CTPAT Archives | Customs & International Trade Law Blog

2026 CBP Trade and Cargo Security Summit: Key Takeaways for Importers

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) brought together government officials and members of the trade community in Dallas from September 8–10, 2026, for its annual Trade and Cargo Security Summit (TCSS). This year’s theme “Knowing Your Supply Chain to Remain Compliant and Mitigate Risk” was reflected throughout three days of discussions on enforcement, supply chain visibility, artificial intelligence, forced labor, transshipment, CTPAT, cybersecurity, and the future of customs compliance.

Here are some of the most important takeaways for importers.

CBP Is Entering a New Era of Customs Enforcement

A major focus of the Summit was the Administration’s June 3, 2026 “Strengthening Customs Enforcement” Executive Order and the regulatory changes expected to follow.

The Executive Order calls for, among other things, heightened requirements for Importers of Record (IORs), expanded data and identification requirements, and increased vetting of IORs and other parties throughout the import process. CBP officials emphasized that implementation will be an agency-wide effort and that additional regulatory packages are expected.

The shift is already visible in the government’s broader enforcement posture. Discussions at the Summit emphasized customs fraud, shell companies, identity theft, false importer information, double invoicing, and other schemes CBP is encountering in the trade environment. CBP also stressed that its focus is not on ordinary clerical mistakes, but on identifying and escalating consequences for parties intentionally exploiting the system.

Supply Chain Visibility Is Becoming a National Security Issue

Perhaps no […]

By Jennifer Diaz|2026-09-18T12:55:44-04:00September 18, 2026|Best Practices, CTPAT, Enforcement, Forced Labor, Import, Supply Chain, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)|Comments Off

CBP Just Rewrote the Forced Labor Rulebook: What the New Operational Guidance Means for Importers

Short summary: On June 9, 2026, CBP issued new guidance supplementing its 2022 UFLPA guidance and other resources with a single document covering every forced-labor authority it enforces. The new guidance outlines CBP’s detention and exclusion processes and gives practical guidance on how to respond.

On June 9, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) published its new Forced Labor Enforcement Operational Guidance for Importers (Publication No. 5560-0526). It is not a refresh. It updates the June 13, 2022, UFLPA Operational Guidance for Importers and, for the first time, consolidates all forced-labor enforcement authorities CBP wields into a single 89-page reference.

That consolidation is the story. Until now, importers had to stitch together separate sources to understand how the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), Withhold Release Orders and Findings under 19 U.S.C. § 1307, and the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) actually differ in practice. CBP has now mapped all of them — including the exact timelines, the review paths, and the documentation bar — in one place. The practical effect: ignorance of the process is no longer a defensible position.

The one-line summary every importer needs

CBP detains or excludes goods it suspects were made, wholly or in part, with forced labor — and the burden is on you to prove they weren’t, on a clock that can […]

By Jennifer Diaz|2026-06-17T10:00:55-04:00June 17, 2026|CTPAT, Enforcement, Forced Labor, Import, International Trade, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)|Comments Off

Customs Bulletin Update – Vol. 56, October 19, 2022, No. 41

Below is a recap for this week’s Custom’s Bulletin.

Revocation of three ruling letters, modification of one ruling letter, and revocation of treatment relating to the tariff classification of certain step stools
- Pursuant to 19 U.S.C. § 1625(c)(1), CBP is revoking NY N294603, dated March 2, 2018, NY N196451, dated December 27, 2011, NY M84487, dated June 27, 2006, and modifying NY N235681, dated December 5, 2012, and revoking or modifying any other ruling not specifically identified to reflect the analysis contained in HQ H305377, set forth as an Attachment to this notice. Additionally, pursuant to 19 U.S.C. § 1625(c)(2), CBP is revoking any treatment previously accorded by CBP to substantially identical transactions.
- It is now CBP’s position that a one-step step stool is classified according to its constituent material in heading 3924, if made of plastics or in heading 4421, if made of wood. Accordingly, pursuant to GRI’s 1 and 6, the plastic one-step step stools in NY N294603 and NY N196451 are classified in subheading 3924.90.56, which provides for “Tableware, kitchenware, other household articles and hygienic or toilet articles, of plastics: Other: Other”. The one-step step stool made of MDF in NY N235681 and the wooden step stool in NY M84487 are classified in subheading 4421.99.97, which provides for “Other articles of wood: Other: Other: Other: Other
Proposed modification of one ruling letter and proposed revocation of treatment relating to the tariff classification of paper face masks
- Pursuant to 19 U.S.C. § 1625(c)(1), CBP is proposing to […]

By Jennifer Diaz|2022-10-21T17:24:05-04:00October 24, 2022|CTPAT, Import, International Law, International Trade, IPR, Trademarks and Logos, U.S. Court of International Trade, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Uncategorized|Comments Off

How to Build and Maintain an Effective Import Compliance Plan

CBP enforcement is on the rise. If your business is importing into the U.S., or wants to start, our one-hour, NEI accredited, webinar on “Building & Maintaining an Effective Import Compliance Plan” will provide best practices and TOP tips to build an import compliance plan.

