Changes in how the Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee is organizing its working groups, as well as further discussion about the potential incorporation of "real-time modern processes," are coming at a time when CBP appears to be putting greater emphasis on trade enforcement as part of a broader effort to bolster national security.
Market demand for ocean carriers from Asia to the U.S. West Coast has picked up as importers rush to beat any additional increases in tariff rates -- including potentially higher U.S. duties on goods from China, according to multiple sources.
A Polish official expressed optimism that the U.S. and European countries could hash out a trade deal soon, even as the 90-day timeline for the pause of reciprocal tariffs ends in less than a month.
CBP updated its recent guidance on Section 232 tariffs to remove tariff schedule numbers that had apparently been erroneously included as subject to steel and aluminum tariffs.
Given an increase in Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum (see 2506030071), it may be less costly for importers to no longer take advantage of an exemption from tariffs on autos and auto parts for USMCA goods, according to a tariff expert at supply chain logistics platform Flexport.
As importers, customs brokers and attorneys feel whiplash from the ever-shifting changes in U.S. tariff policy, one particular issue that these stakeholders will continue to grapple with over the coming months is ensuring that importers understand and comply with all the regulations on country of origin, according to experts speaking on a May 30 webinar sponsored by the International Trade Institute titled "Rules, Risk and Reality: How EU Exporters Can Navigate the New US Trade Era."
The emphasis on collecting the revenue generated from the higher tariffs levied during President Donald Trump's second term, as well as the political will behind those higher duties, are compelllng CBP to shift toward prioritizing trade enforcement over trade facilitation, trade experts told International Trade Today.
As reciprocal tariffs against imports from China and Hong Kong fall from 125% to 10% for 90 days as the U.S. and China seek to hash out a trade deal (see 2505120006), so are Southern California port volumes and trans-Pacific freight rates reflected the volatility seen in the trade space.
Although the reciprocal tariff for imported Chinese goods may have fallen to 10% for 90 days (see 2505130074), Flexport trade experts advised companies to not treat this action as if there will be an extension. Doing so will prevent companies from having to ask later whether they will have any in-transit exemptions as the 90-day period ends around Aug. 12, according to Angela Lewis, global head of customs for Flexport.
Given the fast-evolving trade dynamics in the U.S., some suppliers from China have been advising importers to take advantage of delivered duty paid terms -- which is bad advice and can get companies in trouble with CBP, customs consultant Tom Gould said during a May 13 webinar hosted by Revenue Vessel.