The Long-Awaited Exclusion Process for List 3 Chinese Products
In early May, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) increased tariffs to 25% for Chinese products covered by List 3 of the Section 301 investigation. Now that the tariff rate has risen to 25%, the USTR announced that it will be setting up a process to apply for List...
25% China Tariffs Coming Soon on Almost All Imports
The U.S. Trade Representative is proposing additional tariffs of up to 25 percent on Chinese products covering 3,805 full and partial tariff subheadings with an approximate annual trade value of $300 billion. The proposed list covers essentially all products not...
Increasing China 301 Duties From 10% To 25% On List 3 Products May Occur Soon
UPDATE: 05/10/2019 Customs confirmed yesterday that Section 301 List 3 tariffs will rise to 25%. However, the new 25% rate will only apply to goods which were exported on or after 12:01 a.m. on May 10th; goods which were exported prior to that date and time will...
U.S. May Resume Antidumping Case on Tomatoes from Mexico
UPDATE 05/14/2019U.S. Customs was directed to resume suspension of liquidation of entries for fresh tomatoes from Mexico effective May 7, 2019. Margin rates for "All Other Growers and /or Exporters" remain at the 1996 preliminary determination level of 17.56%....
Hand Sanitizers: FDA Issues Final Rule
Today, on April 11, 2019, FDA issued a final regulation which changes the ingredients permissible for use as active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in hand sanitizers. Effective April 13, 2020, this final rule applies to a variety of consumer antiseptic products,...
Ports of Entry from Mexico Impacted by Border Patrol Operations
In response to increased needs for Border Patrol agents at our southern border, U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Commissioner McAleenan[1] announced staff shifts in a recent press conference. Customs is moving 750 officers from the Ports of Entry to help with...
Seafood Import Alerts: Understanding the Basics
An FDA import alert listing can destroy a supply-chain, and even result in an import ban. To issue an alert, FDA only needs to convince itself that one is necessary. Their impact and ease of issuance make import alerts FDA’s primary import enforcement tool, making it...
FSVP Enforcement Expected to Accelerate
It’s been eight years since the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) was signed into law. With that, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) started issuing new regulations designed to strengthen the food safety system. At the same time, they took the “educate...
Resources for the Import Community: How does the “FDA Lapse in Funding” during the Shutdown Affected You?
Update 01/13/2019:Commissioner Scott Gottlieb announced that they have increased surveillance sampling of imported high-risk products. Additionally, the FDA has expanded other activities that they have deemed "excepted, unpaid work because they're necessary to...
Seafood Import Monitoring Program to Extend to Shrimp December 31
Update 2/25/2019:Due to communication disruptions during the recent government shutdown, NMFS and Customs have extended the informed compliance period for shrimp and abalone to April 1, 2019. Update 01/22/2019:Due to communication disruptions during the recent...