Import Archives - Page 82 of 92 - Customs & International Trade Law Firm

Do You Know the Top 10 Tips When Importing?

Do you know the top 10 tips when importing to ensure compliance? If not, here’s why you should attend my Compliance Online webinar on June 27, 2013 at 10:00 a.m., EST.

If you import merchandise into the U.S., you are the responsible party and must be aware your requirements and potential liability. In this presentation, we will discuss how to comply with U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP’s) vast laws and regulations. By the end of the webinar you will know and understand the importance of:

Tariff classification;
Customs valuation;
Country of origin marking;
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Protection and CBP Enforcement; and
Free Trade Agreements (FTA) you should be taking advantage of.

You will also learn basic customs concepts and terms like:

CBP Form 3461 & CBP 7501;
Protests;
Seizure cases;
Liquidated damage claims, Penalties/Fines;
Prior disclosure; and
FP&F Petition Process.

Learn key best practices and hear real life case studies. Learn what to do, and more importantly, what NOT to do, and what the consequences are for non compliance.

To register for this webinar on June 27, 2013 at 10:00 EST, click here.

By Jennifer Diaz|2022-07-07T09:59:03-04:00June 18, 2013|Best Practices, Events, Import, IPR, Trademarks and Logos, Speaking, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)|0 Comments

Export Regulations and Cloud Computing…Beware!

Co Authored by Perry Sofferman

Forrester Research predicts that the global market for cloud computing services will have increased from $40.7 billion dollars in 2011 to approximately $241 billion dollars by 2020. You can see the ZDNet article here. This figure includes the Platforms as a Service, Infrastructure as a Service and Business Process as a Service delivery models. What this information reveals is that while cloud computing is already a significant part of operational strategy for many businesses (as well as governmental agencies), we should expect it to not only grow as a market but to become even more intertwined with the way we conduct business and store data on a daily basis. Consequently, businesses in general and export compliance officers in particular need to be vigilant and make sure that their use of this important technology is consistent with US export regulations.

When using cloud services, the user is uploading data to available servers in the cloud provider’s server facility(ies). The type of data uploaded and the location of the server where that data is stored can potentially trigger export compliance issues for the user. In fact, the ultimate location of the particular server used to hold the user’s data may be unknown to either the user or the cloud provider. Data can be redirected to various servers in different countries in order to properly allocate server space based on fluctuations of usage in different time zones. It should be noted that this is […]

By Jennifer Diaz|2013-05-28T15:31:00-04:00May 28, 2013|Export, Intellectual Property Rights, U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), U.S. Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC), U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)|0 Comments

ACI’s Import Compliance & Enforcement Conference,

The American Conference Institute will be having its 8th Import Compliance and Enforcement Conference on June 11, 2013, in Washington DC. The conference will consist of two days full of lectures discussing highly complex U.S. import compliance challenges, along with how to satisfy Canadian and Mexican customs authorities. Unlike previous conferences, this unique event is designed to provide attendees with a comprehensive benchmarking experience, where participants can exchange best practices and lessons learned for 2013 and beyond. Some of the most notable industry experts that will be present are Chrystler, Hershey, Williams-Sonoma, Boeing, IBM, General Electric, Cisco, Tyco and yours truly.

This event is uniquely designed to maximize benchmarking on how to resolve the most complex, pressing import compliance issues affecting the industry. The new program features for 2013 are:

Two highly focused sessions on valuation and transfer pricing:
ISA member case studies: New and longstanding members speak about their recent experiences, and how to meet ISA requirements.
Inside a focused assessment: Lessons learned from recent experiences on how to handle common and unanticipated CBP requests
CTPAT and Foreign Re-Validations: Meeting new expectations for CTPAT risk assessments, and how the new EU Mutual Recognition Agreement affects importer validation requirements
NAFTA, CAFTA, and US-Korea – FTA success stories:
- The finer points to minimizing duties, fees, taxes, red tape, and proving origin
Developing a global strategy for customs classification and tariff engineering.

One of the most notable topics discussed will be broker selection and management. I have the privilege to discuss important aspects within […]

By Jennifer Diaz|2022-07-08T16:06:13-04:00May 6, 2013|Customs Broker, Events, Import, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)|0 Comments

Do You Keep Your Manifest Information CONFIDENTIAL?

Did you know importers and consignees can request that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) keep your manifest information confidential?

If you are currently letting your competitors know your source, read on, and learn how to keep your private data private!
Pursuant to the privacy statute, 19 C.F.R. § 103.31 (d) the public is allowed to collect manifest data (e.g., bills of lading) at every port of entry. This information is limited to vessel manifests. Air, rail, and truck manifests are not available to the general public in any form.

Websites such as panjiva.com, datamyne.com, importgenius.com, and trademo.com/product, (to name a few) collect and publish the names of importers, suppliers, and manufacturers from vessel manifest data. This can be troubling for some, as your competitors are able to access information related to the sourcing and/ or manufacturing of your products. However, an importer/shipper may make a request to CBP for confidentiality. The confidential protection is valid for 2 years, thereafter, you have to renew your request.

The public may obtain manifest data at every port of entry. However, Section 103.31 states that

Only the name and address of the shipper, general characteristics of the cargo, number of packages, gross weight, name of the vessel, port of exit, port of destination, and country of destination may be copied and published.

The regulation also states that

An importer or consignee may request confidential treatment of its name and address contained in inward manifests, […]

By Jennifer Diaz|2023-06-19T14:35:12-04:00April 17, 2013|Import, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)|3 Comments

Seizure Averted – Why a Customs Lawyer is Essential at Detention

Sitting with your head down moping about U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) holding your goods is never the right answer!

Two days ago, a potential client called and explained that a valuable shipment was detained by CBP. The potential client asked if I could help recoup the goods from CBP, during this detention phase, or if they should wait.

When I get this question, I always want to scream, NOW!! This is the most essential time an importer has. Here’s the real question – do you want an expert in Customs law to assist you before your goods are guaranteed to be stuck in CBP for months, or work on getting them back for you NOW?!

I always request pertinent information about the commodity and the supposed rationale for the detention (if you don’t have this information yet, I help you get it). In this case, the potential client adamantly stated that the goods were legitimate, gray market goods; however, CBP was skeptical.

I advised the potential client that obtaining my services at this point would be the BEST option so I could clearly determine and explain to CBP the legitimacy of the merchandise and demand the release. After being hired, I immediately began working on the case due to the exigency of the circumstances. My tasks were to understand the basics of the commodity, learn […]

By Jennifer Diaz|2013-04-01T20:53:00-04:00April 1, 2013|Detention, Intellectual Property Rights, Seizure, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)|2 Comments

Previous 818283 Next