Register today to to hear directly from Senior Trade Advisor, Don Woods, DTL’s president, Jennifer Diaz, and Associate Attorney, Denise Calle as they discuss real life stories, current trends/risks associated with the import process, proactive ways to stay compliant, and the importance of training to avoid costly encounters with CBP. […]

By Jennifer Diaz|2021-10-01T09:43:08-04:00October 1, 2021|ACE, Best Practices, Counterfeits, CTPAT, Currency Seizure, Customs Broker, Customs Expert, Enforcement, Forced Labor, Freight Forwarding, ICE, Import, International Trade, IPR, Trademarks and Logos, Labeling, Labor Rights, Penalty, Pre-compliance, Reasonable Care, Seizures, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)|Comments Off

Jennifer Diaz Presenting at Global Trade Educational Conference 2021

The NCBFAA Educational Institute invites all global logistics professionals to its 7th Annual Global Trade Educational Conference (GTEC). This two-day event in Baltimore, MD will give customs brokers, freight forwarders, NVOCCs, OTI, service providers, importers, exporters and all global logistics professionals an opportunity to update themselves on industry developments and connect with colleagues new and old.

Join us IN PERSON in Baltimore, MD, July 26-27, 2021. NCBFAA NEI and hotel staff will be complying with all state and venue COVID-19 protocols so you can feel safe attending the event! Virtual attendance is available, so you can gain knowledge from anywhere!

REGISTER TODAY!

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By Jennifer Diaz|2021-07-06T09:17:36-04:00July 6, 2021|ACE, Counterfeits, CTPAT, Currency Seizure, Customs Broker, Customs Expert, Enforcement, Forced Labor, Freight Forwarding, ICE, Import, International Trade, IPR, Trademarks and Logos, Labeling, Labor Rights, Penalty, Pre-compliance, Reasonable Care, Seizures, Speaking, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)|Comments Off

REGISTER TODAY! NEI Accredited Webinar Importing 101 – Introduction to U.S. Customs

Whether you are new to importing or seasoned, this one-hour webinar is a must attend. Register today to hear directly from this specialized, expert trio on the “Top 10 Tips When Importing to Ensure Compliance” with real case studies:

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By Jennifer Diaz|2021-10-07T14:59:28-04:00April 28, 2021|ACE, Best Practices, Counterfeits, CTPAT, Currency Seizure, Customs Broker, Customs Expert, Enforcement, Forced Labor, Freight Forwarding, HTS, ICE, Import, International Business, International Law, International Trade, IPR, Trademarks and Logos, Labeling, Labor Rights, Penalty, Pre-compliance, Reasonable Care, Seizures, Speaking, Supply Chain, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)|Comments Off

What You Missed at CBP’s Virtual Trade Week

From September 8-11, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) held its first virtual trade week. Over the course of the event, CBP held an action-packed series of webinars on the following topics:

United States-Mexico-Canada-Agreement (USMCA)
Forced Labor
Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT)
E-Commerce
21^st Century Customs Framework (21CCF)

In the midst of this global pandemic and the vast challenges that (we are all navigating) the trade community faces, by us coming together in this way collective commitment to continue our persistent and ongoing dialogue about the most pressing issue facing. CBP believes that improving and delivering effective transparency is an essential element to enhancing trust, and trust is essential to strengthening partnerships and getting things done for your business to thrive and trade community to succeed.

Below are summaries of each of the sessions. Have questions on them? Contact DTL at info@diaztradelaw.com.

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By Jennifer Diaz|2021-10-22T09:57:52-04:00September 23, 2020|CTPAT, Customs Expert, Enforcement, Events, Export, Import, International Business, International Law, International Trade, IPR, Trademarks and Logos, Labor Rights, Reasonable Care, Seizures, Supply Chain, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), USMCA|Comments Off

DTL Tuned-In to the 2020 World Trade Center Miami’s International Trade Week – Check out our Recap:

111 During the weeklong series of 10 informative webinars on trade regulations, we heard TOP TIPs from numerous federal agencies, including U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s Division of Southeast Imports, Miami’s CBP Fines, Penalties & Forfeitures (FP&F) Office, Miami CTPAT Field Office and more! Each webinar was produced to assist importers and exporters understand compliance and hot issues. Below are summaries of two webinars – FDA Import Operations Associated with COVID-19 Efforts and CTPAT – State of the Program / Minimum Security Criteria Updates:
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By Jennifer Diaz|2021-04-09T13:13:23-04:00May 27, 2020|Best Practices, COVID-19, CTPAT, Customs Expert, Enforcement, Export, Import, International Business, International Law, International Trade, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)|Comments Off

CTPAT VALIDATION AND MINIMUM SECURITY CRITERIA & CTPAT MINIMUM SECURITY CRITERIA CHANGES

Diaz Trade Law’s President, Jennifer Diaz and Associate Attorney, Denise Calle are enthusiastic to announce that our article “CTPAT Validation and Minimum Security Criteria” and CTPAT Checklist “CTPAT Validation and Minimum Security Changes” were published by Bloomberg Law! Below is the article reproduced with permission for your reading pleasure. We’d love to hear your feedback!