International Trade Compliance News Articles

News Articles

China and Walmart, Please, for the Love of ____, Let’s Observe a Silver Lining Partnership in an Otherwise Dismal Global Landscape

Bob Brewer October 8, 2024

At a glance, gauging where we stand in our relationship with China overall, one would assume the key operative word in most descriptions would be “dismal” at best. This is of course accurate to a certain extent but looking at trade and commerce between the two countries, let’s take a look at the largest retailer in the U.S. as Walmart gives us a prime example of where we stand regarding unity as nations.

The Reform to the Mexico Judicial System

Brenda Cordova October 8, 2024

On September 15th, 2024, the Mexican Congress published on the Diario Oficial de la Federacion (Mexican Official Gazette) a decree to amend, add, and abolish several provisions of the Mexican Constitution regarding the Judicial Power. This reform, as it is being called, is one of the major changes to the Mexican Judicial System and has been met with heated debates by opponents who fear it will put the balance and separation of power at risk as it will result in a weakened and deteriorated judicial system overpassed by the legislative and executive powers.

What’s Going on With Section 321 De Minimis Entries?

Bruce Leeds October 8, 2024

Not only are shipments under $800 exempt from duty but they are also exempt from Section 301 duties on Chinese products, Consumer Product Safety Commission requirements, import quotas and other requirements. Although they are supposed to be subject to Antidumping and Countervailing duty and Food & Drug Administration requirements, many low value shipments pass through the system without meeting these requirements.

Wyoming’s DUNA Law – A Legal Framework for Non-Profit DAOs and Open-Source Blockchain Networks

James Holbein October 8, 2024

Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) are a novel form of governance for blockchain-based protocols. Unlike traditional companies or non-profits, DAOs are member-controlled organizations that operate without a central authority or hierarchical management. Instead, DAOS use smart contracts, often on the Ethereum blockchain. DAOs often use governance tokens to enable members to vote on proposals, make collective decisions about the organization’s operations, treasury, and future development.

Legal and Other Issues Being Resolved by Port Strike

James Holbein October 8, 2024

The union and management teams reached a settlement agreement that was announced on October 4, 2024 to end the port strike. The settlement does not resolve the issues, but extends the master contract to Jan. 15, 2025, to allow the sides to negotiate outstanding issues. A final agreement must be ratified by union members.

Aluminum Extrusions from 13 Countries – Commerce Makes Affirmative Final AD and CVD Determinations

Paul Fudacz October 8, 2024

On September 27, 2024, Commerce announced its affirmative final determination in the ongoing AD / CVD aluminum extrusions investigation. On the same day Commerce also posted its Final Scope Issues and Decision Memorandum. In both, Commerce almost uniformly deferred to Petitioners in dismissing numerous comments of interested parties primarily challenging the scope of the investigation on a wide range of legal theories and practical considerations.

The Future of Environmental Protection Laws and Trade Agreements

Victoria Holmes October 8, 2024

Historically, trade agreements have focused on reducing barriers to trade—such as tariffs and quotas—while encouraging economic integration and growth. Environmental protection was often considered a separate issue, addressed primarily through national regulations or multilateral environmental agreements like the Paris Agreement. However, recent developments suggest that trade and environmental concerns are converging, with many new trade agreements incorporating specific environmental provisions.

USMCA Joint Review Process Part 1

Adrienne Braumiller August 21, 2024

This is the first of a three-part series about the USMCA joint review process, focusing on China, Mexico, and competing visions of a “worker-centered” trade policy. Part one introduces the USMCA joint review process and explores how US trade policy would likely operate during Trump’s second term. Part two outlines some of the major trade issues that will be on the table during joint review, focusing on the Mexico-US relationship, and anticipates Harris’s likely approach to trade policy. Part three offers a critique of the worker-centered trade policy developed under the Biden administration, presents an alternative, and suggests new avenues for multi-stakeholder participation that Harris’s approach might create.

Coming Soon: A New Polar Icebreaker Competition in the Arctic Region for Trade Route Supremacy

Bob Brewer August 21, 2024

The US, Canada, and Finland are launching a joint partnership to build more ice-breaking ships to compete with China and Russia in Arctic. Sad but true, here we go again. Whether it’s the South China sea, or even the moon, there will be territorial disputes to challenge ownership where no ownership should actually exist. The pact aims to produce a fleet of ice-breaking ships to display a posture of power in the polar regions and enforce international norms and treaties.

