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USTR Proposes Two-Month Extension of Section 301 Suspension on China Maritime Fees
USTR proposes extending the suspension of Section 301 actions targeting China’s maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors through January 9, 2027. The extension would keep specified maritime transport service fees and duties suspended for two additional months while trade negotiations continue. Interested parties can submit comments through USTR’s online portal by October 30, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
U.S. Imposes Section 338 Tariffs on Certain Canadian Imports (Further Scope Changes Effective Oct. 30)
On Oct. 23, 2026, President Trump signed a further proclamation modifying the scope of the 50% Section 338 duties on Canadian goods, effective Oct. 30, 2026. Plywood sheets, some paper products, certain machinery and refrigeration equipment, and certain packing crates and boxes are removed, while certain valves, carpets, waste products, and other goods are added. CBP guidance is pending, and importers should re-screen Canadian HTSUS lines before Oct. 30.
Trump Orders Negotiations on Wind Turbine Imports Under Section 232
President Trump issued a proclamation on October 22, 2026, directing Commerce and the U.S. Trade Representative to negotiate with foreign trading partners over wind turbine imports. Commerce identified cybersecurity vulnerabilities, radar interference, and reliance on foreign-made components as national security concerns. Existing Section 232 duties on covered aluminum, steel, and copper products remain unchanged.
CBP Issues Guidance on Section 301 China Conforming Amendment (Updated)
Latest: CBP updated its guidance on Section 301 China Conforming Amendment on October 22, 2026, to cover five product exclusions affected by changes to HTSUS statistical reporting numbers. The updated guidance takes effect in ACE at 6 p.m. EDT on October 23. Importers who paid Section 301 duties on eligible goods may request refunds through a Post Summary Correction or protest, subject to filing deadlines.
Canada’s Tariff Relief Guide for Importers of U.S. Goods
Canada’s tariff relief guide helps businesses importing goods from the United States determine whether counter tariffs apply and identify available relief measures. It explains how eligible importers can claim existing remission, request refunds through the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), and explore other relief programs. Businesses may also seek exceptional remission from Finance Canada if existing measures do not apply and specific conditions are met.
New Lawsuit Challenges Trump’s 50% Tariffs on Canadian Imports
Gellert Global Group filed a lawsuit in the U.S. Court of International Trade on October 20, 2026, challenging Trump's 50% tariffs on certain Canadian imports under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930. The company argues that the tariffs exceed presidential authority and that duties on newly listed products were collected before the required 30-day waiting period. It seeks to stop collection and recover duties with interest.
U.S. Tariff-Rate Quotas for 2027 (Updated)
Latest updates: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a quota bulletin for the 2027 fine denier polyester staple fiber absolute quota under the temporary importation under bond (TIB) program. CBP also released a bulletin for the 2027 second-quarter tariff-rate quota on quartz surface products, covering November 15, 2026, through February 13, 2027. GHY tracks quota limits, opening dates, HTSUS classifications, country exclusions, and filing requirements.
U.S. Tariff-Rate Quotas for 2026 (Updated)
Latest update: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a quota bulletin for Tranche 3 of the 2026 “Further Ensuring Affordable Beef for the American Consumer” tariff-rate quota, which covers 100,000 metric tons of beef from October 31 through November 30, 2026. The quota opens November 2, with entries processed on a first-come, first-served basis and excess quantities subject to higher duties. GHY tracks the latest 2026 quota bulletins, quota limits, opening dates, and entry requirements as CBP releases new updates.
U.S. Trade Final Determinations and AD/CVD Decisions in 2026 (Updated)
Latest: The USITC determined that imports of van-type trailers and subassemblies from China materially injure the U.S. industry, following Commerce’s findings of sales at less than fair value and subsidization. The agency also determined that revoking existing antidumping and countervailing duty orders on small vertical shaft engines from China would likely lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury to the U.S. industry.
FMC Proposes $200,000 Fee on Spanish-Flagged Vessels and Restrictions on Spanish Imports
The Federal Maritime Commission proposes a $200,000 fee each time a Spanish-flagged vessel enters a U.S. port from a foreign port. The commission is also proposing import restrictions on selected Spanish goods: olive oil and other fats, cosmetics and perfumes, ceramics, stone products, and sugar and confectionery. These measures respond to Spain’s denial of port access to U.S.-flagged vessels, which the FMC says has disrupted shipping.
