Importers are reporting an uptick in penalties from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) as a result of late ISF filings. Though CBP penalties for late ISFs filings are not new, the measure for lateness used to encompass several weeks or more. It is now our understanding that CBP is tightening their requirements; we are […]

A third round of product exclusions on Section 301 List 1 Chinese goods was released by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) on April 15, 2019. The announcement highlights an additional 21 specially prepared product descriptions, covering 348 separate exclusion requests, subject to partial exclusion from Section 301 tariffs. The newest batch of […]

On April 8, 2019, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) published a preliminary list of products from the European Union (EU) that may be subject to additional Section 301 tariffs. This measure has been proposed in retaliation for the harm imposed on the US economy by EU aircraft subsidies. A number of […]

President Trump threatened to close the U.S. border with Mexico as early as this week in light of the issues stemming from the continued immigration crisis. Trump’s announcement is the latest in a series of escalated threats against Mexico in his pursuit of border security. It’s unclear whether the closure would apply to all traffic […]

Extremely low water levels in the Panama Canal have led to the imposition of a draft restriction on the waterway due to safety considerations. Presently, there is no expiration date for the restriction, but it will be eliminated once water levels stabilize. As of now, Maersk will roll almost all containers on GUNHILDE MAERSK/913E, which […]

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 […]

We have been informed that the Seagirt gate at the Port of Baltimore re-opened at 2:15 PM today, January 24th, after a brief closure earlier as a result of an ongoing labor dispute. Seagirt has advised that they will be offering today, January 24th, and tomorrow, January 25th, as additional free days. Shapiro will continue […]

We have been informed that Union Pacific (UP) rail ramps at Chicago (UP – Global 4) and Memphis (UP – Marion) are experiencing severe chassis shortages, leading to massive delays for truckers awaiting loads and unexpected costs for importers. This news is just the latest development in a series of reported backlogs across U.S. ports […]

As a follow up to California Senate Bill 1402, which became enforceable as of January 1, 2019, the California Division of Labor Standards and Enforcement has published the first list of port drayage providers with outstanding, unsatisfied court judgments, tax assessments or tax liens. Use of carriers on this list by customers can result in […]

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 […]