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

Administration 

  • President Trump signed an Executive Order imposing a universal 10% tariff on all imports from ALL countries, effective 12:01 a.m. EDT on April 5, 2025. Additional country-specific tariffs will also apply.  
  • President Trump signed an Executive Order ending de minimis treatment for goods from China and Hong Kong starting May 2. 
  • The annex to the Section 232 auto tariff proclamation has been released. The annex lists tariff subheadings subject to the 25% tariffs on automobiles beginning April 3, and setting the effective date for tariffs on auto parts at May 3. 

United States Trade Representative (USTR) 

  • USTR submitted the 2025 National Trade Estimate (NTE) to President Trump and Congress. The NTE is an annual report detailing foreign trade barriers faced by U.S. exporters and USTR’s efforts to reduce those barriers. 
  • USTR held public hearings regarding proposed actions in the Section 301 investigation on China’s targeting of the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors for dominance. 

Customs and Border Protection (CBP)  

  • CBP issued guidance on the 25% duty on imports of passenger vehicles and light trucks from all countries. 
  • CBP issued a CSMS on stating ACE inadvertently required imports under four HTSUS classifications, 8418.99.8010, 8418.99.8015, 8418.99.8020 and 8418.99.8025, to pay Section 232 duties under HTS 9903.85.08. The functionality in ACE has been updated and importers can file PSC’s to apply for refunds. 
  • CBP is seeking public comments on several information collections including special tariff treatment provisions. Comments are due May 5.  

Court of International Trade (CIT) 

  • The National Marine Fisheries (NMFS) reached a settlement with three wildlife advocacy groups under which NMFS agreed to implement the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The MMPA requires the government to ban fish from fisheries that do not meet U.S. standards for protecting marine mammals. 

Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) 

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) 

  • The USDA announced that the agency plans to visit several countries in an effort to expand and boost American agricultural exports. 
  • USDA’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) expanded the Risk-Based Sampling at Ports of Entry program to include new varieties of lettuce arriving at select U.S. ports of entry starting the week of March 31. 

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 

  • Martin A. Makary, M.D., M.P.H., was sworn in as FDA Commissioner. 
  • HHS’s plan for personnel cuts calls for an additional decrease in the FDA’s workforce of approximately 3,500 employees. 

Congress 

  • A resolution that would end the 25% and 10% tariffs on Canadian goods passed the Senate 51-48. 

Industry News 

  • The International Labor Organization released a new report confirming cases of forced and child labor in Turkmenistan. 

International News 

  • The Vietnam Ministry of Finance is currently soliciting public feedback on a draft Decree to adjust import tariff rates for certain product groups.

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