News Archives

December 2022: USTR: Responds immediately to the WTO ruling issued against the United States in the Hong Kong labeling dispute: “ . . . taking action to protect national security is a right inherent to any sovereign nation and explicitly reflected in the WTO Agreement.”

December 9, 2022: FMC: Complaint alleges MSC violated U.S. shipping laws when unreasonably assessing demurrage fees. The containers were first subject to a Customs "agriculture hold" and then examination. Nevertheless, MSC assessed $114,156 in MSC demurrage fees - despite the containers being unavailable for pickup.

December 8, 2022: COAC: Recommendations for improvement to IPR enfrcement procedures.

December 6, 2022: UFLPA: Sheffield University report on Uyghur forced labor in the automotive sector.

December 5, 2022: CBP: Update of the FAQ on House Bills of Lading.

December 2, 2022: DOC: Solar: Preliminary determination issued as to circumvention. DOC audits to follow. A comment period is available. Importer certifications are required by Jan. 23 for entries since April 1, 2022, while the final determination is scheduled for May 1, 2023.

December 2, 2022: POTUS: Biden signs law to bind rail union to labor contract to avert strike.

December 2, 2022: DOJ: FCA: Settlement by US importer and its Danish parent, announced for $728,910 related to alleged misclassifications of thermal validation equipment.

December 1, 2022: CBP: CSMS # 54194146: Brokers have until Feb. 17 to re-execute any powers of attorney they had previously executed with freight forwarders or other third parties.

November 29, 2022: FMC: Complaint filed on the basis that demurrage fees charged lacked transparency and therefore violate the Shipping Act.

November 25, 2022: FCC: Report and Order re: the Secure Equipment Act of 2021 and bans equipment authorizations as to Chinese telecommunications and video surveillance equipment deemed to pose a threat to national security (e.g., certain cover equipment of Huawei, ZTE Hytera, Hikvision, and Dahua).

November 15, 2022: USTR: China 301: Tariff renewal: Comments portal opens.

November 10, 2022: Commerce: Revokes Russia’s status as a market economy in antidumping proceedings.

November 7, 2022: Dallas Fed: Report on maquiladora activity.

November 6, 2022: CIT: Section 301: Order in favor of the Government.

November 1, 2022: USTR: China 301: Tariff renewal: Advance copy of Questionnaire for public comments. (14 pages)

October 27, 2022: USTR: Comments requested as to softwood lumber subsidy issues.

October 24, 2022: Customs issues pair of final rules to facilitate modernization of the customs broker Regulations (87 FR 63267) which includes the elimination of the district permit fee (87 FR 63262). See also, CBP’s regulatory comparison chart, and summary factsheets: (1) key changes, (2) responsible supervision & control.

October 23, 2022: CBP: N328489 concludes that Ukrainian doping operations convey origin to silicon wafers - such that subsequent slicing/polishing in Belarus would not require column 2 tariffs.

October 22, 2022: USTR declines to initiate a section 301 investigation against agricultural products from Mexico.

October 21, 2022: Sen. Grassley warns against initiating a 301 investigation against Mexican produce.

October 12: USTR: Video of Q&A session at the National Association for Business Economics. (USTR resists suggestions that changes to China tariff policy would be appropriate at this time).

October 11, 2022: USTR: Remarks on trade and industrial policy at the Rosevelt Institute.

October 10, 2022: FMC: Proposed Rule: Minimum information requirements billing shipping charges.

October 7, 2022: Export: Commerce Implements New Export Controls on Advanced Computing and Semiconductor Manufacturing Items to the People’s Republic of China (PRC)

October 5, 2020: USTR: Senior adviser states that Section 301 tariffs now relate less to changing PRC economic behavior, and more to a policy desire "to move to a resilience economy away from an efficient economy."

October 5, 2022: Individual sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for conspiring to violate the Clean Air Act (CAA) by importing over 300,000 kilograms of illegal hydrochlorofluorocarbon-22 (HCFC-22 refridgerant) from China.

September 29, 2022: HQ H290535: Customs business and broker rules, Customs business is implicated at the 8- and 10- digit level of classification.

September 28, 2022: U.S. Department of Labor: Report: List of Goods Produced by Forced Labor.

September 27, 2022: Congress: Florida Senator and bi-partisan members of Congress file a petition requesting the USTR launch a 301 investigation against Mexico for its subsidies of Agricultural fruits and vegetable imports in furtherance of its stated goal, the “conquest of external markets.”

September 27, 2022: Commerce: Section 232 Report: The Effect of Imports of Neodymium-Iron-Boron (NdFeB) Permanent Magnets on the National Security. Commends due: October 21, 2022.

September 27, 2022: FDA: Letter announces CBP form 4647 Demand for Redelivery to be issued via the ACE forms module

September 21, 2022: FMC: NPRM: Proposed rule on “Definition of Unreasonable Refusal To Deal or Negotiate With Respect to Vessel Space Accommodations Provided by an Ocean Common Carrier.”

September 21, 2022: CIT: In Eteros Technologies USA v. U.S., Slip Op. 22-111, the CIT finds that Washington’s state laws allow imports of marijuana-related drug paraphernalia pursuant to the state law exemption found in 21 U.S.C. Section 863(f)(1).

September 20, 2022: LA Times article: “Los Angeles County clothing brand has agreed to plead guilty to submitting fake customs forms to skirt almost $6.4 million in tariffs and to doing business with a woman who has ties to the Sinaloa drug cartel.”

September 12, 2022: CBP: CSMS # 53268520: CBP notice of Commerce extending the deadline to complete importer and exporter certifications for entries of certain hardwood plywood products and veneered panels from the People’s Republic of China (A-570-051 and C-570-052) assembled in Vietnam which entered the United States between June 17, 2020, to August 28, 2022.

September 7, 2022: DOJ: FCA Settlement: Colorado Company and Settle Alleged False Claims Related to Buy American Act Violations for $625,000.

September 6, 2022: CAFC upholds CIT decision requiring section 1514 protest jurisdiction in regard to section 301 exclusion refund claims.

August 11, 2022: DOJ: U.S. Attorney Announces $3.64 Million Settlement Of Civil Fraud Lawsuit Against Menswear Company And Its Manager For Underpaying Customs Duties Owed On Apparel Imported Into The United States

July 29, 2022: POTUS: A sudden Biden-Xi call omits explicit discussion of trade relations, but instead focuses on Climate, Ukraine and Taiwan. While Biden stressed the need to retain the 40 year status quo, China’s communique details Xi’s position on reunification remains firm, adding “[t]he will of the people cannot be defied and those who play with fire will perish by it.”

July 28, 2022: CAFC: Aspects Furniture decision held that the CIT was correct to conclude that a prior opinion in a separate case, which placed an injunction on disputed entries of Aspects Furture, did not unambiguously end the injunction, hence liquidations were timely. Further the bulletin notice of liquidation was sufficient notice, such that no harm was committed by CBP failing to label said liquidation as a “reliquidation.”

July 20, 2022: USTR: Federal Register announces the suspension of safeguard measures against CSPV products from Canada.

July 20, 2022: CBP: First Sale: HQ H316892 points to discrepancies in freight and insurance documentation as a basis for invalidating a first sale implementation.

July 19, 2022: CBP: CSMS #52609589 - Guidance: Suspension of Section 201 Safeguard Actions on Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells (CSPV) and Modules Originating in Canada.

July 14, 2022: FMC: Charge Compaints Guidance: New process triggers an FMC investigation of charges per the Ocean Shipping Reform Act and might potentially result in a civil penalty and refund order. This is a different process from filing a Formal Complaint, under 46 U.S.C. § 41301(a) and Part 502 of the Commission’s regulations.

June 16, 2022: FMC: Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 becomes Public Law 117-146.

June 14, 2022: CBP: Importer guidance on the implementation of the UFLPA rebuttable presumption — effective June 21, 2022.

June 21, 2022: CBP: UFLPA: All merchandise that was produced or manufactured wholly or in part in the: Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) will be excluded from entry regardless of transportation mode pending review.

June 17, 2022: Report to Congress on the strategy to prevent the import of goods made with forced labor per the UFLPA. This may include maintaining entity lists, and requiring importers to provide a map of the supply chain, detailed documentation as to worker payments, residency and ties to Xinjiang, evidence establishing factory output matches the output of the documented workers, and information as to control that the manufacturer maintains to prevent forced labor from entering the supply chain.

June 13, 2022: Congress: Ocean Shipping Reform Act passes House 369-42, having already cleared the Senate.

May 25, 2022: Commerce: Asst. Sec. Axelrod SIA conference remarks on export enforcement.

May 16, 2022: CBP: H323683 resolves issues related to the scope of an ITC 337 Order on foam footwear.

May 19, 2022: DOJ: Chicago tech executive sentenced to federal prison after guilty plea for smuggling exports to a nuclear research agency of the Pakistani government.

May 18, 2022: Treasury: Secretary Yellen issues statements that section 301 tariffs may not be in the best interest of the US economy. Continuing apparent debate within the administration over its future China policy.

May 10, 2022: Commerce: Memo on Solar Circumvention.

May 5, 2022: USTR: China 301: Tariff renewal: 4-year tariff review initiated.

May 2, 2022: Senate: Forced Labor disclosure bill.

April 1, 2022: CIT: Decision In Re section 301 cases.

March 17: 2022: DOJ: Press Release: Chain Saw Chain and Blade Importer to Settled for half-million to resolve False Claims Act allegations of misclassification.

March 17: 2022: Schumer files for cloture on the motion to have the Senate turn to the House-passed America Competes Act. (aka, the House China package).

March 14, 2022: Customs publication: Preparing for an Audit Partnership.

March 8, 2022: CBP: Ruling in H313149 addresses the issue of when plastic that coats fabric will be considered “visible to the naked eye."

March 8, 2022: POTUS: Executive Order: Ban on Russian Oil Imports, with allowance for purchased derivative transactions under a 45 day wind-down period.

March 1, 2022: DOJ: Man Sentenced to Nearly Four Years for Trafficking approx. 40 Firearms to St. Lucia

February 28, 2022: Commerce: Additional Russia sanctions: Fact Sheet.

February 25, 2022: Congress: Bill to revoke MFN trade with Russia introduced by Representative Doggett.

February 24, 2022: FMC: Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) to seek comment on whether the Commission should require common carriers and marine terminal operators to include certain minimum information on or with demurrage and detention billings.

February 22, 2022: POTUS: Executive Order: as Russian troops enter eastern Ukraine, POTUS issues EO to impose sanctions on the two separatist regions of Ukraine (Luhansk and Donetsk) which President Putin has recognized as independent; the EO does not include any penalty directly on Russia.

February 22, 2022: CIT: In Amcor Flexibles Kreuzlingen AG v. United States (Slip 22-15) the CIT decides that informative text is functional and therefore not a “design.”

February 16, 2022: USTR: Annual report on China’s WTO compliance. Summary article.

February 15, 2022: US Trade Agreements Secretariat: US-Canada Dispute on Solar Cells decision favors Canada. Summary article.

February 15, 2022: Congressional debate over a Russia Sanctions bill has stalled; Alaskan Senator introduces NYET Act which includes a ban on Russian seafood.

February 10, 2022: DOJ: Customs Broker Arrested on Federal Indictment Alleging Tax Evasion and Scheme to Defraud Japanese Retail Chain Out of $3.4 Million.

February 4, 2020: Commerce: Scope decision on AL Extrusions: Boogie mount as a finished goods kit.

January 3, 2022: CBP: CSMS #50525157 - Guidance: Suspension of Liquidation in Pending Section 201 Litigation, CIT No. 20-03941.

January 2, 2022: ITC: Report on 2022 WCO modifications to the tariff schedule and FR notice.

December 30, 2021: Customs: Regulatory Agenda.

December 28, 2021: FMC complaint policy statements.

December 23, 2021: POTUS: Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) was signed into law by President Biden.

December 21, 2021: CBP: WRO on Birghtway Group (gloves from Malaysia).

December 17, 2021: Commerce: Final rule: Addition of Certain Entities to the Entity List and Revision of an Entry on the Entity List.

December 16, 2021: Senate passes Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act - to be signed next by the POTUS.

December 14, 2021: Rubio and McGovern reach compromise version of Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. (which would include a rebuttable presumption that goods from Xinjiang province are made from Uyghur forced labor). See our page on Forced Labor issues.

December 13, 2021: CBP Commissions Chris Magnus sworn in. Video with short biography.

December 9, 2021: House passes HR 1155 (Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act) 428 to 1.

December 8, 2021: Police Chief Chris Magnus from Tuscon, AZ, is confirmed by Senate as CBP commissioner.

December 6, 2021: Owner of Ambience Apparel sentenced for apparel tariff fraud.

November 30, 2021: WCO: 2022 amendments to the HS system.

