NEWS & UPDATES

1. Why CPSC Compliance Matters Importing children's apparel and products into the United States requires careful attention to Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regulations. These requirements are designed to protect children from unsafe products and ensure that products sold in the U.S. marketplace meet federal safety standards. 2. Testing and Certification Requirements For children's products intended for ages 12 and under, importers are generally required to have pr

The general Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates a large number of products like: Foods meant for humans and animals (animal feed and human foods including color additives, chemicals that come into contact with food to ensure they do not pose a health risk in migration, bottled water, infant formulas, and dietary supplements) Drugs for humans and animals (prescribed and over-the-counter medications) Medical devices for humans (bandages, contact lenses, first aid kits,

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued guidance following the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative's (USTR) decision to impose a 25% additional Section 301 tariff on most products imported from Brazil. The tariff applies to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. ET on July 22, 2026. HTSUS Classifications CBP established several new Chapter 99 HTSUS classifications for these tariffs: 9903.05.01: Applie

On June 3, 2026, President Donald J. Trump signed Executive Order 14411, directing federal agencies to strengthen U.S. customs enforcement. The order aims to improve national security, protect domestic businesses, increase duty collection, and reduce customs fraud by addressing issues such as undervaluation, misclassification, illegal transshipment, forced labor, and the use of shell companies to evade U.S. trade laws. New Requirements for Importers of Record (IORs) Within 18

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued CSMS #69326983, providing implementation guidance for the U.S. Trade Representative's new Section 301 Forced Labor Import Duties. These additional duties became effective for merchandise entered for consumption or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption on or after 12:01 a.m. EDT on July 24, 2026. Under this action, imports from 60 economies are subject to additional Section 301 duties ranging from 10% to 12.5%, depending o

Overview: The textile industry is a major part of global trade, and the United States is one of the world's largest textile importers. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) enforces trade laws to ensure textile imports follow regulations and to protect American businesses from unfair trade practices. What are the susceptibilities and what are the strategies used to combat these? Textile imports are vulnerable to fraud because of high tariffs and complex trade rules. To red

What is "transaction value" and how is it calculated? The transaction value is the actual price the buyer pays to the seller for the imported goods. To calculate it, start with the price on the invoice (excluding international shipping and insurance) and add certain costs if they aren't already included. These additions include packing costs, selling commissions paid to the seller’s agent, the value of any "assists" (materials or equipment provided to the manufacturer at no c

On April 30, 2026, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) released its 2026 Special 301 Report on Intellectual Property Protection and Enforcement, identifying Vietnam as a “Priority Foreign Country.” This designation represents the highest level of concern under U.S. trade law for inadequate intellectual property (IP) protection and enforcement. [ustr.gov] According to USTR, Vietnam was designated due to longstanding issues related to IP rights protectio

When you import wearing apparels, household products, automobiles, or industrial parts, one of the biggest challenges is ensuring your...

On September 4, 2025, the White House issued an Executive Order (EO) titled “Implementing the United States–Japan Agreement.” This...

Importing goods like apparels, household products, automobiles, or industrial parts into the U.S. can feel overwhelming. The process...

Import delays can cost you money, disrupt your supply chain, and damage relationships with your customers. As a licensed U.S. Customs...

In the globalized world of textile and apparel production, it is common for garments to be assembled in multiple countries. However, for...

When importing goods into the United States, the importer of record (IOR) plays a critical role in ensuring compliance with U.S. Customs...

With recent increases in U.S. tariffs, many importers are exploring cost-saving strategies such as purchasing goods under Delivered Duty...

Importing goods into the United States can be a lucrative business opportunity, but it requires careful planning and adherence to various...

1/ RESEARCH Use the internet and resources like the following websites: CBP: https://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export Check for any...

Who needs to register with the FDA? Most facilities that manufacture, process, pack, receive, or hold food must register with the FDA every two years. This includes most foreign manufacturers and some importers. There are exceptions to the registration requirement, so businesses should confirm whether their facility qualifies. What should businesses know about food labels? Food offered for import into the United States must comply with FDA food-labeling requirements. Labels a

What are Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)? Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) protect creations such as brand names, logos, inventions, designs, and creative works. These protections help businesses safeguard their products and prevent others from selling counterfeit or unauthorized copies. When fake goods enter the U.S. market, they can harm consumers, businesses, and the economy. What role does CBP play in protecting Intellectual Property Rights? U.S. Customs and Border P

What is a CBP bond? A CBP bond is a financial guarantee that ensures importers, brokers, and other parties involved in importing goods will follow U.S. Customs laws and pay any required duties, taxes, fees, or penalties. If these obligations are not met, the bond helps protect the U.S. government from financial loss. Why does CBP require bonds? CBP requires bonds to: Protect government revenue Encourage compliance with customs laws and regulations Ensure importers meet their