February 18, 2025, Request for Information Fabric for Space Force Mess Dress.
February 13, 2025, Berets, Men, Wool (Various Colors).
February 13, 2025, Women's Service Hat, Drill Instructor, Army Green 489.
On February 14, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection published in the Federal Register (90 FR 9629) Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee.
DATES: The COAC will meet on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). Please note the meeting may close early if the committee has completed its business. Registration to attend in-person and comments must be submitted no later than February 28, 2025.
DATES: The COAC will meet on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). Please note the meeting may close early if the committee has completed its business. Registration to attend in-person and comments must be submitted no later than February 28, 2025.
AGENDA:
The COAC will hear from the current subcommittees on the topics listed below:
1. The Intelligent Enforcement Subcommittee will provide updates on the work completed and topics discussed in its working groups. The Antidumping/Countervailing Duty (AD/CVD) Working Group will provide updates regarding its work and discussions on importer compliance with AD/CVD and other trade remedy measures and requirements. The Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Process Modernization Working Group will provide updates concerning progress associated with its proposed recommendations specific to IPR enforcement and facilitation. The Forced Labor Working Group (FLWG) will submit proposed recommendations and provide updates on continued discussions regarding trade outreach and clarification of requirements. The FLWG will continue to provide CBP with input, as CBP rolls out a case management portal and a new version of the ``Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) U.S. Customs and Border Protection Operational Guidance for Importers''. The Bond Working Group remained on hiatus status since the last public meeting.
2. The Next Generation Facilitation Subcommittee will provide updates on all its existing working groups. The Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) 2.0 Working Group was focused on a discussion on the ACE 2.0 high level roadmap and clarification on some of the proposed capabilities such as blanket entries and correction processes. The Broker Modernization Working Group (BMWG) remains dedicated to the enhancement of the end user experience and improving the administration of the Customs Broker Licensing Exam (CBLE). This quarter, the Modernized Entry Processes Working Group (MEPWG) continues its National Customs Automation Program (NCAP) discussions and will provide updates on its efforts concerning the reconciliation test. The MEPWG will provide updates regarding areas where CBP could provide further guidance on the Broker Cybersecurity Incident Procedures in the form of Frequently Asked Questions. The remaining working group, the Customs Interagency Industry Working Group (CIIWG), was not active this past quarter but will provide a report on topics that the working group will focus on in the coming quarter.
3. The Secure Trade Lanes Subcommittee will provide updates on its seven active working groups: the Centers Working Group, the Cross-Border Recognition Working Group, the De Minimis Working Group, the Export Modernization Working Group, the FTZ/Warehouse Working Group, the Pipeline Working Group, and the Trade Partnership and Engagement Working Group. The proposed recommendations presented by the De Minimis Automation Task Force in the December meeting will be put forward for a vote in the March meeting. These proposed recommendations could not be voted on at the December meeting, due to the lack of quorum for COAC. The Export Modernization Working Group met to discuss the rail Electronic Export Manifest after much anticipation for its release. The Export Modernization Working Group continues the discussion on progressive filing in the export environment. The Drawback Task Force, within the Export Modernization Working Group, met to discuss the general rulings and the drawback desk review process and hopes to submit proposed recommendations this quarter surrounding the streamlining of the manufacturing rulings process. The Centers Working Group continues to meet within the Structure and Operations Sub-Working Groups. The Centers Working Group continues to evaluate previous the recommendations that were put forward and will determine if any additional proposed recommendations may come from that review and with new topics that are discussed within the Sub-Working Groups. The FTZ/Warehouse Working Group continues to review 19 CFR part 146 and intends to have proposed recommendations for review surrounding ACE functionality for the March public meeting. The Pipeline Working Group has not met yet this quarter and will not have any proposed recommendations. The Cross-Border Recognition Working group has not met this quarter and will finalize the evaluation for the Statement of Work to determine next steps.
Meeting materials will be available on February 24, 2025, at: https://www.cbp.gov/trade/stakeholder-engagement/coac/coac-public-meetings.
