Remember when customs compliance was mostly about getting the classification, value, and country of origin right? Those were simpler times. CBP is considering new requirements that could give the agency much greater visibility into your supply chain, including who manufactured your goods, who sold them, who shipped them, where they came from, and what information was…
Parts 1 and 2 explored the changing USMCA landscape, the growing focus on Chinese-origin inputs, rules of origin, transshipment, tariffs, documentation, and the possible directions the agreement could take. Now comes the most important part: What should businesses do about it? The smartest approach is not panic. It is preparation. Businesses do not need to…
When you hear country names like North Korea, Russia and Syria, you may think bad juju. The United States has long standing opinions on these countries and their leaders, but Syria just received a major upgrade to how the United States views the country. On August 24, 2026, the Secretary of State rescinded Syria’s State…
In Part 1, we looked at the changing USMCA landscape and why businesses need to take a closer look at rules of origin, Chinese-origin inputs, transshipment, and the difference between being “assembled in Mexico” and actually qualifying for USMCA treatment. Now let’s talk about another uncomfortable reality: USMCA eligibility does not automatically make every tariff…
If you import from Mexico or Canada, manufacture in North America, or move goods across the U.S.-Mexico-Canada border, you have probably noticed something uncomfortable: The future of USMCA is no longer a “wait and see” issue. The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement was designed to strengthen North American trade, encourage regional manufacturing, and create a framework for…
Did you know that the anti-boycott laws are part of export compliance? If not, you are not alone, as this is often an overlooked due diligence requirement necessary to comply with the U.S. export laws. Understanding what U.S. anti-boycott compliance means and how it affects day-to-day operations is key to adhering to the requirements. These…
Last week, I wrote about the Bureau of Industry and Security’s (BIS) Streamlining Export Controls for Drone Exports Interim Final Rule and why businesses shouldn’t let complicated Federal Register language scare them away from potentially valuable export opportunities. Well…things just got more interesting. BIS has now issued its final rule, and there are some important…
Have you ever read a Federal Register notice and immediately felt overwhelmed by terms like “Interim Final Rule” (IFR), “License Exception STA”, or “Country Group A:1”? You’re not alone. Many businesses stop reading at the legal jargon, which means they often miss opportunities that could make exporting easier and more competitive. One recent example is…
Quick Facts The United States has announced a significant trade action that will affect businesses importing goods from Brazil. Following a Section 301 investigation, the U.S. government will impose an additional 25% tariff on most Brazilian imports, while exempting selected products that are considered essential to the U.S. economy. The tariff applies to goods entered…
If you’ve been bracing for a CMMC Level 2 audit this fall, take a breath, but don’t take your foot off the gas just yet. On July 13, 2026, the Department of War hit pause on CMMC Phase II, the rule that was going to require a formal third-party assessment before you could win or…