USTR: February Report Highlights US Intent to Preserve Trade Ties with China

The February report from the USTR on trade relations with China states that the US wants to maintain its trade relationship with China, and that Beijing has been moving to sever it. The report reiterates that China continues to not…

BIS: Commerce Department Takes Swift Action

Commerce issued a press release on the additional entities (900+!) that they’re adding to the Entity List for supporting the war effort on behalf of Russia, updated the high priority items list, and released a business advisory for doing business…

employee wearing hard hat using tablet in warehouse

AI & Software Tooling in Trade Compliance

Implications of technology in trade compliance What role does technology play in trade compliance and what are some responsible ways to use it? Global business is changing and effective global trade compliance looks different than it used to. We discuss…

CSMS: CBP Expands Global Business Identifier

CBP is expanding their Global Business Identifier (GBI) testing, and they’re letting more people participate! Participation requests and questions can be directed to GBI@cbp.dhs.gov. To learn more about the GBI Test, please visit the GBI webpage. Read More

CSMS: CBP Unveils Insights in December Webinar

CBP has posted their December webinar on the 2024 Triennial Status Report and Annual Permit User Fee. Links to the recording and slide deck are in the TSR information on the Customs Brokers webpage. Read More

Justice: Russian-Canadian National Pleads Guilty in Money Laundering Scheme

A Russian-Canadian national conspired to launder money to send UAV components to sanctioned RU entities. The items shipped, and were found in RU weapon platforms in Ukraine. She plead guilty. Read More

Justice: Aircraft Formerly Owned by Iranian Airline Returns to US

The Boeing aircraft previously owned by an Iranian airline has been returned to the US via Argentina. Read More

HTS Classification

Making the complex more understandable Does classification leave your head spinning? This is an overview of the HTS, GRIs, and how to classify goods for international trade. We also talk about a few recent decisions by Customs headquarters and how…

Justice: Dual US-Taiwan Citizen Pleads Guilty to Conspiring in Covert Arms Export to Iran

A dual US-Taiwan citizen just pled guilty to a conspiracy charge for exporting defense articles to Iran. In 2002 and 2003 there was a sting operation on purchasing antennas to go to Iran, and other defense articles. The defendant went…

Justice: Four Individuals Charged with Illicit Trade for Smuggling US Electronic Components

Four people are charged with smuggling US electronic components from the US to Iran via China. They specifically sent items to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Iranian agency that develops ballistic missiles and UAVs. This went on between…

FTC: Kubota North America Hit with Record $2 Million Fine in Largest-Ever ‘Made in USA’ Case

The Federal Trade Commission announces their largest ever Made in USA case. Kubota North America is paying a $2 million civil penalty for falsely labeling some replacement parts “Made in USA”. Read More

BIS: Update to Sanctions on Russia and Belarus

The Department of Commerce is strengthening its existing sanctions under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) against Russia and Belarus, including by expanding the scope of the EAR’s Russian and Belarusian Industry Sector Sanctions and making certain changes to the licensing…