PGA Updates on Aphis Core, FWS, CPSC and More

Mindi Li, MegaBrokers, CBFANC Agency Committee

 
FWS Contact Info
All import and export questions pertaining to USFWS requirements, entry inquires and escalation to be sent to group email: fwsole_sfo@fws.gov which can be viewed by any of the inspector in the FWS SFO office. Tel#650-876-9078, Fax#650-876-9701. Office hours 7:30am -4:30pm Information website: https://www.fws.gov/le/
 
CBP-FDA One Refusal Initiative Webinar
We had a great turn out of this webinar on 3/23 with very special and high-ranking personnel from both FDA and CBP:
Dan Solis, FDA Assistant Commissioner for Import Operation (FDA)
Lawton Lum, Acting Program Division Director, Division of West Cost Import (FDA)
Gordon Chu, Director of Investigation Branch, Division of West Coast Import (FDA)
Fred Gassert, Program Manager Trade, San Francisco-Portland Field Office (CBP)
Rolando Jocson, Entry Branch Chief, Apparel, Footwear & Textile CEE (CBP)
Kelvin Alexander, Watch Commander, Trade Operations (CBP)
Highlights
***FDA Office of Enforcement and Import Operations (OEIO), headed by Dan Solis holds bi-weekly meeting with CBP leaderships at the headquarter level with the same mission to address public health safety concerns as well as new things pertaining to imports. 
***CBP-FDA Once Refusal Initiative, is the internal pilot initiative between the two agencies to streamline the different processes and develop consistency in the way CBP and FDA communicate with importers and brokers about refused products.   Joint Refusal Notice is signed by FDA Compliance Officer and CBP Port Director.   This is no change to importers, brokers to respond to the 4647.
***FSVP Compliance, full enforcement phase started in mid-2020, audit result found +50% did not meet the required FSVP plan; 30 warning letters issued within the division due to significant violations which may lead to further actions and put on import alerts.
-Foreign supplier Hazard plan is not considered the FSVP plan.
-Importer should have a FSVP plan that includes: process evaluation, evaluation of possible hazard, hazard control, and implementation of corrected action plan.
-Timely response to form 483 is crucial.