Customs and Trade Weekly Snapshot

Here is a recap of the latest customs and international trade law news:   

Customs and Border Protection (CBP)   

• DHS to Ban Imports from Two Additional PRC-Based Companies as Part of Its Enforcement of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) – The interagency Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force (FLETF), led by DHS, added two People’s Republic of China (PRC)-based companies to the UFLPA Entity List. Effective June 12, 2023, goods produced by Xinjiang Zhongtai Chemical Co., Ltd. and Ninestar Corporation and eight of its Zhuhai-based subsidiaries will be restricted from entering the United States as a result of the companies’ participation in business practices that target members of persecuted groups, including Uyghur minorities in the PRC. 
• The National Commodity Specialist Division, Office of Trade, announced the next round of approximately 35 commodity-specific, educational webinars. See the list of webinars and register here.
• CBP issues guidance on the 16-day transition period for all 81 medical-care product COVID exclusions, extending them through May 31, 2023, and the further extension of 77 of the COVID exclusions through September 30, 2023
• REMINDER: ACE Currency Exchange Rates Deployment to Production on June 10, 2023
• CBP provides guidance on the extension of previously suspended tariffs on steel articles from Ukraine, extending the suspension for another year, until June 1, 2024
• CBP releases May 2023 Q&As of EPA Import Programs – Response to Questions from the October 31, 2022 EPA Refresher Import Webinar
• CBP implemented an Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Certification (CERT) Environment deployment for the Ocean House Bill Release
• CTPAT Mutual Recognition Update – CBP added Mutual Recognition with Colombia and Guatemala (reminder to CTPAT member company’s to update their portal
• $637,000 of counterfeit goods stopped by CBP Officers in Chicago
• CBP announced it is amending its guidelines for cancellation and mitigation of claims for liquidated damages where petitioners are late in filing claims for relief
• EAPA Action: Notice of Initiation in EAPA Case 7801 – Aluminum Extrusions From China
• EAPA Action: Notice of Investigation and Interim Measures in EAPA Cons Case 7809 – Quartz Surface Products from China
• Fake Luxury Watches Worth Over $1.2 Million Intercepted by CBP at LAX

United States Trade Representative (USTR)   

• United States Requests USMCA Dispute Settlement Consultations on Mexico’s Agricultural Biotechnology Measures
• Ambassador Katherine Tai Requests USITC Investigation on the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Intensity of the U.S. Steel and Aluminum Industries

Department of Commerce  

• U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo Presents 2023 Presidential Awards for Export Achievements
• Announcement of submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Self-Certifications Under the Data Privacy Framework Program
• Pure Magnesium in Granular Form from the People’s Republic of China: Final Results of Expedited Fourth Sunset Review of the Antidumping Duty Order 
• The U.S. Department of Commerce and Singapore Ministry of Trade and Industry Meet for the Second U.S.-Singapore Partnership for Growth and Innovation Annual Dialogue 
• Fresh Garlic From the People’s Republic of China: Initiation of Circumvention Inquiry on the Antidumping Duty Order 
• Final results of review of the antidumping duty orders 
  • Polyester staple fiber (PSF) from the People’s Republic of China (China)
  • Fine denier polyester staple fiber (fine denier PSF) from the People’s Republic of China (China), India, the Republic of Korea (South Korea), and Taiwan 
• Final results of antidumping duty administrative review 
  • Steel concrete reinforcing bar from Mexico 
  • Circular welded non-alloy steel pipe (CWP) from the Republic of Korea (Korea) 
  • Carbon steel pipes and tubes from Thailand 
  • Welded stainless pressure pipe (WSPP) from India
• Final results of countervailing duty administrative review 
  • Chlorinated isocyanurates (chlorinated isos) from the People’s Republic of China (China)
• Final results of review of countervailing duty orders 
  • Cut-to-length carbon-quality steel plate (CTL plate) from India, Indonesia, and the Republic of Korea (Korea) 

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)    

• Specially Designated Nationals List Update – Russia related designations
• Specially Designated Nationals List Update – Iran-related Designations; Non-Proliferation Designations; Counter Narcotics Designations
• Specially Designated Nationals List Update – Counter Terrorism Designations; Iran-related Designations Updates; Non-Proliferation Designation Update

• OFAC Issued Guidance to Industry on Iran’s UAV-Related Activities

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)  

• The latest FTC Data Spotlight explores text scams
• FTC Finalizes Order Against Motocross and ATV Parts Maker Cycra for False Made in USA Claims

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 

• USDA Announces Key Staff Appointments

  Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) 

• FMC issues industry advisory reminding vessel-operating common carriers (VOCCs) they must file all service contracts and amendments to service contracts in the Commission’s SERVCON  system no later than thirty (30) days after the effective date.  

  U.S. Congress 

• Representatives Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), Mike Thompson (D-CA) and Terri Sewell (D-AL) reintroduced the For Accurate Import Relief to Aid Retailers and Importers of Foreign Freights (FAIR TARIFF) Act to improve how the United States Trade Representative (USTR) oversees, implements, and administers tariffs.