Commission President Drummond Applauds ILWU Vote
Port of Long Beach / http://www.polb.com/news/displaynews.asp?NewsID=1451&TargetID=1
WASHINGTON — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske and the Dominican Republic’s Director General (DG) for Customs, Juan Fernando Fernández, signed a Joint Work Plan (JWP) toward Mutual Recognition that allows stronger collaboration between CBP's Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) and the Dominican Republic’s Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program. The signing was held during the CBP International Conference in Crystal City, Virginia.
"The Joint Work Plan places us on a clear path to a future mutual recognition arrangement of our Authorized Economic Operator programs,” said Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske. “That is a win-win for our countries as we work together to expedite and secure the supply chain and facilitate trade between the U.S. and the Dominican Republic.”
The JWP outlines the requirements that both parties need to accomplish in order to position both Customs Administrations to sign an MRA in the future – possibly as early as 2016. The goal of the mutual recognition arrangement is to link the two industry partnership programs, so that together they create a unified and sustainable security posture that can assist in securing and facilitating global cargo trade.
The arrangement provides tangible and intangible benefits to program members to include: fewer exams when shipping cargo, a faster validation process, common standards, efficiency for Customs and business, transparency between Customs administrations, business resumption, front-of-the-line processing, and marketability.
C-TPAT is a voluntary government-business initiative to build cooperative relationships that strengthen and improve overall international supply chain and U.S. border security. C-TPAT recognized that CBP can provide the highest level of cargo security only through close cooperation with the ultimate owners of the international supply chain such as importers, carriers, consolidators, licensed customs brokers, and manufacturers. The C-TPAT program is one layer in CBP's multi-layered cargo enforcement strategy.
The United States has mutual recognition arrangements with Mexico, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Korea, Israel, Jordan, the European Union, Singapore, and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office.
U.S., Dominican Republic Sign Work Plan aimed at Mutual Recognition
US Customs & Border Protection / http://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/national-media-release/2015-05-28-000000/us-dominican-republic-sign-work-plan-aimed-mutual
The United States is the world's largest services market and was the world’s leading exporter and importer of services in 2013, reports the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) in its new publication Recent Trends in U.S. Services Trade, 2015 Annual Report.
- In 2013, private sector distribution services contributed $2.3 trillion to U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) and accounted for nearly 17 percent of total U.S. private sector GDP. The output of these services grew by 1.7 percent in 2013, slightly slower than the GDP growth in the private sector (2.2 percent). Among the distribution services industries, the GDP of maritime transport services grew the fastest in 2013 at 9.4 percent, followed by retail trade (2.4 percent), wholesale trade (1.6 percent), and logistics services (0.8 percent).
- The distribution services sector was one of the most important contributors to U.S. private sector employment in 2013. Overall, distribution services accounted for more than 21 percent of total private sector employment, or 23 million full-time equivalent (FTE) employees -- a share that has remained stable since 2008. Employment in retail services represented 57 percent of this total, followed by wholesale services (24 percent), logistics services (18 percent), and maritime transport services (0.3 percent). Labor productivity in distribution services grew at a steady, but modest pace during 2008–13, with an average output per worker of $98,370 in 2013.
- Since trade in distribution services is driven by consumer demand, fluctuations in income and consumer spending can have profound effects on the health of the industry. The global economic recession of 2008–09 caused revenue declines for the majority of distribution providers. Further, as global economies become more integrated, the distribution services industry has needed to evolve rapidly to address issues such as shifting global supply chains (i.e., “near-shoring”), advances in digital technology (i.e., e-commerce), and rising cost competition across all factors of production and distribution (i.e., transport and inventory costs). Most notably, technology has increasingly enabled manufacturers to bypass traditional wholesalers and retailers. Consequently, distribution services suppliers have grown more adaptive as supply chains compress and the use of Internet technologies to purchase goods increases.
- The USITC hosted its eighth annual services roundtable on October 16, 2014. The discussion, summarized in the report, focused on services trade in sub-Saharan Africa, ongoing international trade in services negotiations, and the assessment of services commitments.
