Did You Know That Sunglasses Are Regulated by The FDA As Medical Devices?

Whether you import sunglasses into the United States or sell sunglasses in the U.S. commerce, you are required to comply with the laws and regulations of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA regulates sunglasses products to ensure their safety and impact resistance. These products are regulated as medical devices as they are intended to mitigate or prevent the effect of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays on the eyes of a person. The term “Medical Device” is defined in 21 CFR 201(h).

The following are FDA regulations that apply sunglasses. Failure to comply with them may result in CBP and FDA detaining your sunglasses at the U.S. port of entry.

NEWS ALERT - USTR’s newly Announced List 3 Exclusion process and List 4 Comment and Hearing Process

USTR published a Federal Notice on May 21, laying out the exclusion process for list 3. USTR anticipates that the exclusion period will open up on or around June 30^th. USTR estimates that over 60,000 US Stakeholders will request an exclusion for a particular product. On May 13, USTR proposed a 4^th list, which slaps a 25% tariff on roughly 300 billion worth of goods. From food products to furniture, the proposed list would include “essentially all products not currently covered” under previously imposed lists including literally thousands of irrelevant goods. If your product appears on any Section 301 tariff list there are three avenues to potentially get it removed. You may submit a comment, attend public hearings, or obtain an exclusion. Below is a big picture of the past and future opportunities get products off tariff lists:

As the trade war between United States and China drags into its second year, a resolution does not appear to be in the near future. In fact, following the most recent wave of escalations, the US stock market plummeted over 600 points leading into Monday, May 13.

While the trade war continues, neither side seems ready to reconcile. In early May, the two parties came close to a consensus. According to President Trump, China backed out of the deal, re-igniting tensions. In response to China reneging on the tentative agreement, President Trump called for an additional 25% tariff increase on Chinese Products on List 3.

UPDATE: USTR Increases Section 301 Tariffs to 25% Duty for Products on List 3

Since September 17, 2018, the trade industry has been bracing themselves for the increase of China tariffs from 10% to 25%. The trade community has enjoyed a few months of postponements – January 1st, 2019 to March 1st, 2019. The postponements led many to believe the increase was unlikely, until May 6, when the President emphatically stated that “the 10% will go up to 25% on Friday [May 10, 2019].” via twitter. Only three days later and USTR has officially announced the anticipated 25% increase is effective on 12:01 am, May 10, 2019.

TOP 11 COPYRIGHT MYTHS AND MISCONCEPTIONS / LOS TOP ONCE MITOS Y CONCEPTOS ERRÓNEOS SOBRE LOS DERECHOS DE AUTOR

                                   

1.- What is copyrightable and what is not?

Copyright protection exists in original works of authorship fixed in any tangible medium of expression, now known or later developed, from which they can be perceived, reproduced, or otherwise communicated, either directly or with the aid of a machine or device.

Works of authorship include the following categories:

• literary works;
• musical works, including any accompanying words;
• dramatic works, including any accompanying music;
• pantomimes and choreographic works;
• pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works;
• motion pictures and other audiovisual works;
• sound recordings; and
• architectural works.

Voice Your Comments about CTPAT & the Trusted Trader Program!

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) provided a 60-day extension as part of their “Agency Information Collection Activities” requesting comments on the CTPAT and Trusted Program.

CBP will be submitting the information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA). The PRA changed many aspects of Information Collection by the Federal government. requiring agencies to plan for the development of new collections of information and the extension of ongoing collections well in advance of sending proposals to OMB. Agencies must:

Comment Today! USTR Publishes Preliminary List of EU Products To Be Covered By Additional Duties

Until recently the Section 301 Tariffs have been associated with China deceptive practices. The USTR is now expanding Section 301 Tariffs to the European Union (EU).  As a result of the World Trade Organization (WTO) repeatedly finding that EU subsidies to Airbus have caused adverse effects to the United States; the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has launched a process under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 to identify products of the EU to which additional duties may be applied. These additional duties will be in effect from the dated published until the EU removes those subsidies.

Using a Middleman? Learn How to Lower Your Customs Value Using First Sale!

Pursuant to the Customs Modernization Act, the importer of record (IOR) must use “reasonable care” when providing the value of the goods to Customs and Border Protection (CBP). All merchandise imported into the United States is subject to valuation or appraisement. The Trade Agreements Act of 1979, codified at 19 U.S.C. § 1401a, sets forth a hierarchy of methods for the appraisement of imported merchandise. Under the Trade Agreements Act of 1979, the transaction value of imported merchandise is the primary or preferred method for determining the value of imported merchandise. Generally, transaction value is the price actually paid or payable for merchandise when sold for exportation to the United States, plus certain statutorily enumerated additions.

CBP, BIS, AND OTHER AGENCIES LAUNCH A NEW TASK FORCE TO COMBAT COUNTERFEIT GOODS

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a press release announcing a new multi-agency task force, The Global Trade Task Force (GTTF), which is designed to protect national security and combat counterfeit goods. The multi-agency task force was launched recently in Detroit and DHS believes the task force could serve as a national model for related investigations.

CBP Needs Your Help to Improve their Operations in the 21st Century Business Environment – COMMENT PERIOD NOW OPEN!

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), has announced the re-opening of the public comment period on the six key themes identified by “The 21st Century Customs Framework” initiative. Now is your chance to provide feedback to CBP that can benefit your supply chain and the US economy.

CBP appreciates the need to stay modern to face the challenges of an evolving business landscape. To fulfill its mission, CBP is carrying out an initiative entitled “The 21st Century Customs Framework" which will seek to address and improve many aspects of CBP's trade mission to better position the agency to operate in the 21st Century business environment. Below are the topics CBP is seeking public input on: