By Karen Robes Meeks
International trade organizations, interagency collaboration, and the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) are expected to be discussed at the upcoming US Customs and Border Protection’s 2020 Trade Symposium in Anaheim, Calif.
The event will also address topics such as forced labor, e-commerce (specifically Entry Type 86, 321 Data Pilot), the latest on implementing the CTPAT Minimum Security Criteria, the future state of In-bound and Export capabilities, as well as ACE, the Blockchain proof of concept and emerging technologies.
The event will take place on March 10-11 at the Anaheim Hilton in Anaheim, Calif. To register, visit https://www.cbp.gov/trade/stakeholder-engagement/trade-symposium.
Showing posts with label US Customs and Border Protection. Show all posts
Showing posts with label US Customs and Border Protection. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 14, 2020
Tuesday, October 15, 2019
Sham Shoes Seized
By Karen Robes Meeks
About 14,800 pairs of counterfeit Nike shoes were seized by US Customs and Border Protection agents at the LA/Long Beach Seaport with the help of officials at the Apparel, Footwear and Textiles Center of Excellence and US Homeland Security Investigations special agents assigned at the Trade Enforcement Coordination Center.
The shipment of shoes that came from China in two cargo containers were misdeclared as “napkins.” They were counterfeits of the brand’s Air Jordan and Air Max shoes, according to CBP.
“Intellectual property theft is a crime that leads to lost revenue for American industry, a loss of American jobs, and often poses a threat to public health and safety,” said Carlos C. Martel, CBP Director of Field Operations in Los Angeles. “CBP is the frontline that protects American ingenuity, without any doubt, one of the most valuable assets of our country.”
About 14,800 pairs of counterfeit Nike shoes were seized by US Customs and Border Protection agents at the LA/Long Beach Seaport with the help of officials at the Apparel, Footwear and Textiles Center of Excellence and US Homeland Security Investigations special agents assigned at the Trade Enforcement Coordination Center.
The shipment of shoes that came from China in two cargo containers were misdeclared as “napkins.” They were counterfeits of the brand’s Air Jordan and Air Max shoes, according to CBP.
“Intellectual property theft is a crime that leads to lost revenue for American industry, a loss of American jobs, and often poses a threat to public health and safety,” said Carlos C. Martel, CBP Director of Field Operations in Los Angeles. “CBP is the frontline that protects American ingenuity, without any doubt, one of the most valuable assets of our country.”
Friday, August 23, 2019
Pot and Peppers Stopped at the Border
By Karen Robes Meeks
A shipment of jalapeño peppers was spiced with four tons of illegal marijuana seized by Customs and Border Protection officers earlier this month in San Diego, Calif.
Officers at the Otay Mesa cargo facility found the $2.3 million worth of drugs co-mingled in the shipment transported by a Mexican man, 37, which arrived at the port of entry at 6:15 p.m. on Aug. 15.
A K-9 unit zeroed in on the peppers, prompting officers to pull 314 large-wrapped packages of marijuana that weighed 7,560 pounds.
“I am proud of the officers for seizing this significant marijuana load,” said Otay Mesa Port Director Rosa Hernandez. “Not only did they prevent the drugs from reaching our community, they also prevented millions of dollars of potential profit from making it into the hands of a transnational criminal organization.”
A shipment of jalapeño peppers was spiced with four tons of illegal marijuana seized by Customs and Border Protection officers earlier this month in San Diego, Calif.
Officers at the Otay Mesa cargo facility found the $2.3 million worth of drugs co-mingled in the shipment transported by a Mexican man, 37, which arrived at the port of entry at 6:15 p.m. on Aug. 15.
A K-9 unit zeroed in on the peppers, prompting officers to pull 314 large-wrapped packages of marijuana that weighed 7,560 pounds.
“I am proud of the officers for seizing this significant marijuana load,” said Otay Mesa Port Director Rosa Hernandez. “Not only did they prevent the drugs from reaching our community, they also prevented millions of dollars of potential profit from making it into the hands of a transnational criminal organization.”
Friday, October 5, 2018
Gong to the Mattresses
By Karen Robes Meeks
More than 300 potentially unsafe mattresses were recently seized by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Port of Tacoma. The mattresses, which are valued at over $50,000, were pulled because of “consumer safety concerns for the flammability of materials used in the manufacturing process,” according to the CBP.
