On February 11, 2025, the President issued a proclamation regarding the importation of steel and aluminum articles, increasing tariff rates to 25% from all countries. As part of that proclamation, it was announced that there would be expanded 25% tariffs to include key downstream products (derivatives) for both steel and aluminum. The Annex containing those products has been drafted and is expected to be officially published in the Federal Register on February 18, 2025.

Key Points:

• There are 167 new codes for steel downstream products (derivatives) subject to the 25% tariff referenced in this proclamation (covering 4 different chapters of the HTSUS).

• There are 123 new codes for aluminum downstream products (derivatives) subject to the 25% tariff referenced in this proclamation (covering 11 different chapters of the HTSUS).

To read the draft Federal Register, and access our Excel listing of HTS affected, click the links below:

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For February, we are highlighting Jacquelyn Bakker, our CHB Manager in the JAS Chicago office.  Jacqulyn started her career in the industry in 2012 in an accounting role before moving into the brokerage side in 2014.  In her words, that’s when she “found my niche.”  Jacquelyn joined JAS in 2018.  After being named as the Brokerage Supervisor, Jacquelyn decided to take on the “daunting task” of obtaining her broker’s license.  After 3 months of studying, Jacquelyn was able to pass on the first try!  Jacquelyn manages a team of 6 entry writers in our Chicago branch and CHB manager.  Jacquelyn is detail oriented and attentive to the needs of her clients internally and externally!

Jacquelyn has a 19-year old daughter, loving fiance and 2 dogs at home.  She enjoys family time BBQing in the summer, taking the dogs for longs walks, playing Pokemon Go with family and seeing movies in the theater.

Jacquelyn is yet another great example that People Make the Difference!

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CBP is leading global efforts in combating forced labor by imposing import bans on goods produced with forced labor.  This has inspired international action, including the European Union’s adoption of similar measures and the inclusion of forced labor prohibitions in the USMCA.  CBP’s actions have also driven labor reforms, notably in Malaysia, which launched a National Action Plan on Forced Labor and ratified an international protocol to combat forced labor.  These advancements demonstrate CBP’s significant influence in shaping global supply chain accountability and driving positive change.

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Read more about it by checking out the link below:

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CBP announced on January 16, 2025 an NPRM (Notice of Proposed Rulemaking) related to “illicit low-value shipments.”  Section 321 (a)(2) of the Tariff Act of 1930 allows for duty and tax exemptions on low-value shipments entering the U.S., such as gifts, personal goods, and other merchandise valued at $800 or less.  The exemption, first introduced in 1938, aimed to reduce the burden of collecting duties on minimal-value imports.  However, the surge in e-commerce and the increase in low-value shipments has made it difficult for CBP to effectively manage and target high-risk shipments, such as illicit drugs.  To address this, CBP is proposing enhanced data requirements for low-value shipments to improve enforcement and targeting.

Read more by checking out the link below:

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Are you leaving money on the table?  If your company imports goods that are later exported, you could be eligible for significant refunds on customs duties, taxes and fees through the Duty Drawback Program.

Join our free webinar to learn how to navigate the complexities of duty drawback and maximize your savings opportunities!

The webinar will be on March 6, 2025 at 2pm Eastern.  To register, click the link below.

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On February 1, 2025, under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), the administration is implementing 10% additional tariff on imports from China.  

Originally, Canada and Mexico were to have 25% tariffs imposed, however after late meetings between the President of Mexico and the Canadian Prime Minister, news outlets are reporting there will be a 30 day pause on these potential tariffs.

More details include that goods admitted to FTZs must be admitted under privileged foreign status, no duty drawback will be allowed, and there will be no section 321, or de minimis shipments allowed for products of China.

Additional details will be shared as soon as available.  As this is a fast-changing situation, all details are subject to change.