Guidance on U.S. Content Assessment for Section 232 Steel, Aluminum, and Copper Tariffs
Commerce issued guidance to CBP on assessing U.S. content in USMCA-eligible products from Canada and Mexico. The guidance defines U.S. content as the value attributable to qualifying U.S.-origin parts and, where not already accounted for, U.S.-melted and poured steel, U.S.-smelted and cast aluminum, and U.S.-smelted and cast copper for tariff implementation under Proclamation 11032.
NAFTA Panel Upholds U.S. Countervailing Duty Determination on Canadian Softwood Lumber
A NAFTA panel upheld the U.S. Commerce Department’s second remand determination in the Canadian softwood lumber subsidy case, concluding a challenge launched in 2017. The ruling leaves current cash-deposit rates unchanged, including combined antidumping and countervailing duties of 47.59% for Canfor, 26.47% for West Fraser, and 35.16% for other companies covered by the sixth administrative reviews.
2026 CBP ACE Latest Updates and System Changes (Deployment Schedule and ACH Refund Verification)
Latest: On October 9, 2026, CBP published an updated ACE development and deployment schedule. It also announced a new verification step for ACH refund information changes in ACE Portal, effective October 10, 2026. Authorized users must verify changes using a security token sent by email, with SMS available as an option.
CBP Proposes New Rules for Low-Value Shipments; Comments Due Dec. 7
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) proposes new rules for imports valued at $2,500 or less, including earlier electronic filing, a new entry process for eligible international mail shipments, additional shipment data, and bond requirements. The proposal would also expand CBP’s authority to require formal entry. Importers, brokers, and carriers can submit comments through December 7, 2026.
U.S. Continues Section 301 Tariffs on Certain Imports from China
USTR will continue the July 6, 2018, and August 23, 2018, Section 301 actions on certain imports from China, as modified, after receiving requests from domestic industries. Additional duties generally range from 7.5% to 25%, depending on the product and applicable tariff action, with some higher rates following later modifications. Both actions remain in effect while USTR conducts another statutory four-year review.
CBP Launches CAPE for IEEPA Duty Refunds (Phase 3 Launches Oct. 6; IEEPA Refund Comments Due Nov. 4)
Latest on IEEPA duty refunds: CBP is allowing an additional 30 days for public comments on its court-ordered refund information collection. Comments should address the collection’s necessity, estimated burden, clarity, or ways to reduce reporting burdens. Written comments must be submitted in English through Reginfo.gov by November 4, 2026.
USTR Seeks Feedback on 2027 USMCA Joint Review
USTR is seeking public comments ahead of the 2027 USMCA joint review. Comments and hearing requests are due January 12, 2027. USTR is seeking input on the agreement’s operation, implementation, compliance, investment climate, competitiveness, economic security, and cooperation on non-market policies and practices that affect trade and investment across North America.
Reminder: CBP FY2027 Customs User Fees Took Effect October 1, 2026
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) implemented FY2027 customs user fee adjustments effective October 1, 2026. The Customs Broker Permit User Fee increased from $185.38 to $190.88, while the Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) rate remains 0.3464% and its minimum and maximum limits increased. CBP will announce the CY2027 annual broker permit user fee payment deadline separately in a future notice.
2026 Withhold Release Orders (WROs) and Findings: Latest Updates
CBP issued two Withhold Release Orders (WROs) against palm oil and its derivative products produced by two palm oil plantations in Indonesia, Mitra Aneka Rezeki (MAR) and Hardaya Inti Plantation (HIP). WROs allow CBP to detain goods suspected of being made with forced labor. This page tracks the latest WROs and what they mean for affected importers and shipments.
U.S. Imposes Section 232 Tariffs on Patented Pharmaceuticals (Updated CBP Guidance)
Latest Update: On September 28, 2026, CBP issued updated entry filing guidance for Section 232 pharmaceutical tariffs covering HTSUS 9903.04.60–9903.04.70. The guidance incorporates the July 1 HTSUS changes and September 23 Commerce Department notice, confirms updated duty classifications, and notes that HTSUS 9903.04.61 is no longer in effect after September 29, 2026.
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