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

Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

• CBP updated its FAQ on e-Commerce, clarifying that International mail can’t benefit from exemptions from reciprocal tariffs for subheadings listed as exempt.
• CBP announced at the September COAC meeting that the agency is planning to release a dedicated forced labor portal in FY 2026 that importers will be required to use.
• CBP’s COAC de minimis working group offered recommendations to CBP to bolster entry processing in ACE amid the end of the de minimis exemption on Aug. 29. These recommendations include treating postal shipments similarly to how CBP handles low-value shipments via other transportation modes.
• CBP added more parties to the list of those qualified to handle the payment of duties on international mail shipments.
• CBP recently discovered and detained several international food shipping containers that contained radioactive isotopes. As a result of these discoveries, the FDA issued a food safety alert on certain frozen shrimp products.
• The customs broker permit user fee will change from $180.57 to $185.38. All broker permits issued on or after October 1, 2025, […]
  

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

Administration 

• The U.S. and EU released a joint statement announcing that the U.S. will lower tariffs on EU goods covered by the automotive Section 232 action from 25% to 15% as soon as the EU acts to eliminate its industrial tariffs. 

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) 

• CBP released an EAPA enforcement update, revealing that from January 20 to August 8, 2025, CBP uncovered more than $400 million in unpaid trade duties through EAPA investigations. 
• CBP released new guidance on the additional goods subject to Section 232 tariffs for steel and aluminum derivatives.  
• CBP released a ruling in which the agency denied an importer’s request to use the first sale in determining transaction value. CBP determined that the importer did not provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate “bona fide sales.” 
• CBP released a Harmonized System Update containing 21 Harmonized Tariff Schedule records and 52 Automated Broker Interface records. 
• CBP officers in Indianapolis seized a shipment containing Cartier designer counterfeit watches. If the watches had been […]
  

Another busy month in international trade news. Here’s the full roundup:

Administration

• President Trump announced a trade deal with Japan. A 15% tariff rate will apply to all Japanese imports. Japan also committed $550B to invest in U.S. industry.
• President Trump announced a trade deal with the Philippines. A 19% tariff rate will apply to all Philippine imports.
• President Trump announced a trade deal with the EU. A 15% tariff will apply to most EU imports. 
• President Trump announced a trade deal with Indonesia. A 19% tariff rate will apply to all Indonesian imports.
• President Trump announced that Korea has agreed to a trade deal that will include a 15% tariff on all Korean imports.
• President Trump signed an Executive Order imposing an additional 40% duty on certain imports from Brazil. 
• President Trump announced that a 50% tariff on copper imports will take effect on August 1, 2025.
• The White House released a Fact Sheet announcing that the de minimis exemption will end on August 29 for all imported […]
  

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

Administration

• President Trump announced a trade deal with Japan. A 15% tariff rate will apply to all Japanese imports. Japan also committed $550B to invest in U.S. industry.
• President Trump announced a trade deal with the Philippines. A 19% tariff rate will apply to all Philippine imports.
• During a Congressional reception, President Trump threatened to ban the import of German cars if the EU doesn’t allow drugmakers to sell in their countries at higher prices.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

• CBP published a Federal Register notice announcing the agency will be adjusting certain customs user fees and corresponding limitations established by the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) for Fiscal Year 2026.

Court of International Trade (CIT)

• CIT hands down $3.4M penalty against importers for duty evasion.
• Two orange juice importers asked the CIT to either temporarily, preliminarily, or permanently enjoin the federal government from imposing and enforcing the Administration’s threatened 50% tariff on Brazil. 

United States Trade Representative (USTR)

• The Senate Appropriations Committee advanced a funding bill that included an increase […]
  

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

Administration

• On June 3, 2025, President Trump signed a Proclamation increasing Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum from 25% to 50%. The same day, CBP published guidance implementing the increase. All imports of steel and aluminum and their derivative products from all countries (except those from the UK) are subject to the 50% Section 232 Tariffs effective June 4, 2025.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP)  

• New HQ ruling: CBP ruled that an importer is liable for duties on merchandise that it sought to import, despite arguing that it didn’t consent to having its broker designate it as an importer of record.
• CBP issued a WRO against Zhen Fa 7 based on information that reasonably indicates the use of forced labor. Effective May 28, 2025, CBP personnel at all U.S. ports of entry will detain seafood, including but not limited to squid, harvested by Zhen Fa 7.
• CBP’s Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) will be holding its quarterly meeting on June 18, virtually, from Washington, D.C.

Department of Commerce 

• Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnik testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee. Topics of discussion included trade deals, […]