On February 12, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection published in the Federal Register (90 FR 9431) Amended Notice of Implementation of Additional Duties on Products of the People’s Republic of China Pursuant to the President’s February 1, 2025 Executive Order Imposing Duties To Address the Synthetic Opioid Supply Chain in the People’s Republic of China.
Monday, February 17, 2025, is a federal holiday in the United States honoring George Washington's birthday. Government offices, banks, and some businesses will be closed in observance of the holiday which is annually celebrated on the third Monday in February. Because the date typically falls between the actual calendar date birthdays of presidents Washington and Lincoln, it is commonly called "Presidents Day," although the official designation is "Washington's Birthday."
"The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible. So far as we have already formed engagements, let them be fulfilled with perfect good faith. Here let us stop." -- George Washington’s Farewell Address, 1796.
Poor George, both revered and kicked around by us. He was born February 11th but when he was 20 Britain and her colonies finally caught up with Catholic Europe by switching to the Gregorian Calendar, moving his birthday to the 22nd of the month. Then, starting in 1971, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968 moved the official celebration of his birth to the third Monday in February. In popular parlance we slight our first President by neglecting the legal name of the holiday, WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY and refer to it as a generic "Presidents’ Day."
We likewise neglect Washington's sage warning against entangling foreign alliances. Even in our commercial relations our leaders, not content merely to trade with the rest of the world, have entered into binding agreements restricting our ability to control our own commerce, to encourage domestic manufacturing, or even to protect our citizens from unsafe products.
On November 5, 2024, the American people finally said, "Enough," and elected a President who promised to put the interest of the American people first. President Donald J. Trump has begun fulfilling that promise. Below are some Presidential actions putting America first, with citations of publication in the Federal Register and excerpts from the actions.
Executive Order 14199 of February 4, 2025, Withdrawing the United States From and Ending Funding to Certain United Nations Organizations and Reviewing United States Support to All International Organizations (90 FR 9275, February 10, 2025).
"Three UN organizations that deserve renewed scrutiny are the UNHRC; the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); and the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)."
Executive Order 14162 of January 20, 2025, Putting America First in International Environmental Agreements (90 FR 8455, January 30, 2025).
"In recent years, the United States has purported to join international agreements and initiatives that do not reflect our country’s values or our contributions to the pursuit of economic and environmental objectives. Moreover, these agreements steer American taxpayer dollars to countries that do not require, or merit, financial assistance in the interests of the American people." "The United States Ambassador to the United Nations shall immediately submit formal written notification of the United States’ withdrawal from the Paris Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The notice shall be submitted to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the Depositary of the Agreement, attached as Appendix A. The United States will consider its withdrawal from the Agreement and any attendant obligations to be effective immediately upon this provision of notification."
Executive Order 14169 of January 20, 2025, Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid (90 FR 8619, January 30, 2025).
"The United States foreign aid industry and bureaucracy are not aligned with American interests and in many cases antithetical to American values. They serve to destabilize world peace by promoting ideas in foreign countries that are directly inverse to harmonious and stable relations internal to and among countries."
Executive Order 14150 of January 20, 2025, America First Policy Directive to the Secretary of State (90 FR 8337, January 29, 2025).
"From this day forward, the foreign policy of the United States shall champion core American interests and always put America and American citizens first."
Executive Order 14155 of January 20, 2025, Withdrawing the United States From the World Health Organization (90 FR 8361, January 29, 2025).
"The United States noticed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2020 due to the organization’s mishandling of the COVID–19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China, and other global health crises, its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms, and its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states. In addition, the WHO continues to demand unfairly onerous payments from the United States, far out of proportion with other countries’ assessed payments. China, with a population of 1.4 billion, has 300 percent of the population of the United States, yet contributes nearly 90 percent less to the WHO."
PROMISES MADE. PROMISES KEPT.
