Peruvian Timber on the Hot Seat

In a press release, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) directed United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to block future timber imports from a Peruvian exporter, Inversiones Oroza SRL for three years or until it is determined that the company has complied with all applicable Peruvian laws, regulations, and other measures, whichever is shorter. This is the first enforcement action taken by the

CBP's 2017 EAST COAST TRADE SYMPOSIUM

UPDATE – CBP JUST OPENED UP REGISTRATION TODAY for its EAST COAST Trade Symposium! We always strive to keep you informed of the latest and greatest trade events. In this vain, U.S. Customs and Border Protection will be hosting the 2017 EAST Coast Trade Symposium on

The UGG Boots Story: How Recording Your Registered Trademark Can Lead to a Jail Sentence

At the end of September 2017, Shi Wei Zheng, 42, plead guilty to one count of trafficking in counterfeit goods. During a five-month period, Zheng trafficked over 15,000 pairs of counterfeit UGG boots, with a total estimated retail value of over $2.5 million.

UPDATE: FDA Delays Compliance Dates for the New Nutrition Facts Label Rule

In an earlier article, we detailed some of the new changes that would be implemented with the new Nutrition Facts Label rule. That article also provided the compliance dates for the rule. On September 29,2017, however, the FDA proposed yet another deadline extension for

Essential Oils Company to Pay $760K for Lacey Act Violations

The Justice Department announced YOUNG LIVING ESSENTIAL OILS, L.C., (the Company), headquartered in Lehi, Utah, plead guilty in federal court to federal misdemeanor charges regarding its illegal trafficking of rosewood oil and spikenard oil in violation of the Lacey Act and the Endangered Species Act. Despite the company voluntarily disclosing its violations and cooperating with government investigators, it entered into a plea agreement, and the Company was sentenced to a fine of $500,000, $135,000 in restitution, a community service payment of

CTPAT “Your Supply Chains Strongest Link”

I just attended the 2017 CTPAT conference in Detroit. After 2 days of CTPAT’ing, here a list of my top 10 takeaways including the changes I see coming to the CTPAT program.

1. There is a new name. Notice the – is officially gone, no more C-TPAT (despite all of us conditioned to using the -, it is no more. CTPAT it is.
2. There is a new slogan – CTPAT “Your Supply Chains Strongest Link”.
3. There is a new woman at the helm. Elizabeth Schmelzinger is the Director of CTPAT.

The biggest take away is ....

Don’t Miss FDA’s Upcoming Webinar on ITACS

On September 5th, 7th, and 11th the U.S. Food & Drug Administration will hold three identical webinars, which will provide information on the evolution of FDA’s Import Trade Auxiliary Communications System or ITACS system “to ensure that trade users are familiar with and understand the new ITACS Account Management functionality.”

 

C-TPAT Conference 2017

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is proud to announce the 2017 C-TPAT Conference. The conference will be held in the Detroit Metropolitan Area. Two sessions will be offered: August 29 - 30, 2017 and August 30 - 31, 2017.  Both sessions will include a day of workshops and a day of general session.

6/22/17 EVENT - The Making of Global Cities: Can Miami Follow a Bold Strategy?

The Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT South Florida) is hosting an event you don't want to miss: The Making of Global Cities: Can Miami Follow a Bold Strategy?

 

President Trump Outlines New U.S. Policy on Cuba

We’ve been patiently waiting for today’s announcement since President Trump took office on Friday, January 20, 2017. Some have speculated on whether President Trump’s stance on Cuba would further diplomatic relations following the steps of former President Barack Obama, while the majority have opined that Trump’s next steps could reverse some of the changes made by the former President. The speculation can now be put to the side as today President Trump delivered a speech in Miami (at the Manuel Artime Theater) today, a little over 90 miles away from the island of Cuba, outlining his new policy with the communist island. The announced changes do not take effect until the new OFAC regulations are issued. The forthcoming regulations will be prospective and will not affect existing contracts and licenses.  

Here is a summary of the MAIN changes, and background of why the President has signed an executive order making these changes in support of the Cuban people: