Washington Newsline | Gemini Shippers

Jun 22

0

FASA/Gemini Urges Department of Homeland Security to Abandon 100% Scanning

By Ken Obrien | Washington Newsline | No Comments

On June 20, FASA/Gemini joined over 100 business organizations in sending a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DEH) Secretary Jeh Johnson urging DHS to abandon efforts to find a way to meet Congress’ 100% scanning mandate and instead explain to Congress the strong risk-based targeting system DHS has put in place and request that Congress rescind the 100% scanning mandate.

Jun 22

0

GSP Fashion Accessories Decision Expected Soon

By Ken Obrien | Washington Newsline | No Comments

FASA/Gemini has been closely tracking the process to add 28 categories of fashion accessories to the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program. FASA/Gemini expects a decision to come before the end of the month and are hopeful that such a designation will add all 28 categories as eligible to be imported duty free from all GSP countries. While we believe the record points conclusively to this hope, we will not know for sure until the designation is announced. The President has the discretion to allow the decision to enter into force at any date. While the January Federal Register notice on the process indicated that the effective date would be July 1, 2016, President Obama has the authority to designate future dates or even delay the decision. FASA/Gemini is strongly urging the U.S. government to issue its decision effective July 1. Moreover, on June 17, nine bipartisan House members sent a letter expressing their hope that the President would designate all products for all countries, effective July 1. A number of other Members of Congress and staff have also been echoing these points in emails, phone calls, and meetings with U.S. government officials. We will continue to track this closely and report back as events merit.

May 17

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FASA Urges Congress to Maintain Current Trucker Hours of Service (HOS) Provision

By Ken Obrien | Washington Newsline | No Comments

In anticipation of Senate floor action this week on S. 2844, the FY 2017 T-HUD (Transportation (DOT), Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and Related Agencies) appropriations bill, FASA joined a coalition of business groups in sending a May 10 letter urging Senate appropriators include language in the FY 2017 T-HUD appropriations bill to retain the current 34-hour restart for truckers.

May 17

0

Senate Approves FASA-Supported MTB Reform Legislation, Obama Expected to Sign into Law Shortly

By Ken Obrien | Washington Newsline | No Comments

On May 10, the Senate unanimously approved FASA-supported legislation to create a process for considering bills that would temporarily reduce or eliminate duties (up to $500,000) on products that are no longer made in the U.S. The legislation (H.R. 4923) would create a process for Congress to consider Miscellaneous Tariff Bills (MTBs) – legislation through which companies have reduced duties on a variety of certain fashion items over the years. President Barack Obama is expected to sign the legislation into law shortly.

May 02

0

China/Coast Guard Issue Guidance on New SOLAS Container Weight Rule

By Ken Obrien | Washington Newsline | No Comments

On April 28, the U.S. Coast Guard issued its long-awaited guidance on the new SOLAS Verified Gross Mass (VGM) container weight rule, which will go into effect on July 1, 2016. In its guidance, the Coast Guard essentially said it had no role in establishing guidance or best practices for implementing the new rule. Instead, it ceded all responsibility for implementing the new rule to the carriers, the shippers, and the ports. In March, in lieu of guidance from the U.S. government, the Ocean Carrier Equipment Management Association (OCEMA), an association of 18 major ocean carriers, released its Recommended Best Practice for Acceptance and Transmission of Verified Gross Mass (VGM). The document confirms that if a Verified Gross Mass (VGM) for a container is not provided by the time of loading, the container will not be loaded by an OCEMA member carrier. The new SOLAS container weight rule requires that, “as a condition for loading a packed container onto a ship for export, that the container has a verified weight. The shipper is responsible for the verification of the packed container’s weight. Meanwhile, last week, China announced its guidance for complying with the new rule for containers leaving Chinese ports. FASA/Gemini will continue to work to bring clarity to, and keep members apprised on, this important issue.

May 02

0

House Approves FASA/Gemini-Supported MTB Reform Legislation, Senate Vote Expected Shortly

By Ken Obrien | Washington Newsline | No Comments

On April 27, the U.S. House of Representatives approved FASA/Gemini-supported legislation to create a process for considering bills that would temporarily reduce or eliminate duties (up to $500,000) on products that are no longer made in the U.S. The legislation (H.R. 4923) would create a process for Congress to consider Miscellaneous Tariff Bills (MTBs) – legislation through which FASA/Gemini members have successfully reduced duties on a variety of fashion accessories and footwear over the years. The Senate is expected to vote on the measure shortly after it returns from recess on May 9.