“CBP is focused on identifying and intercepting imported consumer products that do not meet our country’s consumer product safety standards,” said Mark Wilkerson, director of CBP’s Area Port of Seattle. “The enforcement of US consumer safety laws at our ports of entry is, and will continue to be, a high-priority. The importation of unsafe consumer products threatens the well-being of the American people and can damage the economy of the United States.”
More than 300 potentially unsafe mattresses were recently seized by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Port of Tacoma. The mattresses, which are valued at over $50,000, were pulled because of “consumer safety concerns for the flammability of materials used in the manufacturing process,” according to the CBP.
“CBP is focused on identifying and intercepting imported consumer products that do not meet our country’s consumer product safety standards,” said Mark Wilkerson, director of CBP’s Area Port of Seattle. “The enforcement of US consumer safety laws at our ports of entry is, and will continue to be, a high-priority. The importation of unsafe consumer products threatens the well-being of the American people and can damage the economy of the United States.”
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
USCG Teams with CBP
By Karen Robes Meeks
On Saturday, Alaska-based Coast Guard Cutter John McCormick conducted joint customs operations with a Customs and Border Protection enforcement officer five miles from the Dixon Entrance, a strait in the Pacific Ocean at the Canada and United States border.
Both were there to monitor the safety and security of mariners moving in the area and making sure customs documentation was completed when they entered US territorial waters.
“We want to identify northbound vessels and ensure proper reporting requirements so that we may properly vet passengers and crew for prior violations,” said CBP Enforcement Officer Gilbert Varela.
“Working with our partner agencies is essential in understanding each other’s roles when conducting law enforcement missions and prepares us for future events,” said Lt. Mike Moyseowicz, commanding officer of the cutter John McCormick. “The Coast Guard is committed to patrolling our maritime borders to ensure safety and compliance at all times.”
On Saturday, Alaska-based Coast Guard Cutter John McCormick conducted joint customs operations with a Customs and Border Protection enforcement officer five miles from the Dixon Entrance, a strait in the Pacific Ocean at the Canada and United States border.
Both were there to monitor the safety and security of mariners moving in the area and making sure customs documentation was completed when they entered US territorial waters.
“We want to identify northbound vessels and ensure proper reporting requirements so that we may properly vet passengers and crew for prior violations,” said CBP Enforcement Officer Gilbert Varela.
“Working with our partner agencies is essential in understanding each other’s roles when conducting law enforcement missions and prepares us for future events,” said Lt. Mike Moyseowicz, commanding officer of the cutter John McCormick. “The Coast Guard is committed to patrolling our maritime borders to ensure safety and compliance at all times.”
Friday, November 10, 2017
Veterans First at Port of Seattle and Tacoma
By Karen Robes Meeks
Veterans looking for work will get first crack at jobs offered in the Puget Sound.
The Northwest Seaport Alliance, the Port of Seattle and the Port of Tacoma are teaming up with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to participate in the Guardians of the Gateway Veterans Career Workshop.
Veterans can explore various jobs at the port and airport, from K-9, dive team, bomb disposal and marine patrol police teams to container terminal security officers.
Veterans can also hear from prospective employers about the application process, salaries and benefits, open positions and opportunities for career growth.
The free workshop will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. on November 15 in the Beijing Room at the Conference Center at Sea-Tac International Airport, 17801 International Blvd. in SeaTac, Washington.
To register, visit https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07eemwms8c019e90fc&oseq=&c=&ch
Veterans looking for work will get first crack at jobs offered in the Puget Sound.
The Northwest Seaport Alliance, the Port of Seattle and the Port of Tacoma are teaming up with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to participate in the Guardians of the Gateway Veterans Career Workshop.
Veterans can explore various jobs at the port and airport, from K-9, dive team, bomb disposal and marine patrol police teams to container terminal security officers.
Veterans can also hear from prospective employers about the application process, salaries and benefits, open positions and opportunities for career growth.
The free workshop will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. on November 15 in the Beijing Room at the Conference Center at Sea-Tac International Airport, 17801 International Blvd. in SeaTac, Washington.
To register, visit https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07eemwms8c019e90fc&oseq=&c=&ch
Tuesday, August 22, 2017
New CBP Director
By Karen Robes Meeks
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) formally instated its new port director for the Los Angeles/Long Beach and Port Hueneme Ports of Entry.
In a Change of Command ceremony at Fort MacArthur AFB Community Center in San Pedro, LaFonda D. Sutton-Burke takes over for Carlos C. Martel, Director of Field Operations in Los Angeles, who served as LA/LB Port Director from July 2011 to September 2016.
