International Trade Compliance News Articles

News Articles

De Minimis An Ever-Growing Problem of De Maximus ProportionDe Minimis

Bob Brewer April 2, 2024

De minimis is a term that refers to a threshold below 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 “bad actors”, 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.

The Importance of Pedimento Codes for the IMMEX Customs Regime

Brenda Cordova April 2, 2024

In Mexico, a customs regime is the destination or treatment for goods subject to customs control in accordance with the nature and purposes of a customs operation. Companies with an IMMEX program may perform operations under the so-called customs regime of “temporary importation for elaboration, transformation or repair under a maquila program”. This name by itself implies several facts to consider.

Maximizing Duty Savings Series –Section 321 Duty Exemptions or De Minimis Exemptions

Kerry Wang April 2, 2024

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 – Scope Modifications Proposed, Dept. of Commerce Questioning Manageability

Paul Fudacz April 2, 2024

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.

Evolving Legal Norms for Artificial Intelligence in the European Union and the United States

James Holbein April 2, 2024

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been a hot topic for the last 2-3 years for politicians, technologists, and many people in civil societies globally. The use of the technology has obvious benefits for increasing productivity and value produced by businesses and organizations, along with dangers from misuse, such as deep fake propaganda and serious security risks. Two recent efforts to develop legislation addressing AI technology offer an opportunity to compare and contrast the differing approaches in the European Union (EU) and the United States (US).

La importancia de los Claves de Pedimentos en el Régimen Aduanero de las IMMEX

Brenda Cordova April 2, 2024

En México, un régimen aduanero es el destino o tratamiento que se da a los bienes objeto de control aduanero de conformidad con la naturaleza y propósitos de una operación aduanera. Las empresas con un programa IMMEX pueden realizar operaciones al amparo del régimen aduanero llamado “importación temporal para elaboración, transformación o reparación en programas de maquila”.

The Nexus of Trade and Food Security Amid Global Conflicts

Victoria Holmes April 2, 2024

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.

The Unsung Hero of Trade: Why CTPAT Matters

Judy Davis April 1, 2024

In the ever-changing world of trade, where predicting the future is a constant challenge, looking back at the past decade offers valuable insights into the evolution of the supply chain and the tools that have developed to contribute to efficiency and security.

BIS Unveils Enhanced Voluntary Self Disclosure Protocols

Adrienne Braumiller February 6, 2024

On January 16, 2024, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) under Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement, Matthew Axelrod, disclosed significant enhancements to the process for Voluntary Self-Disclosures (VSDs) related to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). These adjustments are strategically designed to streamline export control compliance for U.S. governmental bodies, the commercial sector, and academic entities.

Suspensión del Padron de Importadores

Brenda Cordova February 6, 2024

Uno de los requisitos más importantes para importar mercancías a México es estar registrado como importador en el registro de importadores mexicanos. Hay 2 tipos de registros para importadores, uno es para importadores generales (Padrón de Importadores) y el otro es para importadores de sectores industriales específicos (Padrón de Importadores de Sectores Específicos) que pueden importar mercancías identificadas por el código arancelario MX (es decir, productos químicos, armas de fuego, puros, calzado, textiles, alcohol, hidrocarburos, siderurgia, automoción, etc.). Generalmente, estos 2 registros son listados con información de personas y entidades autorizadas para importar mercancías a México.

Joint US-EU Action Plan & MOU for Critical Mineral Supply Chain

James Holbein June 9, 2026

Global reliance on critical minerals for emerging technologies has created a competition between nations to secure reliable supply chains for continued innovation pertinent to national security. This is necessary from a national security perspective for both partners in this agreement.

Agencies Request Comments on GENIUS Act Implementation

James Holbein June 9, 2026

The GENIUS Act has authorized several regulatory agencies to issue regulations to develop the first comprehensive federal regulatory framework governing payment stablecoins in the United States. The statute directs multiple federal financial regulators to implement a coordinated supervisory structure governing issuance, reserve management, redemption rights, anti-money laundering compliance, custody, and market structure.

The Taiwan Question – What are investors thinking after Trump’s Beijing summit?

Victoria Holmes June 9, 2026

United States President Donald Trump met with President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China at a summit in Beijing in mid-May. The two leaders spoke for about two hours behind closed doors, discussing the trade relationship between the world’s two largest economies, the emergence of artificial intelligence, and energy cooperation. But it was a pointed comment from Xi about Taiwan that hinted at an unresolved issue that may make or break global relations.

What a “Mess”: IEEPA Refunds and the Emerging Wave of Consumer Litigation

Eiyack-Cacho Ayala June 9, 2026

When the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated certain tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump, it did more than reshape trade policy. The decision triggered a complex series of questions regarding tariff refunds, consumer rights, and corporate liability – questions whose effects continue to be felt far beyond the trade community, reaching businesses and households across the US.

Walmart’s Diversification of Sourcing From China – A Relationship Decades in the Making, So Breaking Up is Really Hard to Do

Bob Brewer May 22, 2026

Walmart has been in China for about 30 years, entering the market in 1996 when it opened its first Walmart hypermarket and Sam’s Club in Shenzhen. There are now 342 retail stores, 279 Walmart Supercenters, and 63 Sam’s Clubs in China.

Mexico Extends Deadline for Electronic Value Manifest (EVM)

Brenda Cordova April 2, 2026

Mexico’s tax authority (Servicio de Administración Tributaria – SAT) has postponed the mandatory implementation of the Electronic Value Manifest (Manifestación de Valor Electrónica – EVM). The requirement is now expected to become mandatory on June 1, 2026.

Section 232 and Iron: What CBP’s New Guidance Means for Your Imports – The Difference Between Steel and Iron Has Never Mattered More

Kerry Wang April 1, 2026

We are operating in one of the most volatile trade environments in recent memory. Tariff policy is shifting faster than most compliance programs can absorb. In that context, CBP’s March 15 guidance on Section 232 content value is not just a technical update. It brings meaningful clarity and importers who move quickly may find real money on the table.

Section 301 Tariffs: A New Phase in U.S. Trade Policy

Adrienne Braumiller April 1, 2026

The resurgence of Section 301 tariff investigations marks a pivotal shift in U.S. trade policy. Following the Supreme Court’s invalidation of tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has turned to Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 as a more durable legal pathway to reimpose and potentially expand tariff measures.

AI Legislative Framework Proposed by the White House

James Holbein March 31, 2026

On March 20, 2026, the Trump Administration announced that it, “is committed to winning the AI race to usher in a new era of human flourishing, economic competitiveness, and national security for the American people.“ The White House issued a new comprehensive national legislative framework that addresses six key objectives.

Supreme Court Clarifies Separation of Powers in IEEPA Tariffs Decision

James Holbein March 31, 2026

In the final analysis, this case stands as one of the most important separation of powers decisions in the economic domain in U.S. history. It clarifies that tariffs are a form of taxation reserved to Congress, embeds the major questions doctrine in trade law, and reasserts the structural boundary between legislative and executive authority.

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