Trade and Compliance

CBP and COAC make strides to improve procedures for bonded cargo moves, but more work still needs to be done.

Competition will stimulate industry submissions of cutting-edge, nonintrusive technologies that detect opioids in small packages.

The leaders of the Senate Finance Committee this week in a letter urged U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to maintain the current $800 de minimis level in forthcoming USMCA implementing […]

CBP Commissioner McAleenan said the advisory committee’s Northern Triangle Working Group will tackle trade barriers in Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador.

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said he’s “not foolish enough” to think one trade negotiation with China will change all allegedly unfair commercial practices.

The Food and Drug Administration has unveiled a plan to further enhance its safety oversight of imported foods through the Food Safety Modernization Act.

The latest opposition stopped a proposal by 73 WTO members to end an impasse as the U.S. continues to voice its concerns about the functioning of the panel itself.

The coalition will lobby Congress to approve the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

CBP and the industry continue to bring clarity and control to a significant import process through regulatory changes and automation.

The seizures happened in several separate incidents at two ports of entry along the southern border in recent days.

The Treasury Department agency is taking action against the government officials for deliberating blocking humanitarian aid from entering the South American country.

The petition cited apparent problematic fishing practices near New Zealand, which reduced the dolphin population to almost 2,000 over the past 45 years.

The department is looking for members to fill the 2019-2021 term of the President’s Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa.

EU Ambassador to the U.S. David O’Sullivan told reporters that any imposition of Section 232 tariffs on automotive imports from the EU would end bilateral talks toward a free trade […]

Tariffs had been set to rise across $200 billion worth of goods from China on March 2.

Mexico’s ambassador to the U.S.discussed the prospects for USMCA-implementing legislation in her country as analysts weighed in on the variables that could impact entry into force.

CBP reminded the trade that drawback claims must be filed in ACE according to requirements of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act.

ZAG International’s overseas managing director acquired cement clinker from a supplier in the United Arab Emirates knowing that it originated in Iran.

A KPMG trade analyst during a webinar outlined several measures companies subject to Section 301 duties might look into in order to remain competitive.

The House Committee on Oversight and Reform exposes potential ethics violations by the White House in its support to export nuclear power equipment.

Hong Kong is under global pressure to close back channels to facilitating exports used in weapons of mass destruction programs in sanctioned countries.

If the U.S. and China can’t agree on a deal for economic structural reforms in China by the end of March 1, 10 percent tariffs will climb to 25 percent.

Individuals knowing of a reason why an applicant should not receive a license should contact the Office of Transportation Intermediaries.

FMC reviews 23 OTI license applications

   The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission has received 23 ocean transportation intermediary license applications and changes for review.    The FMC received non-vessel-operating common carrier license applications from A.T.I. North Point, New […]

Undersecretary said her government is “not considering anything” other than the agreement as it is written, amid calls from some Democrats to renegotiate certain parts.

Section 301 tariffs across $200 billion worth of goods from China are set to rise from 10 percent to 25 percent on March 2, unless the U.S. and China can […]

OFAC said the violations were the result of rogue managers at AppliChem continuing illicit exports from Europe to Cuba under the nose of their U.S. owner.

But U.S.-China Business Council Senior Vice President Erin Ennis indicated she sees a path forward in negotiations during the National Association of Foreign-Trade Zones Legislative Summit.

The bill would realign Section 232 investigative authorities with the Defense Department and let Congress strike down any ordered duties through a resolution of disapproval.

The most common pests intercepted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists in imported flowers are aphids, thrips, moths, miner flies and mites.

The board’s executive secretary said companies intensively involved in re-export activities are among those seeking to benefit from the foreign-trade zones program.

Commenters call for China to be identified for the 15th straight year as a country of major intellectual property concerns.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection will seek industry input on how to best position its operations to meet future changes to trade during March 1 meeting.

When a company discovers a possible violation of U.S. export laws, it must carefully consider whether it’s necessary to file a voluntary self-disclosure.

The agency set forth procedures to claim exclusions granted by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative on Section 301 duties on goods from China.

Trade aspects of the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act of 2017 will be covered.

The U.S. and China will re-engage in trade talks with Section 301 tariffs set to rise to 25 percent on March 2 if the countries can’t reach a deal.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control added Evren Kayakiran to its Foreign Sanctions Evaders list, while reaching a settlement with Radford, Va.-based Kollmorgen Corp.

The State Department announced that it issued a presidential permit in November to the General Services Administration to start construction.

Commerce provided notice to Mexican signatories on Wednesday, after industry and lawmakers pushed for a pullout of the 2013 agreement.

The International Trade Commission pushed back decisions on whether to institute Section 337 investigations because of the partial government shutdown.

The reintroduction of the Trade Security Act is the most recent proposal to check the executive branch’s ability to impose national security-based trade remedies.

NCBFAA praises Customs and Border Protection leaders for their assistance and guidance during the 35 days federal agencies were closed.

The Bureau of Industry and Security and Census Bureau have raised their civil penalty amounts for various export control and trade statistics violations.

In its report to Congress, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative expressed concern about China’s support for Appellate Body proposals.

Jeffrey Kessler would be tasked with ensuring compliance of U.S. trading partners with free trade agreements.

The Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday favorably reported the nomination of Jeffrey Kessler, setting up the full Senate to consider confirmation.

Letter to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross calls for end to agreement suspending antidumping investigation.

