5 Important Mandates from OFAC Compliance Framework

Based on its aggressive enforcement program and its recently issued Framework for Sanctions Compliance Programs, OFAC has established a new era in sanctions compliance. Trade compliance is often siloed into its own operation, sometimes in, and other times outside of, the compliance function. Over the next five years, we will witness a sea-change in sanctions…

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Increased Compliance and Enforcement of Antidumping and Countervailing Duties

Suppliers to the US Beware: Increased Compliance and Enforcement of Antidumping and Countervailing DutiesUS tariffs on steel, aluminum, solar panels, and numerous antidumping and countervailing duty (“AD/CVD”) orders on finished and raw input products have put exporters in a bind. On one hand, sourcing and supply chain decisions have become more complex and uncertain. On…

3 Ways to Mitigate Trade Compliance Risk
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3 Ways to Mitigate Trade Compliance Risk

The one constant in international trade is change, and it’s happening at a breakneck pace. New tariffs, shifting alliances, and renegotiated trade agreements have rocked markets and supply chains. Trade compliance was complex enough before, but now compliance teams have to be extra vigilant. Compliance problems can hurt your bottom line and damage your company’s…

Frequently Asked Questions about the Exclusion Process from Section 301 Tariffs on China.
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Frequently Asked Questions about the Exclusion Process from Section 301 Tariffs on China.

Update on China 301 Tariff Exclusion Requests   Frequently Asked Questions about the Exclusion Process from Section 301 Tariffs on China. Q. How do I file for an exclusion? A. First we need to know which of the three lists of China 301 tariffs your product is on. Q. How can I find out which…

Industry leaders are ‘freaking out’ about tariffs and clamoring for warehouses in this loophole-friendly Mexican border town
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Industry leaders are ‘freaking out’ about tariffs and clamoring for warehouses in this loophole-friendly Mexican border town

Even as the US President Donald Trump’s trade war with China ramps up, some manufacturers and retailers are not moving their factories out of China. Instead, some are taking advantage of a little-known tax law called the “first sale rule” that allows companies to significantly undercut how much they pay in tariffs. Other e-commerce players are…

Mexico becomes first country to pass USMCA
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Mexico becomes first country to pass USMCA

Mexico’s Senate on Wednesdaypassed the USMCA, making it the first country to ratify the new North American trade pact. “USMCA passes! Mexico goes first with clear signal that our economy is open,” Jesús Seade, Mexico’s undersecretary for foreign affairs, wrote on Twitter. “We’re confident that our partners will soon do the same,” Seade added. Passage in Mexico…

What is ITAR?
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What is ITAR?

What is ITAR compliance? The International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) are, as the title indicates, rules governing trade in munitions. While that summary is accurate, it leaves many open questions. What are “munitions”? How is trade in munitions defined? Who is engaged in such trade, what authorizations are United States exporters and foreign re-sellers…

Which Way for Huawei?
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Which Way for Huawei?

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] It’s not surprising that Chinese telecommunications equipment vendor Huawei Technologies is back in the headlines. Most export control proceedings take place outside the spotlight, perhaps getting a brief mention at most on the business page. The new restrictions on Huawei differ because they have widespread impact and fit nicely into the ongoing Trade War…

Why Trade Matters
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Why Trade Matters

The US is in a full-blown “trade war” with China. The possibility of tariffs on goods from Mexico, combined with other trade actions by the Trump administration, could send the entire US economy off the rails. The Federal Reserve is already looking at ways to prevent this disaster in the making. History teaches that global…

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Summary: Tariffs kicked in overnight May 10, 2019

The US has increased tariffs on $200bn of Chinese goods from 10% to 25%, with the change coming into effect at midnight. Tariffs increased when midnight deadline for agreement to be reached between China and the US passed without a deal, though talks between the delegations will continue on Friday. Beijing vowed to retaliate over the…

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CBP’s Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism Finalized an Update to its Minimum Security Criteria

WASHINGTON—After over two and a half years of collaboration with the trade community, U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) program has finalized its review and update of its Minimum Security Criteria (MSC). Early in 2016, CBP formally requested the Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) to establish a Working Group…