CBP increases enforcement of China safeguard rules

CBP increases enforcement of China safeguard rules    U.S. Customs and Border Protection is continuing to increase its enforcement of Chinese safeguard and quota requirements for imported textiles.
   The augmented crackdown has flagged importers presenting CBP with invoice misdescriptions, incorrect classifications, and transshipments.
   CBP said it seized $6 million in textile products between Feb. 24 and March 22, bringing the total amount of textile goods seized in fiscal year 2006 to more than $20 million.
   In addition to seizure notices, importers may also be receiving notices of redelivery from CBP to certain entries of apparel items, according to attorney George R. Tuttle. These notices are being issued with a request that the importer redeliver or return the merchandise within 30 days.
   If an importer is not able to redeliver the merchandise, CBP will issue 'liquidated damages' which, for textiles, can be as high as three times the Freight On Board value of the shipment. It is possible to file petitions to mitigate the amount of the liquidated damages.