The Agriculture Department and Office of the U.S. Trade Representative will accept nominations for four-year terms until March 1.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection said all drawback claims will have to be filed electronically in the Automated Commercial Environment.

CBP is slated to publish Tuesday a ruling that found the U.S. to be the country of origin of certain Ethernet devices for purposes of U.S. government procurement.

As another bilateral round of talks concluded this week, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said U.S. and Chinese officials extensively discussed enforcement.

U.S. Customs officers at Nogales border crossing find 254 pounds of the drug hidden in a truckload of cucumbers.

Oakland, Calif.-based cosmetics firm ELF used two Chinese suppliers that violated the U.S. government’s North Korean sanctions.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce CEO said Parliament probably will want to see how legislative consideration of the pact shakes out in the U.S. first.

Now is the time for export compliance officers to explain to senior management the reasons for the delays in BIS and hold the line on compliance.

The Office of the USTR submitted a description of changes to existing U.S. laws required to bring the U.S. into compliance.

For the U.S. dairy products industry to pour its products into the British market, the U.K. will need to shed agricultural tariffs and non-tariffs currently shared with the EU.

The Chinese telecom is charged with stealing trade secrets from T-Mobile USA and for violating U.S. sanctions against Iran through a misrepresented affiliate.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control has sanctioned state-owned Petroleos de Venezuela S.A. for illicit financial support of President Nicolás Maduro’s regime.

Panels will review U.S. Section 301 tariffs on China and retaliatory tariffs by Turkey against U.S. Section 232 measures.

Operations resumed Monday following the end of the government shutdown, but it’s still not business as usual.

Although sanctions against En+, Rusal and ESB were lifted Jan. 19, it took Treasury until Sunday to declare the action official.

The Reciprocal Trade Act would allow the U.S. to increase tariffs based on higher tariffs in other countries.

The Coalition for a Prosperous America pushed for a look at taxing corporate profits based on the location of sales.

OFAC adds Qeshm Fars Air to its list of sanctioned entities for its role in transporting weapons to support Iran’s military operations in Syria.

Trade analysts shared their perspectives on how the Trump administration might deal with South Korea as the U.S. weighs whether to impose auto tariffs.

A KPMG webinar described how importers should file post-summary corrections and/or protests to claim refunds under the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act.

U.S. exporters may be tempted to prematurely re-engage with three Russian industrial giants reportedly relieved from Treasury sanctions before knowing all the facts.

Commenters recently submitted their requests for provisions in a potential U.S.-United Kingdom free trade agreement.

Customs and Border Protection planned to start enforcing the in-bond changes on Feb. 6, but said the ongoing federal government shutdown forced its delay.

Analysis shows that the ongoing shutdown is impacting trade functions across the federal government.

U.S. exporters wait for official announcement from OFAC for guidance on how to proceed.

The European Commission submitted its proposal to the United Nations on Friday.

Various duty refund programs remain on hold as numerous CBP employees are on furlough during the federal government shutdown.

Agriculture is excluded from the draft mandates on industrial goods tariffs and conformity assessment.

Under the proposed Telecommunications Denial Order Enforcement Act, Chinese telecoms that violate U.S. sanctions would face “the same severe punishment” as ZTE.

The Senate Finance chair suggested the government shutdown could delay congressional consideration of USMCA as well as the start of trade talks with Japan and the EU.

John Veroneau says the passage of the trade agreement is very much an open question this Congress as several variables are in play.

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer indicated in a letter that ongoing trade talks will play a role in whether the Trump administration eventually will establish an exclusion process.

“Excepted personnel will ensure USTR continues to conduct operations, including trade negotiations and enforcement.”

The objectives, released Friday, largely mirror separate objectives released ahead of Japan and NAFTA talks.

U.S. technology developers warn the Commerce agency not to take broad, heavy-handed approach to controlling new technologies for national security purposes.

Restrictions on material from Bulgaria and China will remain in place until January 2024.

The EU trade commissioner said on Thursday that Europe would not agree to accept U.S. quotas on automotive imports as part of any potential bilateral trade agreement.

Trade ministers from the three countries met in Washington on Wednesday as the governments continue efforts to reinvigorate the WTO.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce CEO Tom Donohue made several remarks about U.S. trade policy during and after his State of American Business address Thursday.

Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin met with House leaders in a classified briefing to defend the decision to remove sanctions against three Russian companies.

The Senate Finance chair wants to talk with congressional Democrats about what they have in mind for consideration of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

The South Korean ambassador confirmed his country’s parliamentary body has ratified provisions necessary to effectuate amendments to the agreement.

The American Primary Aluminum Association said an OECD report supports application of Section 232 aluminum tariffs across import sources and countries.

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer: “The Trump administration is making clear that it takes monitoring and enforcement of U.S. trade agreements seriously.”

The European Commission has notified the World Trade Organization of its intent to extend steel safeguards imposed last summer through July 16, 2021.

Once the export control agencies are back in operation, it could take weeks for their staffs to dig out from the backlog of license requests.

Young Cuban baseball players must navigate complex MLB and OFAC rules in order to successfully make it onto the turf of Major League teams.

The new year brings a requirement for airlines and ocean carriers transporting international mail from China to file advance electronic data.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection requires mandatory filing of import manifests in ACE for trucks transporting up to 5,000 shipments with values of less than $800 each.

For many people, myself included, the holidays are a time for reflection and looking ahead at what’s to come. And although I tend to think making specific predictions is an […]

The Government Accountability Office, a congressional body that acts as a watchdog of executive branch performance, did call for more documentation of decision-making.