March 2021 | Customs & International Trade Law Blog

New AD/CVD Petition Against Imports of Certain Chinese Mobile Access Equipment

Background on AD/CVD Investigations

Antidumping duty (“AD”) and countervailing duty (“CVD”) investigations are brought jointly by the U.S. International Trade Commission (“USITC”) and the U.S. Department of Commerce (“Commerce”). AD investigations are triggered when a domestic industry alleges that it has been injured by competing imports of particular goods from specific countries being sold at less than a fair value. Meanwhile, CVD investigations are triggered when a domestic industry alleges that it has been injured by competing imports that are being unfairly subsidized by their governments. The domestic industry initiating the investigation is known as the petitioner while the foreign industry participating in the investigation is known as the respondent.

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By Jennifer Diaz|2021-10-12T14:40:57-04:00March 25, 2021|AD/CVD, Best Practices, China Trade War, Customs Expert, Enforcement, Export, Import, International Law, International Trade, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)|Comments Off

Breaking News – New Federal Law Expands Furniture Flammability Testing Standard

Do you manufacture or sell upholstered furniture? Beginning June 25, 2021, a new law requires all upholstered furniture nationwide to comply with California Technical Bulletin 117-2013?

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By Jennifer Diaz|2021-10-12T14:43:51-04:00March 23, 2021|Customs Broker, Customs Expert, Enforcement, Import Alert, International Business, International Law, International Trade, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)|4 Comments

Recent Government Data Indicates that Florida Trade is Rebounding Fast Despite Pandemic Hit

COVID-19’s Impact on the Global Economy

The COVID-19 pandemic has had systemic implications for nearly every facet of our lives and society. The world of international trade is certainly no exception. Businesses and governments alike have had to figure out how to continue import and export operations while accounting for the risks present in the current trading climate. Challenges that importers and exporters have faced include: 1) dramatic demand spikes for certain goods, 2) equally dramatic crashes in demand for other goods, 3) significant back-ups of inflowing shipments at key ports, 4) an increase in trade restrictions and other barriers to trade, and 5) contractions in trade volumes, just to name a few.

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By Jennifer Diaz|2021-10-12T14:44:52-04:00March 17, 2021|Best Practices, China Trade War, Customs Expert, Enforcement, Export, Import Alert, International Business, International Law, International Trade, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)|1 Comment

Cleaning for COVID-19 – Importing Cleaning Products: Who Regulates You?

A year into the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are in full enforcement mode carefully monitoring novel products claiming to treat, mitigate, or “kill” COVID-19. Compliance advisories issued at the beginning of the pandemic are now being replaced with enforcement advisories. Manufacturers, importers, distributors, and others engaged in the production or sale of products claiming to mitigate or “kill” COVID-19 should be more cautious than ever when developing product claims for both product labels and marketing material or alternatively, confirm products comply with the numerous regulations governing COVID-19 cleaning products.

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By Jennifer Diaz|2021-10-12T14:46:03-04:00March 15, 2021|Best Practices, Customs Expert, Enforcement, Events, International Law, International Trade, Labeling, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)|Comments Off

Hong Kong’s Initiates Dispute Regarding U.S.-Origin Marking Requirement

What Happened

On October 30, 2021, Hong Kong, China requested consultations with the United States regarding U.S. measures affecting origin markings on goods imported from Hong Kong to the United States. On November 24, 2020, the United States and Hong Kong held consultations on the matter. On January 14, 2021, Hong Kong requested the World Trade Organization (“WTO”) to establish a dispute settlement panel. In response, the WTO established a dispute settlement panel on February 22, 2021.

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By Jennifer Diaz|2021-10-12T14:47:08-04:00March 12, 2021|China, China Trade War, Customs Expert, Enforcement, Export, International Business, International Law, International Trade|Comments Off

OFAC Issues Clarifying Guidance on Communist Chinese Military Companies Sanctions

Background on EO 13959

On November 12, 2020, President Trump issued Executive Order 13959 (“EO 13959”), Addressing the Threat from Securities Investments that Finance Communist Chinese Military Companies. EO 13959 prohibits U.S. investors from purchasing or investing in securities of companies identified by the U.S. government as Communist Chinese military companies (“CCMCs”), a designation determined by the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Since former President Trump signed EO 13959, the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) has issued clarifying guidance and general licenses on this matter.

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By Jennifer Diaz|2021-10-12T14:49:06-04:00March 11, 2021|China, China Trade War, Export, International Trade, U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)|1 Comment

Biden Executive Order Strengthens Buy American Government Procurement Laws

Biden Signs Executive Order Strengthening Buy American Laws

Buy American laws are a set of statutes, regulations, rules, and Executive Orders that require that the U.S. federal government require or provide preferences for purchasing goods produced in the United States. Buy American laws were created and continue to be amended with the intention of promoting economic and national security, stimulating economic growth, creating good jobs at decent wages, and supporting the U.S. manufacturing and defense industrial bases.

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By Jennifer Diaz|2021-10-12T14:50:09-04:00March 9, 2021|Best Practices, China Trade War, Customs Expert, Enforcement, Events, Export, Import, Import Alert, International Business, International Law, International Trade, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)|Comments Off

FDA Webinar on Human Drug Importations

On January 14, 2021, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) kicked off the year with a set of Webinars for the trade community. Specifically, the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) held its first annual Small Business and Industry Assistance (SIBA) Compliance Conference. The topics covered various areas dedicated to compliance including compounding in cleanrooms, drug importation requirements, drug supply chain security act implementation, and Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) compliance.

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By Jennifer Diaz|2022-07-07T12:33:06-04:00March 2, 2021|Best Practices, Customs Expert, Enforcement, Events, Export, Import, International Business, International Law, International Trade, Supply Chain, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)|Comments Off