Importing Archives | Customs & International Trade Law Blog

FDA OPENS NEW FSVP PORTAL FOR IMPORTERS

The Foreign Supplier Verification Programs for Food Importers (FSVP), establishes guidelines for importers to vet their foreign manufacturers, ensuring that food products destined for the U.S. are safe for consumption. The FSVP was created under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). These standards of the FSVP are in line with the goals articulated in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Strategy for the Safety of Imported Food. The FDA seeks to ensure that foreign-manufactured food products are safe for consumption. Further, as discussed in Diaz Trade Law’s previously published blog, the FDA issued its first FSVP warning letter in September 2019, and since then has issued at least 60 more!

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By Jennifer Diaz|2021-10-07T14:53:51-04:00May 27, 2021|Best Practices, Food, Import, International Business, International Trade, Labeling, Pre-compliance, Supply Chain, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)|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

FDA Import Alert on Mexican Hand Sanitizer

For the first time in history, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a countrywide import alert for any category of drug product. Specifically, on January 26, 2021, the FDA announced that it will Take Action to Place All Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers from Mexico on Import Alert to Help Prevent Entry of Violative and Potentially Dangerous Products into U.S., Protect U.S. Consumers. FDA singled out importations of hand sanitizers from Mexico due to the frequent use of methanol.

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By Jennifer Diaz|2021-10-12T14:59:21-04:00February 4, 2021|Best Practices, COVID-19, Customs Expert, Enforcement, Export, Import, Import Alert, International Business, International Law, International Trade, Mexico, Seizures, Supply Chain, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)|Comments Off

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.

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By Jennifer Diaz|2021-10-29T15:01:32-04:00March 21, 2019|Best Practices, Enforcement, Import, International Trade, Investigation, Reasonable Care, Seizures, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)|3 Comments

HELP US CELEBRATE 2018 SUCCESSES!

DTL saved clients MILLIONS of dollars in 2018, below we share some of success stories with you. We look forward to assisting you in 2019!

U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP)

Successfully assisted numerous importers in various seizure cases to assist in getting property returned, despite CBP claims merchandise was drug paraphernalia, counterfeit, etc.

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By Jennifer Diaz|2021-10-29T15:16:35-04:00December 26, 2018|Best Practices, Import, International Law, International Trade, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)|Comments Off

Should You Get a Binding Ruling?

What is a Binding Ruling?

Pursuant to the Customs Modernization Act, when importing merchandise into the U.S., it is now the responsibility of the importer of record to use “reasonable care” to “enter,” “classify,” and “value” the goods and provide any other information necessary to enable U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to properly assess duties, collect accurate statistics, and determine whether all other applicable legal requirements are met.

A binding ruing request can be extremely beneficial to importers, because it can provide them with certainty regarding concerns they may have about their merchandise. […]

By Jennifer Diaz|2021-10-29T15:26:10-04:00July 30, 2018|Best Practices, Customs Broker, Import, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)|4 Comments

CBP Now Issuing Penalties for Wood Packaging Material Violations

Due to the increase in penalties for wood packaging material (WPM) violations – we thought it important to remind the importing community that CBP is issuing WPM penalties and the background as to why.

On September 25, 2017, CBP issued Cargo Systems Messaging Service (CSMS) #17-000609 informing importers of CBP’s intent to issue penalties for wood packaging material violations. In the message, CBP states all wood packaging material (WPM) imported into the United States must have been treated at the place of origin, and contain the appropriate marking upon importation. CBP is trying to “prevent the introduction of exotic timber pests,” and is encouraging the importing community to look towards alternatives to WPM and to educate your supply chains about ISPM 15 requirements. […]

By Jennifer Diaz|2021-11-03T15:32:32-04:00April 18, 2018|Export, Import, Import Alert, International Law, International Trade, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)|1 Comment

What Keeps You Up at Night – Webinars for Compliance Professionals

fffff We took a poll to capture ALL of the topics that you wanted to learn about and decided to host 8 webinars for compliance professionals (FREE for clients) with leading experts on topics ranging from Importing 101/201, Exporting 201, to CTPAT, and FDA Compliance and more! Check out our complete list of topics, and click on the topic for more information on the specific learning objectives of each webinar and your expert speakers.

Did I mention that clients of Diaz Trade Law and Diaz Trade Consulting join for FREE? Please email info@diaztradelaw.com for your code!

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By Jennifer Diaz|2018-03-21T11:52:36-04:00March 21, 2018|Best Practices, CTPAT, Events, Export, Import, International Trade, Speaking, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)|Comments Off

Why Pre-Compliance is a MUST

If the thought of monetary penalties, shipment delays, detentions or seizures of merchandise keep you up at night, then this article is for you. First, it’s quite easy to establish a U.S. company, pick (what you hope is) a terrific customs broker, file Form 5106 with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to request your importer number, pick a surety (there are many, your broker will likely sway you to their favorite) and WALLAH! Right? Wrong. No one sits you down during this process to say, wait, importing can be great, but, this is also a LOT of responsibility. Your company (and SOMETIMES even YOU) have liability and a burden when importing. This article will walk you through YOUR burden as an importer, how CBP can question your imports, and how penalties can ensue and what you should be doing about it, in advance!

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By Jennifer Diaz|2021-11-09T14:34:21-05:00April 7, 2016|Best Practices, Customs Broker, Events, Import, Speaking, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)|17 Comments

In Tampa? Meet the Expert May 12, 2015

I’m proud to participate in America’s SBDC’s “Meet the Expert” seminar on May 12, 2015. If you are in Tampa, you won’t want to miss this seminar. It will take place from 3:30-5:30 PM at the FSBDC at the University of South Florida, Port Tampa Bay Building and will cover the following HOT Topics in International Law:

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By Jennifer Diaz|2019-10-22T03:27:13-04:00May 6, 2015|Best Practices, Cuba, Events, Export, Speaking, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)|Comments Off