DOJ: Australian Contractor Pleads Guilty to Selling U.S. Cyber Tools to Russia

An Australian national, who worked for a US defense contractor sold cyber tools to a Russian broker who then sold them to the Russian government. They were meant solely for the U.S. government and allies. Over 3 years, at least…

BIS: Implements New Rule Automatically Extending Entity List and MEU Restrictions to Affiliates

On September 30, 2025, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) issued an interim rule that significantly broadens the scope of U.S. export controls by redefining how “Affiliates” are treated under the Entity List and Military End-User (MEU) List frameworks.…

USTR: Proposes Section 301 Vessel Fees and 100 Percent Tariffs on Port Equipment

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced plans on October 10, 2025, to implement new Section 301 measures affecting vessel operators and certain cargo equipment. Key changes include setting service fees for foreign-built vehicle carriers at $46 per net ton, removing…

Year-End Insights Webinar 1: What We Learned in 2025

Key Changes, Shifts & Surprises in Trade This Year! How have you survived 2025 and how do you plan to weather 2026? In this webinar Star USA’s president, Michael D. Easton, was joined by Lee Mersek, president of Global Resilience…

USTR: New Section 301 Fees Imposed on Chinese-Owned, Operated, and Built Vessels, Plus All Foreign Vehicle Carriers

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has announced new Section 301 fees targeting certain vessels with ties to China, as well as all foreign-built vehicle carrier vessels. These fees apply to vessels that are owned, operated, or…

DOJ: Los Angeles Clothing Importer Sentenced for $17 Million Tax Evasion and $8 Million Customs Fraud in Operation Take Back America

The Department of Justice announced the sentencing of a wholesale clothing importer based in downtown Los Angeles’ Fashion District for orchestrating a large-scale customs fraud and tax evasion scheme. Federal prosecutors detailed how the company systematically undervalued imported apparel, primarily…

MOFCOM: China Tightens Grip on Rare Earth Exports, Imposes New Restrictions on Key Tech and Energy Materials

China has introduced new export control and licensing requirements covering rare earth–related materials and technologies that underpin the digital economy, automotive manufacturing, and energy transition. The measures aim to strengthen oversight of strategically important resources, signaling a tighter regulatory environment…

Justice: Maine Man Charged Under Lacey Act for Trafficking Bird and Whale Parts Imported from Eastern Europe

A Maine resident was taken into custody for illegally bringing bird and whale parts from Eastern Europe into the United States in violation of the Lacey Act. Authorities report that if convicted he could face up to five years in…

DDTC: Licensing, Registrations, and Public Access Delayed Until Further Notice

Due to a lapse in federal appropriations, the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) has significantly reduced operations. Access to the Defense Export Control and Compliance System (DECCS) is unavailable, suspending submissions and public access for registrations, license applications including…

CBP: ACE CERT Enhancement on Oct. 7 Increases Statement Capacity to 9,999 Entry Summaries

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) plans an October 7 enhancement in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Certification (CERT) environment, raising the maximum number of entry summaries allowed on a single statement from 2,000 to 9,999. This update comes as…

CBP: Withhold Release Order Issued on Giant Bicycles Over Forced Labor Concerns

A withhold release order has been announced requiring U.S. Customs and Border Protection to detain all bicycles, bicycle components, and related accessories produced by Giant Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Beginning September 24, 2025, CBP officers at every U.S. port of entry…

BIS: U.S. Eases Export Rules for Civilian Goods to Syria Under New License Exception

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has introduced a new license exception, SPP (Syria Peace and Prosperity), allowing U.S.-origin goods, software, and technology with purely civilian applications (EAR99), consumer communications devices, and select civil aviation items to be exported…