Customs and Trade Law Snapshot

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

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) 

• BIS published a report summarizing the findings of a Department of Commerce investigation into the effect of imports of titanium sponge on the national security of the United States.
• BIS is seeking public comments concerning the imposition of export controls on certain Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) emerging technology, particularly with respect to its impact on U.S. national security
  • Comments due by December 10, 2021.
  • Contact us at info@diaztradelaw.com for help submitting your comment.
• BIS published this final rule to amend the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to update the AG Common Control List for dual-use biological equipment.
  • This rule is effective October 5, 2021.

International Trade

• IMF slashes US growth forecast and warns of rising risks to the global economy amid supply chain disruptions and softening consumption.
• 136 countries agree to historic deal implementing a 15% minimum corporate tax rate.

Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) 

• OFAC sanctions Libyan national Osama Al Kuni Ibrahim, who is responsible for serious human rights abuse against migrants in Libya.
• OFAC publishes six Ukraine-related web general licenses (GLs) in the Federal Register: GL 16, GL 16A, GL 16B, GL 16C, and GL 16D, and GL 16E.

U.S. Government 

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is seeking comments on launch of a Global Business Identifier (GBI) Evaluative Proof of Concept (EPoC) aimed at determining a single identifier solution that will uniquely discern main legal entity and ownership; specific business and global locations; and supply chain roles and functions.
  • Comments due by December 6, 2021
  • Contact us at info@diaztradelaw.com for help submitting your comment
• U.S. Department of Labor seeks trade community’s input on three reports issued by the Bureau of International Labor Affairs regarding child labor and forced labor in certain foreign countries.
  • Comments due by January 15, 2022.
  • Contact us at info@diaztradelaw.com for help submitting your comment.

United States Trade Representative (USTR)

• USTR files a request for a Section 332 investigation on the distributional effects of goods and services trade and trade policy to build upon the Biden Administration’s goals of a worker-centric trade policy that is inclusive for all Americans.
• USTR closes investigations into Vietnam‘s acts, policies and practices related to illegal logging and timber trade.
• USTR opened a web portal for importers and other interested parties to comment on whether the USTR should renew certain China tariff exclusions that had previously expired.
  • If you would like assistance submitting a comment about exclusions for your product, reach out to us today.
• USTR Katherine Tai speaks on reimplementation of a targeted tariff exclusion process in speech outlining the Biden-Harris Administration’s new approach to the U.S.-China bilateral trade relationship.

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