U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has identified May 11, 2026, as the anticipated date for the first refunds of International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) duties processed through the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) platform. The timing, confirmed through a recent U.S. Court of International Trade order, [...]
Global freight conditions in Week 18 reflect a market holding steady across major ocean networks, with vessel activity remaining consistent while recent trade compliance updates continue to shape import processes. SECTION 232 FRAMEWORK UPDATES REFINE TARIFF APPLICATION AND ELIGIBILITY Recent updates across multiple Commerce actions refine how Section 232 [...]
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) released the first operational data following the April 20, 2026, deployment of the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) platform. The update confirms that entries are now progressing through validation, liquidation, and into early refund processing. It does not change the Phase 1 [...]
The U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), has issued an unpublished notice introducing technical corrections and a clarification to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) following the Administration’s April 2, 2026 proclamation on aluminum, steel, and copper imports. These updates refine how certain [...]
The U.S. Department of Commerce has established a new process that allows certain steel and aluminum producers to qualify for adjusted Section 232 tariff treatment. The framework links tariff reductions to verified commitments to expand U.S. production capacity, introducing a formal application and compliance structure. WHO QUALIFIES FOR SECTION 232 [...]
On April 23, 2026, the Court of International Trade (CIT) issued a decision in that clarifies how certain cables are classified under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) and how Section 301 duties apply. The ruling addresses whether cables used with telecommunications equipment qualify for telecommunications classification [...]
Global freight conditions in Week 17 reflect a market shaped by tightening trans-Pacific capacity, elevated blank sailing activity, and active infrastructure developments affecting vessel scheduling. WHERE IS TRANS-PACIFIC OCEAN CAPACITY TIGHTENING? Trans-Pacific ocean capacity tightened across most major Asia origins driven by service adjustments tied to the new contract [...]
The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) recently announced updates to its Transit Reservation (Booking) System, introducing the Enhanced Long-Term Slot Allocation program (LoTSA 2.5) and modifications to how additional booking slots are offered for Neopanamax and Panamax vessel transits. WHAT IS THE LOTSA 2.5 PROGRAM? The LoTSA 2.5 program covers transit [...]
Global freight conditions in Week 16 reflect a market adjusting to sustained disruption in the Middle East alongside shifting capacity conditions across both ocean and air networks. Ocean carriers continue to reroute around restricted waterways, placing pressure on alternative hubs, while air cargo demand remains elevated following seasonal volume [...]
The transition from voluntary participation to mandatory compliance is approaching for the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission eFiling program. With a defined implementation date in July 2026, importers of regulated consumer products are now entering the final preparation window for a standardized, data-driven filing requirement that will apply across all [...]
