IPR Center applauds DHS Secretary Award recipients

The National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center is acknowledging the release of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary’s Awards for 2019 that were presented during a special ceremony in Washington, D.C.

A Unity of Effort award was presented to a team comprised of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Department of Justice (DOJ) personnel for their exemplary teamwork and collaboration in the successful 10-year investigation combating illegal trade practices, resulting in a $62.5 million civil settlement penalty collection at the Court of International Trade.

The case involved Univar USA Inc. (Univar), a subsidiary of Univar Inc., of Downers Grove, Illinois. The company agreed to pay the United States $62.5 million to settle allegations under the customs penalty statute that it was grossly negligent or negligent when it imported 36 shipments of transshipped saccharin between 2007 and 2012. The saccharin was manufactured in China and transshipped through Taiwan to evade a 329 percent antidumping duty that applied to saccharin from China. The antidumping duty was a remedial measure in response to injury sustained by the domestic saccharin industry by reason of dumping of Chinese saccharin. The transshipment resulted in the evasion of approximately $36 million in antidumping duties.

The Secretary’s Awards honor the work, sacrifice, and professional excellence of employees from components across the entire Department of Homeland Security.  These colleagues have performed above and beyond the call of duty, responding in extraordinary ways to the challenges of protecting the homeland.  These individuals have displayed a special dedication to the mission of homeland security, setting a sterling example for all DHS employees who share their commitment to the Department and to the American people.