Trade Alerts

In a message published today, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that it would no longer accept duty deferral requests that were authorized on March 20th in CSMS 42097586. The initial reprieve allowed for additional days to pay duty, taxes, and fees due to the COVID-19 emergencies; requests for which were considered on a…

Ontario and Quebec closed non-essential services earlier this week, and New Brunswick and Nova Scotia have limited non-essential services and tightened provincial entry points. However, there have been no measures affecting the carriage of goods between the US and Canada or between provinces. Many provinces have declared a state of emergency or declared the coronavirus…

Although non-essential services in Ontario and Quebec are shutting down, there have been no orders prohibiting the shipment of goods between the US and Canada. According to Amy Magnus, National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America President and Deringer’s Director of Compliance and Customs Affairs, “At this time, NCBFAA has not received any notifications…

In February, the US International Trade Commission (USITC) determined that antidumping/countervailing duties (AD/CVD) would no longer be imposed on fabricated structural steel (FSS) from China, Canada, and Mexico. The USITC confirmed the determination for Canada-origin FSS with a Federal Register notice, which provides a negative final judgment in the antidumping duty investigation of “certain fabricated…

“Shelter-in-place” and “stay-at-home” orders have been issued in various states and communities around the US; however, the flow of goods into the country is considered an “essential” function by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In DHS’ “Memorandum on Identification of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers during COVID-19 Response,” truckers, carriers, and distribution centers are…

Reduced shipping activity, and one case of the coronavirus, are impacting US port operations across the country: Port of Houston The Barbours Cut and Bayport Terminals at the Port of Houston reopened today following an investigation into a worker who had tested positive for COVID-19 (i.e., the coronavirus). Other workers’ exposure was limited, but those…

The Port of Houston has shut down its Barbours Cut and Bayport Container Terminals, following an ILA worker’s positive test for COVID-19 (i.e., the coronavirus). The employee worked at both terminals. Other public facilities at the port remain operational, including the Houston Ship Channel and more than 200 private terminals. A reopening date hasn’t been…

To reduce the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), the US, Europe, and Canada are tightening their borders to non-residents, but cargo continues to move. Earlier today, Canada barred the entry of travelers who are not Canadian or US citizens or Canadian permanent residents. Although the announcement does not impact Canadian trade and commerce at this…

Air cargo capacity for European freight will be further reduced by the expansion of US travel restrictions that now also include Ireland and the United Kingdom. The initial ban imposed last week was on humans traveling from Schengen-area countries in Europe to the US, which resulted in the mass cancellation of passenger flights. These travel…

As importers seek to fulfill an increased need, the FDA has increased its scrutiny on some imported health products. The FDA is exercising additional caution to identify counterfeit and unsafe products, such as hand sanitizer, antibacterial products, medical masks, and thermometers. To be imported legally, hand sanitizer and antibacterial products must be FDA registered, manufacturers…