CBP in Norfolk, Va. Intercepts Smuggled Socks Worth More than $1.5 Million
Norfolk, Va. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Norfolk, Va. port of entry made a significant seizure of socks that had been smuggled into the U.S. over several months and had false country of origin markings.
CBP officers and import specialists discovered the socks in six overseas shipping containers. The shipments arrived during a period from May to November. More than 2,900 cartons seized had a domestic value of more than $1.5 million.
CBP was able to determine that socks manufactured in China had been commingled with socks produced in Ghana. Many of the Chinese-origin socks were declared to CBP not only as products of Ghana, but as eligible for duty-free treatment under the African Growth and Opportunity Act, legislation designed to provide trade benefits to eligible sub-Saharan African nations. (More information: ( African Growth and Opportunity Act ) .)
Working with other federal agencies and the government of Ghana, CBP was able to determine that Chinese socks were imported into Ghana for subsequent exportation to the United States. Strong enforcement provisions within the Africa growth act legislation, including the requirement of an effective visa system by beneficiary countries, and close cooperation with Ghana Customs authorities contributed to the enforcement actions taken by CBP.
The incorrect origin claims appear to have been made in an attempt to circumvent a Memorandum of Understanding between the governments of the United States and the People’s Republic of China that sets import levels for certain textile products. A directive to the Commissioner of CBP from the Chairman of the Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements mandates that CBP implement such levels. ( More information: ( China Textile MOU ) .)
"CBP's primary responsibility is preventing terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering the country, while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel,” said Mark J. Laria, CBP’s area port director. “This is a case of illegitimate trade that provides an unfair advantage over those obeying import laws."
CBP maintains a robust trade enforcement program to ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing all imports. Many different schemes are used to evade duty or quotas on imported textile and apparel goods. Some of these are circumvention of quotas by illegal transshipment (changing the country of origin of the goods), providing false documents, using false labels or providing incorrect descriptions of the merchandise.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of the nation’s borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws. ___________________________________________
Alright, so are you surprised to hear that CHINA is involved in this, too?
What the hell is going on with China anyway? Toys, pajamas, toothpaste, now SOCKS?
Maybe it is time to re-think very carefully about just WHERE we are
OUTSOURCING our businesses.
Especially when China executes the former head of its food and drug agency. WHAT does that tell us?
It used to be embarrassing to have something in your home that said “made in China” on it – you know, “low quality.”
Unless it actually was “china.” Now, I look at tableware that says “made in China” on it and I’m afraid to cook with it. No
one has said don’t use cookware yet. But if there is lead paint in toys, is there lead paint in my pie plate?
So what do you think about all of this?
We’re supposed to be looking out for terrorist attacks and we’re fooling around with SOCKS?
What do you think about China, the recalls and even outsourcing in general?
I can tell you, I’m a little bit “unglued” about ALL of it!
P.S.
Please don’t send me to India to speak with someone, who I can barely understand, named “Bob,” who really has the
name "Chiranjeet."
Yeah, that really happened.
He was “Bob” when he was “helping” me. Then he asked if I would send an email to customer service stating he was of
“great service.” First he had to email me a link. The link comes and lo and behold, there is his real name. “Chiranjeet.”
Go figure.