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Check out our Client Advisory:

For January, we are highlighting Ivel Martinez, our Air & Ocean Manager/FTZ Administrator in the JAS Miami office. Ivel joined JAS in November 2021 and has been instrumental in helping manage the MIA Foreign Trade Zone operations. She is very meticulous in keeping records and validating inventory control.

Ivel's parents owned one of the first CFS warehouses in Miami. Ivel has been in the industry for many years and remembers typing 7512's on a huge brown typewriter.

Ivel has been happily married for 28 years and her family is extremely important to her. She has 2 sons, and 3 puppies. Ivel loves getting together with family and enjoying good food.

Ivel is yet another great example that People Make the Difference!

Census has published the Harmonized Tariff Codes that are not valid for AES filing for 2025. The US Census department issues a list of HTS codes each year that are not valid for use when filing an AES. Those numbers for January 1, 2025 are listed in the link below.

New Section 301 China Tariffs went into effect on January 1, 2025 for five subheadings. These increases are the result of the Four Year Review and will affect imports from China of certain tungsten products, wafers and polysilicon.

The rates on tungsten products will increase to 25 percent, while the rates for wafers and polysilicon will increase to 50 percent. Affected subheadings are 2804.61.00, 3818.00.00, 8101.94.00, 8101.99.10, and 8101.99.80.

Click below to check out more details.

If you are a Licensed Customs Broker, you should have received an email from CBP continuing education group with the subject line "Continuing Education for Customs Brokers Requirement Information," around November 22, 2024. CBP received around 200 rejected email messages and are trying to contact these recipients. If you are a current LCB and did not receive the email and you have checked your spam folder, you should follow the link below for more information.

Read more by clicking below.

The President of Mexico has announced a tariff increase on textiles and apparel. Tariffs will increase from 20-25% up to 35% on various apparel and made-up articles.

Click below to get the full story!

CBP officers in LA/Long Beach worked with other agencies and were able to seize over 3,000 counterfeit Gibson guitars. Had these guitars been genuine Gibson guitars, they would have been valued at over $18 million.

To read the full details, click below.

For December, we are highlighting Jeffrey Bispham on the West Coast!  Jeff has been in the industry for 26 years and remembers using a typewriter to prepare 7512's.  He has always worked in the import/customs brokerage side of logistics.  Jeff was adopted as part of the JAS Family when JAS acquired Tigers back in 2021 where Jeff had long tenure.

In October 2023, the JAS Forwarding (USA) Tacoma Foreign Trade Zone became an active FTZ in the JAS USA Network.  Jeff became the FTZ administrator of that site and has been instrumental in building the compliance for our FTZ site on the West Coast.

Jeff enjoys all sports, although he would tell all that he has become more of a spectator than a player as the years have passed.  Jeff enjoys being outdoors.  But most of all, he enjoys spending time with his family.  That time can often occur at the beach, or a Seattle sporting event (Mariners, Seahawks and Kraken).

Jeff is yet another great example that People Make the Difference!

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In November, JAS USA Corporate Compliance team members teamed up with JAS Atlanta Branch team members to facilitate client compliance training. From left to right, Calvin Oh (Corporate Compliance), Scott Cassell (Corporate Compliance), Carlo Rebuffi (Manager of Live Animals Division-ATL), Laurie Arnold (VP Corporate Compliance), and Rishma Patel (CHB Manager-ATL). The team was able to facilitate learning on the topic of import compliance.

OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control), part of the Department of Treasury, has imposed a $1.1 Million penalty on a US individual. The panlty was issued for 75 violations of OFAC Iran sanctions.

To read the full details check out the link below:

BIS has published its newest edition of "Don't Let This Happen to You!" The newest version includes new enforcement cases. New topics include the first Disruptive Technology Strike Force case, criminal cases, an assassination plot and much more.

Check out the full document at the link below:

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has added 29 new entities to the UFLPA Entity list. There are now more than 100 PRC-Based companies on the list. The companies on the list face significant challenge to enter goods into the United States because of alleged forced labor practices.