February 10, 2025, Bernard Cap LLC,* Hialeah, Florida, has been awarded a maximum $8,966,974 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for men’s and women’s white jumpers. This was a competitive acquisition with seven responses received. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. The ordering period end date is Feb. 9, 2030. Using military service is Navy. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2025 through 2030 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-25-D-0037).
*Small business
This recall involves TravisMathew adult women’s half-zip sweatshirts and women’s and men’s full-zip and no-zip hoodies in various colors and styles, including: women’s Chance Encounter Half-Zip Sweatshirts (Heather Copen Blue, Heather Mauve Shadows), women’s Save the Day Half-Zip Sweatshirts (Heather Natural, Heather Winetasting), women’s Off Script Zip-Up Hoodies (Heather Light Gray, Heather Crown Blue), men’s Cloud Hoodies (LAD Black, NYY Heather Gray, BRS Heather Gray, CHC Heather Gray, USC Black, USC Heather Gray), men’s In the Rain Hoodies (Black, Heather Gray), men’s Cloud Hoodie 2.0s (Black, Moonbeam, Dark Olive, Ash Blue, Mood Indigo), and men’s Abject Lesson Hoodies (Black, Heather Gray). Some of the hoodies have sports, brands or beer company logos. They were sold in sizes S to XXL. A neck label lists “TRAVISMATHEW”, the size, and “MADE IN PERU”. The front of the side-seam label lists the fiber content, “RN123280”, “CA07099” and “MADE IN PERU”. The back of the side seam label lists washing instructions and batch code information.
Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled garments immediately and contact TravisMathew for a full refund or store credit for the original purchase price. Consumers will be asked to destroy the garments by cutting them in half and disposing of them. Consumers must send a photo of the destroyed garment and sewn-in garment tag to info@travismathew.com. Upon receipt of the photo, consumers will receive a full refund or store credit at the purchase price.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported
Sold At: TravisMathew and independent clothing and golf course stores nationwide and online at TravisMathew.com and other websites from January 2024 through October 2024 for between $130 and $180.
Importer(s): TravisMathew LLC, of Huntington Beach, California
Manufactured In: Peru
Recall number: 25-118
More information and photos HERE.
February 6, 2025, FRM Socks LLC, doing business as Fox River Mills, Osage, Iowa, has been awarded a maximum $11,796,375 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for cold weather socks system. This was a competitive acquisition with four responses received. This is a three-year contract with no option periods. The ordering period end date is Feb. 5, 2028. Using military services are Army and Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2025 through 2028 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-25-D-0038).
On February 7, 2025, the International Trade Administration published in the Federal Register (90 FR 9134) Low Melt Polyester Staple Fiber From the Republic of Korea: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2022–2023.
Investigators seized more than $130 million in contraband, and the organization is believed to be responsible for smuggling at least $200 million worth of goods. According to the indictment, a search of one warehouse used by the group led to the seizure in June 2024 of $20 million worth of counterfeit items including shoes, perfume, luxury handbags, apparel and watches.
Full press release HERE
On February 5, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection published in the Federal Register (90 FR 9038) Implementation of Additional Duties on Products of the People’s Republic of China Pursuant to the President's February 1, 2025 Executive Order Imposing Duties To Address the Synthetic Opioid Supply Chain in the People’s Republic of China.
This recall involves styles of Cozchique, Tebbis and Beeziac girls pajama sets. They are sold in sizes 4T, 5T, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14. The two-piece shirt and shorts sets came in six prints, including Tebbis "Sleepy Panda"; Cozchique "Pink & Gray Sloth", "Stripe Easter Bunny", and "Cherry"; and Beezizac "Panda & Donut" and "Blue Avocado". The label on the shorts lists the size, fabric content 65% cotton 35% polyester, washing instructions and “Made in China”. The second sewn in labels has the batch ID, manufacture date and location. Impacted units have the batch number 20240415TTL, 20240501TTL or 20240509TTL. Cozchique, Tebbis or Beeziac is printed on the pajama’s hang tags.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled pajamas away from children, stop using them, and contact Tupop to receive a full refund. Consumers should destroy the garments by cutting the top and bottom in half and dispose of them. Consumers should send the recalling firm a photo of the destroyed garments by email at bzzservice@hotmail.com to receive a full refund. Tupop and Amazon are contacting all known purchasers directly.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported
Sold Exclusively Online: Online at Amazon.com from May 2024 through September 2024 for between $12 and 17. Retailer: Tupop E-Commerce Co. Ltd., of China
Manufactured In: China
Recall number: 25-113
More information and photos HERE.
January 30, 2025, Gil Sewing Corp.,* Chicago, Illinois, has been awarded a maximum $8,921,955 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for men’s and women’s white jumpers. This was a competitive acquisition with seven responses received. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. The ordering period end date is Jan. 29, 2030. Using military service is Navy. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2025 through 2030 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-25-D-0035).
January 30, 2025, Bethel Yuut LLC,* Anchorage, Alaska, has been awarded a maximum $33,518,731 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for women's green service uniform all weather coats. This was a competitive acquisition with six responses received. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Puerto Rico, with a Jan. 29, 2030, ordering period end date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2025 through 2030 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-25-D-0036).
*Small business
January 29, 2025, Goodwill Industries of South Florida Inc.,** Miami, Florida, has been awarded a maximum $76,761,450 firm-fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for unisex coats and trousers. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. The ordering period end date is Jan. 28, 2030. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2025 through 2030 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-25-D-N003).
** Mandatory Source
January, 28, 2025, Clarifying Defense Contracting.
On January 21, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection published in the Federal Register (90 FR 6852) Trade and National Security Actions and Low-Value Shipments.
SUMMARY: This document proposes amendments to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations pertaining to the administrative exemption for certain low-value shipments not exceeding $800. Specifically, CBP proposes to make merchandise that is subject to specified trade or national security actions ineligible for this administrative exemption and to require that certain shipments claiming this exemption provide the 10-digit Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) classification of the merchandise.
DATES: Comments must be received by March 24, 2025.
On January 23, 2025, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative published in the Federal Register (90 FR 8089) Notice of Determination Pursuant to Section 301: China’s Targeting of the Maritime, Logistics, and Shipbuilding Sectors for Dominance.
On January 20, 2025, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection published in the Federal Register (90 FR 6852) Trade and National Security Actions and Low-Value Shipments.
SUMMARY: This document proposes amendments to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations pertaining to the administrative exemption for certain low-value shipments not exceeding $800. Specifically, CBP proposes to make merchandise that is subject to specified trade or national security actions ineligible for this administrative exemption and to require that certain shipments claiming this exemption provide the 10-digit Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS)vclassification of the merchandise.
DATES: Comments must be received by March 24, 2025.
An industry that is particularly vulnerable to circumvention by qualifying low-value shipments from China is the U.S. textile and apparel manufacturing industry. A large volume of Chinese textile and apparel imports claim the administrative exemption, thereby avoiding tariffs. Further, approximately 50 percent of the value of current qualifying low-value shipments is attributed to textiles and apparel that would otherwise be subject to additional duties under Section 301 Broadly speaking, an estimated 15.9 percent of total imports covered by Section 232, 201, and 301 tariffs are exempt from the tariffs as a result of claiming the administrative exemption.26 By excepting imported goods that are subject to additional duties imposed under Section 232, 201, and 301 actions from the administrative exemption under 19 /U.S.C.
When President Ronald Reagan, on November 2, 1983, signed into law the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday he reminded his listeners that—
Martin Luther King was born in 1929 in an America where, because of the color of their skin, nearly one in ten lived lives that were separate and unequal…taught in segregated schools…could find only poor jobs, toiling for low wages…refused entry into hotels and restaurants, made to use separate facilities. In a nation that proclaimed liberty and justice for all, too many black Americans were living with neither.
