International Trade Compliance News Articles

News Articles

OMB Issues Final Rule for Infrastructure Buy America Preferences

James Holbein November 10, 2023

The Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”), Made in America Office issued a Final Rule to clarify the Build America, Buy America Act (“BABA”) provisions of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act4 (“IIJA”) and to clarify existing provisions related to domestic preferences. The Final Rule amends Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (“CFR”), subtitle A, chapter I by adding a new Part 184 to support implementation of BABA. OMB also amended 2 CFR 200.322 to clarify existing provisions within part 200. According to OMB, the Final Rule “is intended to improve consistency in the implementation of BABA requirements across the Federal Government.”5 The Final Rule will take effect October 23, 2023.

The Domino Effect: What Would an Invasion of Taiwan Mean for Global Trade

Victoria Holmes November 10, 2023

Tensions are escalating in the South China Sea, a vital maritime route for international trade. Taiwan remains at the center of this conflict and in an increasingly interconnected world, the prospect of a Taiwan invasion has far-reaching implications for global trade and geopolitics. It’s becoming even more crucial to understand the potential repercussions of such an event on the global economy as a potential invasion from China becomes increasingly more likely.

International Trade Compliance Consultants and The Value Proposition

Linnea Deeds November 8, 2023

Maximizing value is crucial when companies contemplate bringing on external support for any organizational function. While a company may consider several value categories, this article explores five primary categories – productivity, profitability, image, experience, and convenience. By maintaining a value proposition mindset when requesting consultant resources, selecting consultants, and working with consultants, trade compliance professionals leverage the benefits of external experts.

Employee Education in Compliance Training

Linnea Deeds November 8, 2023

Employee education supports organizational growth and development. Its benefits are generally well known, but how do you ensure that training, in any form, generates the outcomes and advances you desire? Measuring and benchmarking success can be especially difficult when creating customized training programs, which are often needed for international trade compliance topics.

DHS Audit of CBP’s Centers of Excellence and Expertise Yields Evidence of Mismanagement

Adrienne Braumiller August 7, 2023

Uniformity, or rather the lack thereof, in procedures and practices within U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Centers of Excellence and Expertise (Centers) is evidently harming compliant companies within the trade community.

Taiwan – U.S. 21st Century Trade Initiative, More Than Just a Trade Agreement. A Statement to Beijing Perhaps

Bob Brewer August 7, 2023

A little over a year ago on June 1, 2022, the United States and Taiwan launched the United States-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade to deepen their economic ties and trade relationship, and advance mutual trade priorities based on shared values, promoting innovation, and economic growth for workers and businesses.

CAFC Refuses to Reverse CIT Decision on Reliquidation Order, Target, Home Products Litigation

Jennifer Horvath August 7, 2023

This article examines Target Corporation v. United States, Slip Op. 23-106 (Ct Int’l Trade July 20, 2023), a recent ruling by the Court of International Trade (CIT) and its implications on liquidation matters.

Requirements for Bottling/Packing Tequila in the United States

Brenda Cordova August 7, 2023

The United States Mexico Agreement (USMCA – the free trade agreement signed between Mexico, the United States and Canada) promotes and protects the trading of tequila between these 3 countries as it acknowledges it is a distinctive product of Mexico.

Customs Brokers: Giving Credit to Accreditors

Bruce Leeds August 7, 2023

U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) published the Final Rule on continuing education for individual customs broker license holders in the Federal Register on June 23, 2023. This Final Rule made several changes to Part 111 of the Customs Regulations and imposed a continuing education requirement on individual license holders.

Voluntary Self-Disclosures of Export Violations: Understanding the Consequences

Harold Jackson August 7, 2023

The realm of international trade and commerce operates under a complicated system of export control regimes that are designed to protect national security, curb the proliferation of sensitive technologies, and ensure strict adherence to economic and trade sanctions.

Contratos Celebrados por Importadores Mexicanos (Su Relevancia en la Materialidad de las Operaciones Aduaneras y de Comercio Exterior)

BCG February 25, 2026

El marco jurídico mexicano en materia aduanera y de comercio exterior ha evolucionado hacia un modelo de cumplimiento más estricto y controlado. Las autoridades ya no solo exigen que los importadores identifiquen cual es la mercancía objeto de la importación, sino también que acrediten bajo que términos y condiciones se realiza la operación de comercio exterior.

Contracts Executed by Mexican Importers (Their Relevance to the Substantiation of Customs and Foreign Trade Operations)

BCG February 25, 2026

The Mexican legal framework governing customs and foreign trade has evolved toward a stricter and more controlled compliance model. Authorities no longer require importers merely to identify the goods being imported; they now also require proof of the terms and conditions under which the foreign trade transaction is conducted.

USMCA: Negotiation Preparations

Adrienne Braumiller February 1, 2026

The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) is a trilateral free trade agreement that went into effect on July 1, 2020, as a replacement for its predecessor, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The three involved governments are preparing to initiate the first formal joint review in July 2026 as part of the sixth anniversary of the agreement entering into effect.

IEEPA Litigation – Should you be Involved?

Brandon French February 1, 2026

Hundreds of importers have rushed to file lawsuits challenging tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) as they await a Supreme Court ruling on the statute’s overall legality.

Uncertainty Surrounding the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Tax and Customs / Foreign Trade Compliance

Brenda Cordova February 1, 2026

AI is now deeply embedded in the internet and social media, producing everything from humorous content and realistic simulations to advanced automation. These capabilities have expanded beyond entertainment and productivity, reaching into areas of public administration and government oversight. This raises a critical question: if AI is transforming nearly every sector, how will it reshape tax and customs compliance, and how will it be regulated?

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.

News Articles

OMB Issues Final Rule for Infrastructure Buy America Preferences

The Domino Effect: What Would an Invasion of Taiwan Mean for Global Trade

International Trade Compliance Consultants and The Value Proposition

Employee Education in Compliance Training

DHS Audit of CBP’s Centers of Excellence and Expertise Yields Evidence of Mismanagement

Taiwan – U.S. 21st Century Trade Initiative, More Than Just a Trade Agreement. A Statement to Beijing Perhaps

CAFC Refuses to Reverse CIT Decision on Reliquidation Order, Target, Home Products Litigation

Requirements for Bottling/Packing Tequila in the United States

Customs Brokers: Giving Credit to Accreditors

Voluntary Self-Disclosures of Export Violations: Understanding the Consequences

Contratos Celebrados por Importadores Mexicanos (Su Relevancia en la Materialidad de las Operaciones Aduaneras y de Comercio Exterior)

Contracts Executed by Mexican Importers (Their Relevance to the Substantiation of Customs and Foreign Trade Operations)

USMCA: Negotiation Preparations

IEEPA Litigation – Should you be Involved?

Uncertainty Surrounding the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Tax and Customs / Foreign Trade Compliance

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

Advisory Opinions From DDTC – What Are They?

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

Integrating DAOs and DUNAs with Stablecoin Ecosystems

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

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