This week’s recap of the latest customs and international trade news:      

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) 

  • CBP issued two Withhold Release Orders on September 29 against palm oil and its derivative products produced by Mitra Aneka Rezeki and Hardaya Inti Plantation in Indonesia. Effective immediately, CBP will detain covered shipments at all U.S. ports of entry based on evidence reasonably indicating the use of forced labor.  
  • CBP published guidance on September 28 implementing import exclusions for certain Canadian products covered by presidential proclamations addressing alcoholic beverages, motor vehicles, and dairy. Effective September 29, covered goods cannot be entered for consumption, admitted into foreign trade zones or bonded warehouses, or transported in bond. 
  • CBP is seeking comments on its entry and entry summary procedures as it prepares to submit them to the Office of Management and Budget for re-approval. Changes to the procedures include the new Entry Type 13 and the inclusion of new parties to the Global Business Identifier test.  

Administration 

Court of International Trade (CIT) 

  • The CIT heard arguments on September 30 challenging Section 301 tariffs involving 60 trading partners. Businesses and states argue that the Administration exceeded its authority and failed to make adequate country-specific findings. The government defended its investigation, and the court has not yet issued a ruling. 

Department of Commerce 

  • Commerce published preliminary affirmative antidumping determinations on September 30 for large diameter graphite electrodes from China and India. Both notices include preliminary affirmative critical circumstances determinations. The India notice also postpones the final determination and extends provisional measures.  

U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) 

  • The USITC announced on September 29 that existing antidumping and countervailing duty orders on non-refillable steel cylinders from China will remain in place.  

Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) 

  • OFAC sanctioned 10 individuals and entities for procuring weapons and weapons components for Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics. The designations target procurement networks operating across multiple jurisdictions as part of Operation Economic Outcast.  
  • OFAC announced new Cuba Sanctions Regulations and amendments to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations, effective September 30. The agency also issued five new Cuba-related FAQs, amended 29 existing FAQs, and published an alert highlighting increased sanctions risks for transactions involving Cuba. 
  • OFAC also announced regulatory changes removing duplicative provisions and reorganizing its regulations, effective September 30. The changes eliminate more than 100 subparts and consolidate information concerning delegated authority, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements.  

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 

  • FDA reminded food facilities that the biennial registration renewal period runs from October 1 through December 31, 2026.  
  • FDA announced that an investigation assisted by its Office of Criminal Investigations led to conspiracy and smuggling charges against two Indian nationals. The charges concern an alleged international scheme involving counterfeit Ozempic sourced from China and distributed in the United States. 

Industry News  

  • Sixteen countries (that account for 55% of steel imports) agreed to coordinate on tariff circumvention by tracking and publishing the country of melt and pour of their imports and exports, and to launch AD/CVD and other investigations to protect their steel industries. 

International 

  • The United States and Brazil agreed to establish a working group to discuss a potential trade agreement. Brazil is seeking reductions in U.S. tariffs, including Section 232 duties on steel and aluminum and Section 301 duties. No agreement has been finalized.  
  • India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump discussed bilateral cooperation on September 30 as India’s trade minister visited the United States for negotiations. The talks concern a proposed bilateral trade agreement and an interim arrangement; the countries have not yet reached an agreement. 

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