May 2025

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

Administration   

• President Trump signed an Executive Order reducing the reciprocal tariff on China from 125% to 10% for 90 days. 

Customs and Border Protection (CBP)  

• CBP released their April 2025 monthly update. Highlights:
  • Successfully implemented tariffs guided by 21 presidential actions
  • Identified $117 million in duties and fees owed to the U.S. government
  • Stopped 140 shipments for further examination based on the suspected use of forced labor
• CBP released a notice outlining refund procedures to implement President Trump’s executive order on tariff stacking. 
• CBP published guidance clarifying what facilities can be considered bonded warehouses. Bonded warehouses don’t include container freight stations, inspectional facilities, or express consignment facilities.
• CBP published an update to their FAQs clarifying that goods loaded onto feeder vessels before reciprocal tariffs took effect, but transferred to another vessel after, aren’t eligible for an exemption from the tariffs for in-transit goods.
• CBP released guidance on the decrease of the reciprocal tariff rate on China to 10% as provided in the executive […]
  

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

Administration  

• The US & UK reached a trade deal, allowing the import of UK aerospace engines and parts duty-free. The average tariff on U.K. goods will stay at 10%. 
• The first negotiations between the US and China will begin this weekend in Switzerland. China will be represented by Vice Premier He Lifeng, and the U.S. will be represented by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. 
• In a hearing in front of the House Financial Services Committee, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that exempting tariffs on some baby items such as car seats and cribs is “under consideration.”
• President Trump told reporters that USMCA may no longer be necessary, calling it a transitional deal to move away from NAFTA.
• Via a social media post, President Donald Trump authorized the Department of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative to begin the process of instituting a 100% tariff on movies coming into the U.S. that are produced in other countries.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) 

• CBP updated its Section 232 tariff FAQ,

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

Administration  

• President Trump signed a Proclamation amending tariffs on automobiles and auto parts. Automakers who build cars in America and import parts to do so will get a partial credit against the costs of 25% Section 232 tariffs on non-USMCA qualifying parts. 
• President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order clarifying the applicability of recently imposed tariffs, specifically tariff “stacking.” Goods subject to Section 232 tariffs on automobiles will not also be subject to Canada and Mexico IEEPA tariffs or 232 tariffs on steel & aluminum. Goods subject to Canada and Mexico IEEPA tariffs will not also be subject to 232 steel & aluminum tariffs. 

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) 

• CBP updated its tariff FAQs clarifying that exemptions from reciprocal tariffs for goods that were in transit on April 5 or 9 only apply to ocean vessels.
• CBP updated its IEEPA FAQs clarifying that if you are subject to aluminum and steel tariffs, you are not subject to reciprocal IEEPA tariffs.
• CBP ruled that a partial duty exemption for U.S.-origin materials exported to a third country for assembly will not apply […]