A Head Scratcher

Bruce Leeds August 21, 2024

A product has a country of origin of China, is not subject to China 301 duties and is eligible for USMCA benefits when imported from Canada – Whaaat!?

Contracts Executed Between Mexican Companies and Foreigners – The New Mexican Customs Requirements

Brenda Cordova February 1, 2026

Mexico’s customs and foreign trade legal framework has evolved into a substance-based compliance model. Authorities now expect importers to demonstrate not only what was imported, but also why, under what legal relationship, and under what economic terms the transaction took place.

Advisory Opinions From DDTC – What Are They?

Bruce Leeds February 1, 2026

The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) that administers and enforces the ITAR also issues Advisory Opinions (AO). What the heck is an AO? If you come from a Customs compliance background you know about Customs rulings and may have applied for some. An AO is sort of like a Customs ruling in that it is a written interpretation of the regulations.

Mexico’s Electronic Value Manifest (Manifestación de Valor Electrónica or MVE)

Francisco de la Cruz February 1, 2026

The MVE, which will be enforceable as of April 1, 2026, is a digital document integrated into Mexico’s Single Window for Foreign Trade (VUCEM – Ventanilla Única de Comercio Exterior) through which importers must declare the customs value of goods entering Mexico.

Integrating DAOs and DUNAs with Stablecoin Ecosystems

James Holbein February 1, 2026

We have analyzed Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) and how the GENIUS Act will permit regulation of payment stablecoins in prior articles. This article examines how decentralized organizations interact with stablecoin ecosystems and the synergies between organizational and payment infrastructure innovation.

Renewal of Haiti HOPE/HELP and AGOA Trade Preferences Up to Senate

James Holbein February 1, 2026

In its usual fashion, Congress has allowed the tariff preferences for Haiti under the United States-Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA) and the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) to expire on September 30, 2025. Two bills passed the House with bipartisan majorities on January 12, 2026, to renew the tariff preferences retroactively to the date of expiration and then extend them to September 30, 2028. Both bills are now in the Senate Finance Committee awaiting action. This article examines the current status and likely outcomes of Senate review.

Self-Declaring Under the Section 232 Automotive and MHDVP Programs

Paul Fudacz February 1, 2026

The October 17, 2025 Presidential Proclamation 10984 Adjusting Imports of Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles, Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicle Parts, and Buses into the United States included a provision to self-declare certain auto and truck parts and components as being subject to the tariffs with certain requirements.

Mercosur Update

Victoria Holmes February 1, 2026

Let’s rewind to December 6, 2024. A deal more than 25 years in the making, covering over 700 million people and a combined GDP approaching $22 trillion, became realized. Since then, the agreement has made notable institutional progress while encountering renewed legal and political resistance that will shape its path to implementation. What’s happened recently?

BRICS: An Update and a Challenge

Victoria Holmes February 1, 2026

Has BRICS finally produced an alternative to the “petrodollar” after twenty years? And does it live up to the hype? Depending on where you look online, key details are being left out. So, let’s slow down and review what’s actually happening.

After Two Decades of Failing to Come to an Agreement “The Mother of All Deals” is Done – Kudos to India and the EU

Bob Brewer January 28, 2026

As of 1/27/2026, India and the EU have finalized a free trade agreement described by both sides as the “mother of all deals” that slashes tariffs, opens markets, and creates a combined economic region of roughly two billion people. This FTA stands as one of the most consequential global trade realignments in years, driven in part by U.S. tariff pressure and a shift in strategy toward diversifying one’s supply chains.

Hot Topics in International Trade – The Davos Speech by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney The Middle Powers Playbook and a Global Trade Realignment in the Making

Bob Brewer January 26, 2026

For whatever reason, if you missed the spectacle created by President Trump on the world stage recently in Davos, Switzerland at the World Economic Forum, you really need to pay close attention now to the fall out. Top business executives in global economies were watching and probably also wondering just who the hell was going to stand-up to the U.S. pressure campaign, and that’s where Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stepped up to the mic and delivered a speech that sent shockwaves across continents.

The CTPAT Ultimatum: New EO Ties Entry Filing Privileges to CTPAT Validation Status

June 27, 2026

Origin Engineering: How Substantial Transformation Can Reduce Your Tariff Exposure

June 23, 2026

Contracts and Purchase Orders in Mexico – Their Role in Demonstrating Customs Compliance and the Substance of Foreign Trade Transactions