Chinese officials announced changes to the May Day Holiday weekend in an act to stimulate China’s economy amidst disappointing first quarter data. Observance of the holiday will now take place between May 1-4, 2019. Despite the shift from one to four days, it will not create any additional days off for workers. Instead, workers are […]

On March 20, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) released an additional list of partially or fully excluded Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) subheadings in regard to Section 301 List 1 tariffs. The 33 newly excluded HTS subheadings supplement the original list of 22 HTS subheadings previously excluded by the USTR on December 21, […]

On December 31, 2018, the National Marine Fisheries Services (NMFS) added Abalone and Shrimp to the list of SIMP commodities that require additional information when importing. To assist importers with the transition, they permitted a compliance period that would allow Customs entries to be processed without the required elements. That compliance period ends April 1, […]

On Monday, March 4th, 2019, President Trump announced that India and Turkey’s Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) status would be revoked. The decision threatens the GSP duty-free entry status of nearly $5.6 billion Indian goods. In a letter addressed to Congress, Trump explained that he is “taking this step because, after intensive engagement between the […]

As previously reported in January’s Shap Talk, the EPA published the Formaldehyde Emission Standards for Composite Wood Products final rule on December 12, 2016.   Below are some FAQs to ensure you are fully aware of these new requirements: What does this final rule say? Beginning on March 22, 2019, importers, manufacturers, fabricators distributors and retailers […]

On Sunday, February 24th, President Trump announced the postponement of increased duties on Section 301 List 3 tariffs as a result of positive and successful talks between China and the U.S. in regard to trade relations. Tariffs on Section 301 List 3 items worth over $200 billion were set to escalate from 10% to 25% […]

Calling all FBA Sellers! We know you are busy and sometimes important news from Amazon gets lost in the mail…or your dashboard…or on the forums (sometimes carrier pigeons get lost!). In case you missed the news, Shapiro wanted to make sure that our U.S. FBA clients received the latest update from Amazon regarding changes to […]

On December 21st, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) posted a preliminary copy of a report that named 21 Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) subheadings that will be granted either complete or partial exclusion from Section 301 List 1 tariffs.

We are all bracing to see if the Federal Government will shut down as scheduled on midnight on Saturday, December 22nd. In the event it does, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has measures in place to ensure appropriate work flow and staffing.  Here’s what we know: CBP Management and Leadership will be available to […]

CBP announced an amendment to current tax rates per the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act of 2017 (CBMA). Importers can now take advantage of the adjustment on shipments containing wines with more than 14%, but less than 16% alcohol by volume (ABV). This amendment reduces the excise tax from $1.57 per gallon, to […]

Section 301 list 3 tariffs on Chinese imports, which were set to increase from 10% to 25% effective January 1, 2019, will now remain at 10% for an additional 90 days as a result of fruitful talks between Chinese President Xi Jingping and President Trump at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires this past Saturday, […]

Effective December 17, 2018, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will begin full enforcement of the ISF-5 filing requirement for Foreign Retained on Board (FROB) cargo. This will affect any foreign cargo that calls a U.S. port during transit.    As you are aware, Importer Security Filing (“10+2”, “ISF”) rules took effect in 2009. At that […]

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) under the Department of Commerce issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) seeking public comment on criteria for identifying emerging technologies that are essential to U.S. national security. BIS welcomes comments on: How to define emerging technology to assist identification of such technology in the future; Criteria […]

We have learned that, in the very near future, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will begin carefully auditing imports of goods subject to Section 301 duties.  As a result, importers may see an increase in the number of Requests for Information (CF 28s); these requests will be based on inconsistencies related to reclassification, changed countries […]

On October 30, 2018, President Trump issued a Presidential Proclamation which both changes some product classifications for fruit juices and removes Generalized Systems of Preferences (GSP) privileges for many products. For complete details of the products affected, please click here. These changes will go into effect on Thursday, November 1, 2018. Please reach out to our […]

Customs and Border Protection released instructions for receiving reduced tax rates per the Craft Beverage Modernization Act and Tax Reform of 2017 (CBMA). For an importer to be eligible to receive a reduced tax rate or a tax credit, importers must substantiate that the foreign producer/assigning entity has designated an allotment of its reduced tax […]

The moment we’ve all been waiting for is around the corner! As previously advised by the Craft Beverage Modernization Act (CBMA), reduced tax rates and/or tax credits are applicable to importations of certain limited quantities of distilled spirits, beer or wine imported from each foreign producer/assigning entity (as described in the CBMA).  Further, the allocations […]

Just prior to the midnight deadline on September 30th, Canada agreed to the terms of a new trade agreement with the United States and Mexico. The new deal, which has been aptly named the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), will replace the 25-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The significant components of the agreement involve dairy, […]

As many of you may be aware, on September 21, 2018, the USTR published a Notice of Modification of Action providing for the imposition of additional import duties on a third list of Chinese products. On September 28, 2018, the USTR published a Notice of Amendment of Action announcing changes to the tariff classifications covered […]

It’s been a few months since the announcement in the Federal Register, but please remember that several user fees will increase effective October 1st, 2018. One of the most significant changes will involve merchandise processing fees (MPF).  While the ad valorem rate of .3464% will remain the same, the minimum and maximums have been modified.  […]