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

Courts 

  • On May 12, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) issued a stay of the CIT’s decision finding Section 122 tariffs are unlawful. The stay suspends the implementation of the CIT’s order while the appeal proceeds.  

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) 

  • CBP filed an updated IEEPA refund progress report with the CIT. Since April 20, 2026, 126,237 CAPE declarations have been filed. Of those, 1,880 were not issued refunds because ACH account information was not provided.  
  • CBP reported a 22% pass rate of the April 2026 customs broker license exam. Exam takers reported discrepancies between answers they recorded on their own scratch paper and the digital score reports. CBP acknowledged an issue with answer recording, but says it was resolved prior to the tests being graded. Reporting courtesy ITT.   
  • CBP, in collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard and the FDA, seized more than 18 million units of electronic nicotine delivery systems (vapes) valued at over $175 million, as part of a targeted initiative called Operation Red Mist. 
  • CBP officers in Norfolk, VA, seized 105 scooters and 2,600 folding chairs that violated vehicle or consumer safety standards. 
  • CBP officers in Louisville seized 1,622 pieces of counterfeit designer jewelry. The shipment would have had a combined Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of over $14.1 million, had the goods been genuine. 
  • CBP announced 37 additional partnerships for new and expanded services under the Reimbursable Services Program. 
  • CBP released an HTSUS update that includes new information regarding Section 232 tariffs on USMCA-qualifying Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles (MHDVs). 

Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) 

  • OFAC designated 10 individuals and companies across the Middle East, Asia, and Eastern Europe for allegedly enabling Iran’s efforts to secure weapons and raw materials for its UAV and ballistic missile programs.  
  • OFAC designated 12 individuals and entities for their roles enabling the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) sale and shipment of Iranian oil to the People’s Republic of China. 

Department of Commerce

  • On May 11, 2026, the U.S. Department of Commerce published the procedures for companies to apply for agreements with the U.S. government to reduce Section 232 tariffs on imported patented pharmaceutical products by onshoring manufacturing. 

Department of Justice (DOJ)

  • Perfectus Aluminum and Perfectus Aluminum Acquisitions, along with four affiliated warehousing companies, agreed to pay $549.5 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations that they evaded antidumping duty and countervailing duty orders on aluminum extrusions from China. 

Federal Maritime Commission (FMC)

  • A FMC small claims officer dismissed a claim against CMA CGM, saying Alaska-based Saharan Sustenance failed to show that the carrier charged unfair detention fees for a refrigerated container shipped from Algeria to Los Angeles. 
  • The FMC is seeking comment on proposed changes to its rulemaking procedures, including consolidation of its rulemaking petition requirements, and a change that would allow for certain ex parte communications with the agency. Comments are due June 12. 

Congress

  • USTR Ambassador Greer testified before the House Ways and Means Committee, where he noted that the trade deficit has fallen 24% since “Liberation Day” in April 2025.  
  • Twenty members of Congress sent a letter to USTR Ambassador Greer on May 11, requesting that USTR initiate a Section 301 investigation into unfair trade practices by foreign seafood importers, including issues related to the use of forced labor in seafood supply chains. 

International 

  • China will implement revised inspection and quarantine rules for imported and exported cosmetics on December 1, 2026. The new framework will standardize major procedures, including on-site inspections and import declarations, and strengthen coordination between customs authorities and other regulators. 

Want more customs and international trade news? Sign up for our weekly snapshot!

Print Friendly, PDF & EmailPrint