Sentry Attends CBP’s International Trade Meeting for Q2-2016

June 9, 2016

Several members of Sentry BioPharma Services’ compliance team voluntarily attended the Q2-2016 international trade meeting hosted by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on Wednesday, June 8, 2016 at the Indianapolis International Airport (IND). James Moore presently serves as Port Director for Indianapolis, Indiana and opened the meeting by welcoming guests and reviewing the agenda.

The three main topics were discussed during the event:

H.R. Bill 644 was passed by the 114th Congress on February 24, 2016. Section 101 of the bill states, “This bill directs the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to ensure that CBP partnership programs, such as the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism, provide trade benefits to importers, exporters, and certain other private sector entities that meet program requirements.”

Port Director Moore reinforced the CBP’s position by saying, the CBP port in Indianapolis, Indianapolis will make every effort to protect your brand and run as smoothly as possible.

Director Moore commented, “The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) enforces Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), most visibly by seizing products that infringe IPR such as trade­marks, copyrights, and patents. The theft of intel­lectual property and trade in fake goods threaten America’s economic vitality and national security, and the American people’s health and safety. Trade in these illicit goods funds criminal activities and orga­nized crime.

To protect both private industry and consumers, CBP has made IPR enforcement a priority trade issue. CBP has developed a multi-layered, strategic approach to IPR enforcement. In addition to seizing goods at U.S. borders, the strategy includes expanding the border through post-import audits of companies that have been caught bringing fake goods into the United States, collaboration with our trading part­ners, and partnering with industry and other federal agencies to enhance these efforts. CBP also issues civil fines and, where appropriate, refers cases to other law enforcement agencies for criminal investigation.

CBP uses technology to increase interdiction of fake goods, facilitate partnerships with industry, and enhance enforcement efforts through the sharing of information and intelligence. CBP is refining its risk modeling technology to more accurately identify sus­pected shipments of counterfeit and pirated goods for inspection.

Rights holders can use our web-based tool, e-Recordation, to record their trademarks and copyrights with CBP. Recordation makes information on protected rights available to CBP offices through­out the United States.

Our online trade violation reporting system, e-Allegations, makes it easier for the private sector to notify CBP of possible IPR violations and other trade violations.

In IPR audits, an innovative enforcement practice, CBP audits the business records of companies at high risk for importing counterfeits, issues penalties for infringing goods uncovered in the audits, and works with companies to improve their internal controls.

CBP is a partner at the interagency National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center). The IPR Center is designed to leverage the resources and authorities of partner agencies for criminal enforcement of IPR.”

Learn more about Customs and Border Protection and the Indianapolis port at https://www.cbp.gov/contact/ports/indianapolis.

For more information about how Sentry’s Foreign Trade Zone can help you optimize your medical and pharmaceutical import process, contact Sentry via email or by phone at 1-866-757-7400.