President Reagan went on to remark that "Dr. King had awakened something strong and true, a sense that true justice must be colorblind." And Mr. Reagan pointed to both the progress made—and yet to be made—in the struggle for an America that lives up to her noble sentiment that all men are created equal, citing the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965. Reagan, as he so often did, then called on Americans to embrace and enlarge upon their better nature, and exhorted his listeners—
But most important, there was not just a change of law; there was a change of heart. The conscience of America had been touched. Across the land, people had begun to treat each other not as blacks and whites, but as fellow Americans.
Traces of bigotry still mar America. So, each year on Martin Luther King Day, let us not only recall Dr. King, but rededicate ourselves to the Commandments he believed in and sought to live every day: Thou shall love thy God with all thy heart, and thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself. And I just have to believe that all of us —- if all of us, young and old, Republicans and Democrats, do all we can to live up to those Commandments, then we will see the day when Dr. King's dream comes true.
This recall involves Ivy City Mini Bella Bunny Pajamas with and without Feathers, Mini Camille Pajamas with and without Feathers, and Mini Petra Short Sleeve Nightgown in green and Long Sleeve Nightgown in purple. They were sold in children’s sizes 12-18M, 2T, 3T, 4-5, 6-7, 8Y, 9-10, 11-12 and 13-14. The size and “Ivy City” are printed on the neck label. The side seam label has the fiber content, washing instructions and “Made in China”. The Ivy City Mini Bella Bunny Pajamas are 100% Polyester, the Mini Camille Pajamas are 100% cotton, and Mini Petra Nightgowns are 62% cotton, 33% Polyester, 4% nylon, and 1% spandex.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled pajamas away from children, stop using them, and contact Ivy City for a full refund. Consumers should destroy the garments by cutting them in half and disposing of them. Consumers should email Ivy City a photo of the destroyed garment at hello@ivycityco.com to receive a refund. Ivy City is contacting all known purchasers directly.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled pajamas away from children, stop using them, and contact Ivy City for a full refund. Consumers should destroy the garments by cutting them in half and disposing of them. Consumers should email Ivy City a photo of the destroyed garment at hello@ivycityco.com to receive a refund. Ivy City is contacting all known purchasers directly. Incidents/Injuries: None reported
Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled pajamas away from children, stop using them, and contact Ivy City for a full refund. Consumers should destroy the garments by cutting them in half and disposing of them. Consumers should email Ivy City a photo of the destroyed garment at hello@ivycityco.com to receive a refund. Ivy City is contacting all known purchasers directly.
Sold Exclusively At: The Ivy City store in Riverton, Utah and online at https://ivycityco.com/ from January 2024 through August 2024 for between about $50 and $70.
Importer(s): Ivy City Co., of Riverton, Utah
Manufactured In: China
Recall number: 25-09
More information and photos HERE.
on January 17, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection published in the Federal Register> (90 FR 6456) Agreement Between the United States of America, the United Mexican States, and Canada (USMCA) Implementing Regulations Related to Textile and Apparel Goods, Automotive Goods, and Other USMCA Provisions.
This interim final rule amends the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations to add implementing regulations for the preferential tariff treatment and related customs provisions of the Agreement Between the United States of America, the United Mexican States, and Canada (USMCA) with respect to general definitions, drawback and duty-deferral programs, textile and apparel goods, and automotive goods. This document also amends the regulations to implement the temporary admission of goods, to delineate recordkeeping and protest requirements, to clarify the fee provisions, and to make conforming amendments, including technical corrections to other laws as required by statute.
This notice from CBP is to inform the trade about an interim final rule (IFR), published in the Federal Register (published on January 17, 2025) to add implementing regulations to the existing Title 19 Code of Federal Regulations 182 (19 CFR 182) covering the Agreement Between the United States of America, the United Mexican States, and Canada (USMCA). This IFR adds to the existing 19 CFR 182 implementing regulations and other related 19 CFR regulations to address: (i) automotive goods, (ii) textile and apparel goods, (iii) drawback and duty-deferral program requirements, (iv) recordkeeping and protest requirements, (v) temporary admission of goods requirements, (vi) applicable fee provisions, and (vii) other conforming amendments to fulfill the USMCA related commitments.
