Trade News Snapshot - Volume 6, Issue 1

Contents

• EAC's Message
• I. Office of Trade Activity
  • CBP determines redesigned version of Apple Watches does not infringe asserted patent claims
  • CBP enhances transparency and guidance on forced labor with new and updated online resources
• II. Outreach
  • CBP’s Section 321 e-commerce initiative gains momentum
  • CBP participates in EU’s landmark effort to combat forced labor
  • DEAC Leonard advocates for trade modernization
• III. News You Can Use
  • Article 1: Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas meets with the National Council of Textile Organizations
  • Article 2: Eric Choy testifies on Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act enforcement at House Committee
  • Article 3: Office of Trade commends British Columbia’s adoption of critical mineral strategy
  • Article 4: Louisville CBP intercepts $9.5 million in counterfeit jewelry in one night
  • Article 5: CBP seizes $700K worth of counterfeit luxury jewelry in one consignment sent to Puerto Rico
  • Article 6: Drug producing devices intercepted by Chicago CBP
  • Article 7: Laredo CBP agriculture specialists intercept 21 ticks in trophy whitetail deer hides
• Trade Statistics
  • Monthly Trade Statistics

I. Office of Trade Activity

CBP determines redesigned version of Apple Watches does not infringe asserted patent claims

On October 26, 2023, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) issued a limited exclusion order prohibiting certain Apple Watches that infringe the asserted patents from entering the United States. CBP is responsible for enforcement of ITC exclusion orders. In administering that responsibility, CBP has determined that a redesigned version of the Apple Watches does not infringe any of the asserted patent claims in question. As of January 12, 2024, the redesigned versions ruled upon by CBP will be permitted to enter the United States.    

CBP enhances transparency and guidance on forced labor with new and updated online resources

• Watch the new video outlining how to submit an allegation for forced labor, including where to submit and what to include in the allegation.

• See the new updates to the FAQs webpage for Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) enforcement
• Explore the UFLPA Attachment to the Notice of Detention for insightful examples and recommended practices to support importers with UFLPA supply chain documentation. 

II. Outreach

CBP’s Section 321 e-commerce initiative gains momentum

On January 15, Office of Trade Deputy Assistant Commissioner (DEAC) John Leonard delivered remarks at the National Retail Federation International Trade Advisory Committee and Strategic Supply Chain Council Meeting in New York City. CBP leveraged this opportunity to solicit industry support for CBP’s Section 321 e-commerce data pilot and for the Global Business Identifier initiative. These voluntary programs enable trade industry partners to submit import information that improves CBP’s ability to target shipments that are at high risk of violating U.S. trade laws and regulations.

CBP participates in EU’s landmark effort to combat forced labor

On January 22, Office of Trade Executive Director of Trade Remedy and Law Enforcement Eric Choy engaged in a virtual panel focused on addressing forced labor and prohibiting products that violate human rights and fair competition standards in the European Union (EU). The dialogue, orchestrated by the German Institute of Human Rights and the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions, is part of the EU’s effort to finalize negotiations on a proposal aimed at prohibiting forced labor. As the EU Commission and Parliament finalize their positions, CBP will provide an overview of its forced labor enforcement efforts and address member state questions regarding the implementation of these prohibitions.

DEAC Leonard advocates for trade modernization

On January 31, DEAC Leonard engaged with the New York-New Jersey Freight Forwarders and Brokers Association in New York City. His talk focused on the importance of educating trade stakeholders about broker modernization, discussed the 21st Century Customs Framework, and highlighted the top trade facilitation and enforcement priorities for CBP.

III. News You Can Use

• Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas meets with the National Council of Textile Organizations
  • Secretary Mayorkas met with the National Council of Textile Organizations to address unfair market practices harming the textile industry, committing DHS resources to enhance enforcement and protect American businesses. 
• Eric Choy testifies on UFLPA enforcement at House Committee 
  • On January 11, Eric Choy, Office of Trade Executive Director, Trade Remedy and Law Enforcement, testified about CBP’s enforcement of the UFLPA at a House Committee on Homeland Security Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability Hearing. DHS Assistant Secretary Christa Brzozowski and U.S. Department of Labor Deputy Under Secretary Thea Lee served as the other government witnesses. The Subcommittee responded positively to the hearing; Chairman Dan Bishop concluded by thanking the “exceptional panel of witnesses” for their preparedness.  
• Office of Trade commends British Columbia’s adoption of critical mineral strategy
  • Vincent Annunziato, Director of the Business Transformation and Innovation Division at CBP, commends the government of British Columbia for adopting a critical mineral strategy. He states, “by adopting this Energy and Mines Digital Trust technology in the mining sector, the Government of British Columbia is facilitating greater collaboration and transparency at the very beginning of the supply chain – the extraction of raw materials.” 
• Louisville CBP intercepts $9.5 million in counterfeit jewelry in one night
• CBP seizes $700K worth of counterfeit luxury jewelry in one consignment sent to Puerto Rico 
• Drug producing devices intercepted by Chicago CBP
• Laredo CBP agriculture specialists intercept 21 ticks in trophy whitetail deer hides

Trade Statistics

Monthly Trade Statistics

In December 2023, CBP processed more than 2.6 million entry summaries valued at more than $260 billion, identifying estimated duties of nearly $6.3 billion to be collected by the U.S. government. Trade via the ocean environment accounted for more than 41 percent of the total import value, followed by air, truck, and rail. CBP stopped 450 entries valued at more than $187 million for further examination based on the suspected use of forced labor, and which may be subject to a Withhold Release Order, forced labor Finding, or the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act’s rebuttable presumption prohibiting importation into the United States. In December, CBP seized close to 1,300 shipments that contained counterfeit goods valued at more than $86.2 million.