International Travel Archives - Customs & International Trade Law Firm

Customs Bulletin Weekly, Vol. 56, October 26, 2022, No. 42

Below is a recap for this week’s Custom’s Bulletin.

Period of Admission and Extensions of Stay for Representatives of Foreign Information Media Seeking to Enter the United States
- This rule amends Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulations to better facilitate the U.S. Government’s ability to achieve greater reciprocity between the United States and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) relative to the treatment of representatives of foreign information media of the respective countries seeking entry into the other country.
- For entry into the United States, such foreign nationals would seek to be admitted in I nonimmigrant status as bona fide representatives of foreign information media. Currently, foreign nationals who present a passport issued by the PRC, with the exception of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) or Macau SAR passport holders, may be admitted in or otherwise granted I nonimmigrant status until the activities or assignments consistent with the I classification are completed, not to exceed 90 days.
- This rule amends the DHS regulations to remove the set period of stay of up to 90 days and to allow the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) to determine the maximum period of stay, no longer than one year, for PRC I visa holders, taking into account certain factors.
- This rule also announces the Secretary has determined the maximum period of stay for which a noncitizen who presents a passport issued by the PRC (other than a Hong Kong SAR passport or a Macau SAR passport) may be admitted in or […]

By Jennifer Diaz|2022-10-27T09:55:45-04:00October 31, 2022|AD/CVD, HTSUS, Import, International Business, International Law, International Trade, International Travel, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC)|0 Comments

CBP Issues WRO on Cotton, Tomato, & Downstream Products Made in Xinjiang

The United States has been increasing its efforts to combat forced labor around the world. During the Trump Administration’s final weeks, the United States not only banned the importation of Chinese Cotton, Tomatoes, among other products, but also explicitly recognized the situation in Xinjiang as a Genocide.

Importers not adequately auditing their supply chains for use of forced labor are at risk of administrative and criminal enforcement. Imported merchandise produced with forced labor is subject to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) enforcement. Such enforcement includes U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) right to detain, exclude, and/or seize imported goods and Homeland Security Investigation’s potential criminal investigation. China is not only the United States’ number one trading partner but also happens to be the world’s biggest forced labor violator.

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By Jennifer Diaz|2022-07-07T15:08:01-04:00February 18, 2021|Best Practices, Customs Broker, Customs Expert, Enforcement, Expert, Export, Forced Labor, Import, Import Alert, International Law, International Trade, International Travel, Pre-compliance, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)|0 Comments

FDA Import Alert on Mexican Hand Sanitizer

For the first time in history, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a countrywide import alert for any category of drug product. Specifically, on January 26, 2021, the FDA announced that it will Take Action to Place All Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers from Mexico on Import Alert to Help Prevent Entry of Violative and Potentially Dangerous Products into U.S., Protect U.S. Consumers. FDA singled out importations of hand sanitizers from Mexico due to the frequent use of methanol.

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By Jennifer Diaz|2022-07-07T15:06:13-04:00February 4, 2021|Best Practices, COVID-19, Customs Broker, Customs Expert, Enforcement, Export, FDA Issues, Import, Import Alert, International Law, International Trade, International Travel, Pre-compliance, Supply Chain, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)|0 Comments

USDA National Organic Program – Enforcement & Compliance Overview

Co-Authored by Sharath Patil

What’s the National Organic Program?

Established by Congress and announced in 2000, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (“USDA”) National Organic Program (“NOP”) is a federal regulatory program which develops and enforces uniform national standards for organically-produced agricultural products sold in the United States. NOP operates as a public-private partnership which accredits third-party organizations to certify that farms and businesses meet the national organic standards. By enforcing its standards, NOP ensures a level playing field for producers while protecting consumer confidence in the integrity of the USDA organic seal.

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By Jennifer Diaz|2022-07-07T14:56:26-04:00January 5, 2021|Best Practices, Customs Expert, Enforcement, Export, Import, International Business, International Law, International Trade, International Travel, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)|0 Comments

New National Space Policy Drives American Leadership in Space Commerce

Co-Authored by Sharath Patil

National Space Policy Unveiled

On December 9, 2020, the White House released the National Space Policy of the United States of America. Among other objectives, the policy seeks to drive U.S. leadership in space commerce by encouraging the cultivation of U.S. industrial capacity in space innovation.

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By Jennifer Diaz|2022-07-07T14:52:50-04:00December 29, 2020|Best Practices, China, China Trade War, Customs Expert, Enforcement, Export, Import, International Law, International Trade, International Travel|1 Comment

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