Here is a recap of the latest customs and international trade news:     

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) 

  • CBP released the December 2024 monthly update. Highlights: 
    • Identified estimated duties of nearly $7.4 billion to be collected. 
    • Stopped 1,404 shipments for further examination based on the suspected use of forced labor 
    • Seized 1,687 shipments that contained counterfeit goods  
  • CBP issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to enhance low-value shipment enforcement. 
  • CBP issued an interim final rule that requires producers of automotive parts and vehicles to supply more data elements to prove that these goods are eligible for preferential tariff treatment under the USMCA. 
  • CBP issued a proposed rule that would bans 301 goods from de minimis, and require HTS for all entries. 
  • CBP is adding two new parties (“Intermediary” and “Source”) to the list of entity party types that can input Global Business Identifiers in the ACE Cargo Release. 
  • CBP officers stationed in Chicago seized 473 shipments containing a total of 1,507 weapon-modifying devices from January 1 to December 31, 2024. 
  • CBP deployed an enhancement to ACE which will provide a warning when a de minimis shipment may exceed the $800 per person/per day threshold. 

Department of Homeland Security 

  • DHS added 37 new entities to the UFLPA Entity List – the largest expansion of the list at one time.  

Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) 

  • BIS announced a regulatory framework for the responsible diffusion of advanced artificial intelligence technology. 
  • BIS announced a final rule prohibiting certain transactions involving the sale or import of connected vehicles with a sufficient nexus to China or Russia.   
  • BIS released a new rule strengthening restrictions on advanced computing semiconductors to enhance foundry due diligence and prevent diversion to China. 
  • BIS added 11 entities to the Entity List, under the destination of China. 
  • BIS released an Interim Final Rule implementing targeted export controls on certain laboratory instruments to address biotechnology national security risks. 
  • BIS released a fact sheet titled “Transforming the Bureau of Industry and Security Under the Leadership of the Biden-Harris Administration.” 

Department of Defense (DoD) 

  • The DoD recently released an updated Section 1260H List of entities designated by the agency as “Chinese military companies.” 

Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) 

  • OFAC has amended its regulations to adjust for inflation the maximum amount of the civil monetary penalties that may be assessed under relevant OFAC regulations. The change is effective January 15. 

United States Trade Representative (USTR) 

  • USTR releases first-ever trade strategy to combat forced labor. 

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) 

  • USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service released its 2024 enforcement summary. In 2024, the agency collected nearly $2M in penalties. 

Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) 

  • The FMC published a final rule adjusting its civil monetary penalties for inflation. The changes are effective Jan. 15 and increase maximum penalties for several violations of the Shipping Act.  

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 

  • FDA issues proposed rule on front-of-package nutrition labeling. Comments are due May 16, 2025. 
  • The FDA is banning the use of synthetic food dye FD&C Red No. 3, effective in stages, starting on Jan. 15, 2027. 
  • The FDA is proposing a tobacco product standard that would establish a maximum nicotine level in cigarettes and other combusted tobacco products. 
  • FDA, along with U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, and CBP announced the seizure of more than 628,000 unauthorized e-cigarette products from a warehouse in Miami. 

Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) 

  • TTB is proposing to require an “Alcohol Facts” label and require food allergen disclosures on all alcoholic beverage labels subject to TTB regulation. 

Administration 

  • Biden administration announces plans to remove Cuba from state sponsor of terrorism list. 

Congress 

  • Rep. Thomas Suozzi introduced a bill to change the scope of shipments eligible for de minimis. 
  • President-elect Trump’s nominee for treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, testified in front of the Senate Finance Committee where he explained how new tariffs may be implemented under the Trump Administration. 
  • Senator Wyden introduced a bill that would end the Cuba embargo and establish normal trade relations between Cuba and the U.S.   
  • Three democratic lawmakers introduced a bill that would remove the possibility of a president using the International Economic Emergency Powers Act to impose quotas or tariffs. 

 Industry News 

  • President-elect Trump announced in a Truth Social post that he plans to create an ‘External Revenue Service’ to collect duties and tariffs. 
  • Foreign workers in Malaysia are preparing to sue two prominent Japanese companies, Sony and Panasonic, in U.S. courts over forced labor. 

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