This IFR is effective on March 18, 2025. CBP has included a 120-day delayed compliance date for the vehicle certification regulations to allow vehicle producers sufficient time to comply with the additional vehicle certification requirements and procedures. These requirements and procedures to claim USMCA preferential benefits for covered vehicles are included in 19 CFR 182, Subpart I - Automotive Goods.
USMCA Automotive Goods Implementing Regulations
The USMCA automotive goods requirements for covered vehicles (i.e., light trucks, heavy trucks, passenger vehicles) set forth in the 19 CFR 182, subpart I, and details that the eligibility for USMCA preferential tariff treatment apply only if the producer of the covered vehicle has certified to CBP that the production of the vehicle by the producer meets the Labor Value Content (LVC) requirement, as described in 19 CFR 182.93, the steel purchasing requirement, as described in 19 CFR 182.94, and the aluminum purchasing requirement, as described in 19 CFR 182.94. In addition, the respective vehicle certification requirements for the covered vehicles are defined at: (i) 19 CFR 182.95, LVC certification, (ii) 19 CFR 182.96, Steel purchasing certification, and (iii) 19 CFR 182.97, Aluminum purchasing certification.
Pursuant to the IFR, starting on May 17, 2025, the producer of the covered vehicle must submit the LVC, steel purchasing, and aluminum purchasing certifications to CBP at least 90 days prior to the beginning of the certification period with the additional data elements specified in the relevant regulations – 19 CFR 182.95, 19 CFR 182.96, and 19 CFR 182.97 using the USMCA Automotive Certification Portal located at https://trade.cbp.gov/USMCA/s/.
Vehicle certifications submitted to CBP prior to May 17, 2025, are not required to comply with the 90-day submission requirement.
Unique Vehicle Certification Identifier
CBP is assigning a unique identifier for each USMCA vehicle certification - LVC certification, steel purchasing certification, and aluminum purchasing certification.
This vehicle certification identifier, generated at time of submission, by the USMCA Automotive Portal, must be provided on entry summary documents to claim preferential tariff treatment.
When making a USMCA claim for automotive goods preferential tariff treatment under 19 CFR 182.11(b) or when making a post-importation claim under 19 CFR 182.32, the importer of the covered vehicle must submit the unique identifier assigned by CBP on each of the labor value content (LVC), steel purchasing, and aluminum purchasing certifications that form the basis for the covered vehicle’s USMCA eligibility. These unique identifiers provide CBP with the ability to link the importation of the covered vehicle to the specific vehicle certifications that form the basis for the covered vehicle’s eligibility for USMCA preferential tariff treatment and to allow the importer to demonstrate compliance with the vehicle certification requirements.
USMCA Auto Alternative Staging Regime
A covered vehicle may be originating under the USMCA pursuant to an alternative staging regime if it meets the conditions set forth in 19 CFR 182.106 and has been authorized by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).
If the terms of the alternative staging regime specifically exempt the vehicle producer from the LVC, steel purchasing, or aluminum purchasing requirement (including when the producer qualifies for NAFTA 403.6 treatment) or if the terms of the alternative staging regime contain different LVC, steel purchasing, or aluminum purchasing requirements from the USMCA product-specific rules of origin requirements for covered vehicles, the vehicle producer is required to submit a separate vehicle certification that covers only those vehicles subject to the alternative staging regime to CBP. Vehicle producers with vehicle certifications for covered vehicles subject to an exemption or different requirements under an alternative staging regime are required to comply with the requirements set forth in 19 CFR 182.95(b), 182.96(b), or 182.97(b), and 182.106(c). These additional vehicle certifications must meet the general regulatory requirements as set forth in 19 CFR 182.95, 182.96, and 182.97, and the additional data elements, and certifying statement as set forth in 19 CFR 182.106(c).
