| Half Day C-TPAT Webinar
September 26
featuring Kelby Woodard and Michael Laden. Whether you are just considering C-TPAT, in the process of building a program or up for Validation or Re-Validation this event makes the perfect informational refresher. |
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Greetings!
It's hard to believe that it's already August and soon one of the hottest summer's on record in the U.S. will be winding down. The heat must have had an effect on Washington too because trade news from the capital has slowed. However, this month's newsletter has another important article on Importer Identity Theft and other important updates we hope you enjoy.
The Trade Innovations team is committed to providing timely, accurate, and unique approaches to customs and supply chain security compliance. With the growing complexity of trade compliance rules and regulations in which companies engaged in global trade must be aware, we are passionate in our efforts to keep the trade community informed. It is in that spirit that we offer this newsletter to you. The Trade Update is published on the first Wednesday of every month.
The Trade Innovations team stands ready to assist you and your team with you customs and supply chain security programs. The Principals of Trade Innovations provide a broad background in customs and global security and we are confident that our approach will fit your unique challenges and opportunities.
We can be reached via e-mail at info@tradeinnovations.com or at 952.975.9099.
Best Regards,
The Trade Innovations Team
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Trade News BriefsRelevant News for Trade Professionals
COAC to meet in Seattle
The Commercial Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) will be meeting in Seattle, WA on August 15, 2012. This Blue Ribbon committee will take up several matters that are very important to the trade community at large. The meeting will be held at the Jackson Federal Building, 915 2nd Avenue, Seattle, WA 98174, in the South Auditorium on the 4th Floor. The meeting is open to the public but advanced registration is required. This meeting will not be broadcast via the web.
Among the items on the agenda are:* The Land Border Security Subcommittee: Updates and observations on the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) Program Internet survey and the National Strategy for Global Supply Chain Security to include CBP Trusted Trader programs and Beyond the Border initiatives. (more follows) To read the entries article or for a copy of the Federal Register Notice announcing this event please follow this link: COAC to meet in Seattle
CBP Announces East Coast Trade Symposium
U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) recently announced that they will be holding an East Coast Trade Symposium on September 27th and 28th. This event will take place in the Washington D.C. metro area, but the exact venue has not been announced. Past events have been held at the Ronald Reagan Building, the J.W. Marriott and the Washington Convention Center.
Registration for the symposium is not currently open, but companies will be strictly limited to a total of three (3) participants to this very popular trade event. The event will also be broadcast live by webinar.
Import Fraud Totals $100 Million  The U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) jointly announced that criminal complaints have been filed against eight (8) individuals and three (3) corporations for illegally importing goods and evading duties and taxes. Adding insult to injury, one of the defendants in this case is the President of the San Diego Customs Brokers Association and is a licensed (not for long) customs broker.
According to the complaint, the defendants' scheme focused on purchasing large, commercial quantities of foreign-made goods and importing them without paying import taxes or A Customs duties. As alleged in the charging documents, wholesalers in the United States would procure commercial shipments of, among other things, Chinese-made apparel and Indian-made cigarettes, and arrange for them to be shipped by ocean container to the Port of Long Beach, California. Before the goods entered the United States, the defendants generated paperwork and database entries indicating that the goods were not intended to enter the commerce of the United States, but instead would be transshipped "in-bond" to another country, such as Mexico. (more follows) |
Importer Identity Theft Redux
By Michael Laden
 My article last month titled Importer Identity Theft: A Real Problem was so popular among our readership that I have elected to revisit the topic again this month. In last month's article I talked about how easy it is for persons with a nefarious intent to literally steal an importer's identity and to create all kinds of havoc for the legitimate company. I also shared a few tips on how importers can protect themselves from this type of criminal activity.
This month, importer identity theft takes on a whole new darker look and feel that not only involves the criminal element; but also includes an internal conspiracy at U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP). I was recently made aware of a case where a bad actor within the hallowed halls of customs was selling or providing critical importer information to external sources for the sole purpose of stealing that importer's identity. The scheme was so sophisticated that the individual inside at customs would search for active importers with "like product" to the criminals so the fraudulent consignments would have a better chance of going undetected. In this particular instance it took the legitimate importer months of painful wrangling with CBP and attorneys to untangle and sort out the mess; it also cost thousands in fees and lost productivity.
So, as I've already mentioned my last article discussed what importers can and should do to protect their valuable names and reputation from abuse by thieves. The customs brokers and surety companies also have a role in this; however, it is my humble opinion that CBP should shoulder the brunt the responsibility for detection and prevention of importer identity fraud.
Just like in cases of personal identity theft, the victim is this case is the legitimate importer or consumer. The customs broker or surety is similar to the merchant in this transaction, and CBP plays the role of the bank or credit institution. It is the bank that triggers the fraud alarm to the victim and acts immediately to shut down the suspicious activity. It is impossible for a customs broker, or surety company for that matter, to see such suspicious activity. (more follows)
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We strive to keep the articles and commentary in our newsletter relevant and brief to accommodate your busy schedule. Please feel free to share it with your colleagues by clicking on the "Forward to a Friend" icon found at the bottom of this page. We appreciate your feedback and we are available at your convenience to discuss the impact the ideas discussed may have on your company.
Sincerely,
The Trade Innovations Team
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