News & Articles

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

Administration 

• President Trump signed an Executive Order imposing a universal 10% tariff on all imports from ALL countries, effective 12:01 a.m. EDT on April 5, 2025. Additional country-specific tariffs will also apply.  

• President Trump signed an Executive Order ending de minimis treatment for goods from China and Hong Kong starting May 2. 

• The annex to the Section 232 auto tariff proclamation has been released. The annex lists tariff subheadings subject to the 25% tariffs on automobiles beginning April 3, and setting the effective date for tariffs on auto parts at May 3. 

United States Trade Representative (USTR) 

• USTR submitted the 2025 National Trade Estimate (NTE) to President Trump and Congress. The NTE is an annual report detailing foreign trade barriers faced by U.S. exporters and USTR’s efforts to reduce those barriers. 

• USTR held public hearings regarding proposed actions in the Section 301 investigation on China’s targeting of the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors for dominance. 

Customs and Border Protection (CBP)  

• CBP issued guidance on the 25% duty on imports of passenger vehicles and […]
  

Another busy month in international trade news – new tariffs, copper & lumber investigation, WTO disputes, and more. Here’s the full roundup:

Administration

• On March 26, 2025, President Trump issued a Proclamation imposing a 25% tariff on automobiles and automobile parts imported into the U.S.
• On March 24, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order enabling the Secretary of State to impose 25% tariffs on imports from countries that import oil from Venezuela.
• On March 2, President Trump issued executive orders that postpone the removal of de minimis for Canada and Mexico.
• President Trump signed an executive order directing the Commerce Department to investigate whether the importation of lumber, wooden cabinets, wooden furniture and paper pose a threat to national security under Section 232.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

• CBP released the February 2025 monthly update. Highlights:
  • Identified $2.9 million in duties and fees owed.
  • Stopped 1,024 shipments for further examination based on the suspected use of forced labor.
  • Seized 1,815 shipments that contained counterfeit goods.
• CBP issued guidance on import duties on imports of steel and steel derivative products.
• CBP issued guidance on import duties on imports of aluminum and aluminum derivative products.
• CBP issued guidance on the additional tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico.

Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)

• OFAC issued an alert to raise awareness of recent terrorist designations of international cartels and the resulting sanctions and criminal liability risks for U.S. and foreign financial institutions and others […]