Trade News

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

October 2, 2025

A man in Maine was caught trafficking bird and whale parts, which violates the Lacey Act. He imported them from Eastern Europe to sell in the US. He is facing a maximum penalty of five years in prison, three years…

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

October 2, 2025

Due to a lapse in appropriations, services at the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) are significantly curtailed, including Defense Export Control and Compliance System (DECCS) submissions for registrations, licenses (including batch submissions), speaker requests, customer support, Advisory Opinions, and…

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

September 26, 2025

An October 7th enhancement is planned in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Certification (CERT) environment to increase the maximum number of entry summaries on a statement from 2,000 to 9,999. As Section 321 de minimis is no more, more entries…

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

September 26, 2025

A withhold release order (WRO) has been issued. Effective September 24, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel at all U.S. ports of entry will detain bicycles, bicycle parts, and accessories manufactured by Giant Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (Giant) in…

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

September 16, 2025

Specifically, this rule adds a new license exception SPP (Syria peace and prosperity) under which U.S.-origin goods, software, and technology that have purely civilian uses (i.e., those classified as EAR99), as well as consumer communications devices and certain items related…

ITC: Stainless Steel Trade Case Nears Final Stage as ITC Weighs Duty Decision

September 16, 2025

Corrosion resistant steel also known as stainless steel has received a final determination from commerce and is waiting for one from the ITC. The ITC has 45 days to determine this. If they agree, we will start to see duties…

BIS: U.S. Revokes License-Free Exports for Foreign Chip Fabs in China

September 5, 2025

In 2023, the Validated End-User (VEU) program was expanded to allow a select group of foreign semiconductor manufacturers to export most U.S.-origin goods, software, and technology license-free to manufacture semiconductors in China. No U.S.-owned fab has this privilege – and…

DOF: Mexico Blocks Footwear in Maquiladoras and Plans Tariff Hikes on China

September 5, 2025

Recently Mexico announced their intent to not allow footwear into the Maquiladora. The headings for footwear were added to the list and published in the Gazette here. The Gazette shows a list of all headings not allowed in the Maquiladora.…

USCB: $2.2B in July Steel Imports, Slightly Up From June but Down Year-to-Date

August 29, 2025

The U.S. Census Bureau announced today that preliminary July steel imports were $2.2 billion (2.0 million metric tons) compared to the preliminary June totals of $2.1 billion (2.0 million metric tons). The July change in steel imports based on metric…

U.S. Security Agencies Warn Researchers of Foreign Efforts to Illegally Obtain Sensitive Technology

August 29, 2025

U.S. national security agencies have issued new guidance urging universities and researchers to be vigilant against attempts by foreign governments, including China, to unlawfully acquire research and export-controlled technologies. The advisory highlights risks tied to foreign talent programs and international…

Justice: $12.4M Settlement Reached After Quartz Importer Misrepresented Goods to Evade Duties

August 22, 2025

A 12.4 million dollar settlement was reached with the DOJ after evading duty owed on chines quartz surface products, such as for countertops, by misrepresenting the goods and not paying ADCVD. Read More

Department of State: 17 Individuals Debarred from ITAR-Regulated Activities, Compliance Vigilance Urged

August 22, 2025

The Department of State warns, all persons engaged in activities subject to the ITAR should be vigilant in their compliance with all export control regulations and ensure that their activities do not involve debarred persons. A link to the federal…