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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04 Feb 2025

Additional Duties on Imports from China: Trade Advisory Guidance

Despite concerns that tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China would take effect on February 4, additional tariffs for Canada and Mexico have been delayed until at least March 1. In the meantime, the Federal Register notice for China, as well as the Cargo Systems Messaging Service (CSMS) directives from Customs and Border Protection (CBP), have […]

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30 Jan 2025

Air Cargo at a Crossroads: Adapting to Volatility in an Uncertain Market

The air cargo sector must learn to “embrace volatility,” according to industry analysts who spoke at the World Cargo Summit in Ostend on January 28. Experts highlighted both the strong tailwinds driving growth and the significant headwinds threatening disruption. Ludwig Hausmann, senior partner at consulting firm McKinsey & Co, underscored the industry’s rapid expansion, citing […]

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21 Jan 2025

Trump’s America First Trade Policy: Key Actions and What They Mean for U.S. Commerce

  President Trump released his memorandum on an America First Trade Policy that did not immediately result in “day one” additional tariffs on any country, but it is a top-to-bottom review of every possible action the U.S. could take against a country that is trading unfairly or burdening U.S. commerce based on existing laws. A […]

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02 Jan 2025

Mexico Implements Tariff Increases and Revises IMMEX Program, Impacting U.S. Apparel Imports

On December 20, 2024, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum enacted a decree introducing measures aimed at safeguarding Mexico’s textile and apparel sectors while addressing compliance issues related to the country’s IMMEX program. This shift in Mexico’s trade and manufacturing policies will lead to higher import costs for several goods and may require adjustments from importers, especially […]

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27 Nov 2024

Trump’s Labor Nominee Splits Opinions: Backed by Longshoremen, Criticized by Truckers

The logistics industry is divided over President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer as the next U.S. Secretary of Labor. While unions like the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the Teamsters applaud her pro-worker stance, trucking groups express concern over her opposition to the widely used owner-operator driver model. The ILA praised Chavez-DeRemer for […]

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31 May 2024

CBP Suspends Low-Value Shipment Access for Several Customs Brokers

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has suspended access for several customs brokers to the Type 86 program, which facilitates low-value import shipments. This voluntary initiative allows consignees to have their customs brokers provide CBP with data filed through the agency’s automated broker interface (ABI) under the de minimis rule. The de minimis rule […]

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08 Jan 2024

Trade policy tango continues! USTR extends Section 301

On December 26, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) made an important announcement regarding the extension of active Section 301 China product exclusions. Originally slated to conclude on December 31, 2023, the 429 exclusions are now set to endure until May 31, 2024, as outlined in a comprehensive report by the RV […]

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29 Dec 2023

Trump’s Trade Storm Clouds: Prepare for More Friction if He Returns

Donald Trump’s first term as president was a seismic shift in U.S. trade policy. He launched a tariff war with China, pulled out of major trade agreements, and earned the nickname “Tariff Man.” Now, if he wins re-election, expect the ground to tremble again. Trump’s campaign documents and interviews hint at a second term filled […]

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