Navigating the Great Transshipment Scam: What Importers Need to Know

On August 13th, 2026, the White House Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy released a comprehensive report titled “The Great Transshipment Scam: Rise, Scope, and Costs”. For importers navigating complex international supply chains, this document serves as a clear warning: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is sharply escalating enforcement around tariff evasion, country-of-origin claims, and duty arbitrage. The report […]

US Government Challenges Universal Tariff Refunds: What Importers Need to Know

The U.S. government is actively challenging a Court of International Trade (CIT) ruling that ordered U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to issue tariff refunds to all affected businesses- even those that never filed a lawsuit. In a brief filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, federal attorneys argue that Judge Richard Eaton exceeded his judicial […]

Stricter Trade Law Enforcement: D.O.J. Creates the Global Trade & Commerce Enforcement Section

U.S. Department of Justice Announces Creation of Global Trade & Commerce Enforcement Section and Stricter Civil and Criminal Trade Law Enforcement

In less than one year of operation, the Trade Fraud Task Force (TFTF)- a joint initiative launched in August 2025 by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)- has officially crossed the $1 billion threshold in recoveries, penalties, forfeitures, and charged losses. This landmark milestone reflects a fundamental and permanent shift in federal customs enforcement. […]

Section 122 Tariffs Update

Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump, which struck down the previous tariff regime imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), the Administration responded immediately. Signaling that its overarching trade policy remains unchanged, the White House has invoked Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 to implement a new 10% global […]

CAPE Phase 2 Is Live, But Millions of Tariff Refunds Are Failing: What Importers Need to Know

The rollout of U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) automated refund mechanism for struck-down International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariffs has reached a critical juncture. On July 1, 2026, CBP submitted its latest status declaration in the ongoing test case, Euro-Notions Florida, Inc. v. United States (CIT No. 25-00595). While the headline numbers show significant progress- approximately $71.06 billion […]

New U.S. Sanctions on Mexico

The USMCA Review Deadline: Navigating Uncertainty in North American Trade

The future of North American trade has been thrown into sharp uncertainty following President Donald Trump’s recent declaration that his administration is “not looking to renew” the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Speaking from the Oval Office, the President cast serious doubt on the free trade pact that governs over $2 trillion in annual commerce, and reiterated his long-standing criticism of […]

This week in Customs News: Trade Law Updates 6/12

Executive Order Mandates Strict New Customs Overhaul