CBP e-Refunds Deadline Leads Week: FCC Drone Import Ban, EPA Crackdown, AUKUS Export Relief
NEWSLETTER | Trade Insight AI
ACE Portal Upgrades Ahead of CBP’s Feb. 6 Electronic Refunds
CBP Media Releases • January 6, 2026
CBP has updated the ACE Secure Data Portal with a new electronic refund authorization tool and a streamlined importer account application to support the full transition to electronic refunds on Feb. 6, 2026. The Treasury Department will cease issuing paper checks for CBP refunds unless a waiver under 31 C.F.R. §208.4 is approved, so importers, brokers, and refund recipients should enroll in ACH to avoid delays. The interim final rule, aligned with Executive Order 14247, promises faster payments, fewer errors, and stronger fraud protection. Editor’s note: The requested Trade Insight AI article was not included in the provided articles; this CBP notice was selected as the most broadly impactful, time‑sensitive alternative for trade compliance teams.
Policy & Market Access Watch
FCC Adds Foreign-Made Drones to Covered List, Halting New Imports
STR Trade Report •January 9, 2026
On Dec. 19, the FCC added foreign-made uncrewed aircraft systems and critical components to its national security Covered List—the first time it has targeted an entire product category. Items on the list cannot receive new FCC equipment authorizations, which are required for importation, marketing, or sale, effectively blocking new imports and market entry; previously authorized UAS models remain permitted. Importers and distributors should verify authorization status and reassess sourcing toward domestically produced or already-authorized models.
ITAR Final Rule Expands License Exemptions for U.S.-UK-Australia Defense Trade
STR Trade Report •January 9, 2026
The State Department finalized amendments to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, effective Dec. 30, 2025, to further liberalize defense trade among the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Building on the August 2024 interim rule, it confirms a broad license exemption for exports, reexports, retransfers, temporary imports, defense services, and brokering among authorized users, with most USML items eligible. The rule also deems Australian federal and UK national government bodies eligible without being listed and adds a new exemption for reexports/retransfers/temporary imports supporting the countries’ armed forces, subject to specified requirements and limitations, reducing licensing burden and accelerating program timelines.
FMC Scraps Billing Limits in Demurrage/Detention Rule After Court Ruling
STR Trade Report •January 9, 2026
Effective Dec. 29, 2025, the FMC removed the provision of its demurrage/detention billing rule that restricted which parties could be invoiced, aligning with a September 2025 appeals court decision. Liability for these charges now reverts to underlying contracts and existing law, meaning carriers, NVOCCs, and terminal operators may pursue invoices consistent with contractual relationships, while other invoice requirements remain intact. Shippers, consignees, and drayage providers should review contracts and billing practices in light of this change.
Tariff ruling looms; U.S. MNCs exempt; China cuts 900+ tariffs
STR Trade Report •January 9, 2026
The Supreme Court set Friday as an opinion day, raising the prospect of a pivotal tariff ruling that could trigger importer refunds, complicate preliminary U.S. trade pacts, and stoke deficit concerns. U.S.-based multinationals will be exempt under the renegotiated global tax deal, while China reduced tariffs across 935 items aligned with tech self-sufficiency, the green transition, and public health. India moved to streamline import quality checks as it pursues a U.S. trade pact, and a 10-year U.S. preference program for 77 Nepali products expired with limited expected export impact.
Enforcement & Regulatory Crackdowns
EPA, CBP Tighten Import Enforcement on Illegal Pesticides, Toxic Products
STR Trade Report •January 9, 2026
The EPA is dramatically expanding its import investigative capacity to crack down on illegal pesticides, toxic chemicals, and other polluting products, with a stated focus on Chinese manufacturers and cartel-linked smuggling. Newly confirmed enforcement chief Jeffrey Hall met with CBP in Southern California to deepen data sharing and joint inspections; the agency reports blocking over 200,000 pounds of illegal pesticide imports in 2025. Importers of chemical and pesticide products should expect more scrutiny, holds, and penalties, and ensure full compliance with U.S. registration and safety requirements.
ITC Launches 337 Probes on Aligners, Bike Trainers, DRAMs; Slabs Filed
STR Trade Report •January 9, 2026
The U.S. ITC instituted Section 337 patent investigations 337-TA-1471 (clear aligners; respondents in China/U.S.), 337-TA-1475 (bicycle trainers; Australia), and 337-TA-1472 (DRAMs; Korea/U.S.), and it received a new complaint covering processed slabs with proposed respondents in Israel, Korea, and the U.S. Potential exclusion and cease-and-desist orders could restrict imports across dental devices, fitness equipment, semiconductors, and engineered stone; importers should monitor ITC deadlines and evaluate sourcing, licensing, or redesign options.
American Eel Shipments Now Require CITES Permits, FWS Port Clearance
STR Trade Report •January 9, 2026
Effective Jan. 7, 2026, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service requires all imports and exports of American eel (Anguilla rostrata) and their parts/products to carry appropriate CITES documentation (export permit, certificate of origin, or re-export certificate). Shipments must also be inspected and cleared by FWS’ Office of Law Enforcement at designated wildlife ports or those covered by a designated port exception permit. The move follows the species’ addition to CITES Appendix III, meaning seafood traders should adjust documentation and routing to avoid delays or enforcement actions.
