBP plans to utilize the Centers of Excellence and Expertise […]