Recent Trends in U.S. Services Trade, 2015 Annual Report (Investigation No. 332-345, USITC publication 4526, May 2015) is available on the USITC's Internet site at http://www.usitc.gov/publications/332/pub4526.pdf.
Philadelphia CBP Intercepts First in Port Stink Bug Species in Pineapple Shipment
U.S. Customs & Border Protection / http://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/local-media-release/2015-05-28-000000/philadelphia-cbp-intercepts-first-port-stink-bug
PHILADELPHIA – A U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) entomologist confirmed May 20 that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) agriculture specialists discovered a new pest in the Philadelphia area when they intercepted Tibraca limbativentris (Pentatomidae), common name Rice Stalk Stink Bug, while inspecting a shipment of fresh pineapples at the Philadelphia seaport on April 21.
The Rice Stalk Stink Bug is native to South American countries and has been recently introduced into the Dominican Republic. It is a serious pest of rice, soybeans, tomatoes and wheat.
“Intercepting destructive insect pests at our nation’s borders is of paramount concern to U.S. Customs and Border Protection,” said Susan Stranieri, CBP Area Port Director for Philadelphia. “CBP agriculture specialists are very serious about protecting America’s agriculture industry. They remain vigilant at intercepting invasive insect and plant species at our ports of entry."
The stink bug was discovered at the Penn Terminal in Eddystone, Pa., in a 1,600 case, 50,000 pound shipment of pineapples from the Dominican Republic that was destined for Florida.
CBP safeguarded the shipment and forwarded the specimen to USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) - Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) for identification. The local entomologist identified the stink bug as Tibraca limbativentris (Pentatomidae), which was confirmed by the USDA national identifier on April 21.
The shipment of pineapples was fumigated, determined to be free of additional pests, and released.
CBP agriculture specialists work closely with USDA to protect our nation’s agriculture resources against the introduction of foreign plant pests and animal diseases.
Peak Relief Chassis Proposals Sought
Port of Long Beach / http://www.polb.com/news/displaynews.asp?NewsID=1448&TargetID=1
The Port of Long Beach will seek bids on the creation of a new fleet of truck chassis for peak periods of the year, complementing the existing equipment used to haul cargo containers to and from terminals.
“It’s not enough for us to be a passive landlord; the industry needs the Port to be involved in helping our terminals to be more productive,” said Harbor Commission President Doug Drummond.
The “peak chassis fleet” is planned to be implemented in two phases, starting with 1,000 chassis and then adding another 2,000 chassis.
“Our peak chassis pool will not compete with private fleets, but will complement the supply of chassis during those times when it is needed,” said Port Chief Executive Jon Slangerup. “It’s one of several actions we’re taking to ensure that we mitigate congestion during the upcoming peak season.”
The Port will hold a meeting for potential bidders 10 a.m. Thursday, May 21, at the Port’s Interim Administrative Offices located at 4801 Airport Plaza Drive, Long Beach, 90815. The deadline for bids is 10 a.m. June 2. For more information go to the Port’s “PlanetBids” system at www.polb.com/planetbids.
The Port of Long Beach is one of the world’s premier seaports, a gateway for trans-Pacific trade and a trailblazer in goods movement and environmental stewardship. With 140 shipping lines connecting Long Beach to 217 seaports, the Port handles $180 billion in trade annually, supporting thousands of Southern California jobs.
CBP Seizes Fake Apparel Worth $48K
U.S. Customs & Border Protection / http://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/local-media-release/2015-05-22-000000/cbp-seizes-fake-apparel-worth-48k
Passenger packs phony high-value merchandise
HOUSTON - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport seized counterfeit Gucci, Burberry, Lacoste, Versace, Armani, Ferrari, Coco Chanel, Tory Burch and Michael Kors merchandise, May 13, valued at more than $48,000.
The seized items included shirts, hats, shoes, purses and jewelry destined for Houston.
CBP officers conducted an inspection of a passenger arriving from El Salvador with checked bags. During the inspection, they discovered 161 brand-named articles that appeared to be counterfeit. The items did not appear to be of the quality consistent with legitimate goods as the items included unusual labeling and the markings on the clothing were not manufactured by the trademark holders.
