Category: Import Export Attorney

On January 26, 2009, CBP issued a rule titled Importer Security Filing ("ISF") and Additional Carrier Requirements (commonly known as “10+2”) went into effect. Prior to merchandise arriving by vessel for importation into the United States, the “Importer Security Filing (ISF) Importer,” or their agent (e.g., licensed customs broker), must electronically submit certain advance cargo information to CBP in the form of an Importer Security Filing. This requirement only applies to cargo arriving in the United States by ocean vessel; it does not apply to cargo arriving by other modes[...]

California's Proposition 65, also called the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act, was enacted in 1986.  This act is limited to the State of California and requires businesses to provide warnings to California residents about significant exposures to chemicals that cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. How is Proposition 65 implemented?  Proposition 65 requires California to publish a list of chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.  The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) administers the Proposition 65 program. This list, which must be updated[...]

The question of whether one is permitted to export a vehicle from the United States to a foreign buyer (in China, Dubai, etc) is a tricky one.  Over the last few years there have been cases of federal officials seizing vehicles and cash associated with the business of exporting vehicles. News articles and government press releases of such scenarios have been reported on: Two California Men Plead Guilty In "Far-Reaching And Elaborate" Automobile Export Scam (April 29, 2013) U.S. Targets Buyers of China-Bound Luxury Cars (February 11, 2014) Man accused of identity[...]

    This past holiday season hoverboards have been one of the most popular items this past holiday season.  As a result, we have received numerous phone calls regarding U.S. Customs and Border Protection ("CBP" or "Customs") intense examinations of these products.  The reason being is that there have been cases where these hoverboards burst into flames due to counterfeit batteries being used to power them. See here http://nypost.com/2015/12/30/hoverboard-bursts-into-flames-inside-a-brooklyn-apartment/. This led to intervention by the Consumer Product Safety Commission ("CPSC"), the federal agency regulating the safety of consumer products nationwide.[...]

Companies looking to export goods to Dubai need to be aware that it takes proper precaution before they submit the export documents to U.S. Customs and Border Protection ("CBP" or "Customs").  We have dealt with many cases where Customs is suspicious as to the end user of said goods.  Conversations with CBP personnel have indicated that Dubai is a major reexporter of goods to Iran.  As of today's blog post, the U.S. maintains sanctions against Iran.  See our previous posts on Iran and sanctions here.  As a result, goods may[...]

We are seeing many Automated Export System ("AES") violations as of late, especially with FedEx, DHL, and UPS shipments. As a result, please find information below regarding the export regulations and enforcement by U.S. Customs and Border Protection ("CBP").  What is the Automated Export System? CBP published the Trade Act regulations in the Federal Register on December 5, 2003. The rule requires advance transmission of electronic cargo information to CBP for both arriving and departing cargo. In the Federal Register notice, CBP identified the AES  as the system for transmission of[...]

Lately it has come to our attention that kratom (MITRAGYNA SPECIOSA) is being targeted more frequently in the past couple of months.  Specifically, U.S. Customs and Border Protection ("Customs" or "CBP") and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") have been examining and detaining kratom shipments from overseas.  Additionally, express consignment operators such as FedEx, UPS, and DHL, are cautious to ship the product because of the potential problems associated with this botanical. These delays can be attributed to FDA's import alert 54-15.  The alert provides for: DETENTION WITHOUT PHYSICAL EXAMINATION OF DIETARY[...]

There is a big market for used cell phones around the world.  Accordingly, we come into contact with many entrepreneurs who are involved in the secondary cell phone market.  As a result, we have handled many cases involving refurbished or remanufactured cell phones. Your typical fact pattern involves a U.S. company that would export broken cell phones to a refurbishing center in a foreign country. Depending on the nature of repair, the cell phones would undergo a thorough repairing process before they are considered to be back in good working order.[...]

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP or Customs) is the federal agency in charge of determining the admissibility of items sold in smoke shops across the country.  Presently, we have been asked by importers across the United States for information regarding how to determine whether ones product will meet scrutiny by CBP.  Moreover, whether Customs would permit entry of these products into the United States. For such products like water pipes, grinders, blunt wraps/wrappers, and vaporizers CBP will consider whether the specific product you are attempting to import constitutes "drug paraphernalia."[...]

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP or Customs) works in conjunction with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure that products are in full compliance before they are imported or exported to and from the United States. At times, the FDA or Customs may deny the entry of a product if they determine that a good or product fails to meet strict import/export requirements. When this happens, the product is detained for further examination. Depending on the findings of the examination, the FDA may issue a Notice of[...]