November 21, 2021: CBP: Drawback: HQ H302869: Parent and subsidiary use of drawback rights (BMW).

November 2, 2021: USTR Tai remarks that the Administration fully supports the Leveling the Playing Field Act 2.0 which has now been attached to the Endless Frontier Act.

*The LPF Act is a bipartisan bill from Ohio’s senators (Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) which would clarify how dumping calculations are made, would provide for expedited successive investigations when there is an import surge from a new country on a product subject to a trade remedy order and would address extraterritorial subsidies. The LPF Act was introduced as an amendment to the Endless Frontier Act.

*The Endless Frontier Act is a bipartisan bill aimed at advancing U.S. technology research, jobs, and economic and national security to counter China’s economic and political ambitions.

November 2, 2021: Congress: Summary of proposed Customs Modernization Act of 2021.

November 1, 2021: FTC: Notable settlement for $753,000 re: FTC charges that of repeated false advertising of “U.S.-made” mattresses.

October 31, 2021: Commerce: New TRQs for EU Steel and Aluminum

October 20, 2021: CIT: Royal Brush: Court sustains CBP findings of evasion under the EAPA - despite objections over due process.

October 29, 2021: California ports: press release on 5 Billion in loans to fix CA Ports.

October 22, 2021: FreightWaves article: “$26B Worth of cargo stuck on container ships off California”.

October 12, 2021: USTR: Public docket opens for comments on reimplementing 549 expired exclusions.

October 11, 2021: S.D.N.Y.: #20-01214: In Nike, Inc. v. B&H Customs Services, Inc., et al., defendant foreign NVOCCs were found to not be directly liable for the shipment of counterfeit footwear.

October 4, 2021: USTR: Solicitation of comments on reinstating 301 Exclusions.

October 4, 2021: USTR: Speach by USTR Katherine Tai regarding U.S. China Policy.

October 4, 2021: Commerce launches an early warning system for semiconductor supply chain disruptions.

October 1, 2021: USTR: US and Vietnam agree to avoid timber forestry concerns and section 301 tarifffs.

September 28, 2021: CBP: USMCA: Federal Register Notice that textile and apparel imports from Mexico will require an eCERT filing. (Effective date: October 5, 2021).

September 27, 2021: ‘Campaign for Accountability’ submits a request for investigation re: forced labor in Apple’s supply chain.

September 27, 2021: USTR announces temporary extension of 301 exemptions for COVID products.

September 26, 2021: Congress: SAFE SHOP Act (HR 5374) referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary..

September 01, 2021: Sentencing memorandum: The end of the long prosecution (starting in 2018) of Chinese national, Shuren Qin, for export violations (illegally shipping hydrophones).

September 6, 2021: DOJ: Press release: importer pleads guilty for Lacy Act violations in declarations of Virola shipped from Peru. (The Lacey Act prohibits the import of plants, wildlife, or fish without exercising due care to identify the source of the goods.)

August 12, 2021: DOJ: Press release: Four Defendants Arrested in Multimillion-Dollar Counterfeit Goods Trafficking Scheme including Fake UGG Boots, Nike Air Jordan Sneakers, Timberland Boots and Beats Headphones.

July 28, 2021: GAO: Report finds the USTR failed to adequately document exclusion decisions. (Synopsis).

July 28, 2021: POTUS: Administration Issues Proposed Buy American Rule

July 20, 2021: Senate: Press release: Se. Coons proposes Carbon Border Tax bill.

July 14, 2021: 301 Vietnam: Business coalition letter urges USTR Tai not to recommend 301 tariffs for Vietnam.

July 13, 2021: Forced Labor: Department of State (in conjucntion with other agencies) issues advisory on Xinjiang.

July 6, 2021: 301 litigation: CIT Opinion grants plaintiffs request for an injunction on liquidation - subject to procedures to be agreed on.

July 1, 2021: FTC announces publication in the federal register of a rule providing for civil penalties of up to $43,280 per violation for Made in the USA violations.

July 2, 2021: FDA: Phase VI of Lacy Act enforcement begins October 1.

June 30, 2021: FDA: CSMS #48653470: Revocation of emergency use authorizations for non-NIOSH products.

June 30, 2021: CBP: USMCA Interim final rule. re: Marking Rules, Tariff-rate Quotas, and Other Provisions.

June 30, 2021: CBP: USMCA NPRM re: Non-Preferential Origin Determinations for Merchandise Imported from Canada or Mexico.

June 28, 2021: WSJ article: Apparel Importers Tripped up by ban on forced labor goods from China.

June 21, 2021: NY Federal Reserve: Study on the impacts of U.S. - China trade conflict.

June 16, 2021: Senate: S.2067 proposes a swift (180 day) legal mechanism for the ITC to ban China imports made from stolen trade secrets.

June, 9, 2021: Senate passes the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act (68 ayes). Bill includes GSP and MTB authorizations, restarts for Section 301 tariff exclusions, an inspector general within the USTR, and directs CBP to increase IPR inspections.

June 9, 2021: Solar: Letter from House Dems. urges exemption for Canadian Solar products.

June 8, 2021: EU: Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 effective on July 16th 2021 will require sellers an economic operator to be established within the EU for purposes of market surveillance.

June 7, 2021: G7 Communique: Agreement by G-7 countries on a global minimum corporate taxes could signal a basis for stopping the spread of digital services taxes (GSTs).

June 7, 2020: Commerce rescinds changed circumstances review due to withdrawal by Maodi of its request for an exemption for “off-grid” solar panels.

June 2, 2021: USTR: Press Release: USTR Announces (but Immediately Suspends for 180 days), 25% section 301 Tariffs on Digital Services Taxes for UK, Spain, Turkey, Italy, Austraia, and India.

May 27, 2021: DOJ: Press release: Guilty plea over misrepresented and unregistered Covid product (EcoShield).

May 26, 2021: CBP: HQ H301048 Addresses issues relating to PSC corrections due to “DDP” terms in SWL trade.

May 25, 2021: DOJ: Press Release: Four indicted for importations of banned catfish.

April 28, 2021: DOJ: Press release: Chinese national pleads guilty to causing the illegal export of more than $100,000 worth of U.S.-origin goods to Chinese military university.

April 28, 2021: DOJ: Press release: Man pleads guilty to a scheme to defraud the Afghan government of over $100 million relating to a contract to build an electric grid

April 20, 2021: CPSC: 2020 Webinar summarizing import requirements for CPCS Regulated products. Also:

PowerPoint - CPSC 1USG Notification - 6b NCBFAA 0820
CPSC DIS Filing Guidance for Imported Goods
CPSC Participation in 1USG Notification Messaging at Import

April 12, 2021: POTUS: Chris Magnus nominated as new CBP Commissioner.

