When enacted, the provision will enable brands to help CBP curb counterfeits before they enter American homes. HR 4930 clarifies CBP’s ability to share information with brands during intellectual property (IP) enforcement of American IP rights at the border, covering not only products and packaging but also packing materials linked to suspected counterfeit shipments.
AAFA has welcomed US Senate passage of the Customs Notification Act (H.R. 4930), saying it would strengthen CBP’s ability to share information with brands and stakeholders.
The measure covers products, packaging and packing materials linked to suspected counterfeit shipments during IP enforcement.
AAFA president and CEO Steve Lamar urged President Trump to sign it into law.
The measure also expands the definition of who qualifies as a “person” eligible to receive information from CBP. AAFA in a release said this would allow the agency to address longstanding challenges to IP enforcement by strengthening information shared with stakeholders and better supporting CBP’s efforts to identify and block counterfeits.
Steve Lamar, president and chief executive officer, AAFA, said: “Advancement of HR 4930 is a bipartisan victory for consumer protection, with Congress sending an important message at the peak of holiday shopping: counterfeits will not be tolerated nor allowed to enter the US. We urge President Trump to swiftly sign the Customs Notification Act into law to help protect our national security and consumers from these dangerous and deceptive products. Thank you to Congressional Champions, Senators Chuck Grassley and Maggie Hassan and Representatives Brad Schneider and Blake Moore, for their collective leadership and vision.”
H.R. 4930 is a companion bill to S. 2677, introduced by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley and Senator Maggie Hassan, added the release. The association added that the Counterfeit Notification Act reflects its ongoing commitment to reduce millions of counterfeit and pirated goods that enter the US illegally.
The organisation said it remains committed to strengthening IP enforcement and increasing awareness of the Digital Devalue Chain of Counterfeits and related risks to businesses, consumers, workers and the environment, while working closely with the International AntiCounterfeiting Coalition to advance broader anti-counterfeiting efforts.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
