International Trade

CBP EAST COAST Trade Symposium (#ECTS2016) Dec 1-2, 2016!

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The CBP East Coast Trade Symposium theme is “Trade’s Impact on American Health, Safety and Economic Prosperity” and will take place from December 1-2, 2016, at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia.

Our top 5 reasons to attend including an invite to a premier networking event are below!

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Travel to the U.S. with an Unlimited Number of Cuban Cigars and Rum – Courtesy of New Revised OFAC and BIS Regulations

On October 14, 2016, President Obama issued a Presidential Policy Directive on United States-Cuba Normalization to further ease travel and trade restrictions with Cuba. As a result, Monday, October 17, 2016, amendments to both OFAC and BIS regulations will take effect.

Below are the top changes from both OFAC and BIS:

OFAC is making additional amendments to the Regulations with respect to health, trade and commerce, civil aviation safety, travel and related transactions, humanitarian-related activities, and certain other activities. Below is a recap:

  • Health
    • Persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction are now permitted to engage in commercial and non-commercial joint medical research projects with Cuban nationals. (Section 515.547).
  • Travel and Related Transactions
    • Importation of Cuban merchandise: Not too long ago we alerted our readers that CBP was targeting Cuban Cigars at American Ports. We have BIG news for cigar and rum lovers… As of Monday, October 17, 2016, persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction are now able to return home from Cuba (or any other country where Cuban rum and cigars can legally be purchased) with an unlimited amount of rum and cigars. However, the number of cigars and amount rum must be for personal use and such merchandise must be imported as accompanied baggage and are subject to the normal limits on duty and tax exemptions. This is a huge step forward from OFAC’s initial limit of $400 or less (with no more than $100 of such merchandise consisting of alcohol or tobacco products). (Section 515.560(c)(3)).

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Cuban Cigars Seized by CBP

Mark Twain once said, “I never smoke to excess – that is, I smoke in moderation, only one cigar at a time.”

With the loosening of restrictions on travel and trade with Cuba, including the authorization to import Cuban Cigars (for personal use only, under a certain value), persons under “U.S. jurisdiction” are getting caught right and left trying to take advantage and import more than their share of Cuban cigars to the US. In May of this year, Maxim magazine declared Cuban Cigars are still the worlds best. However, as relations thaw, will the Cuban cigar be able to take back the market share it lost in the past half century when countries like Dominican Republic and Nicaragua have served the US? That is a question recently posed by Will Yakwowicz in an article for Inc. earlier this year.

Although you are allowed to bring Cuban cigars back to the U.S. (if you are on an “authorized trip” to Cuba) there is a limit and the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) can, and will, seize any amount over the allowed limit.

What is the scope and limit on how many cigars I can bring in?

Learn About “The ABC’S of Customs Seizures – PLUS Top 10 Tips to Ensure Import Compliance” From the Expert!

The DTL Team wants to ensure you are a compliant with U.S. federal regulations and laws when importing your goods from abroad! Here is your chance to learn directly from our Founder, Jennifer Diaz, about the “dos” and “don’ts” of importing.

 

On Wednesday, September 14th, 2016 from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm, The Organization for Women in International Trade (OWIT) invites you to a Trade Talk Webinar Program on International Trade Compliance–Register NOW!

Did you know that In FY 2015, 28,865 seizures were for underlying Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) violations? The MSRP of the goods seized was $1,352,495,341! IPR enforcement is a priority trade initiative for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the detention and seizure process is a complicated one. If your merchandise is detained and/or seized, you have options. But more  Learn exactly how you should respond and more importantly how to avoid future problems with CBP.

This event is particularly important for: […]

HOVERBOARD RECALLS DUE TO EXPLOSIONS

Back in January, we addressed Ongoing Hoverboard concerns and numerous CBP seizure cases. Now, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced ten companies have recalled about half a million self-balancing scooters/hoverboards made in China. However, the recall isn’t because of the countless risks hoverboards pose to unwary riders, instead it is because the lithium-ion battery packs in these products can overheat, creating a risk that the hoverboards will start to smoke, catch fire and/or explode. The list of the ten firms is here. Below are the models impacted: […]

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