Exclusions from the Section 301 additional tariffs on imports from China for 99 medical care products needed to address the COVID-19 pandemic are being extended through Sept. 30, 2021. These exclusions were scheduled to expire March 31; however, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has determined that these items are needed to combat the pandemic.

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The United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced the next steps in its Section 301 investigations of Digital Service Taxes (DSTs) adopted or under consideration by ten U.S. trading partners.  In January, USTR found that the DSTs adopted by Austria, India, Italy, Spain, Turkey, and the United Kingdom were subject to action under Section 301 because they discriminated against U.S. digital companies, were inconsistent with principles of international taxation, and burdened U.S. companies.  USTR is proceeding with the public notice and comment process on possible trade actions to preserve procedural options before the conclusion of the statutory one-year time period for completing the investigations.

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POSTPONED - 2022 CBP Trade Symposium

Date: July 20-21, 2021

Location: Anaheim, CA

CBP announced the announced a date change from the Trade Symposium that was originally scheduled for March 2020.  It was rescheduled to be held in March 2021 and has now scheduled to be held July 2021.    

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Complying with U.S. Export Controls

Date: April 28-29, 2021

Location:  VIRTUAL

The two-day program is led by BIS's professional counseling staff and provides an in-depth examination of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). The program will cover the information exporters need to know to comply with U.S. export control requirements on commercial goods.

Register Here

Effective April 1, the Department of Agriculture’s Marketing Service will increase the assessment rate from $0.35 to $0.41 per thousand board feet (MBF) on imported softwood lumber.  The order is administered by the Softwood Lumber Board with oversight by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This rule will also add the conversion factor for square meters to board feet and makes one conforming change.

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On February 11, 2021, the Biden Administration authorized new sanctions and export-control restrictions on Myanmar (also called Burma) in response to the Myanmar military’s recent coup against the country’s elected civilian government.

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U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents and officers nationwide are continuing reports of residents receiving unsolicited calls from scammers posing as U.S. Border Patrol agents and U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers. Individuals are reporting the calls are a pre-recorded message stating, “a box of drugs and money being shipped has your (callers) name on it and it has been intercepted.”  The caller is then instructed to press #1 to speak with a CBP Officer/Agent, which then attempts to get the callers banking information.  

These calls are phone scams/phishing attempts and residents are urged to not provide the caller with any information. The Department of Homeland Security and CBP does not solicit personal information by phone. If such calls are received, people should make a note of the number and any other pertinent details about the call and immediately hang up and report the incident if possible.

Phone scams can be reported to the Federal Trade Commission online at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/.

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Are you unsure if your shipment is subject to antidumping or countervailing duties?  Do you need a better understanding of which government agencies are involved and enforce the regulations?  Do you need a better understanding of preliminary case determinations or what happens when there is a final determination?  Click HERE to review the most frequently asked questions published by US Customs to answer a lot of questions as it relates to antidumping and countervailing duties.

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Did you know that March 30th is National Virtual Vacation Day?  When March 30th arrives, so does National Virtual Vacation Day, reminding us all to relax, recharge, and rejuvenate no matter where we are.  Vacations restore our minds, bodies, and souls. Studies show that taking a vacation lowers the risk of heart disease. They also help hone our problem-solving skills and promote overall brain health. There has never been a better time than now to explore a virtual vacation.  Stay safe and enjoy National Virtual Vacation Day!

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Partnering for Compliance Conference

Date:  March 9-11, 2021

Location:  Webinar

This collegial and interactive conference will focus on a broad spectrum of export regulatory & compliance matters of current relevance.  Senior-level government and trade speakers will provide solid & recent updates on US initiatives & policies regarding export control licensing/enforcement.

Register Here

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POSTPONED!  2021 CBP Trade Symposium

Date:  July 20-21, 2021

Location: Anaheim, CA

CBP announced the announced a date change from the Trade Symposium that was originally scheduled for March 2020.  It was rescheduled to be held in March 2021 and has now scheduled to be held July 2021.

Register Here