March 17, 2021: In a rare showing of Congressional solidarity, the Senate Votes 98-0 to confirm Katherine Tai as the next U.S. Trade Representative. (She was formerly Chief Trade Counsel on the House Ways and Means Committee).

March 17, 2021: CBP: Brenda Smith (CBP executive assistant commissioner-trade) will be retiring end of month.

March 15, 2021: CBP: Revision of Entry Summary Business Rules.

March 12, 2021: Commerce: All cedar shakes and shingles are exempt from antidumping and countervailing duties on softwood lumber from Canada (A-122-857/C-122-858), not just certain categories, the Commerce Department. Contact Ms. Heather Jacobson for more information.

March 12, 2021: DOJ files generalized answer in section 301 litigation asserting layered defenses.

March 11, 2021: JOC Article: Expecting congestion to worsen deep into 2021 as shipping volumes spike across the spring and summer.

March 4, 2021: Senate Finance Committee unanimously approves nomination of Katherine Tai as next USTR.

March 1, 2021: CIT Decision: opinion concerning first-sale valuation in Meyer v US.

February 24, 2021: DOJ: Press release: Couple sentenced for illegally importing and distributing misbranded drug products from China, for trafficking in counterfeit goods, and for naturalization fraud.

February 12, 2021: CBP: FAQ on Forced Labor WROs in advance of effective date of XUAR WRO. (See, Jan 13, 2021.)

February 10, 2021: CIT: Section 301 litigation: Mass case assignments to 3 judge panel, followed by the issuance of Procedural Order. Under the order, a “master ” or test case. The government defense will have until March 12, 2021, to submit its answer.

February 10, 2021: First Circuit: Decision in Alasad v. Wolf. Article: “Border agents can search phones freely under new circuit court ruling.”

February 4, 2021: CIT: Decision in Universal Steel Products, Inc., Slip Op. 21-21, upholds the legality of the Trump Administration’s section 232 tariffs on steel.

January 19, 2021: Commerce: Interim Final Rule: Securing the Information and Communications Technology and Services (ICTS) Supply Chain. Comments due March 22, 2021. The document cites to ODNI’s 2016–2019 Worldwide Threat Assessments of the U.S. Intelligence Community and the White House National Cyber Strategy.

January 14, 2021: DOJ: Press Release: 2020 FCA recoveries at $2.2 Billion.

January 13, 2021: DHS recommends increased penalties and injunctions against importers of illegal goods.

January 13, 2021: CBP: issues a Withhold Release Order regarding cotton products and tomato products produced in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) (effective February 13, 2021).

January 6, 2021: USTR: Announces 25% tariffs in response to France’s Digital Services Tax (DST). The ITC effects this change via a new subheading 9903.90.01 and corresponding U.S. Note 22 to impose the tariffs against French soaps, handbags, and cosmetics.

January 6, 2021: USTR: Posts 301 investigation findings regarding the DST by India, Italy, and Turkey.

January 1, 2021: USTR: President-elect Joe Biden is expected to nominate Katherine Tai as US Trade Representative. Tai is currently the Democratic trade counsel for the House Ways and Means Committee and oversaw trade enforcement for China during the Obama administration.

December 29, 2021: Lawsuit seeks to block ‘Trump’ safeguards on bi-facial solar panels.

December 22, 2020: DOJ: Press Release: CEO Of Clothing Company Sentenced To Prison For Million-Dollar Customs Fraud.

December 22, 2020: FTC: Settlement: 'Made in USA' Case against Company and President for $1.2 Million.

December 16, 2020: DOJ: Press Release: Texas jury indicts 15 In $26 Million International Trade Fraud Scheme (Tires from China).

December 14, 2020: DOJ: Indictments announced for apparel undervaluation: C’est Toi Jeans, Inc.

December 10, 2020: DOJ Press Release: Florida Tire Importer Pleads Guilty in Excise Tax Conspiracy.

December 2, 2020: CBP: Withhold release order (WRO) on all cotton products made by the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC). (A regional WRO is “certainly not out of play,” per DHS acting Deputy Secretary Ken Cuccinelli.)

November 30, 2020: ITC: General Exclusion Order (GEO) prohibiting the importation of unlicensed Brother printer toner cartridges.

November 11, 2020: FMC: FMC commissioner Dye highlights that carrier non-compliance with the FMC’s May 2020 Final Rule as to “reasonableness” of detention and demurrage charges is an issue to be addressed.

November 10, 2020: Coalition for a Prosperous America: Letter to Sen Wyden re: China-wide WROs.

October 28, 2020: CBP: Solar: Administration stands down from bi-facial solar tariffs due to CIT injunction.

October 28, 2020: DOJ: Press Release: United States Files Civil Action To Repatriate Thai Religious Relics Housed At The San Francisco Asian Art Museum. Complaint filed.

October, 27, 2020: WTO: US files notice of appeal in WTO case on 301 tariffs against China.

October 19, 2020: CBP: Forced Labor: Finding on Stevia products from China.

October 13, 2020: WTO: Decision in Dispute Settlement DS353 (Boeing): EU entitled to assess tariffs against the United States.

October 13, 2020: POTUS: Memorandum: eCommerce strategy includes fines on eCommerce platforms for counterfeit goods.

October 10, 2020: POTUS: Proclamation: Removal of solar safeguard bi-facial exemption and increase in tariff rate.

October 6, 2020: FDA: Facility registration renewal: All facilities that manufacture, process, pack, or store food for U.S. consumption must renew their facility registrations between October 1st and December 31st, 2020.

October 10, 2020: CBTPA: POTUS signs CBTPA renewal on Oct. 10. which will apply retroactively to allow CBTPA claims against entries on/after September 30, 2020.

October 5, 2020: USTR: Considering sanctions against Vietnam for (a) illegal lumber imports for use in wood furniture, and (b) for currency manipulation to the SBV.

October 3, 2020: Office of Inspector General: Report: “CBP’s actions compromised the integrity of the Entry Reconciliation Program and, as such, may have put approximately $751 million of revenue, in the form of reconciliation refunds, at risk.“

October 2, 2020: Taiwan FTA: 50 Senators Urge Action on a US-Taiwan FTA.

October 1, 2020: CBPTA: Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act expires October 1, 2020. Congress has yet to renew. On renewal, there will be instructions on how to file a refund requests for duties and fees.

