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

Administration   

  • In an interview with CNBC, President Trump commented about the difficulty in facilitating IEEPA refunds and suggested that he would remember companies that choose not to seek refunds. 

Customs and Border Protection (CBP)   

  • On April 20, CBP launched Phase 1 of the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE). Importers of record (IORs) and licensed customs brokers may now file CAPE Declarations through ACE. 
  • CBP officers at Port Everglades seized 8,500 units of counterfeit designer perfumes, which would have been valued at over $1 million had they been genuine. 

Court of International Trade (CIT)   

  • CIT Judge Eaton ordered the government to file a report on the progress made during CAPE Phase One by April 28.  

U.S. Department of Commerce 

  • The Commerce Department published a notice outlining procedures for requesting tariff breaks on Canadian and Mexican steel and aluminum used to produce U.S. cars, trucks, and parts. 
  • In a budget request document, the Commerce Department referred to a Section 232 investigation that has not been publicly launched on power generation equipment. 
  • Commerce made a preliminary finding that importers of Thai and Vietnamese disposable aluminum containers made from aluminum foil produced in China are circumventing the AD/CVD orders on disposable aluminum containers, pans, trays, and lids from China. Commerce imposed new AD/CVD, retroactive to October 28, 2024. 

United States Trade Representative (USTR)   

  • USTR was pressed during a Congressional hearing on the impact of tariffs on goods manufacturing and the unpredictability of tariff levels for the industry. 
  • USTR received more than 800 comments in its structural excess capacity docket. Several trade groups accused USTR of using Section 301 to reverse-engineer the global tariffs that were struck down by the Supreme Court. Reporting by ITT. 
  • U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Mexican Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard, and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum discussed changes to USMCA on April 20. 
  • Representative Greer and Secretary Ebrard of Mexico each released statements outlining outstanding issues in USMCA negotiations.  

Department of Justice (DOJ) 

  • A New Mexico couple pleaded guilty to smuggling counterfeit Native American jewelry made in Vietnam. The defendants face a five-year prison sentence for violations of the Indian Arts and Crafts Act and up to 20 years for the smuggling charge. 
  • A Massachusetts resident was sentenced to four months in prison for conspiring to smuggle goods into the U.S. as well as international money laundering. The defendant smuggled precious metals into the U.S. without declaring them at U.S. customs. 

Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)   

  • OFAC sanctioned five individuals and seven companies that operate in Nicaragua’s gold sector. The entities were involved in the forceful seizure of U.S.-owned property in Nicaragua. 

Congress 

  • A group of bipartisan Senators and House Representatives introduced the Clear Labels Act – a bill that would require prescription medicines to list the country of origin for both the drugs and the active pharmaceutical ingredients. 

International News   

  • The Wall Street Journal has reported that Iran seized two container vessels and escorted them to the shore, and a third vessel was shot at. 

Industry News 

  • Major express couriers, including FedEx, UPS, and DHL, announced they will be returning refunds of IEEPA tariffs to their customers. 
  • BRP, Inc. – a Canadian snowmobile and ATV maker – has suspended 2027 guidance to investors in response to recent amendments to Section 232 tariffs on steel, aluminum, and copper imports. The amendments resulted in a 25% tariff on the total value of imported snowmobiles and most off‑road vehicle models. 

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