Breaking Trade News: CAPE Updates, 232 Guidance, 301 Hearings | Customs & International Trade Law Blog

Here’s a recap of the newest customs and worldwide commerce regulation information:        

 Administration

Throughout a information convention, Secretary of State Marco Rubio mentioned that any firms that abide by China’s blocking measures and ignore American sanctions will face U.S. secondary sanctions.

Customs and Border Safety (CBP)   

CBP revealed an up to date record of error messages and definitions for Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE). 
CBP is looking for remark on a brand new Consumer Consultant Technical Help Portal that may present the general public with a way to tell CBP of points impacting the Automated Dealer Interface and ACE digital cargo programs transactions.
CBP issued a CSMS message guiding making use of 25% Part 232 duties to the worth of non-U.S. content material for accredited imports of medium- and heavy-duty autos (MHDVs) qualifying for preferential tariff remedy below USMCA.
CBP issued a CSMS message asserting that ACE performance for the acceptance of Part 232 metal items from the Netherlands as a soften and pour nation might be obtainable on Might 7, 2026.
CBP revealed a Federal Register discover looking for feedback on extending the usage of the Centralized Examination Station software. Feedback are due June 8, 2026.
CBP introduced the company is renewing its digital export manifest pilot for air cargo for 2 years. CBP will proceed evaluating the pilot to find out if it should enhance capabilities.

United States Commerce Consultant (USTR)   

USTR held public hearings Might 5 – Might 8, 2026, concerning the Part 301 investigations into 16 economies’ acts, insurance policies, and practices referring to structural extra capability and manufacturing in manufacturing sectors.
USTR launched its 2026 Particular 301 Report on the adequacy and effectiveness of U.S. buying and selling companions’ safety and enforcement of mental property (IP) rights. USTR recognized Vietnam as a Precedence Overseas Nation and moved Argentina and Mexico from the Precedence Watch Listing to the Watch Listing.
USTR is looking for submissions from home industries that profit from the Part 301 tariffs imposed on China in July and August 2018. 

U.S. Meals and Drug Administration (FDA)

The FDA revealed a Voices weblog, highlighting the progress the company has made in implementing the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA).

Workplace of Overseas Property Management (OFAC)   

On Might 1, OFAC revealed a brand new alert – “Sanctions Dangers of Iranian Calls for for Strait of Hormuz Passage.”
OFAC sanctioned six targets concerned in a cash laundering and money smuggling enterprise operated by Cartel del Noreste (CDN), one in every of Mexico’s most violent drug trafficking organizations. 
OFAC issued Venezuela-related Normal License 58, “Authorizing Sure Companies to the Authorities of Venezuela in Reference to Potential Debt Restructuring.”
OFAC issued Russia-related Normal License 128C, “Authorizing Sure Transactions Involving Lukoil Retail Service Stations Positioned Exterior of Russia,” 
OFAC issued Russia-related Normal License 130A, “Authorizing Transactions Involving Sure Lukoil Entities in Bulgaria.

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) 

ATF revealed a Federal Register Discover looking for touch upon eradicating proscribed international locations from which ATF denies functions to completely import protection articles and updating it to reference a State Division record. The rule additionally proposes to take away the record of former Soviet international locations for which ATF denies functions. Feedback are due July 6, 2026.

Federal Communications Fee (FCC)

The FCC is proposing to ban the popularity of digital machine take a look at labs and certification our bodies in international international locations that haven’t signed reciprocity agreements to acknowledge their American counterparts. 

Trade Information 

In keeping with a survey of 100 U.S. importers by the American Affiliation of Exporters and Importers, 63% of importers reported efficiently submitting refund declarations utilizing the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) device. 14% of importers encountered errors, 22% haven’t filed entries but utilizing CAPE.

Worldwide 

Vietnam has ordered a nationwide crackdown on mental property infringement following USTR’s April 30 choice to designate Vietnam a “Precedence Overseas Nation” ​on mental property rights in an annual report. 
Canada introduced a $1.5 billion program to guard home industries from U.S. tariffs on metal, aluminum, and copper.