September 30, 2020: POTUS: Executive Order on Addressing the Threat to the Domestic Supply Chain from Reliance on Critical Minerals from Foreign Adversaries

September 30, 2020: CBP: Detention Order on Palm Oil Produced with Forced Labor in Malaysia.

September 22, 2020: House: Forced Labor bill: House votes 406-3 for create a rebuttable assumption” of forced labor in all products originating from Xinjiang, China.

September 15, 2020: WTO: panel report on 301 tariffs circulated re: decision against United States.

September 14, 2020: CBP: Issues Five (5) Withhold Release Orders (WROs) on products from China due to forced labor concerns.

September 7, 2020: Customs: NYT article: WRO considered for cotton products from Xinjiang in response to Aug 28 petition.

August 28, 2020: Forced Labor: Coalition petitions Customs for textiles/apparel enforcement for human rights issues related to forced Uighur labor in China.

August 27, 2020: DOJ: Guilty plea in DOJ fraud investigation: Ambuiance.

August 26, 2020: DOC: Vertical-Shaft Lawn-Mower Engines: Critical Circumstances finding by the ITA.

August 25, 2020: Made in USA: Private party lawsuit finds competitor entitled to damages for false origin claims: Newborn Bros. v. Albion Engineering Company, D.N.J. 12-2999, dated 08/25/20

August 13, 2020: CBP: Press Release: China Forced Labor: First penalty for China Forced Labor used to produce Stevia ($575,000).

August 12, 2020: USTR: EU Trade War: Updated list of goods from the EU to be subject to retaliatory tariffs as part of the WTO dispute on Airbus subsidies. The update includes additional goods from France and Germany.

August 12, 2020: CBP: FAQ on CBP.gov states that while goods of Hong Kong Origin to be marked as “Made in China” they are otherwise reported as HK Origin and not subject to the section 301 tariffs. (Archived link)

August 10, 2020: CBP: Notice: Country of Goods for goods of from Hong Kong.

August 6, 2020: POTUS: Proclamation re: Canadian Aluminum (unwrought and non-alloyed).

August 5, 2020: AMS: Proposal: Strengthening Organic Enforcement.

July 27, 2020: Commerce: Changed circumstances review announced: Off-grid solar panels.

July 20 2020: Senate: Sen. Hawley introduces The Slave-Free Business Certification Act (S. 4241) that would require CEO certification of goods free of slave labor.

July 16, 2020: FTC: Proposal to expand scope of enforcement on “Made in USA” claims to online advertising and marketing materials.

July 15, 2020: POTUS: Executive Order: Revocation of Hong Kong’s special trade status.

July 10, 2020: USTR: Notice of Action in the Section 301 Investigation of France’s Digital Services Tax: Re: Potential Tariffs on French Handbags and Make-up.

July 1, 2020: State: Commerce, Treasury and DHS issue joint guidance on Xinjiang Supply Chains.

June 17, 2020: CBP: Withhold release order issued on imported hair products from Lop County Meixin Hair Product Co. Ltd. (Meixin) in Xinjiang, China.

June 19, 2020: CRS Report: Section 301 Exclusions

June 4, 2020: Proposed Revisions to Broker Regulations

June 3, 2020: USTR: USMCA: Final implementing regulations and rules of origin.

May 18, 2020: FMC: Final Rule: “reasonableness” of detention and demurrage charges.

May 2, 2020: Treasury: OFAC: Factsheet on COVID exports.

May 1, 2020: CBP issues a withhold release order for hair products "manufactured by Hetian Haolin Hair Accessories Co. Ltd. (Haolin), who operate in the Xinjiang region.

April 29, 2020: FMC: Final Rule: detention and demurrage policies

April 29, 2020: USTR: Report on Notorious Markets names Amazon foreign domains.

April 28,2020: ITC is reviewing MTB petitions comments, and the U.S. Department of Commerce Report. The ITC’s preliminary report is due by June 9, 2020. Then, the MTBPS comment portal will open June 12 – June 22, 2020 to allow for additional information on petitions designated in Category VI . For information available via this Federal Register notice (April 24, 2020).

April 25, 2020: USTR: Statement that the USMCA will enter into force on July 1, 2020.

April 20, 2020: CBP: CSMS #42429822 - US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) Interim Implementation InstructionsApril 19, 2020: COVID: Payment Delays for General MFN Tariffs

April 6, 2020: Canada announces that it is ready for implementation of USMCA. Mexico announces as well. The US response as of today is unclear, as the USTR had signaled summer, and the Covid response will take precedence.

April 3, 2020: DHS: New Restrictions on exports of medical equipment. POTUS issues “Memorandum on Allocating Certain Scarce or Threatened Health and Medical Resources to Domestic Use”

April 2, 2020: Mexico: Covid-19: Dario Official: All non-essential Maquila’s shut-down. English version (by google translate).

April 2, 2020: CBP: COVID-19 Tariff Classification Guide (004).pdf

April 1, 2020: CBP COVID-19 Updates and Announcements page created.

March 31, 2020: APHIS: Phase 6 of Lacey Act enforcement. See docket.

March 26, 2020: FEMA Conf. call: The challenge FEMA is closing the national PPE gap. If you have a PPE product to share, covidsupplies@fema.dhs.gov. For those who have product to sell nveoc@max.gov. FEMA’s rumor control website to help control the spread of disinformation.

March 26, 2020: DHS Secretary has designated CISA to execute Emergency Support Function #14 (ESF14) which supports the coordination of cross-sector operations, including stabilization of key supply chains and community lifelines, among infrastructure owners and operators, businesses, and their government partners. CISA is building and expanding the community.

March 26, 2020: USDA: FAQ: Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) and the COVID-19 outbreak. here.

March 26, 2020: Beward of Covid product fraud, such as fake medical test kits.

March 26, 2020: CBP: Additional Guidance re: C19 & late Entry Summary filing: CSMS-42161666.

March 25, 2020: Amended Order 73 on Courthouse Closures in the 9th Circuit.

March 25, 2020: House W&M Chairman Brady estimates $1,200 checks to issue in early April, and lending to commence thru local banks, per the CARES Act (legislative status | summary):

Unemployment provisions
Small business provisions
Distressed industries provisions

Within this the “Paycheck Protection Program” would provide 8 weeks of cash-flow assistance through 100 percent federally guaranteed loans to small employers who maintain their payroll; the portion used for covered payroll costs, interest on mortgage obligations, rent, and utilities would be forgiven. This proposal would be retroactive to February 15, 2020, to help bring workers who may have already been laid off back onto payrolls.

