Here is a recap of the latest customs and international trade news:     

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) 

  • CBP released the June monthly update. Highlights:
    • Identified $6.7M to be collected in duties
    • Stopped 291 shipments for further examination based on suspected use of forced labor
    • Seized 1501 shipments that contained counterfeit goods
  • On July 15, CBP implemented cargo messaging to communicate with the entry filer on shipments that have invalid consignee names.
  • CBP plans to deploy in late-August ACE programming to permit filing of 19 U.S.C. § 1313(c)(1)(C)(ii) direct identification retail return drawback claims with exports to Canada or Mexico utilizing ACE provision codes 56 and 70.
  • CBP intercepted 90 giant African land snails at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport. 
  • Officers at the Rochester port of entry seized a variety of counterfeit designer items as well as beauty products and dietary supplements that were in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. 

Department of Justice (DoJ)

  • Russian international money launderer sentenced to three years in prison for illicitly procuring large quantities of U.S.-manufactured dual-use, military grade microelectronics for Russian entities. 

Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC)

  • OFAC released the second video in its “OFAC Basics” video series, “My Funds Are Blocked, Now What?” This video provides viewers with guidance on what it means when funds are blocked in connection with OFAC sanctions, as well as recommended steps for what to do if your funds have been blocked. 
  • Sanctions list updates:

U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC)

  • USITC voted to institute an investigation of certain disposable vaporizer devices. The products at issue involve claims that the devices infringe patents. 
  • USITC voted to institute an investigation of certain storage containers and toolboxes, organizers, component boxes, and coolers. The products at issue involve claims that the products infringe patents. 

International Trade Administration (ITA)

  • The ITA is accepting comments through Sept. 10 on a proposed rule that would make changes to the regulations on antidumping and countervailing duty proceedings including the application of AD rates in nonmarket economy proceedings and practices for sharing business proprietary information with CBP.

World Trade Organization

  • The ninth review of the trade policies and practices of China took place on July 17 and 19.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Federal Maritime Commission (FMC)

  • The FMC classified Anji Shipping Co. Ltd. as a controlled carrier of the People’s Republic of China and has added it to the Commission’s Controlled Carrier List.
  • FMC requests additional information on Gemini agreement – a global operational alliance between two of the world’s largest container shipping companies. The agreement will not go into effect next week because more information is needed to determine the potential competitive impacts of the arrangement.
  • The White House re-nominated Commissioners Carl Bentzel and L.E. Sola to serve another five-year term at the Federal Maritime Commission.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

  • Reminder: on August 1, the CDC’s new dog importation requirements will be implemented. New requirements include an ISO-compatible microchip and a CDC Dog Import Form.

Administration

  • The Biden Administration announced that it has reached agreement with Mexico to adjust the rules to avoid the application of Section 232 tariffs on importations of steel and aluminum products. 

Congress

  • Co-chairs of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen expressing concerns about the convictions of pro-democracy advocates (Hong Kong 47) which represents “a significant escalation in their efforts to dismantle Hong Kong’s autonomy and stifle dissent at the behest of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).”  The letter urges the use of financial sanctions to hold Hong Kong officials accountable for eroding Hong Kong’s rule of law and democracy, and abusing human rights.

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