Trade Alerts

The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), which bans any articles made wholly or in part in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR), went into effect yesterday, June 21.  However, a recent report links environmental and labor abuses in the XUAR to polyvinyl chloride, commonly known as vinyl or PVC. China is the world’s largest…

Canadian National Railway (CN) received a 72-hour strike notice from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) yesterday.  The union, representing approximately 750 employees in Canada, is prepared to strike beginning at 11 AM EST on Saturday.  CN and the union continue to negotiate, and CN also offered to resolve the remaining differences, primarily regarding…

In an effort to prepare importers for the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) that goes into effect on June 21, 2022, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) released a guidance document.  The document is intended to provide transparency to CBP’s operational approach and complement the Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force’s strategy.  Importers must comply with…

On May 27, 2022, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced another extension of the Section 301 exclusions for COVID-19 related medical care products imported from China.  The previous expiration of the exclusions was May 31, 2022, but now the exclusions will extend an additional six months and expire on November 30, 2022. There are…

Following President Biden’s proclamation on May 27, 2022, a one-year suspension of Section 232 duties on imports of steel articles and derivative steel articles from Ukraine will be implemented.  Such products will not be subject to additional duties under HTSUS subheadings 9903.80.01 and 9903.80.03 from 12:00 AM on June 1, 2022, through 11:59 PM on…

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS) will require importers of earthworms to obtain a PPQ 526 pest permit starting July 1, 2022.  The permits are required to import powdered, frozen, or freeze-dried earthworms, their castings, and related products into the U.S. from any country.  Imports of earthworms for environmental release in the…

The U.S. Commerce Department (Commerce) issued a reminder about the new Aluminum Import Monitoring (AIM) System requirements in CSMS #52046238.  Effective June 29, 2022, when requesting an Aluminum License in the AIM portal, you will be required to enter the “country of largest smelt” and “country of second largest smelt.”  Commerce defines these two data…

On December 23, 2021, President Biden signed into law the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA).  The Act prohibits U.S. imports of any goods, wares, articles, and merchandise mined, produced, or manufactured wholly or in part in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) of the People’s Republic of China.  Such imports of all goods made…

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) seeks nominations for the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee (FVIAC).  The advisory group will be represented by up to 25 qualified fruit and vegetable industry members who can provide recommendations and ideas to the Secretary of Agriculture on issues of importance to the produce industry.  The deadline…

Beginning May 31, 2022, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Veterinary Services (VS) will require submission via the APHIS eFile system for all new and renewal permit applications for live animals and animal products, organisms, and vectors. The APHIS eFile will replace ePermits.  This web-based system provides a modern user interface to apply…