| Customs & International Trade Law Blog

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

Administration

President Trump issued an Executive Order that officially postpones the effective date of the country-specific reciprocal tariffs from July 9 to Aug. 1.
President Trump announced that a 50% tariff on copper imports will take effect on August 1, 2025.
On July 4, President Trump signed the “Big, Beautiful Bill” into law. The bill includes provisions that will terminate the $800 de minimis exception for commercial shipments from all countries as of July 1, 2027.
President Trump sent a letter to Brazil’s president, threatening a 50% tariff on Brazilian goods and calling for the end of the trial of former President Jair Bolsonaro.
President Trump posted screenshots of letters he sent to 22 countries regarding reciprocal tariff rates that will take effect on August 1. Letters were sent to Brazil, Algeria, Iraq, Libya, Sri Lanka, Brunei, Moldova, Philippines, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand, Serbia, Bangladesh, Indonesia, South Africa, Bosnia and Herzegovina, South Korea, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, and Tunisia.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

Several FDA-regulated products previously exempt from partner government agency filing requirements when falling under the $800 de minimis threshold must now be reported to the FDA, effective immediately.
Chinese parts for new Boston public transit trains were detained by CBP over forced labor allegations.
CBP published proposals to revoke ruling letters concerning the tariff classification for certain wireless headphones and earphones. CBP said consideration will be given to any written comments received by Aug. 2 before taking these actions.

U.S. Department of Commerce

The Commerce Department issued its final affirmative determinations in the AD/CVD on imports of tungsten shot from China. Commerce set AD rates at 201.32% and CVD rates ranging from 55.64% to 292.84% for Chinese exporters.

Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS)

BIS announced its intent to initiate an administrative proceeding against Alpha and Omega Semiconductor Incorporated of Sunnyvale, California, for fifteen violations of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).

U.S. Census Bureau

The U.S. Census Bureau released its May 2025 U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services Report. The goods and services deficit was $71.5 billion in May, up $11.3 billion from $60.3 billion in April.

Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)

OFAC announced a $1,454,145 settlement with Harman International Industries, Inc. for its potential civil liability for 11 apparent violations of OFAC sanctions on Iran.

U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC)

The USITC released its 2025 Recent Trends in U.S. Services Annual Report. The United States remained the world’s largest services market and was the world’s leading exporter and importer of services in 2023.
USITC released its second report on the economic impact on the United States of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) automotive rules of origin (ROOs), their operation and effects on the U.S. economy and U.S. competitiveness, and whether the rules remain relevant in light of technological changes in the United States.

Federal Maritime Commission (FMC)

American Iron & Metal Co. (AIM), a Montreal-based scrap metal recycling company, has accused non-vessel operating common carrier Priva Logistics of New York state of preventing it from retrieving cargo shipped to India and Italy, according to a complaint filed with the FMC.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

On July 8, 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), along with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Justice (DoJ), and the Department of Defense (DoD), released a National Farm Security Action Plan to elevate American agriculture as a key element of the country’s national security.

Congress

Senate Finance Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer emphasizing that “binding international trade agreements must be approved by Congress.”

Industry News:

Fast fashion retailer H&M forms recycling logistics venture to tackle textile waste.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) received a total of 20 amicus briefs regarding the lawsuit against the tariffs President Donald Trump imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. All but two of the briefs supported the importers and U.S. states challenging the tariffs.