To read more details, check out the link to the Federal Register.

The President-elect has indicated that tariffs are coming to Canadian and Mexican goods in January. In a recent post on Truth Social, he has indicated that an executive order on January 20 will impose 25% on goods from Canada and Mexico with an additional 10% on goods from China. This action is to combat illegal immigration and illicit drugs.

This November, we are honored to feature Tracey Suggs, Import Specialist at JAS Forwarding USA Inc., for his tireless advocacy for individuals with Down Syndrome. While October marks Down Syndrome Awareness Month, Tracey and his family advocate every day for the empowerment and inclusion of individuals who face intellectual and developmental challenges. Inspired by his daughter, Treana, who has Down Syndrome, Tracey is driven to ensure that every individual can live their fullest life. Treana's zest for life and inspiring spirit is a testament to the impact of love, perseverance, and understanding that Tracey strives to bring to his work and community. Tracey’s unwavering commitment to making a difference embodies our values at JAS, reminding us all of the importance of inclusivity and advocacy in both our professional and personal lives.

Tracey has been with JAS for 3 years and has been in the industry for over 20 years. Tracey has a passion for sports, fitness, art, community advocacy (special needs/disadvantaged youth), and spending time with family.

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JAS Forwarding VP Compliance, Laurie Arnold joined forces with JAS Forwarding Global Development Director Jennifer Koon, and Regional Sales Director Lindsay Gambee to attend the International Compliance Professionals Association (ICPA) Fall Conference (Western Cowboy Theme) in Grapevine, Texas from October 20-23.  

They were able to meet with numerous members of the trade community and discuss current events and network.

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On November 1, 2024, BIS imposed a civil penalty of $500,000 against a semiconductor wafer manufacturing company. The U.S. subsidiary shipped approximately $17.1 million of semiconductor wafers company listed on the BIS Entity List, without the required licese/authorization.

The company voluntarily disclosed the conduct and cooperated which resulted in significant reduction in the penalty.

To read more, check out the final order below.

The U.S. Trade Representative has announced the opening of a process to request Section 301 exclusions. The requests will be limited to certain machinery within chapters 84 and 85 of the HTSUS.

The docket opened on October 15, 2025, and the deadline for submitting requests is March 31, 2025.

To read more details, check out the link below to the press release.

On October 30, 2024, the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) determined "...that a U.S. Industry is not materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of imports of aluminum extrusions from China, Columbia, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Itay, Malaysia, Mexico, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value, and subsidized by the Governments of China, Indonesia, Mexico, and Turkey."

The overall result is that "...Commerce will not issue antidumping duty orders on imports of this product from..." the countries listed.

It is important to note that older AD/CVD orders on aluminum extrusions remain in effect (2011).

To read the full press release, click the button below.

U.S. Customs has posted in the Federal Register the long-awaited information on the continuing education requirement credit hours for the current triennial period. The notice published in the Federal Register on November 1, 2024, CBP has announced that "...customs brokers license holders may begin completing qualified continuing broker education courses on January 1, 2025 (compliance date) and, accordingly, 20 credits as the prorated number of required credit hours for the triennial period beginning on February 1, 2024, and ending on January 31, 2027."

Additionally, the notice "...announces the criteria that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) used to select qualified accreditors, the list of CBP-selected qualified accreditors, and the period of award for these accreditors."

September was a busy month for JAS Forwarding (USA) Inc. Compliance team members.

Laurie Arnold and Leah Ellis attended the NCBFAA (National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America) GAC (Government Affairs Conference). During the conference, Laurie and Leah "walked the hill" and met with numerous congress members to discuss industry issues.

Scott Cassell spent time with clients in Newark, NJ along with J. Nathan May, Regional Sales Director to facilitate training on the HTS GRI (Harmonized Tariff Schedule General Rules of Interpretation) and Incoterms 2020.

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