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

 Customs and Border Protection (CBP) 

  • CBP delayed the deployment of enhancements to the Document Image System (DIS) that will facilitate vehicle-related document submission for exports via Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) until further notice. 
  • CBP announced the agency will open a new Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) office in Laredo, Texas, by the beginning of next year. 
  • CBP held a resume and application workshop on Aug. 1. where recruiters provided information on CBP’s hiring process. 

United States Trade Representative 

  • USTR delays start to Section 301 China tariff modifications while they continue to review comments. The final determination is expected in August 2024. 

Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) 

  • OFAC updated its Compliance Hotline by transitioning to a single, user-friendly online platform to receive questions from the public.  Users can now submit queries—and provide all necessary details—directly through OFAC’s new OFAC Compliance Hotline page.  
  • Global Magnitsky designation update. 

United States International Trade Commission (USITC) 

  • USITC votes to continue investigations on low-speed personal transportation vehicles from China. 
  • USITC votes to continue investigations on brake drums from China and Turkey. 

Department of Commerce 

  • AD/CVD updates: 
    • Cast iron soil pipe from China: final results of the expedited first sunset review. 
    • Oil country tubular goods from Ukraine: preliminary results of antidumping duty administrative review.  
    • Forged steel fluid end blocks from Germany: final results of the countervailing duty administrative review. 

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 

  • FDA issued a Federal Register notice announcing medical device user fees and annual establishment registration fees for Fiscal Year 2025. 
  • FDA issued warning letters to five online retailers for selling unauthorized disposable e-cigarette products. 

 World Trade Organization (WTO) 

  • The WTO launched “World Trade Statistics 2023”, a new interactive tool presenting key data and trends for international merchandise and commercial services trade in 2023.  

Department of Justice (DoJ) 

  • Florida man and Venezuelan National charged with violating export and firearms laws for illegally procuring and exporting firearms to Colombia. 

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) 

  • DHS announced the addition of five entities based in China to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) Entity List, bringing the total entities listed to 73. 

 Congress 

  • Representative John Moolenaar introduced the Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act which would establish a new structure dedicated to prosecuting trade-related crimes, including tariff evasion and UFLPA violations. 
  • Sens. Bill Cassidy and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) released a discussion draft of the Customs Facilitation Act of 2024. The legislation is intended to modernize U.S. customs laws. Comments on the draft are due Aug. 30. 
  • Representative Crow introduced a bill that would require the modernization of information technology systems and applications of the Bureau of Industry and Security. 

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 

  • CDC implemented the new dog importation requirements on August 1. New requirements include an ISO-compatible microchip and a CDC Dog Import Form. 

Industry News 

  • A new national survey from the Cato Institute reveals that 63% of Americans want to increase trade with other nations, while 75% worry that tariffs are raising consumer prices. 
  • Russia passed a bill to allow crypto payments in international trade to counter sanctions. 

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