Here is a recap of the latest customs and international trade news:      

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) 

  • CBP released the October 2024 monthly update. Highlights: 
    • Stopped 557 shipments for further examination based on the suspected use of forced labor 
    • Seized 1677 shipments that contained counterfeit goods 
    • Identified $3.6M in duties and fees owed to the U.S. government 
  • CBP issued updated guidance for importer obligations and requirements in completing origin documents – declarations, statements, and certifications of origin.  
  • Reminder: The Customs Broker Permit User Fee amount changed from $174.80 to $180.57. All broker permits issued on or after October 1, 2024, are subject to the new user fee. 
  • CBP issued guidance implementing USTR’s amendment to Section 301 China duties and product exclusions. 
  • CBP agriculture specialists intercepted live larvae from a rare and potentially destructive fruit fly at Detroit Metropolitan Airport. 
  • CBP and Laboratories and Scientific Services (LSS) opened a Forward Operating Laboratory (FOL) in Cincinnati. 
  • Jeffrey J. Dinise has been appointed as the new Chief Patrol Agent of the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) – Miami Sector. 

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) 

  • DHS added 30 additional companies, including metal and food producers, to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Entity List. 

Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) 

  • BIS announced a settlement agreement with a New York wireless communications company for providing false or misleading information regarding the value and/or quantity of their exports. 

Department of Commerce (DOC) 

  • DOC published the final results of AD/CVD administrative reviews for Malaysian exporters of certain quartz products.  DOC found that these exporters continue to be ineligible to participate in the scope certification process for the AD/CVD orders on quartz surface products from China. 

United States Trade Representative (USTR) 

  • The first shipment of U.S. turkey – which takes advantage of the agreed upon reduced tariff rate – departed for India, allowing American producers to access a critical global market. 

Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) 

  • OFAC published a new, Russia-related Alert, “Sanctions Risk for Foreign Financial Institutions that Join Russian Financial Messaging System, System for Transfer of Financial Messages.” 
  • OFAC announced the issuance of a $1,104,408 penalty against an individual for 75 violations of OFAC sanctions on Iran. The violations related to remittance of funds between the United States and Iran in order to purchase, renovate, and operate a hotel in Iran.  
  • OFAC announced a $178,421 settlement with American Life Insurance Company (ALICO), a subsidiary of MetLife, Inc. to settle its potential civil liability for 2,331 apparent violations of OFAC sanctions on Iran. 

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 

  • The FDA released updated guidance for the Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP). The revisions streamline processes, increase flexibility, and improve program efficiency. 

Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) 

  • The CPSC published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to make the safety standard for aquatic toys, specifically child neck floats, more stringent. 
  • The CPSC issued a final rule implementing new safety standards for soft infant and toddler carriers. 

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)  

  • NOAA fisheries released its seafood Action Plan after an intensive, year-long review of the Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP). Action Plan items  include a two-tiered reporting system, pre-entry screening, and simplified data elements. 

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) 

  • The FTC sent more than $140,000 to consumers deceived by false Made in USA claims by two New England based clothing companies.  

Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) 

  • FMC released the October 2024 activity report. Highlights: 
    • FMC meeting addresses enforcement & IT modernization 
    • FMC monitoring and review of surcharges and fees 
    • Addition of two ALJs on temporary basis 

U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) 

  • The USITC determined that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of frozen warmwater shrimp from Indonesia, Ecuador, India, and Vietnam. The Department of Commerce will issue countervailing duty orders on imports of this product from Ecuador, India, and Vietnam and an antidumping duty order on imports of this product from Indonesia.  
  • The USITC voted to begin a Section 337 investigation of certain flash-spun nonwoven materials. 

World Trade Organization (WTO) 

  • New WTO report examines how artificial intelligence may shape the future of international trade. 
  • At the 111th session of the Committee on Regional Trade Agreements (CRTA), WTO members reviewed five RTAs involving Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Malaysia, Montenegro, New Zealand, Türkiye, Ukraine and the United Kingdom. 

Congress 

  • Ten members of the House Ways and Means Committee introduced a bill that would forbid the president from using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs or quotas on imports. 
  • The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission released a report recommending that Congress revoke China’s permanent normal trade relations status with the United States. 
  • Chairman John Moolenaar of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party introduced the Restoring Trade Fairness Act, a bill that would revoke China’s Permanent Normal Trade Relations status with the U.S. and end de minimis entry eligibility for imports from China. 

Industry News 

  • President-elect Trump nominated billionaire businessman Howard Lutnick to be Commerce secretary. 
  • Reminder: Recently, there has been a noticeable increase in travelers who are found to be in possession of marijuana and THC-infused products. Under Federal law, marijuana and THC are classified as Schedule 1 narcotics and possession or distribution is strictly prohibited at the Federal level. 

International 

  • The European Council officially adopted a ban on products made with forced labor, following a yearslong lawmaking process.  The new regulations will apply about three years after publication in the Official Journal of the EU. 

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