Industry Spotlight


25% Section 301 Tariffs Begin on French Products in Retaliation for 3% Digital Services Tax

As reported in December 2020, after intensive Section 301 review, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced its determination that France’s 3% Digital Services Tax (DST) is unreasonable, discriminatory and creates restrictive burden on U.S. commerce; and decided to take action in the form of additional duties of [...]

2021-01-06T14:34:53+00:00January 6th, 2021|Customs, Import, Industry Spotlight|

U.S. Updates Tariffs on EU Products in Large Civil Aircraft Dispute

The U.S. Trade Representative has determined to adjust tariffs on certain products imported from the European Union (EU) in order to mirror their Section 301 trade remedy approach based on World Trade Organization (WTO) authorization in the Large Civil Aircraft dispute. In implementing this approach, the U.S. Trade Representative [...]

2021-03-08T18:27:08+00:00January 5th, 2021|Customs, Export, Import, Industry Spotlight|

Both Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) and Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB) Expire December 31, 2020

Two significant trade programs offering duty reduction treatment for import goods, the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) and Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB), are set to expire December 31, 2020. MISCELLANEOUS TARIFF BILL This means, starting January 1, 2021, import duties will be reinstated for the 1,660 products covered by the [...]

2020-12-30T14:39:40+00:00December 30th, 2020|Customs, Import, Industry Spotlight|

NEW Section 301 Exclusion Extensions and Modifications on Goods Needed for COVID-19 Treatment

On Wednesday, December 23, 2020, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced it will create additional and extend existing product exclusions on goods from China used to treat COVID-19 that would be impacted by Section 301 tariffs.  Many exclusions are set to expire on December 31, 2020. “In [...]

2020-12-23T18:46:47+00:00December 23rd, 2020|Customs, Import, Industry Spotlight|

New Aluminum Import Monitoring Licenses Required Starting Jan. 25

In a final rule published Wednesday, December 23, 2020, the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) announced the adoption of the Aluminum Import Monitoring and Analysis (AIM) system that requires importers, customs brokers (or their agents) to apply for and obtain an import license for each entry of certain aluminum [...]

2020-12-23T15:04:09+00:00December 23rd, 2020|Customs, Freight Talk, Import, Industry Spotlight|

GSP and Miscellaneous Tariff Bill Set to Expire as Importers Urge Action

U.S. businesses are getting more and more concerned as two important trade programs, Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) and the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB), that are set to expire at the end of the year, face controversial changes. As reported early last month, on October 30, 2020, the United [...]

2024-02-26T19:26:50+00:00December 14th, 2020|Customs, Import, Industry Spotlight, Uncategorized|

Importers Seeking Exclusion Refunds of Liquidated Entries on Section 301 Duties Must Have Filed a Protest, Says DOJ

In a recent lawsuit brought to the Court of International Trade (CIT), importers argued that they should still be able to apply for Section 301 exclusion refunds for liquidated entries, specifically, after the protest deadline has expired.  The plaintiffs challenged Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) failure to adjust the [...]

2024-02-26T18:10:33+00:00December 8th, 2020|Customs, Import, Industry Spotlight|

U.S. Targets French Handbags and Cosmetics with 25% Tariffs in Retaliation for 3% Digital Services Tax

As Green reported last year, on December 6, 2019, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced a determination that France’s 3% Digital Services Tax (DST) was unreasonable and discriminatory, creating restrictive burden on U.S. commerce. After intensive Section 301 review, the United States has decided to take action in the form [...]

2020-12-01T15:31:24+00:00December 1st, 2020|Customs, Import, Industry Spotlight|

USTR Updates Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) Eligibility in 2020 Annual Review, Changes Effective Nov. 1

On October 30, 2020, the United States President, Donald Trump, signed a proclamation announcing changes to Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) eligibility for preferential treatment based on the U.S. Trade Representative 2020 program review findings. “Today’s announcement demonstrates the effective use of the GSP program to improve labor standards and [...]

2024-02-26T19:26:50+00:00November 3rd, 2020|Customs, Import, Industry Spotlight|
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