Forced Labor Questionnaires: Another Helpful Hint
In February 2024, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) began taking a new approach to Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) enforcementâquestionnaires. Once again, the solar industry is among the first targets, vanguards among importers, hacking their way through new regulatory growth, hopefully exposing a clear way through for all who follow. Active enforcement mechanisms like questionnairesâand the Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force (FLETF) itselfâare still evolving.
De Minimis An Ever-Growing Problem of De Maximus ProportionDe Minimis
De minimisâŻis a term that refers to aâŻthresholdâŻbelow which certain goods are exempt from import duties or taxes. However, in the landscape of international trade, it has become a contentious issue for the United States. Those âbad actorsâ, and even some, not so bad, but willing to take advantage of a loophole have found a way around the tariffs. This so-called loophole of allowing goods with a fair retail value of $800 or less to enter the U.S. without paying an import tariff has become a monster that Customs needs to find a way to deal with conclusively.
Maximizing Duty Savings Series âSection 321 Duty Exemptions or De Minimis Exemptions
Welcome to the second installment in our series on duty-saving strategies. After discussing the utilization of Foreign Trade Zones and Bonded Warehouses in our previous article, we now turn to Section 321, a topic of significant importance and, as you’ll see, considerable debate.
Aluminum Extrusions II â Scope Modifications Proposed, Dept. of Commerce Questioning Manageability
Since the last update on the AD / CVD aluminum extrusions investigation (dubbed Extrusions II) in what appears to be a response to strong opposition from trade industry groups, legislators, governments, and other interested parties, as well as dubious signals from the Department of Commerce, (Commerce) the Petitioners in the ongoing Aluminum Extrusions investigation have proposed modifications to the scope of the investigation.
The Nexus of Trade and Food Security Amid Global Conflicts
The intricate interplay between trade and food security has emerged as a vital global issue, one that is closely interwoven with the tapestry of international conflicts and political instability. Remember the 2019 pandemic when toilet paper supply chains were interrupted? Now imagine that on a much larger scale with basic food staples like rice, wheat or corn.
Who is the Importer of Record: Security Interests and the Right to Act As IOR
By:Â Gavin Andersen, Law Clerk, LCB and Adrienne Braumiller, Founding Partner, Braumiller Law Group Last June (2023), in response to a ruling request from Your Special Delivery Services Specialty Logistics (YSDS), Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued HQ H324098, clarifying what it means to be an âowner or purchaserâ with sufficient financial interest to act as […]
Parallel Imports, A Global Phenomenon, And a Very Grey Area Regarding International TradeÂ
At the core of the definition, a Parallel import is a non-counterfeit product imported from another country without the permission of the intellectual property owner. They are also goods that are not authorized for importation into the U.S. Itâs a global phenomenon, a very grey area, and their presence varies across different parts of the globe.
Maximizing Duty Savings Series Leveraging Bonded Warehouse and Foreign Trade Zones
Consider this scenario: a client faced the challenge of deferring duty payments while managing a significant volume of imports destined for re-exportation from the U.S. Initially considering duty drawbacks, which proved unsuitable for their specific needs, we turned our attention to bonded warehouses and free trade zones. This scenario is not uncommon in the trade world and highlights a critical decision point for many businesses: choosing between a bonded warehouse and a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ).
Taiwan, Invasion & Trade, Part 2
President elect Lai Ching-teâs victory in Taipei ignited tensions across the Taiwan strait and now the geopolitical field waits to see if China will kick off World War Three. Iâm only slightly joking, but Beijing has exerted diplomatic pressure on nations maintaining close ties with the island in the past and Taiwanâs decision to remain a democracy will no doubt ramp up Chinaâs reunification process in the coming months. But how will that affect trade relations?
New Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Investigation Initiated Covering Aluminum Extrusions from 15 Countries
On October 4, 2023, A coalition of 14 U.S. aluminum extrusion producers and labor unions filed petitions before the Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration (Commerce) and the International Trade Commission (ITC) seeking to impose antidumping (AD) and countervailing duties (CVD) on aluminum extrusions produced in 15 countries and exported to the U.S.
