DHS Prioritizes PCV, Aluminum, Seafood in UFLPA Enforcement

July 10, 2024 – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced this week that it is adding new high-priority sectors for enforcement of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), “based on a finding that these industries involve a higher risk of forced labor of Uyghurs and members of other persecuted groups from” the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR). The sectors involve importing polyvinyl chloride (PVC), aluminum and seafood.

DHS also announced an expansion of the UFLPA Entity List. See the updates in the 2024 DHS Report to Congress on the Strategy to Prevent the Importation of Goods Mined, Produced, or Manufactured with Forced Labor in the People’s Republic of China.

DHS Seeks Legislation to Restrict De Minimis

July 10, 2024 – Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said this week that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is seeking a legislative solution to address de minimis packages. Secretary Mayorkas said the U.S. screens 4 million packages a day under the de minimis exception, which allows goods valued at under $800 to enter the country duty-free.

“The de minimis exception is built on a false premise,” Mayorkas said, “that a low value means low risk.

“One of the challenges that we have,” he added, “is the de minimis exception and the exploitation of that exception. And we are working towards and hoping to receive a legislative fix to give us greater authorities to address that.”

Watch the recording of Sec. Mayorkas’s fireside Chat at Center for Strategic and International Studies.

House Speaker: Tough China Sanctions Package by Year's End

July 10, 2024 — House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) said this week that he expects Congress to send the White House a package of China legislation by the end of the year to “build our sanctions package, punish the Chinese military firms that provide material support to Russia and Iran, and … restrict outbound investments in China.”

In his speech at the Hudson Institute, he emphasized Beijing as “our number one foreign threat” and the need of an “America-first” coalition to advance U.S. national security interests. Read the transcript

New Legislation Could Increase Penalties for De Minimis Violations

July 10, 2024 – House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) said this week that the expected “package of China-related legislation” this year will include a provision to make goods subject to Section 301 tariffs ineligible for de minimis treatment. All goods from China would be required to enter with a 10-digit Harmonized Tariff Schedule classification.

In his speech at the Hudson Institute, Johnson stated that the bill also includes new penalties for de minimis violations beyond forfeiture of the package. Read more about the package of bills.  

CBP Announces New EDA Requirement for De-Minimis Shipments

July 10, 2024 – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced last week that an update to the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) will be deployed on July 25, 2024. This update requires the submission of the Reference Identifier Qualifier Estimated Date of Arrival (EDA) in the SE20 record for all de-minimis shipments filed as entry type 86.

The change will be available in the ACE certification environment on July 11, 2024. Read the CSMS message.

Shipping Groups Reject Delay on New FMC Billing Rules

July 10, 2024 – Several shipping, trucking, and freight forwarding associations urged the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) this month to reject a request from major ocean carriers to push back the effective date of the FMC’s new demurrage and detention billing requirements. Their public comments state that the delay would cause confusion in the shipping industry.

Two groups, however, said the FMC should consider giving the industry more time to become familiar with the rules before enforcing fines. Read the comments

GOP Platform Calls for "America First" Economic Policy

July 10, 2024 – In advance of the Republican National Convention next week in Milwaukee, the GOP released its platform document this week, which includes a call for an “America First Economic Policy.” 

The policy includes protections against “unfair foreign competition,” revitalizing U.S. manufacturing, and rebalancing trade. 

“Our Trade deficit in goods has grown to over $1 Trillion Dollars a year,” the GOP platform states. “Republicans will support baseline Tariffs on Foreign-made goods, pass the Trump Reciprocal Trade Act, and respond to unfair Trading practices. As Tariffs on Foreign Producers go up, Taxes on American Workers, Families, and Businesses can come down.”

Read more from the GOP 2024 platform document.