March 24, 2020: COVID: Essential Worker Travel Form

March 24, 2020: CBP: Northern and Southern Borders close to travelers, unless “essential.“

U.S.-Canada Border Federal Register Notice

U.S.-Mexico Border Federal Register Notice

March 23, 2020: COVID: Summary of FDA Guidance for COVID medical supplies from the LACBFA.

March 23, 2020: COVID: Food Industry Protocols: What to do when Employees Test Positive

February 4, 2020: Commerce: New rule re: currency undervaluation in CVD cases.

January 23, 2020: CBP: Substantial Transformation: H303864 dated December 26, 2019 and concerning automotive windshield wiper pumps, where Customs rules against a substantial transformation in Mexico using Energizer Battery.

Jan 22, 2020: France: Agence France-Presse reports Presidents Trump and Macron have agreed to give OECD negotiations a chance - rather than moving into a trade war.

January 16, 2020: USMCA: Passed by Senate (89-10). Next to be signed by President Trump and to go before Canadian parliament for ratification the agreement.

January 15, 2020: China Trade War: “Phase-one” deal inked. A future reduction is planned to List 4a to 7.5% (to be announced) and List 4b rates are deferred indefinitely.

January 6, 2020: CAFC: Sunpreme: CBP has the authority to interpret ADCVD scope orders when making decisions related to entry release.

December 26, 2019: Exports: DDTC: interim rule: cloud-computing.

December 20, 2019: USMCA: House votes 385-41 to pass the USMCA forward.

December 9, 2019: USTR: Comment request: EU tariff Annex I and II.

December 8, 2019: WTO: End of dispute resolution process occurs Dec 10.

August 16, 2019: USTR: Publication of LIST 4a and 4b split. LIST 4a effective September 1, LIST 4b to be effective December 15th.

August 14, 2019: CBP: Origin ruling re: compiled software under the TAA.

August 2, 2019: WSJ Article: Tariff Fight Costs China Spot as Top U.S. Trading Partner

August 1, 2019: Trump tweets that the LIST 4 will “start” on September 1 at 10%.

July 25, 2019: Prime Minister Boris Johnson takes office following a 66% : 34% victory. The Conservative platform advocates taking the UK out of the EU by October 31 (when the extension to the Article 50 Brexit process expires) on a “do or die” basis.

July 25, 2019: CBP: CBP Symposium: New Commissioner Mark Morgan describes CBP “dealing with an unprecedented crisis” on the southern border that is impacting CBP’s abilities. 545 officers have been diverted from trade process to assist Border Patrol to process migrants.

July 17, 2019: France to begin ratification of the trade agreement between the European Union and Canada.

July 10, 2019: DOC: Quartz ADCVD Order

July 8, 2019: USTR: Round 6 of LIST 1 exclusions announced.

July 3, 2019: DOC: Expedited Review exempts 5 companies from SWL Order.

July 1, 2019: AAEI Conf.: CBP admits to deluge of tariff classification requests.

July 1, 2019: In month 7 of the year, ITC published revision 8.

July 1, 2019: Trump-Xi meet at the G20 and agree to re-open trade talks. US companies will be allowed to continue trading with Huawei (overturning the Commerce Dept. ban from May based on national security concerns). Trump then visits Chairman Kim and crosses the demilitarized zone into N. Korea. Meanwhile, protesters in HK storm and occupy the Legislature building.

June 27, 2019: Customs: John P. Sanders, has served as acting commissioner of Customs and Border Protection for 2.5 months, but has stated his last day will be July 5. The President is expected to name Mr. Mark Morgan, as the new acting CBP commissioner.

(Sanders' predecessor, acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan has been accused of leaking plans for ICE raids last week and expressing his opposition, thus prompting the President to step in to hold the ICE raids pending Democratic lawmakers reforming our immigration laws.)

June 26, 2019: WSJ: Article: American Tariffs on China Are Being Blunted by Trade Cheats

June 25, 2019: WSJ: Article: American Tech Companies Find Ways Around Huawei Ban

June 21, 2019: NRF testimony at the USTR re: LIST 4.

June 20, 2019: USTR: LIST 3 exclusions process announcement. Portal opens June 30. Submission deadline: September 30, 2019. Our newsletter.

June 19, 2019: USTR: FAQ states the USTR "will issue guidance -- in advance of the date of the expiration of exclusions -- on whether renewals are possible."

June 19, 2019: USTR & Treasury Secretary to meet China's team in Japan before Trump- Xi G-20 summit meeting.

June 12, 2019: NRF: National Retail Federation-commissions a Trade Partnership Worldwide Study on LIST 4 impact.

June 12, 2019: Members of Congress suggest USTR should allow extensions on 301 exclusions already granted in LIST 1.

June 11, 2019: ITC: Affirmative Injury Determination - but with a Negative Vote on Critical Circumstances.

June 10, 2019: CSMS# 19-000296 - UPDATE: Section 301 (Tranche 3) Duties:Extension to June 15, 2019

June 10, 2019: Guidance: premarket tobacco product applications for electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS).

June 8, 2019: State Department: US-Mexico Joint Declaration (averting Trump tariffs).

June 8, 2019: DOC: Preliminary anti-circumvention decision on hardwood plywood from China (A-570-051/C-570-052). A certification requirement to be created for importers and exporters of plywood from China. Additional reading: Issues memo.

June 6, 2019: DOJ: Criminal/Civil charges announced against CEO of Apparel company for Customs Fraud

June 6, 2019: CBP: CSMS# 19-000289: Fifth Round of Products Excluded from Section 301 Duties (Tranche 1)

June 4, 2019: WTO Annual Report. Video Summary.

June 4, 2019: Canada’s appeal in the WTO Softwood Lumber dispute case.

May 31, 2019: POTUS clarifies that MX duties will escalate each month and reach 25% (if not averted).

May 31, 2019: USTR: Arrival deadline (List 3 10% Section 301 Tariffs) will be extended to June 15. would change the List 3 arrival date required for qualification at the 10% rate to June 15, 2019. ((Per CSMS #19-000274 brokers might wish to delay entry filing (under the 10-day filing rule) until CBP updates ACE to provide for this extended date.))

May 31, 2019: India terminated from June 5.

May 31, 2019: DOC: Antidumping and countervailing duty investigations on quartz surface products from India (A-533-889/C-533-890), and Turkey (A-489-837/C-489-838).

