CHINA BUSINESS SCAMS - PROTECT YOUR BUSINESS!

Unsolicited buyer requests from China are on the rise. In many cases these inquiries come from dubious and even fraudulent entities. Here are just a few of the signs that the inquiry you received may be fraudulent:

• The company contacted you, unsolicited, via the web
• The company has "Import - Export" in their name
• The company wants to purchase an unusually large volume of goods
• The company insists that your senior executive travel to China to sign the contract
• The company requests money prior to signing the contract to pay for a reception or as part of contract administrative fees
• The company has been in business for less than one year and/or have very young management
• The company can provide no verifiable references

If your firm receives a questionable inquiry, or wants to identify qualified buyers in China, contact an International Trade Specialist at the Silicon Valley U.S. Export Assistance Center: www.buyusa.gov/siliconvalley/ts.html

PROTECT YOUR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY - STOP FAKES.GOV 

Mandatory filing of export information via the Automated Export System (AES)

After September 30, 2008, exporters that submit paper SEDs will be in violation of the FTR and subject to penalties. Your export information must be filed electronically through the AES. In addition, all exporters must adhere to the new filing timeframes determined by the mode of transportation. These new regulations have tougher penalty provisions that will affect all parties involved in the export process. It is important that you understand these new requirements so that you avoid costly penalties. A number of workshops are being provided to assist you in better understanding the new requirements.

 Census Bureau: Scheduled AES Compliance Seminars and Workshops: http://www.export.gov/logistics/aes/aes_seminars_workshops.asp
 
 National Customers Brokers & Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA): AES Compliance Seminar: http://www.export.gov/logistics/aes/aes_NCBFAA_seminar.asp
 

If you have any questions with regards to the new regulations or the AES, please contact the Census Bureau's Foreign Trade Division at 800-549-0595. Select option 1 to reach the Automated Export Branch for technical issues or option 3 to reach the Regulations, Outreach and Education Branch for regulatory concerns. The entire FTR along with other information, including a list of frequently asked questions, can also be found on the Census Bureau’s website

WARNING TO EXPORTERS to Singapore!

U.S. Exports Facilitated by Fraudulent Credit Card Transactions are on the Rise.  If you receive a credit card order from Singapore, check its legitimacy before you ship.

The U.S. Commercial Service, American Embassy Singapore, has received multiple complaints from U.S. merchants reporting fraudulent credit card transactions committed by companies/individuals purporting to be in Singapore. The initial investigation of the fraudulent transactions has revealed that the shipments are actually being sent to freight forwarders in Singapore and diverted to unknown consignees in neighboring countries.

See Here for more information on credit card fraud and how to protect yourself.

FREE ABA IPR Consultations

The ABA Section of International Law is working with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Coalition Against Counterfeiting and Piracy on an International Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Advisory Program that allows American small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) to receive a free, one-hour consultation with an experienced volunteer attorney regarding the protection of its intellectual property rights (IPR) in Brazil, Russia, India, China, Egypt, or Thailand. The program will assist SMEs to protect their trademarks and other intellectual property and to advise them on what to do with the concrete problems that have arisen.

Click here for instructions on contacting an IPR legal specialist.