Two Minutes in Trade

China and the U.S. will each reduce tariffs to 10% by May 14! Listen for details on Two Minutes in Trade. 

Companies are increasingly restructuring supply chains to avoid serving as the importer to limit exposure to Customs claims. But, is it easier said than done?

Goods qualifying under the Nairobi Protocol (subheadings 9817.00.92-96) are exempt from MFN duties, but also from Section 301 and IEEPA duties.  Here, we provide a high-level review of the qualification requirements.

FTZs and bonded warehouses may offer options for traders for locking in tariffs or deferring duty payments. Listen for more info on Two Minutes in Trade. 

While the Administration blankets US imports with tariffs, Senate Democrats seek relief for Small Businesses. 

Supply chain resiliency is a key concern for both parties and in both chambers. Listen to Two Minutes in Trade for details on a new bill. 

Use of the Sec. 321 de minimis exemption was eliminated for imports from China and Hong Kong on Friday, May 2nd. However, de minimis is still (technically) available for imports of under $800 by one person on one day from all other countries.  Although it is unclear how long this will last, given the administration's intent to close that option as soon as “adequate systems” are in place.  For more information, listen to today's Two Minutes in Trade.

BIS is “tariffing” the steel and aluminum industry with its new process to add derivative products to the section 232 25% tariffs. Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade. 

Two Presidential actions on tariffs may result in refunds or an offset to defray the tariffs. Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade. 

Food may look a little less colorful as the FDA and HHS act to remove certain dyes from the food chain. Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade. 

May is upon us, and so are some important effective dates and due dates on major tariff actions. Listen for more details on Two Minutes in Trade. 

It's Deja vue all over again! New section 232 investigation on medium and heavy-duty trucks and parts. Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade. 

Canada retaliates against the US with tariffs but uses smart tactics to protect its manufacturers and health care industry. Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade. 

Getting sick will cost you more as tariffs on the horizon under a Section 232 investigation on pharmaceuticals. Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade. 

USTR released its penalties under the section 301 investigation on China's shipbuilding and maritime industry.  Listen for more info on Two Minutes in Trade. 

It's critical that companies pay attention to the new Section 232 investigation on critical minerals & rare earth elements. Listen for details on Two Minutes in Trade. 

Tomato prices are likely to go up later this summer as Antidumping duties of 21% will be assessed. Listen for details on Today's Two Minutes in Trade. 

IEEPA tariffs are being challenged in Federal courts and the Court of International Trade. Listen to Two Minutes in Trade for details. 

Semiconductors are defined for the upcoming Section 232 investigation; avoid the 125% tariffs for now. Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade. 

Importers and brokers are trying to decipher the curious language of the in-transit exception to the IEEPA tariffs. Here's what we have divined.

IEEPA tariffs suspended for 90 days, except for China and maritime industry actions. Listen for more on today's Two-ish Minutes in Trade!

Your Sea salt may have been made with forced labor. CBP adds South Korean Salt farm to WRO list. Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade. 

Less than 2 days after the White House's announcement, China has announced additional tariffs on U.S. exports and has instituted a slew of other penalties, further escalating the trade war between the U.S. and China.

The Senate is woke! The resolution to stop IEEPA in Canada passed, and now a bill to reassert Congressional authority over tariffs has been introduced. Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade. 

#TMIT Liberation Day! Tariffs, tariffs and more tariffs. No more de minimis for China. Autos/parts defined and 2 new aluminum derivative products. Listen for more on Two Minutes In Trade. 

TMIT No Joke. USMCA qualifying autos and parts are protected under a 2018 agreement with the US. Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade. 

Should Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 be repealed?  Some Members of Congress think so. Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade. 

With IEEPA, steel/aluminum, and other tariffs on the rise, the stakes have never been higher for duty evasion. Here are a few “duty savings” ideas that are likely too good to be true.

The auto industry is assessing the impact of the President's proclamation yesterday imposing a 25% tariff on imported cars, light trucks, and certain vehicle parts under Section 232, citing national security grounds. The 25% tariffs are set to take effect on April 3, 2025, for automobiles and light trucks with auto parts delayed until no later than May 3, 2025.

More tariffs of 25% on countries that import Venezuelan oil or products on the horizon. Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade. 

The Senate will consider a resolution ending the national emergency in Canada. Does it matter?  Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade. 

Several questions are being raised regarding the Section 232 Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum that took effect on March 12th.  For more information, please listen to today's Two Minutes in Trade.  

Footwear Association recently submitted a petition to the Federal Trade Commission seeking an amendment to the Care Labeling Rule to allow for the use of digital labels to deliver care information to consumers. Interested parties may submit comments on this petition by April 18.

Buyer's BEWARE…Importers are increasingly being faced with proposals from their suppliers that sound too good to be true. And like the old adage goes, it usually is.

Secretary Rubio stated that once global tariffs are imposed, there will be room for negotiating new trade deals. While many remain worried about the tariffs that remain to be imposed, others, like the U.K., are trying to get first place in line for when the tariffs start coming down.

More tariffs are possible for ships calling at US ports under a new FMC investigation.

The CBP advisory group known as COAC is back up and running with a full roster. What kind of input will they provide to the new administration?

BIS seeks public comment on two new Section 232 investigations: copper and lumber/timber. Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade. 

The pause on the 25% duty for CA and MX imports (10% for energy or energy resources) is limited to products of Canada and Mexico that qualify as originating under the USMCA. Importers must understand and apply the complex USMCA rules and maintain supporting documentation to avoid these tariffs. An unexpected 25% increase (and possible penalties) down the road for a faulty USMCA claim could be catastrophic to your business.

Diamond and seafood importers need full supply chain visibility to prove that their goods are NOT Russian originating. Listen for more details on Two Minutes in Trade. 

With the administration restoring duty free treatment for most Canadian and Mexican products on March 7th, just three days after the 25% tariffs went into effect, many importers are asking whether their shipments are stuck with the duties for three days. It all comes down to the different options for date of entry and duty calculation.

USITC releases report that could help negotiate an agreement with the EU. Listen for more on Two Minutes In Trade.  #TMIT

You get a 232 investigation and you get a 232…now we are investigating Lumber. Listen for more details on Two Minutes In Trade.

Copper imports are facing potential tariffs under section 232. Listen for more on Two Minutes In Trade. #TMIT

IEEPA tariffs effective March 4 for Canada and Mexico; increased to 20% for China. Steel & aluminum section 232 tariff details emerge. Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade. 

The Administration's about face to allow de minimis for China-produced goods for the time being left many uncertain as to what the future holds. There are some important steps traders should be considering now from both a practical and policy perspective.

March Madness is upon us!  There are several important deadlines in March. Listen for details on Two Minutes in Trade. 

USTR seeks comments on proposed fees to assess on Chinese flagged and built ships. Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade. 

Zombie DST section 301 investigations! President Trump calls for a renewed look at DSTs for several countries. Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade. 

USTR is kicking off the development of a reciprocal tariff policy and seeking public comments. Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade. 

It would not be surprising if U.S. state efforts to address toxic chemicals in consumer products picked up the pace this year as the Trump administration reduces the federal workforce and focuses on other priorities.