news

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

Administration  

• In a statement to the Wall Street Journal, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that tariffs could return to levels in place under IEEPA by the beginning of July through the use of Section 301. 

Customs and Border Protection (CBP)  

• CBP filed a declaration with the CIT providing an update on the agency’s progress in facilitating IEEPA tariff refunds via CAPE. As of April 14, 2026, CBP has completed all the primary components and functionalities for Phase 1 and will begin accepting refund requests on April 20, 2026. 
• CBP released a CSMS message guiding importers seeking IEEPA refunds via CAPE. The message includes guidance on submitting CAPE declarations and provides additional detail on the process CBP will follow in processing requests. 
• CBP sent a trade bulletin reminding importers to sign up for an ACE portal account so that they may receive electronic refunds from CBP. 
• CBP officers at the Buffalo port of entry seized nearly 1,000 electronic devices bearing counterfeit trademarks that, if authentic, would have been worth about $150,000. 

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

Administration

• On April 2, 2026, the President issued a proclamation strengthening Section 232 actions to adjust imports of aluminum, steel, and copper, continuing to cite national security concerns and the need to reinforce domestic metals industries. 

Customs and Border Protection (CBP)    

• CBP filed an update on the progress of the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) system that will be used to refund the tariffs imposed under the IEEPA.   
• On April 1, CBP released a modernized ACE Secure Data Portal account application for the trade community.  
• CBP said in a notice that it is no longer actively investigating allegations that cocoa from Cote d’Ivoire is being made with forced labor. 
• CBP filed a stipulated judgment with the CIT stating that products from importer Camel Energy aren’t subject to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA). The judgment follows a review of Camel’s supply chain, which determined that entries of batteries did not violate the UFLPA.  

United States Trade Representative (USTR) 

• USTR released the 2026 National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers […]
  

Another busy month in customs & international trade news: 

Court of International Trade (CIT) 

• On March 4, 2026, Judge Eaton issued a strong and detailed order requiring the refunds of IEEPA Tariffs. We expect the government to appeal this order. Judge Eaton issued subsequent orders: (i) suspending the previous order to allow CBP time to implement their refund process; (ii) amending the previous order to include Brazil and India IEEPA tariffs.  
• New York Attorney General Letitia James and prosecutors from 23 other states filed a lawsuit in the CIT to block President Trump’s global tariff regime under Section 122 and order refunds to states.  

Administration   

• President Trump issued a 60-day waiver to the Jones Act, temporarily allowing foreign-flagged ships carrying oil and gas to travel between US ports. 

Customs and Border Protection (CBP)    

• CBP ruled that the submission of a CBP Form 5106 on an importer’s behalf constitutes “customs business” and requires a broker license.  
• CBP’s Trade and Cargo Security Summit has been rescheduled to Sept. 8-10, from its original dates in April. CBP said this is due to the DHS lapse in appropriations. 

Congress   

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

Administration    

• President Trump issued a 60-day waiver to the Jones Act, temporarily allowing foreign-flagged ships carrying oil and gas to travel between US ports. 
• The text of the Ecuador-U.S. trade agreement was released and includes a long list of products that will receive most-favored nation tariff rate treatment in the U.S. Roughly 50% of Ecuador’s exports will see MFN treatment as a result of the deal.  

Customs and Border Protection (CBP)    

• CBP ruled that the submission of a CBP Form 5106 on an importer’s behalf constitutes “customs business” and requires a broker license. 
• CBP seized 35 e-bikes from China that violated federal motor vehicle safety standards. 
• Ahead of Passover and Easter season, CBP issued a reminder to check the latest agricultural import requirements for those traveling with fresh flowers, plants, seeds, fruits, vegetables, and decorated eggs. 
• CBP officers at the Port of Rochester and Port of Buffalo seized a variety of designer items bearing counterfeit trademarks. Had these designer items been genuine, the total manufacturer-suggested retail price (MSRP) value would […]