“LaFonda brings a wealth of management expertise and a unique skill set, she is an engaging person, a coalition builder and she truly is an advocate for our employees and our partners,” Martel said. “LaFonda is also an innovator she is always looking for new opportunities to meet the needs of today and the demands of tomorrow.”
Sutton-Burke, who started as a US Customers inspector in El Paso in 1993, was director of the Non-Intrusive Inspection Division at CBP Headquarters from 2012 to 2016.
Before that, she was director of the NII Division within the Office of Field Operations overseeing a $4.6 billion portfolio of all NII technology lifecycle functions consisting of over 40,000 pieces of X-ray and imaging equipment that provides critical interdiction and detection capabilities to over 320 ports of entry and 52,000 CBP officers and agents.
She has been serving in the current role since January 2017.
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) formally instated its new port director for the Los Angeles/Long Beach and Port Hueneme Ports of Entry.
In a Change of Command ceremony at Fort MacArthur AFB Community Center in San Pedro, LaFonda D. Sutton-Burke takes over for Carlos C. Martel, Director of Field Operations in Los Angeles, who served as LA/LB Port Director from July 2011 to September 2016.
“LaFonda brings a wealth of management expertise and a unique skill set, she is an engaging person, a coalition builder and she truly is an advocate for our employees and our partners,” Martel said. “LaFonda is also an innovator she is always looking for new opportunities to meet the needs of today and the demands of tomorrow.”
Sutton-Burke, who started as a US Customers inspector in El Paso in 1993, was director of the Non-Intrusive Inspection Division at CBP Headquarters from 2012 to 2016.
Before that, she was director of the NII Division within the Office of Field Operations overseeing a $4.6 billion portfolio of all NII technology lifecycle functions consisting of over 40,000 pieces of X-ray and imaging equipment that provides critical interdiction and detection capabilities to over 320 ports of entry and 52,000 CBP officers and agents.
She has been serving in the current role since January 2017.
Tuesday, June 20, 2017
Customs Offers Cross-Border Agreements
By Karen Robes Meeks
More than a dozen California and Washington-based businesses and agencies have been tentatively selected by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for new reimbursable service agreements designed to promote economic growth in cross-border trade throughout the nation, the CBP announced recently.
These agreements – made possible through Section 481 of the Homeland Security Act, 2002 – allow selected entities to reimburse CBP for expanded services such as customs, agricultural processing, border security services and support services at ports of entry.
Those tentatively selected for these partnerships include:
“With increasing demands placed on CBP operations across the nation, innovative solutions like the Reimbursable Services Program allow us to keep pace while ensuring the safety and security of the travelers and cargo arriving to the United States,” said Acting Commissioner Kevin McAleenan. “The selection of these new partners reinforces CBP’s commitment to supporting opportunities for economic advancement and increased service.”
More than a dozen California and Washington-based businesses and agencies have been tentatively selected by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for new reimbursable service agreements designed to promote economic growth in cross-border trade throughout the nation, the CBP announced recently.
These agreements – made possible through Section 481 of the Homeland Security Act, 2002 – allow selected entities to reimburse CBP for expanded services such as customs, agricultural processing, border security services and support services at ports of entry.
Those tentatively selected for these partnerships include:
- APM Terminal Los Angeles (Los Angeles, Calif.);
- California Cartage Company (Los Angeles, Calif.);
- California United Terminals, Inc. (Los Angeles, Calif.);
- Eagle Marine Services, Ltd (Los Angeles, Calif.);
- FCL Logistics, LTD (Los Angeles, Calif.);
- International Transportation Services, Inc. (Long Beach, Calif.);
- Long Beach Container Terminal LLC (Long Beach, Calif.);
- Port of Hueneme/Oxnard Harbor District (Hueneme, Calif.);
- Price Transfer, Inc. (Long Beach, Calif.);
- Price Transfer, Inc. (Los Angeles, Calif.);
- Total Terminals International, LLC (Long Beach, Calif.);
- Total Terminals International, LLC (Seattle, Wash.);
- TraPac, LLC (Los Angeles, Calif.);
- West Basin Container Terminal (Los Angeles, Calif.); and
- Yusen Terminal LLC (Los Angeles, Calif.)
“With increasing demands placed on CBP operations across the nation, innovative solutions like the Reimbursable Services Program allow us to keep pace while ensuring the safety and security of the travelers and cargo arriving to the United States,” said Acting Commissioner Kevin McAleenan. “The selection of these new partners reinforces CBP’s commitment to supporting opportunities for economic advancement and increased service.”
