Beginning July 8, 2026, importers of regulated consumer products will face a major change in how product safety certificate information is submitted during the U.S. customs entry process. Under the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s new eFiling requirements, paper or PDF Certificates of Compliance will no longer be enough on their own for covered imported products. Instead, required certificate data must be submitted electronically as … Read More
Section 301 Forced Labor Tariffs: What U.S. Importers Need to Know
The Office of the United States Trade Representative has announced findings and proposed action in 60 Section 301 investigations related to forced labor goods. For U.S. importers, this is not just another trade-policy headline. It is a signal that sourcing transparency, customs readiness, and landed-cost planning may become even more important in the months ahead. On June 2, 2026, USTR determined that the acts, policies, … Read More
New Customs Enforcement Order: What Importers Should Review Now
Customs enforcement is changing. Importers should prepare before the rules become operational. On June 3, 2026, the White House issued an Executive Order titled Strengthening Customs Enforcement. The order directs the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection to pursue a broad customs enforcement reform effort focused on Importers of Record, bond coverage, supply chain disclosures, foreign IORs, audits, penalties, and import … Read More
Customs Clearance Starts Before Arrival
Customs clearance before arrival is one of the most important steps importers can take to reduce delays, avoid compliance gaps, and improve shipment visibility. For many companies, customs clearance feels like something that happens only when cargo reaches the port, airport, or border. In reality, the strongest customs process starts before the shipment moves. A missing invoice, incorrect classification, late Importer Security Filing, inactive customs … Read More