05 May 2025

De Minimis Crackdown: U.S. Slams Door on Duty-Free Chinese Imports

As of May 2, the United States has officially ended the de minimis exemption for packages arriving from China and Hong Kong. This change eliminates duty-free entry for shipments valued under $800, subjecting them instead to significantly higher tariffs and stricter customs procedures. Under the new policy, affected packages will either face a 120% tariff […]

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21 Apr 2025

USTR Finalizes Section 301 Actions on China Shipbuilding

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has announced its final actions regarding the Section 301 investigation into China’s shipbuilding industry, introducing significant changes from the initial proposals. Key Changes and Fee Structure: Revised Fees: Instead of a flat fee, new fees will be based on vessel net tonnage (NT) or container count and will apply per […]

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27 Mar 2025

25% Tariffs on Autos, Light Trucks, and Auto Parts Effective April 3 or May 3

Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A. (ST&R) reports that on March 26, the President issued a proclamation imposing 25% tariffs on imported cars, light trucks, and specific vehicle parts under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, citing national security concerns. These tariffs are based on a 2019 investigation and newly submitted information from […]

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21 Mar 2025

U.S. Shipping Industry Sounds Alarm Over Proposed $1M Fee on Chinese Vessels

While major container lines and their largest customers have remained largely silent on the Trump administration’s proposed $1 million per U.S. port call fee for Chinese vessels, smaller maritime and container trade stakeholders are voicing strong opposition ahead of the comment period deadline on Monday. In submissions to the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) before Monday’s […]

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06 Mar 2025

Trump Delays Tariffs on U.S. Imports from Mexico Under USMCA

President Trump announced on social media that after a conversation with Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum today, they agreed that Mexico would be exempt from the 25% tariffs on U.S. imports, as long as the goods qualify under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). “This agreement is effective until April 2nd,” Trump posted on @realDonaldTrump. “I made this […]

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05 Mar 2025

US Port Fee on Chinese Vessels Could Disrupt Trade and Boost Airfreight Demand

The airfreight sector may see increased demand due to a proposed new fee targeting China-built vessels importing goods into the US. The US Trade Representative (USTR) has suggested imposing a charge between $500,000 and $1.5 million per port call for any Chinese-owned or operated vessel, as well as carriers with Chinese-built ships in their global […]

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04 Mar 2025

China Tariff Update

The President has amended the previous Executive Order issued on February 1, raising the additional tariff from 10% to 20%. Tariff Details: Tariff from Feb. 4 to March 3: For products from China and Hong Kong entered or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption between 12:01 a.m. ET on February 4 and March 3, the additional […]

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04 Mar 2025

Implementation of 25% Tariffs on Imports from Mexico and Canada

The Federal Register has released notices regarding the implementation of 25% tariffs on products from Mexico and Canada, effective at 12:01 a.m. ET on March 4. These tariffs will apply to most goods entering the U.S. from Canada or Mexico, with the exception of energy products from Canada, which will incur a 10% duty. Scope […]

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11 Feb 2025

U.S. Temporarily Reinstates De Minimis Exemption for China

The U.S. government has temporarily reinstated the de minimis exemption, which allows packages valued under $800 to be imported duty-free, reversing an earlier decision that had disrupted international parcel shipments. According to a statement from the White House, the exemption will remain in place while authorities establish systems to efficiently process and collect tariffs on […]

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06 Feb 2025

U.S. Ends Duty-Free Imports from China: What It Means for Businesses and Global Trade

The Trump administration’s 2025 decision to eliminate the de minimis exemption for Chinese goods has had a significant impact on B2B sourcing. This policy shift is part of a broader trade initiative aimed at curbing unfair trade practices and preventing the flow of illicit goods, particularly fentanyl, into the U.S. The move affects businesses that […]

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