May 02

0

Report: Counterfeiting Now Half Trillion Dollar Global Industry

By Ken Obrien | Washington Newsline | No Comments

Last month, the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the European Union’s Intellectual Property Office released an updated report showing that imports of counterfeit and pirated goods globally hit $461 billion in 2013. This represents more than 2.5 percent of total global imports, an increase from a 2008 report that attributed counterfeits to only 1.9 percent of total imports. Counterfeit fashion accessories, footwear, and apparel were among the top most seized items during the period 2011 – 2013.

May 02

0

CPSC Announces Voluntary Recall of Women’s Scarves Due to Violation of Flammability Standard

By Ken Obrien | Washington Newsline | No Comments

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On April 21, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the voluntary recall of SouvNear women’s silk scarves. The recalled product was manufactured in India, imported by SouvNear Inc., and was sold at Averroes International stores and online at amazon.com and souvnear.com from October 2014 through March 2016. The scarves do not meet the federal flammability standard for clothing and textiles, posing a burn risk. No incidents or injuries have been reported. FASA/Gemini maintains a list of all apparel or footwear related recalls since 1975

May 02

0

New California Prop 65 Notices

By Ken Obrien | Washington Newsline | No Comments

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Professional California Proposition 65 litigants Consumer Advocacy Group, Anthony Ferreiro, and Ema Bell issued new “60-day” notices in the past few weeks alleging that brands and retailers sold Footwear (Notice 1, Notice 2, Notice 3, Notice 4, Notice 5), Gloves (Notice 1, Notice 2, Notice 3), Clothing (Notice 1), Handbags (Notice 1, Notice 2), and Rainwear (Notice 1) in California that contained di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), diisononyl phthalate (DINP), and/or lead in violation of a California law known as Proposition 65 (Prop 65). The notices serve as intent to bring lawsuits against the recipients alleging that the products sold in California contain certain chemicals in violation of Prop 65. Prop 65 requires “warning labels” on ALL products (not just children’s products) sold in California that contain lead, phthalates, cadmium, and any one of 850 other chemicals that the State of California believes could cause cancer or reproductive toxicity. Prop 65 allows so-called “citizen enforcers” to enforce the law. NGOs, other groups, and even private Californian citizens can sue in California courts and collect part of the fines. Find these notices along with every fashion and fashion-accessory related notice for the past six years in the FASA/Gemini Prop 65 “60-Day Notice” running list.

Apr 20

0

Customs Announces More Than $1 Billion in Counterfeit Seizures

By Ken Obrien | Washington Newsline | No Comments

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Last week, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced it had seized more than $1.3 billion in counterfeit articles during the fiscal year (FY) that ended September 30, 2015. Last year’s figures represented seizures of more than 28,800 shipments, a 37 percent increase over FY 2014. Clothing, footwear, watches/jewelry, and fashion accessories represented 22 percent, 10 percent, 10 percent, and seven percent, respectively, of all FY 2015 seizures. As in previous years, China and Hong Kong accounted for the vast majority – 83 percent of shipments and 87 percent of value – of seizures.

Category Archives: Washington Newsline

FASA/Gemini Urges Department of Homeland Security to Abandon 100% Scanning

GSP Fashion Accessories Decision Expected Soon

FASA Urges Congress to Maintain Current Trucker Hours of Service (HOS) Provision

Senate Approves FASA-Supported MTB Reform Legislation, Obama Expected to Sign into Law Shortly

China/Coast Guard Issue Guidance on New SOLAS Container Weight Rule

House Approves FASA/Gemini-Supported MTB Reform Legislation, Senate Vote Expected Shortly

Report: Counterfeiting Now Half Trillion Dollar Global Industry

CPSC Announces Voluntary Recall of Women’s Scarves Due to Violation of Flammability Standard

New California Prop 65 Notices

Customs Announces More Than $1 Billion in Counterfeit Seizures

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