Snapshot

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 […]
  

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 […]