| Customs & International Trade Law Blog

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

Administration  

• The US & UK reached a trade deal, allowing the import of UK aerospace engines and parts duty-free. The average tariff on U.K. goods will stay at 10%. 
• The first negotiations between the US and China will begin this weekend in Switzerland. China will be represented by Vice Premier He Lifeng, and the U.S. will be represented by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. 
• In a hearing in front of the House Financial Services Committee, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that exempting tariffs on some baby items such as car seats and cribs is “under consideration.”
• President Trump told reporters that USMCA may no longer be necessary, calling it a transitional deal to move away from NAFTA.
• Via a social media post, President Donald Trump authorized the Department of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative to begin the process of instituting a 100% tariff on movies coming into the U.S. that are produced in other countries.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) 

• CBP updated its Section 232 tariff FAQ, clarifying that an exemption from reciprocal tariffs for goods subject to Section 232 tariffs only applies if duties are “owed and payable.”
• CBP agriculture specialists have inspected over 1.2 million imported cut flowers in preparation for Mother’s Day.
• CBP published a “New Tariff Requirements 2025 Factsheet” that will provide information on Executive Orders and Proclamations that have imposed new tariffs on goods imported into the United States.
• CBP published a Federal Register notice announcing that the quarterly IRS interest rates used to calculate interest on overdue accounts and refunds of customs duties will remain the same from the previous quarter. Underpayments will be 7% for both corporations and non-corporations, and overpayments will be 7% for non-corporations and 6% for corporations.
• CBP said the agency will increase the number of Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes that may be submitted per entry line from 8 to 32.
• CBP officers in Chicago intercepted a shipment of counterfeit watches, which, if genuine, would have been valued at over $6.6 million.
• CBP officers in Rochester, NY, intercepted several shipments of designer items bearing counterfeit trademarks. Had these items been genuine, the total value would be approximately $198,100.
• CBP’s Office of Field Operations announced the Port of Chief Mountain will re-open for seasonal traffic at 9 a.m. on May 15.
• Lisa Beth Brown is the new acting director of CBP’s Office of Trade Relations. Brown was previously the assistant director for trade operations at CBP’s Seattle Field Office.

Court of International Trade

• Parties in one of the tariff lawsuits will appear in court on May 13, where judges will hear arguments from the government and from plaintiffs on the plaintiffs’ request for a preliminary injunction. 

International Trade Commission (ITC)

• The ITC announced it is beginning a Section 337 investigation on drug products containing C-Type natriuretic peptide variants after receiving allegations of patent infringement.
• The ITC is seeking public input on remedies for its Section 337 investigation on Asus’ imported computing equipment. Submissions are due May 15. 
• The ITC voted to continue investigations on fiberglass door panels from China, finding that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured due to imports that are being sold at less than fair value and subsidized by the government of China.

Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

• President Trump fired three democratic Commissioners at the CPSC – Alex Hoehn-Saric, Rich Trumka, Jr., and Mary Boyle. The Commissioners and consumer organizations called the move illegal.

Congress

• A group of Democratic senators held a press conference with small business owners to condemn harm from President Donald Trump’s tariffs and to announce legislation to create a tariff exemption for small businesses.

Industry News

• U.S. shipments from China have plunged, reaching a 2-decade low. Some retailers, including online marketplace giant Temu, have halted shipments entirely from China. 

International News

• To reduce illegal transshipment of goods to the U.S., Malaysia’s Ministry of Investment, Trade & Industry announced it will be the only entity capable of issuing non-preferential certificates of origin for Malaysian shipments destined to the U.S.