This week’s recap of the latest customs and international trade news: 

Customs and Border Protection (CBP)          

  • CBP published a federal register notice on August 19, 2026 announcing that, beginning September 18, 2026, it will immediately void importer of record numbers when the information on CBP Form 5106 is inaccurate or incomplete. 
  • CBP has delayed the launch of the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) refund tool Phase 3. It was originally set for Aug. 20 and is now delayed until further notice. ITT reporting. 
  • CBP issued a CSMS message stating that HTSUS subheadings associated with Section 301 duties on certain products from Brazil and those associated with Section 301 duties on forced labor are drawback eligible. 
  • CBP issued a CSMS message advising customs brokers to use the ACH Rejected Refunds Report in ACE to help importers identify refunds that have been rejected due to missing out on ACH enrollment.

Administration  

  • President Trump issued a proclamation delaying the imposition of 50% Section 338 tariffs on some products from Canada until 12:01 a.m. on Aug. 22, while the U.S. and Canada finalize a deal. 

U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) 

  • The DOJ published a notice establishing how the department will divide trade fraud. An assistant attorney general for the fraud division will handle cases previously delegated to the assistant attorney general for the criminal division. 

U.S. Department of Commerce 

  • The Commerce Department published a Federal Register notice with revised procedures that change when importers must submit documentation to reduce Section 232 tariffs on USMCA‑qualifying automobiles. 

U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)

  • South Korean Industry Minister Kim Jung‑kwan met with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and raised concerns over ongoing Section 301 investigations. 

Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) 

  • OFAC issued a new Cuba-related Frequently Asked Question, FAQ 1264: “I am a non-U.S. person engaged in humanitarian activities specifically looking to send food, medicine, or medical devices to Cuba. What is my exposure to sanctions under Executive Order (E.O.) 14404?” 

U.S. Department of State 

  • The Department of State designated nine entities and three individuals to further the Trump Administration’s comprehensive push to end the Cuban regime’s malign activities. This action targets the leadership of the U.S.-designated Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP) and designates nine Cuban entities supporting the regime. 

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

  • New Import Alerts on the detention without physical examination of: 
  • 99-41: Foods Imported from Foreign Suppliers by importers who are not in compliance with the Requirements of the Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) Regulation 
  • 99-08: Processed Foods for Pesticides 
  • 99-05: Raw Agricultural Products for Pesticides  

 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

  • USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) published a notice stating that it plans to continue to collect information related to its national organic program as part of the agency’s efforts to implement and enforce organic regulations. Comments are due by October 19. 

Congress  

  • Senator Moreno of Ohio sent a letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, noting a $112 billion trade data gap between what China reported exporting to the U.S. and what CBP recorded. The letter asked whether the department needs additional authority to catch violators. 

Industry News  

  • The Descartes Forwarder & Broker Industry is seeking survey responses for it’s 10th Benchmark Study examining a longitudinal view of how freight forwarders and customs brokers have adapted through disruption, normalization, margin pressure and growing regulatory complexity. 
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