On Friday, President Trump signed a new presidential order which is set to tackle counterfeit, trafficking and avoidance of custom duties, taxes and fees through e-commerce sales.
The presidential order signed last Friday (31 January), sets out that the United States Government must protect consumers, intellectual property rights holders, businesses, and workers from counterfeit goods, narcotics (including synthetic opioids such as fentanyl), and other contraband now being introduced into the United States as a result of the recent growth in e-commerce. The United States Government must also protect the revenue of the United States from individuals and entities who evade customs duties, taxes, and fees.
Having created the ‘Importer of Record Programme’ the Secretary of Homeland Security will be issuing rules and criteria that must be met, aimed at Express Consignment Operators, Carriers, Hub Facilities, and Licensed Customs Brokers. Homeland Security has to be informed of any consignments that do not meet these criteria.
United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer issued the following statement on the President’s Executive Order on protecting consumers, intellectual property rights holders, businesses, and workers from counterfeit goods: “The trafficking of counterfeit and pirated goods is a scourge that causes significant harm to our workers, consumers, intellectual property owners, and economy. Under President Trump’s leadership, the federal government and industry partners are working together to combat illicit trade. In addition, President Trump has ensured that intellectual property protection and enforcement against pirated and counterfeit goods are a priority in America’s trade relationships. For example, the USMCA sets the highest standards of any U.S. trade agreement for strong, effective protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights. Similarly, the U.S.-China Phase One agreement includes strong intellectual property protections and effective action against pirated and counterfeit goods.
“The Trump Administration is continuing to show strong leadership in stopping those who steal American intellectual property and seek to profit off of counterfeit products. I commend Acting Secretary Wolf and his staff at the Department of Homeland Security for their important report that highlights the extent of this problem and sets forth an action plan to address it.”
Read the full order here.
