Effective December 20, 2021, U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) will detain disposable gloves produced in Malaysia by Brightway Holdings Sdn Bhd, Laglove (M) Sdn Bhd, and Biopro (M) Sdn Bhd (collectively, Brightway Group) The Withhold Release Order is based on information that reasonably indicates the use of forced labor in that entity’s manufacturing operations. Read the

U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) announced the five-year World Customs Organization harmonized tariff schedule update will not take effect on January 1st, 2022.CBP is awaiting formal direction. Implementation will be through Presidential Proclamation followed by a Federal Register publication.In the interim, CBP will continue to use the current harmonized tariff schedule until further guidance

The FDA is asking establishments currently exporting certain food products to China to voluntarily submit information. The FDA is making this request as a precaution against potential trade disruption, following new registration requirements effective Jan 1, 2022, of food products exported to China. In April 2021, China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC) announced new registration requirements

**Updated Feb 24, 2022**  Starting October 1, 2022, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and U.S. Customs & Border Protection will accept only original phytosanitary certificates and forms for plant commodities. Phytosanitary certificates issued through the ePhyto system – a government-to-government sharing of electronic phytosanitary certificates, will continue to be

Effective Dec 27, 2021, the Dept. of Commerce is removing thirty General Approved Exclusions (GAEs) to Section 232 steel & aluminum tariffs.  The exclusions being removed no longer meet the criteria for inclusion as a GAE. Ninety-three GAEs remain. GAEs provide an exemption to Section 232 steel (25%) and aluminum (10%) duties and may be used by

The U.S. Dept. of Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is adopting a final rule amending the Syrian Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR part 542, to expand an existing authorization related to certain activities of non-governmental organizations in Syria.

On November 28th, 2021, the U.S. Trade Representative terminated the Section 301 Digital Services Taxes (DSTs) additional duties on products of India & Turkey. The additional duties were suspended in May 2021 pending negotiations. The decision to terminate the action follows an agreement with India & Turkey on DSTs. This agreement is consistent with the one reached in

On November 12, 2021, the U.S. Dept. of Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated four entities and two individuals under Executive Order 14046 in response to the growing humanitarian and human rights crisis and expanding military conflict in Ethiopia.Read more on the Treasury.gov webpage

Starting January 1st, 2022, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will phase down the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in the U.S. by 85% by 2036. Imports of bulk HFCs and HFC blends of any quantity will require allowances, subject to limited exceptions. Learn more about how the allowances work and which Harmonized Tariff codes are regulated

Beginning on November 4th, 2021, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will detain disposable gloves produced in Malaysia by a group of companies collectively known as Smart Glove. This group of companies includes Smart Glove Corporation Sdn Bhd, GX Corporation Sdn Bhd, GX3 Specialty Plant, Sigma Glove Industries, and Platinum Glove Industries Sdn Bhd. Read