“Packing hundreds of phony articles in suitcases doesn’t release passengers from their obligation to adhere to U.S. import laws and requirements,” said Houston CBP Port Director Charles Perez. “This seizure protects the trademark holder, their businesses and their employees and denies criminal organizations from reaping profits from the sale of counterfeit and illegitimate consumer goods.”
CBP officers obtained digital images of the merchandise and forwarded them to the trademark owner to determine their authenticity. After verifying that the merchandise was counterfeit, CBP seized every item for infringement of intellectual property rights.
On a typical day in fiscal year 2014, CBP officers around the country seized more than $3.4 million worth of products because of IPR violations. Since 2007, CBP identified IPR enforcement as a priority trade mission. For additional statistics and a list of the most popular counterfeit items and their worth visit the fiscal year 2014 IPR report.
The IPR 2014 report provides seizure statistics including the top 10 counterfeit items and their estimated value.
CBP does offer importers/exporters with information to become familiar with applicable laws and regulations.
Head of Florida Auction House Sent to Prison as Operation Crash Gets Another Wildlife Trafficker off the Streets
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service / http://www.fws.gov/
Christopher Hayes, the President and owner of Florida auction house Elite Estate Buyers Inc., has been sentenced to three years in prison followed by two years of supervised release for his role in an illegal wildlife smuggling conspiracy that bought, sold and smuggled rhinoceros horns and objects made from rhino horn, elephant ivory and imperiled coral from the United States to China. Elite was fined $1.5 million and banned from trading wildlife for five years. The prosecution of Elite and Hayes is part of Operation Crash, an ongoing nationwide criminal investigation led by the Service that is fighting any U.S. involvement in the black market rhino horn trade.
New Release (DOJ)
Office Depot Agrees to Pay $3.4 Million Civil Penalty, Implement Internal Compliance Program for Failure to Report Defective Office Chairs
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission / http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Newsroom/News-Releases/2015/Office-Depot-Agrees-to-Pay-34-Million-Dollar-Civil-Penalty/
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is announcing that Office Depot Inc., of Boca Raton, Fla., has agreed to pay a $3.4 million civil penalty to settle CPSC staff’s charges that Office Depot knowingly failed to report to CPSC, as required by federal law, defects and an unreasonable risk of serious injury concerning two models of office chairs—the Quantum and the Gibson.
The seatbacks of both models failed, resulting in multiple back and other injuries. Federal law requires parties like Office Depot to report to CPSC immediately (within 24 hours) about a consumer product containing a defect that could create a substantial product hazard or presenting a risk of serious injury.
Office Depot received dozens of reports of seatback failures and related injuries involving both the Quantum chairs and the Gibson chairs. Office Depot never reported the Quantum chair hazard to CPSC, and reported the Gibson chair hazard only after receiving a request from staff. By the time the Quantum chair and the Gibson chair were recalled, Office Depot had received 33 and 153 reports, respectively, of seatback detachment from the chairs, and 14 and 25 reports, respectively, of injuries, some requiring medical attention.
Office Depot sold about 150,000 Quantum chairs nationwide between May 2006 and August 2009, for about $350 each, and about 1.4 million Gibson chairs nationwide between 2003 and 2012, for about $40 each.
In addition to paying the $3.4 million civil penalty, Office Depot has agreed that the company has, and shall maintain, a compliance program designed to ensure compliance with the Consumer Product Safety Act and a related system of internal controls and procedures. The compliance program must include written standards and policies designed to convey information obtained from sources such as complaints, parts requests, and incident reports to personnel responsible for CPSC compliance. The compliance program also must address:
- confidential employee reporting of compliance concerns to a senior manager;
- effective communication of compliance policies and procedures, including training;
- senior management responsibility for, and general board oversight of, compliance; and
- requirements for record retention.
Office Depot neither admits nor denies CPSC staff’s charges.
The penalty agreement has been accepted provisionally by the Commission