CBP Textile Seizures Increase, Tougher Enforcement Ahead

The agency explains that during January, CBP targeted shipments at the Buffalo Port of Entry and found significant violations that included inaccurate marking, merchandise misclassification to avoid visa and quota restrictions, new clothing presented as used or worn and a number of Intellect Property Rights violations.

The two-week operation at Buffalo is not the end of seizures, only the beginning. In February, CBP seized $4 million in illegal textiles destined for the U.S. “The wool, cotton and polyester will not be pulled over our eyes,” says CBP’s acting director, Deborah J. Spero. “Import and international trade specialists, laboratory and data analysts, auditors and attorneys are concentrating their efforts on enforcing our textile laws and are continuing to seize illegal goods.”