May 30, 2019: POTUS threatens 5% duties on Mexico on the 10th of June.

May 28, 2019: DOC: NPRM: Proposal for Countervailing Duties against Currency Devaluation

May 22, 2019: CSMS #19-000260: Section 301 Products Excluded from Duties - Liquidation Extension Request.

May 20, 2019: CSMS #19-000257: UPDATE: Decrease in Duty on Imports of Steel Under Section 232 (Republic of Turkey) .

May 20, 2019: Dist. Ct. NM: U.S. v. Sterling Islands, No. CR 18-4176 JB: Violation of a violation of any government regulation affecting imports – including Origin marking – constitutes a criminal violation of 18 U.S.C. § 545.

May 19, 2019: CSMS #19-000252: Termination of Section 232 Duty For Steel and Aluminum Products of Canada and MX

May 17, 2019: FDA: FSMA Technical Assistance Network (TAN) POPULAR TOPICS (including updates as to produce safety regulations).

May 15, 2019: POTUS: E.O. 13873 grants the Commerce authority to prohibit certain ICTS Transactions “designed, developed, manufactured, or supplied by persons owned by, controlled by, or subject to the jurisdiction or direction of foreign adversaries” and that pose an undue or unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States."

May 13, 2019: USTR: LIST 4 tariffs announced. See our page on the 301 tariffs.

May 13, 2019: False Claims Act Settlement of $610,000 for evasion of customs duties that would have been paid by U.S. customers by breaking up single shipments into multiple shipments of lesser value in order to avoid duties. United States ex rel. Vale v. Selective Marketplace Ltd. et al., Civil No. 2:17-cv-380-LEW (D. Me.).

May 12, 2019: China’s retaliation announcement against the United States. Official lists in Mandarin: List 1: 2,500 products. List 2: 1,000+ products.

May 9 & 10, 2019: CBP: CSMS instructions for LIST 3 declarations given increase to 25%.

May 8, 2019: USTR: LIST 3 increase announcement.

May 6, 2019: POTUS: Failed trade negotiations. LIST 3 to increase to 25%. LIST 4 to be readied at 25%.

May 5, 2019: Canada Customs: Border search policy customs will attempt to crack devices containing privileged information. Non-citizen refusal to open devices may result in a refusal of admission at the border.

May 4, 2019: USTR: LIST 3 exclusions process to open.

May 2, 2019: OFAC: Guidance: A Framework for OFAC Compliance Commitments

May 1, 2019: CBP: Strategy plan 2020- 2025.

April 30, 2019: Mnuchin interview indicates in China trade deal should either wrap up or be abandoned.

April 29, 2019: USMCA crystallizing as an issue for the 2020 election. Senator Grassly’s WSJ editorial states that USMCA is dead in the Senate unless sec. 232 tariff are removed; meanwhile, House Speaker Pelosi will keep it from a vote until Mexico implements exiting labor reforms, and new provisions are added.

April 29, 2019: CAFC: Rubies Costume: Court of Appeal affirms CIT decision on Santa Suits.

April 27, 2019: April 27, 2019: California Court of Appeal Decision affirms Customs Brokers’ Terms and Conditions.

April 25, 2019: Sen. Grassly states 301 tariffs could be removed in stages by both countries. Trade negotiations continue: April 30 (Beijing) and May 8 (Washington DC).

April 22, 2019: CIT: US v. Titan Metals: Penalties against first time importer who evaded ADCVD.

April 19, 2019: Wooden Cabinets and Vanities from China: ITC’s Preliminary affirmative injury determination.

April 19, 2019: CBP: CSMS #19-000212: Submitting Imports of Third Group of Products Excluded from Section 301 Duties.

April 18, 2019: USTR: 3rd Tranche of Product Exclusions: China's Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property, and Innovation

April 18, 2019: Drawback: National Association of Manufactures lawsuit filed at the CIT against CBP regulations preventing drawback on goods subject to excise taxes.

April 18, 2019: USMCA: ITC Report on economic impact of the USMCA. USTR Report on Auto impact.

April 17, 2019: FTC: Made in USA Final Consent settlement announcement on “Made in USA” claims against imported hockey pucks.

April 17, 2019: CBP: Announces Entry Type 86 for low-value section 321 shipment at the NCBFFA conference. POA requirements under a type 86 entry are presently uncertain.

April 17, 2019: Statement by FTC Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter on Sandpiper/PiperGear and Patriot Puck consent orders for “Made in USA” claims: “…I am persuaded that, for brazenly deceptive representations that a wholly imported product is “Made in U.S.A.,” consent orders without disgorgement or admissions fail to exact a meaningful cost from the lawbreaking company and its executives sufficient for effective general deterrence.”

April 10, 2019: Canadian SWL: WTO: Publication of DS534: United States — Anti-Dumping Measures Applying Differential Pricing Methodology to Softwood Lumber from Canada.

April 9, 2019: DOJ: Settlement announced in the Univar evasion case for $62.5 million.

April 10, 2019: CNBC: Treasury Secretary Mnuchin says US and China have agreed on the trade deal enforcement mechanism. “…if we can complete this deal it will be the most significant economic development… in 40 years… We’ve pretty much agreed on an enforcement mechanism. We’ve agreed that both sides will establish enforcement offices that will deal with the ongoing matters. This is something both sides are taking very seriously… I’m not going to comment on the specifics of the tariff and what would stay and what would go away… ”

April 8, 2019: USTR: Proposal for retaliatory tariffs on EU products (due to EU aircraft subsidies held illegal WTO). USTR’s preliminary list of impacted products.

April 8, 2019: Apparel: CBP NPRM: 50/50 textile blends: classification based on the fiber that is last in numerical order per GRI 3(c).

April 5, 2019: USTR: Report due to President by Oct. 30 to evaluate current policies/practices and propose improvements that counter counterfeit imports.

April 4, 2019: POTUS: Mexico border crisis: “Mexico understands that we’re going to close the border or I’m going to tariff the cars. I’ll do one or the other. And probably start off with the tariffs. That will be a very powerful incentive. . . If the drugs don’t stop—Mexico can stop them if they want—we’re going to tariff the cars. The cars are very big. And if that doesn’t work, we’re going to close the border. But I think that’ll work. So it’s massive numbers of dollars… You know I will do it. I don’t play games. I’ll do it. We’re going to give them a one-year warning. And if the drugs don’t stop, or largely stop, we’re going to put tariffs on Mexico and products, in particular cars. The whole ballgame is cars. It’s the big ballgame. With many countries, it’s cars. And if that doesn’t stop the drugs, we close the border.” ((Also see the comments of CBP Commissioner McAleenan from March 27)).

