The Justice Department has issued a fact sheet containing a "snapshot" of over 100 of its major export and embargo-related criminal prosecutions since January 2007.
In Presitex USA Inc., v. U.S., the Court of International Trade granted a motion to dismiss a case involving apparel imported from Nicaragua during a period when the U.S.-Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act, Trade and Development Act of 2000 (CBTPA) was in effect. The CIT ruled that the Court lacked jurisdiction over Presitex's 19 USC 1520(d) claim and refused to exercise jurisdiction over Presitex's 19 USC 4034 claim which was still under review by Customs.
The Center for Environmental Health has notified four retailers, Saks Fifth Avenue, Justice, Catherines, and Aeropostale that independent lab testing has found significant levels of cadmium in jewelry purchased from their stores in December and January. Similar recent reports suggest that, in response to the new federal law limiting lead in children's products, jewelry makers may be using cadmium instead of lead. (Press release, dated 02/02/10, available at http://www.ceh.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=428&Itemid=166)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a CSMS message stating that it will deploy the CUSRES (Customs Response Message) pending Importer Security Filing transaction set on February 24, 2010. Testing in the Certification environment for this change will begin on February 14, 20101.
Fearing harm to South Dakota’s rural telecoms, a state legislator there is pushing a bill to bar rural local exchange carriers and free calling-service and conference- call service operators from splitting fees. The phenomenon, sometimes referred to as “traffic pumping,” depends on FCC- mandated rural phone rates and is a legal example of revenue sharing seen across the telecom spectrum, proponents said. The would-be ban in Bill 1097 was approved Thursday on a 7-6 vote by the State Affairs Committee of the South Dakota House. Full House consideration is set for Tuesday, said Rep. Deb Peters (R-Minnehaha), the measure’s sponsor. If the House approves the bill, its next stop likely will be the Senate State Affairs committee, Peters predicted.
In U.S. v. Tip Top Pants, Inc. and Saad Nigri, the Court of International Trade dismissed for lack of evidence any claims against Mr. Nigri, in his personal capacity as a corporate officer of a two-person firm, for 19 USC 1592 negligence involving a single entry of apparel that Tip Top imported and claimed NAFTA benefits for.
The International Trade Commission has instituted a section 337 patent-based investigation of certain liquid crystal display modules and products containing the same, and methods for making the same pursuant to a complaint.
The Federal Trade Commission has sent letters to 78 retailers nationwide warning them that they may be breaking the law by selling clothing and other textile products that are labeled and advertised as "bamboo," but are actually made of manufactured rayon fiber that is derived from bamboo.
The Federal Maritime Commission has issued a notice announcing that it will hold an open meeting on February 10, 2010 in Washington, DC.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a CSMS message announcing that it is scheduled to deploy ACE Entry Summary, Accounts and Revenue (ESAR) III capabilities (also referred to as ESAR A2.3.1a) on February 7, 2010.