Tariffs, Classification & Trade Remedies
U.S. AD/CVD Roundup: Steep Margins, Retroactive Duties, OCTG Scope Probe
STR Trade Report •January 8, 2026
U.S. trade authorities issued multiple AD/CVD actions: amended final dumping margins of 37.2% and 56.5% on Chinese mobile access equipment; preliminary AD margins of 94.41% and 130.58% on Vietnamese polypropylene corrugated boxes with a partial affirmative critical circumstances finding (triggering new cash deposits); and final Indian overhead door torsion spring rates of 86.45% and 126.14% (AD) plus 172.08% (CVD), with affirmative critical circumstances in both investigations. Commerce also opened a scope inquiry into whether OCTG made in Thailand from Chinese billets falls under the China OCTG orders. Final 2022 CVD review rates on Indian carbazole violet pigment 23 (CVP‑23) were set at 3.28 to 5.51 percent, and importers should assess exposure to elevated deposits and potential retroactive liability where critical circumstances apply.
Trade Remedies Update: Chromium Trioxide Probes, Feb. 2 Review Deadline
STR Trade Report •January 9, 2026
The U.S. Commerce Department opened antidumping investigations on chromium trioxide from India and Türkiye and a countervailing duty investigation on India, with scope comments due Jan. 20. Commerce also initiated new administrative reviews across multiple products—including steel wire rod, hot‑rolled steel, OCTG, and stainless flanges—and set Feb. 2 as the deadline to request 2025 reviews for a broad slate of orders (e.g., biodiesel, hardwood plywood, softwood lumber, melamine). Preliminary results for Korean steel nails set margins at 0.61–1.64% (POR July 1, 2023–June 30, 2024), while final results for Korean welded line pipe yielded a zero margin (POR Dec. 1, 2022–Nov. 30, 2023), signaling potential duty refunds and cash‑deposit changes for affected entries.
CBP Proposes Reclassifying Fuel Pump/Sensor Assemblies at 2.5% Duty
STR Trade Report •January 9, 2026
CBP, in the Dec. 31, 2025 Customs Bulletin, proposed reclassifying combination automotive fuel pump and fuel level sensor units as pumps under HTSUS 8413.30.90 (2.5% duty) rather than liquid measuring instruments under HTSUS 9026.10.20 (duty-free), and would revoke ruling NY 809868. CBP deems the assemblies composite machines with a principal function of pumping fuel; comments are due by Jan. 31. If finalized, the change would create new duty exposure for importers and may require classification and pricing adjustments.
Global Safeguard Actions
Türkiye launches PET resin safeguard probe; responses due in 30 days
WTO Latest News •January 5, 2026
Türkiye has initiated a safeguard investigation into imports of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin, notifying the WTO on 6 January after opening the case on 31 December. Questionnaires are available online and must be submitted within 30 days of the Communiqué’s publication; if increased imports are found to cause or threaten serious injury, Türkiye could impose temporary import restrictions. Exporters, importers, and downstream users should prepare data submissions and monitor for possible duties or quotas affecting bottle- and fiber-grade supply.
Türkiye opens safeguard probe into terephthalic acid imports, 30-day window
WTO Latest News •January 5, 2026
Türkiye initiated a safeguard investigation into imports of terephthalic acid (PTA) on 31 December 2025 and notified the WTO on 6 January 2026. Interested parties have 30 days from the Communiqué’s publication to submit questionnaires; if increased imports are found to cause or threaten serious injury, temporary import restrictions could follow. Companies in the polyester supply chain should assess exposure and consider participating in the proceeding.
Türkiye Opens Safeguard Probe into 'Other Paper and Paperboard' Imports
WTO Latest News •January 5, 2026
Türkiye initiated a safeguard investigation on 31 December 2025 into imports of “other paper and paperboard,” notifying the WTO on 6 January 2026 (G/SG/N/6/TUR/33). Interested parties must complete and submit questionnaires within 30 days of the Communiqué’s publication, with technical assistance available from the Ministry of Trade. A finding of serious injury could lead to temporary import restrictions, so exporters to Türkiye and domestic importers should engage promptly.
Madagascar Launches Safeguard Probe on Plastic Pipes, Tubes, Accessories
WTO Latest News •January 5, 2026
Madagascar has opened a safeguard investigation into imports of plastic pipes, tubes and accessories, initiated on 24 December 2025 and notified to the WTO on 6 January 2026. Interested parties must register with the ANMCC within 30 days of initiation, submit comments or request questionnaires within the same period, and respond to questionnaires within 30 working days; if serious injury is found, temporary import restrictions may follow. The WTO notification (G/SG/N/6/MDG/16, French) provides participation details.
Madagascar Opens Safeguard Inquiry on Breakfast Cereals, Dry Pastries
WTO Latest News •January 5, 2026
Madagascar notified the WTO on 6 January 2026 that it launched a safeguard investigation on 24 December 2025 into imports of dry pastries and breakfast cereals. The ANMCC is inviting interested parties to register and request questionnaires within 30 days of initiation, with responses due within 30 working days. Exporters and importers should anticipate potential temporary import restrictions if the probe finds serious injury to domestic producers.
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