Customs and Trade News Weekly Snapshot

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

Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

CBP issued guidance on the additional tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico.
CBP held its quarterly Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) meeting in Atlanta where the agency committed to implementing President Trump’s America First trade policy.
CBP is implementing a new Chapter 99 harmonized tariff schedule number to implement the increase in duties from 10% to 20% on imports from China.
CBP is seeking public comments related to the distribution of funds pursuant to the continued dumping and subsidy offset for affected domestic producers. Comments on the information collection are due May 5.
CBP officers seized more than $52,000 in unreported currency during two separate seizures at Washington Dulles International Airport.

Administration

On March 4, new tariffs went into effect on imports from:
- China: 20%
- Mexico: 25%
- Canada: 25%
- Federal register notices available here (Canada, Mexico, China)
The Administration announced an exemption on auto tariffs on Mexico and Canada for one month.
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.
President Trump stated in a Truth Social post that if Canada puts a retaliatory tariff on the U.S., the U.S. reciprocal tariff will immediately increase by a like amount.

U.S. Department of Commerce

Commerce released two federal register notices (steel, aluminum) detailing tariff subheadings to be used for the expanded Section 232 tariffs.

Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)

OFAC announced the agency is taking action against seven high-ranking members of Ansarallah, commonly known as the Houthis for smuggling military-grade items and weapon systems into Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.
OFAC announced sanctions against a Shanghai-based malicious cyber actor and data broker, and his company that allegedly acquired, brokered, and sold data from highly sensitive U.S. critical infrastructure networks.

World Trade Organization (WTO)

Canada has requested WTO dispute consultations with the United States regarding new tariff measures applied by the United States on goods originating in Canada.
China has submitted a revised request for dispute settlement consultations with the United States to address new US tariff measures applied on goods originating in China.
WTO launched WTO Tariff & Trade Data, an online platform providing enhanced access to official tariff and trade figures for over 150 economies.

United States Trade Representative (USTR)

Reminder: Comments in USTR’s proceeding to review unfair trade actions and harm from non-reciprocal trade arrangements is due March 11.
USTR released the 2025 Trade Policy Agenda and the 2024 Annual Report. The reports include President Trump’s 2025 trade agenda, and a summary of current USTR initiatives including enforcement initiatives.

U.S. Department of Treasury

The Treasury Department announced that the agency is suspending enforcement of the BOI requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act. The Act requires an estimated 30 million businesses to file Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) with the Treasury Department.

Congress

Three senators introduced a resolution that would end the emergency that President Trump declared on the northern border. If successful, the resolution would terminate the newly implemented tariffs on Canadian goods.
House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Linda T. Sánchez introduced the Closing the De Minimis Loophole Act, which would Immediately end de minimis treatment for packages from China and phase out de minimis for all other countries after a four-month transition period.

Industry News