Please share this with your friends and relatives.

Please be informed of the recent travel advisory to the United States . I thank Tarde for this piece of information. However, not only pirated VCDs/DVDs are on the hot list. Customs officials are also looking into fake bags like Louis Vuitton, Coach, etc. Please be informed that the American Association of Publishers (AAP) has also alerted the American customs officers to check out for pirated books. This information;was given to me by Patricia Judd of the AAP. Please warn all nursing graduates who plan to take the NCLEX and CGF exams in the States not to bring in these pirated books because there will be a penalty of automatic deportation as violation of intellectual property rights. If you know anyone going from the Philippines and coming back to the USA , with 'pasalubongs' and 'padalas,' please read this important enclosed advisory from the American Embassy in Manila . Please share with your friends. Just a friendly reminder: if you have plans of going to the U.S. , please take precautionary measures on all 'padalas,' especially those containing fake/pirated compact discs/DVDs. US Embassy employees have been given an advisory that as US Gov't employees, we should abide by the U.S.laws, including Intellectual Property Rights (anti-piracy) laws. As an additional incentive, the Consular Section recently received a report that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) searched the bag of a Filipino entering the U.S. on NW 72 in Detroit . During the search, 70-80 compact discs, 30-40 empty DVD jackets and 10-20 DVDs were found. Since the travelers were not American citizens, their visas were canceled and they returned to the Philippines . If they had been Americans, they could have been subject to br & gt arrest and criminal prosecution in addition to civil fines and penalties. Please remember even ONE pirated item can jeopardize your trip. Also, the fingerprinting system has successfully been instituted in all port of entries. I suggest you bring extra identification cards in addition to your passport to facilitate your entry in the US Immigration. I hope this is helpful to you.


Thanks and regards

U.S. Commercial Service American Embassy Manila Tel: +632-888-4088 ext.
5830

Fax: +632-888-6606 Public Information Project of:PIDCI Action Team headed by Isagani Puertollano

For a US Citizen they can't do this.. I know my rights.. and I'm allowed to declare my property Personal Effects..

If they would start doing this to Americans.. Might as well call the country Soviet of the USA..

They can't arrest you for buying knock offs.. The original manufacturer can just warn you that knockoffs easily break.. That's about it..

There is an international trading law that prohibits buying pirated or fake DVDs or any goods, especailly when transporting them internationally. Even here in the US, anyone who is caught selling them will be punishable under these federal laws.

Thanks for posting this. I have a few comments though.

Half of americans under 21 have downloaded songs and/or movies off the Internet without paying.
Who hasn't made a video or taped a show that strictly speaking should not be done?
Always looking for someone to make an example of and scare everyone else.
Heck, I can buy all the fake Gucci and Prada bags I want right here in New York City.

Unbelievable! I can understand a little if they are busting someone coming here with a boat load with the intent to sell, but not a few discs for personal use. Jeez, come on. Isn't there better things to do with our tax dollars??? Say like hire more adjudicators at USCIS service centers or NVC or to work at the embassies..

I don't understand
I can see where I would likely know whether my CDs are bootleg or not... But BAGS? And everything else? How the hell would I know if my NIKE shoes are really NIKEs???!!! They are made in China! They could be bootleg. So from now on we are supposed to buy everything in brand stores and keep receipts to prove it???!!! Do not accept any gifts unless they come with a receipt??!!
This is stupid!

Definitely not in NYC... Hhehehehe..

Knock offs seller are actively selling even if cops are around..

The bottom line is the law is there but it seems like its invincible and its impossible to work due to many loopholes to get out of it..

Like what rika60607 was saying.. If you are filling out the Custom Declaration.. Claim your baggage all Personal Effects.. Means their all yours. Not intended for re-sale..

They are not going to harass you of what you have in the box, if you didn't declare any suspicious items like food or stuff..

Look gang, you really can't justify breaking the law, even if you don't agree with it and everybody else is breaking it. If you know the stuff is fake, don't buy it. Don't be a criminal. And if you get caught, take your punishment like a grown-up and don't complain.

Take a good look at the third-world countries that routinely thumb their noses at copyright laws and ask yourself if that is what you want for the U.S. We are a country of laws, and our citizens tend to be law-abiding to a greater extent than most other countries in the world. Most of you on this forum have been to countries with impoverished economies. Why do you think these countries struggle when in most cases they are have been around much longer than the U.S.A.?

Just take the high road and don't but the stuff. Set a good example for your new spouse. Show him/her why America is great. Do the right thing even if everybody else doesn't.

And if you don't like the laws, do something to change them.

Bit late to be bumping this, but it was linked to in a recent topic in the UK sub-forum. I'd just like to remark that this is one of the most offensive things I've ever read.

Seconded. Though I'd replace "offensive" with hilarious. Maybe it's because I'm finishing up my degree in political science and government...somehow we've managed to churn out more moral role models than other countries, eh?
hahahahahaha

I aways borough home fake DVDS never had problems i hid my fake stuff really good i even borough home a few plants that was giving to me by my friends over there.

Here take this advice..

When you bring Fake DVD's to the US.. There is 1 legal loop hole around the illegally of it..

Make sure have a laptop on your carry on baggage, Put the fake DVD's with your Laptop baggage..

Make sure remove the DVD covers and transfer them to a blank empty disc case.

Customs Officer ask you what are does disks.. Tell them their your Personal Properties.. Photos, Softwares, Data, etc.

They can't tell you to open them up on your laptop. That's against their jurisdiction. Its not like they caught you with drugs or illegal stuff on your baggage for them to have a search on your baggage.

My, my.....aren't you just the sneaky one.

Make sure remove the DVD covers and transfer them to a blank empty disc case.

Just what i did:thumbs: