| Customs & International Trade Law Blog

One other busy month in worldwide commerce information – new tariffs, copper & lumber investigation, WTO disputes, and extra. Right here’s the complete roundup:

Administration

On March 26, 2025, President Trump issued a Proclamation imposing a 25% tariff on cars and car components imported into the U.S.
On March 24, 2025, President Trump issued an government order enabling the Secretary of State to impose 25% tariffs on imports from international locations that import oil from Venezuela.
On March 2, President Trump issued government orders that postpone the elimination of de minimis for Canada and Mexico.
President Trump signed an government order directing the Commerce Division to analyze whether or not the importation of lumber, picket cupboards, picket furnishings and paper pose a menace to nationwide safety below Part 232.

Customs and Border Safety (CBP)

CBP launched the February 2025 month-to-month replace. Highlights:

Recognized $2.9 million in duties and charges owed.
Stopped 1,024 shipments for additional examination primarily based on the suspected use of pressured labor.
Seized 1,815 shipments that contained counterfeit items.

CBP issued steering on import duties on imports of metal and metal by-product merchandise.
CBP issued steering on import duties on imports of aluminum and aluminum by-product merchandise.
CBP issued steering on the extra tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico.

Workplace of International Property Management (OFAC)

OFAC issued an alert to boost consciousness of current terrorist designations of worldwide cartels and the ensuing sanctions and felony legal responsibility dangers for U.S. and international monetary establishments and others with publicity to those cartels.
OFAC introduced the company is taking motion in opposition to seven high-ranking members of Ansarallah, generally often known as the Houthis for smuggling military-grade gadgets and weapon programs into Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.

U.S. Division of Commerce

Commerce revealed a federal register discover notifying the commerce group that they need to pay the 25% Part 232 tariff on aluminum and metal merchandise labeled exterior of Chapter 72 (iron), 73 (metal) and 76 (aluminum) of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the USA (HTSUS).
Commerce revealed a federal register discover requesting public feedback on the Part 232 nationwide safety investigation of copper imports.
Commerce revealed a federal register discover requesting public feedback on the Part 232 nationwide safety investigation of timber and lumber imports.
Commerce launched two federal register notices (metal, aluminum) detailing tariff subheadings for use for the expanded Part 232 tariffs.

U.S. Meals and Drug Administration (FDA)

The FDA has launched abstract knowledge from obligatory registration of beauty product services and itemizing of beauty merchandise below the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA).

Division of Justice (DoJ)

The U.S. filed a civil forfeiture grievance in opposition to plane utilized by Nicolás Maduro Moros in violation of U.S. sanctions and export management legal guidelines.

United States Commerce Consultant (USTR)

USTR held a public listening to on March 11, 2025, concerning the Part 301 investigation on China’s acts, insurance policies, and practices associated to concentrating on of the semiconductor trade for dominance.
USTR launched the 2025 Commerce Coverage Agenda and the 2024 Annual Report. The studies embrace President Trump’s 2025 commerce agenda, and a abstract of present USTR initiatives together with enforcement initiatives.

U.S. Division of Treasury

The Treasury Division introduced that the company is suspending enforcement of the BOI necessities below the Company Transparency Act. The Act requires an estimated 30 million companies to file Helpful Possession Info (BOI) with the Treasury Division. 

Federal Commerce Fee (FTC)

President Trump fired the 2 democratic FTC Commissioners Alvaro Bedoya and Rebecca Kelly Slaughter. The White Home didn’t provide touch upon the firings.

World Commerce Group (WTO)

Canada has requested WTO dispute consultations with the USA concerning new tariff measures utilized by the USA on items originating in Canada.
China has submitted a revised request for dispute settlement consultations with the USA to handle new US tariff measures utilized on items originating in China.
WTO launched WTO Tariff & Commerce Knowledge, a web based platform offering enhanced entry to official tariff and commerce figures for over 150 economies.

Trade Information

CMA CGM, the world’s third-largest container transport firm, introduced a $20 billion U.S. funding over 4 years, increasing its U.S.-flagged fleet, upgrading ports, and launching an air cargo hub in Chicago. This can create 10,000 jobs.
Serina Baker-Hill, director of CBP’s Automotive and Aerospace Heart of Excellence and Experience in Detroit, has been charged with defrauding the FEMA, making false statements to federal brokers, and committing wire fraud.
A BlackRock-led funding group reportedly will purchase majority stakes in ports on either side of the Panama canal for $22.8 billion.
A federal courtroom dismissed a lawsuit in opposition to Kimberly-Clark Corp. and Ansell Healthcare Merchandise, which alleged that the businesses knowingly benefited from pressured labor.

Worldwide

The EU mentioned it plans to reinstate beforehand suspended tariffs on U.S. metal and aluminum and introduce new countermeasures in opposition to US exports.
Efficient March 13, 2025, Canada is imposing 25% tariffs on $29.8 billion in merchandise imported from the U.S.

Congress

Three senators launched a decision that will finish the emergency that President Trump declared on the northern border. If profitable, the decision would terminate the newly applied tariffs on Canadian items.
Home Methods and Means Commerce Subcommittee Rating Member Linda T. Sánchez launched the Closing the De Minimis Loophole Act, which might Instantly finish de minimis remedy for packages from China and part out de minimis for all different international locations after a four-month transition interval.
Senators Invoice Cassidy and Catherine Cortez Masto launched the Customs Facilitation Act of 2025. The invoice goals to create a real single window for importers and scale back redundancies prematurely export manifest knowledge submissions.

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