CBP may deny USMCA preferential tariff treatment for claims where vehicle producers fail to meet: (i) the standard automotive good requirements without an authorized alternative staging regime, (ii) a determination has been made that the producer fails to meet the requirements of the alternative staging regime as outlined by USTR, or (iii) the vehicle producer fails to submit the required separate vehicle certification for covered vehicles subject to an alternative staging regime.
Textile and Apparel Goods Implementing Regulations
The IFR covers Subpart H of 19 CFR 182. Subpart H (19 CFR 182.81 – 182.83) and contains the USMCA textile and apparel good provisions, as provided for in USMCA Chapter 6, including the tariff preference levels (TPL) provisions and verification site visit provisions.
CBP has determined that TPLs under the USMCA will be administered using a certificate of eligibility. Thus, CBP is adding the TPL requirements, including the requirements for the certificate of eligibility, to 19 CFR part 182, subpart H.
As goods subject to TPLs are not originating goods, the certification of origin requirement does not apply for textile or apparel goods subject to a TPL claiming USMCA preferential tariff treatment. Instead, pursuant to USMCA Annex 6-A, Section C, the USMCA country where the good is being imported may require a document issued by the competent authority of a USMCA country, such as a certificate of eligibility, to provide information demonstrating that the good qualifies for duty-free treatment under a TPL, to track allocation and use of a TPL, or as a condition to grant duty-free treatment to the good under a TPL.
Subpart H to 19 CFR part 182 also contains the requirements and procedures for a textile or apparel good verification conducted pursuant to a USMCA Article 6.6 site visit. The USMCA provides CBP with two alternative means of conducting a textile or apparel good verification.
Drawback Implementing Regulations - The IFR covers additional drawback implementing regulations not already covered under 19 CFR 182, Subpart E. Also included are other USMCA drawback and duty-deferral program cross-references to Title 19 of the CFR.
Other Areas Covered
The IFR details other areas of the existing 19 CFR covering regulation updates to various commitments under the USMCA, including:
References
For questions regarding this notice please submit inquiries toFTA@cbp.dhs.gov or USMCA@cbp.dhs.gov.
On January 14, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection published in the Federal Register (90 FR 3048)
SUMMARY: This document proposes amendments to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations pertaining to the entry of certain lowvalue shipments not exceeding $800 that are eligible for an administrative exemption from duty and tax. Specifically, CBP proposes to create a new process for entering low-value shipments, allowing CBP to target highrisk shipments more effectively, including those containing synthetic opioids such as illicit fentanyl. This document also proposes to revise the current process for entering low-value shipments to require additional data elements that would assist CBP in verifying eligibility for duty- and taxfree entry of low-value shipments and bona-fide gifts.
DATES: Comments must be received by March 17, 2025.
January 15, 2025, National Industries for the Blind Inc.,*** Alexandria, Virginia, has been awarded a maximum $86,319,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for unisex coats. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. Locations of performance are North Carolina, Illinois and Texas, with a Jan. 14, 2030, ordering period end date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2025 through 2030 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-25-D-B002).
***Mandatory source.
*Small-disadvantaged business in historically underutilized business zones.
**Women-owned small-disadvantaged business in historically underutilized business zones.
December 29, 2024, Sources Sought.
HTSUS Woven fabric classified in tariff item 5515.13.10, combed, of polyester staple fibers mixed with wool, containing less than 36% by weight of wool and up to 6% spandex.
QUANTITY required 25,000 meters per month
Responses requested by January 15, 2024.
DR-CAFTA compliant.
On January 3, 2025, the International Trade Administration published in the Federal Register (90 FR 302) Certain Superabsorbent Polymers From the Republic of Korea: Notice of Court Decision Not in Harmony With the Final Determination of Antidumping Duty Investigation; Notice of Amended Final Determination; Notice of Amended Antidumping Duty Order.
