The International Trade Commission recently issued several revisions to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule to implement new and amended Section 301 exclusions and complete its July 1 implementation of USMCA. Most recently, in Revision 17, issued July 28, the ITC implemented a new round of exclusions from list 4 Section 301 tariffs under U.S. Note 20(fff) to subchapter III of Chapter 99, and new subheading 9903.88.53 (see 2007210026). The ITC also amended tariff numbers listed for some exclusions in U.S. Note 20(ddd).

The Drug Enforcement Administration is proposing to require reports of thefts or significant losses of controlled substances be submitted electronically. The agency would require electronic submission of DEA Form 106 by importers, exporters and suppliers within 15 days of the theft or loss, and would also add new requirements for the form to be submitted accurately. DEA is accepting comments on the proposal beginning on the proposed rule’s scheduled publication date, July 29, until Sept. 28.

The Drug Enforcement Administration released a final rule amending its schedule for DEA registration and re-registration fees. The fees cover the costs of the Diversion Control Program relating to the registration and control of the manufacture, distribution, dispensing, importation and exportation of controlled substances and List I chemicals. The new fee schedule takes effect Oct. 1.

The Federal Trade Commission is proposing to repeal its trade regulation rule on apparel care labeling. The commission’s July 23 proposed rule says the rule may be unnecessary because manufacturers would likely continue to provide care information to consumers. The care labeling regulations also may limit innovation and flexibility in the textile and apparel industry by requiring specific disclosures. The care labeling rule requires apparel manufacturers and importers to attach labels to their products that describe appropriate care for ordinary use of their product, including by way of approved care symbols instead of words. Comments on the proposal are due Sept. 21.

The Federal Trade Commission on June 16 published its proposed new “Made in USA” labeling regulations. Approved at a commission meeting in late June (see 2006230049), the proposed rule would strengthen the FTC’s authority to impose penalties for “Made in USA” labeling violations and apply those rules to online advertising and marketing materials. The FTC is now accepting comments on the proposal, due Sept. 14.

The Drug Enforcement Administration is extending for one more year the temporary listing of NM2201, 5F-AB-PINACA, 4-CN-CUMYL-BUTINACA, MMB-CHMICA and 5F-CUMYL-P7AICA in schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, it said. The synthetic cannabinoids, first temporarily listed in 2018 (see 1807090017), will now remain listed in schedule I until July 10, 2021. DEA also issued a proposed rule to permanently list these synthetic cannabinoids in schedule I, with comments due Aug. 12. Substances may only be temporarily listed under the CSA for three years.

The International Trade Commission recently released a list of some of the upcoming changes to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule that will take effect on July 1. The list, provided by the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America, details changes to 10-digit statistical suffixes agreed to by the interagency 484(f) Committee. Affected tariff provisions cover dried tart cherries, rice, wines, propane, diagnostic reagents, disinfectant wipes, viral transport media, face masks and other personal protective equipment, crystalline glassware, stainless steel kegs, mobile clinic vehicles, infrared thermometers, foldable mattress foundations and ancient coins, among other things. The list is not a complete record of all changes that will take effect July 1, and does not include any tariff schedule changes necessary to implement the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs completed its review of the interim final rule from the Department of Labor on certification under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. The review was completed on June 24, it said. The labor value content, as it is known, is needed for both cars and light trucks to meet the new auto rules of origin under the USMCA. For cars, starting July 1, 33% of the vehicle must come from workers making at least $16 an hour in the U.S., $20.91 in Canada, or 304.21 pesos in Mexico, if the company is not granted alternative staging. If it is granted alternative staging, the threshold is 25%.

It's unclear how a President Joe Biden would try to use policy to shape the global supply chain, but the Atlantic Council's Asia Security director said that since Biden prefers a multilateral approach, he “might be less likely” to impose tariffs or export controls. Miyeon Oh, who was speaking during an Atlantic Council webinar June 26, said he might try to get allies to coordinate an effort “to rebalance the global supply chain,” and he might seek to use American participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership as a way to do so.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is on track to open up its ACE filing pilot to all filers on July 6, with an eye to issuing a final rule making use of the FWS partner government agency (PGA) message set mandatory at the end of the year, FWS senior wildlife inspector Rhyan Tompkins said on a June 22 webinar hosted by the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America.