April 4, 2019: Solar: ITC: 337 Investigation of solar cell imports: Notice of investigation. <Factsheet>.

April 3, 2019: CBP: Border wait times

April 3, 2019: White House: Memorandum on Combating Trafficking in Counterfeit and Pirated Goods. Article summary.

April 3, 2019: Navarro: WSJ Op-Ed: Trump Has a Plan to Stop Fake Goods.

April 2, 2019: CBP: Instructions for CBMA (Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act of 2017) Duty Refund claims.

April 2, 2019: USDA: Translation of China’s Food Safety standard: GAIN Report Number:CH 19010: Fresh and Frozen Livestock and Poultry Products.

April 1, 2019: USTR: Report on foreign trade restrictions.

March 29, 2019: DOJ: Executives (Chu and Loh) indicted by DOJ for intentionally failing to report CPSC violations (humidifiers).

March 27, 2019: CBP Commissioner on Border Crisis

March 27, 2019 : Export Enforcement: OFAC announced in which a Chinese subsidiary caused “23 shipments of power tools and spare parts to Iran with a total value of more than $3.2 million” in a scheme that involved “using six trading companies (4 United Arab Emirates companies and 2 Chinese companies) and fake bills of lading with incorrect ports of discharge and places of delivery.” Settlement here.

March 26, 2019: Xinhua: Opening up "a distinctive symbol" of China today: vice premier

March 25, 2019: USTR: Petition Deadline: GSP Product/Country Review (April 18, 2019).

March 22, 2019: CBP: CSMS #19-000155: Submitting Imports of Second Group of Products Excluded from Section 301 Duties.

March 21, 2019: USTR: Second list of LIST 1 section 301 exclusions.

March 21, 2019: EPA: Initiation of Prioritization of 40 chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

March 20, 2019: POTUS: President Trump states that the agreement being negotiated with China would not end section 301 tariffs, those tariffs will stay in place for a “substantial period of time... because we have to make sure that if we do the deal with China, that China lives by the deal.”

March 19, 2019: CBP: EAPA investigation into Glycine ADCVD evasion.

March 18, 2019: What next?: Pork smuggling.

March 14, 2019: Brexit: NYT article: UK situation uncertain.

March 12, 2019: ACE: Center Unique Identifier (Center ID) announced to identify an accounts’ assigned Center of Excellence and Expertise (Center).

March 8, 2019: BIS: Comments period opens in 232 investigation of titanium sponge.

March 6, 2019: PRC: Movement to reform Chinese law by prohibiting PRC government agencies from making demands on U.S. companies to disclose underlying technologies.

March 5, 2019: Federal Register: USTR Suspends LIST 3 increase “until further notice.”

March 5, 2019: WSJ article: All tariffs could come off. ((but will they?)).

March 4, 2019: USTR: Indian and Turkey to be terminated from GSP after 60 days.

March 1, 2019: LIST 1 approval/denial ratio is now 3,300 approved to 4,500 denied. This translates to a 42% rate of approval.

February 27, 2019: Congress: Testimony of USTR, Robert Lighthizer.

February 26, 2019: CRS Report on NAFTA/USMCA issues, including withdrawal.

February 21, 2019: Senator Grassly quoted for the proposition that neither Mexico nor Canada will ratify USMCA if section 232 tariffs are in place.

February 20, 2019: Fortune: Brexit tearing UK political parties apart.

February 18, 2019: House: Explanatory Statement, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019, page 38. (requiring USTR to open an exclusion process for LIST 3).

February 15, 2019: Congress passed appropriations for the remaining seven appropriations bills for fiscal year 2019, and President Trump has signed the omnibus prior to expiry of the CR.

February 12, 2019: Census: Concordance tables updated: 2019 Schedule B and HTS tables. HTS codes not valid for AES.

February 10, 2019: United Nations: UN Conference on Trade and Development Report.

February 9, 2019: BIS and Census raised civil penalty amounts for export control and trade statistics violations.

February 2019: COAC: IPR recommendations.

February 8, 2019: A new 5106 form (to possibly be released in March) might require enhanced information on the importing company, including banking information, related entities and personal identifying information for corporate officers.

February 8, 2019: Final AD Order on Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet from China.

February 8, 2019: CBP: CSMS #19-000052: Submitting Imports of Products Excluded from Section 301 Duties.

February 7, 2019: Results of Expedited Reviews in Softwood Lumber from Canada.

February 6, 2019: Final CVD Order on Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet from China.

February 6, 2019: After civil prosecution under the FCA in the Western District of Texas, the owners of Blue Furniture are now also facing criminal charges in the US District for South Carolina.

February 5, 2019: State of the Union: Trump holds Xi to deliver “structural change,” hints to NYTimes that tariffs will stay in place regardless.

February 1, 2019: DOJ: Announcement that Honda Aircraft alleged violated the Immigration and Nationality Act’s anti-discrimination provision (8 U.S.C. § 1324b) by publishing job announcements stating that only U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents would be considered for employment in roles involving technical data and technology subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). Case settlement.

January 31, 2019: DOJ: Enforcement against cosmetics importer regarding eyelash kits tied to North Korea. Due to a prompt voluntary self disclosure and remedial actions, the settlement penalty was reduced from a maximum $40 million, to approximately $1 million. This represents a first public enforcement fine for a violation of the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), as it applies to North Korean labor under the North Korean Sanctions Regulations (NKSR).

January 30, 2019: CBP: Budget dispute does not impact transition to mandatory ACE drawback as planned, as of Feb. 24 all drawback claims must be filed electronically in ACE.

January 30, 2019: CBP: CSMS CSMS# 19-000020: Sect. 201, 232, and 301 Reports Now Available in ACE to Importers and Brokers.

January 29, 2019: USTR: Legal changes needed to implement USMCA.

January 29, 2019: New Democrat Coalition: noncommittal on USMCA.

January 19, 2018: CBP: In-bond and ISF-5 penalty enforcement postponed until at least after March 6 (due to government shutdown).

January 14, 2019: CIT: Commerce ordered to provided additional analysis in the analysis related to the “finished goods” scope exclusion in Whirlpool, and Meridian.

January 14, 2019: CBP extends restrictions on importations of archeological items from Bulgaria and China.

January 11, 2019: USTR: EU FTA negotiating objectives.July 10, 2019: DOC: Quartz ADCVD Order