Enforcement Tightens: FMC Detention Ruling, CBP Overhaul Signals, and Tariff Actions Drive Risk
NEWSLETTER | Trade Insight AI
D.C. Circuit Endorses FMC Detention Rule; Carriers Must Prove Justification
STR Trade Report • July 24, 2026
The D.C. Circuit upheld the FMC’s finding that an ocean carrier’s detention charges during a three‑day holiday port closure were unreasonable under the Commission’s detention and demurrage interpretive rule. The decision affirms the FMC’s authority to assess whether fees truly incentivize freight fluidity and puts the evidentiary burden on carriers to show a compensatory purpose and cost basis—heightening documentation and compliance stakes for detention billing.
Customs Modernization & Enforcement Overhaul
Trade Groups Press CBP for Transparent Rulemaking on Customs Enforcement Overhaul
STR Trade Report •July 23, 2026
Industry coalitions are urging U.S. Customs and Border Protection to implement the June 3 executive order tightening customs enforcement through transparent notice-and-comment rulemaking rather than immediate-effect regulations, despite the EO’s six-month directive. In July 9 and July 14 letters, dozens of associations and the U.S. Chamber flagged unresolved issues—definitions of “good standing,” minimum bond levels, disclosure scope, and risk-tiering—and warned that new obligations will require significant systems changes, training, and phased timelines. Importers—especially foreign IORs—should expect higher bonding, added data submissions, and stricter accountability; a measured, risk-based rollout that preserves CTPAT benefits is viewed as critical to avoid delays and added costs.
CBP Updates ACE: IOR Auto-Deactivation, Mail Entry 13, Payment Upgrades
STR Trade Report •July 24, 2026
CBP refreshed its ACE rollout, including an “inactive for entry purposes” status that auto-deactivates IOR numbers after 366 days without filings (effective July 16) and new options for PSC and single-entry payments starting July 25, with ACH debit via pay.gov for maritime fees moved up to late summer. A new Entry Type 13 for U.S. mail is slated for Sept. 22, while major ocean/rail/air manifest modernizations slip to October and several projects—like de minimis bond validations and sanctions data for Russian diamonds/seafood—remain on hold. Importers and brokers should verify IOR activity and update payment workflows; carriers and forwarders should prep for mail entry changes, USVI e-manifest requirements, and forthcoming manifest updates.
CBP Rules U.S. Origin for Ultrasound After Final Programming
STR Trade Report •July 23, 2026
CBP’s final determination (HQ H346632) finds an ultrasound system that undergoes final assembly and proprietary software programming in the U.S. is of U.S. origin for Trade Agreements Act/Buy American compliance. Despite subassemblies made in Mexico and globally sourced parts, CBP held the last substantial transformation occurs in the U.S., where integration and programming enable diagnostic functionality. The ruling offers practical guidance for software-driven medical devices and split-production goods targeting U.S. government contracts; parties-at-interest may seek judicial review by Aug. 17.
Tariffs & Trade Remedies On The Move
AD/CVD Roundup: Triple-Digit Plywood Rates, Retroactive Risk, New Probe
STR Trade Report •July 23, 2026
Commerce issued final AD/CVD determinations on hardwood and decorative plywood from China, Indonesia, and Vietnam with dumping margins up to 187.27% and subsidy rates up to 165.39%, and found critical circumstances for China (AD/CVD) and Vietnam (CVD), creating potential 90‑day retroactive duty exposure. The ITC kept AD/CVD orders on Chinese corrosion inhibitors in a five‑year sunset review, while Commerce launched a country‑wide anticircumvention inquiry into Canadian spray foam systems assembled with Chinese alkyl phosphate ester components. Review outcomes were mixed elsewhere: prelim results showed zero dumping for French cut‑to‑length steel plate (POR May 1, 2024–Apr 30, 2025), and final margins on Thai passenger/light‑truck tires ranged from 0% to 2.9% (POR Jul 1, 2023–Jun 30, 2024), signaling possible deposit rate adjustments.
USTR Moves on Section 301 Forced Labor Probes, Tariff Risks Loom
USTR Press Releases •July 23, 2026
USTR announced it is taking action in Section 301 investigations tied to forced labor, signaling potential trade remedies ahead. While specifics are not yet public, companies should prepare for possible tariff measures and compliance implications, and closely monitor forthcoming Federal Register notices and comment periods.
AD/CVD Roundup: New Crane Order, Heavy L-Lysine Duties, Fatty Acids Deposits
STR Trade Report •July 24, 2026
Commerce issued a new antidumping order on Japanese lattice boom crawler cranes effective July 23 (12.36–20.0%) and continued the China crepe paper AD order. It also made preliminary affirmative CVD findings on fatty acids from Indonesia (16.47–16.48% cash deposits) and Malaysia (4.19–4.40%), and finalized AD/CVD determinations on Chinese L-lysine with steep dumping margins (73.55% and 139.89%) and subsidy rates (48.21% and 82.11%). Final 2023 CVD review rates for Italian pasta were 3.21% and 3.32%; importers should update cash deposits and reassess sourcing and pricing exposure.
USTR Highlights Stakeholder Backing for New U.S. Tariff Move on Brazil
USTR Press Releases •July 19, 2026
USTR says U.S. farmers, ranchers, manufacturers, and business groups support President Trump’s tariff action addressing Brazil’s “unreasonable acts, policies, and practices.” Details on rates, scope, and timing were not available; companies with Brazil exposure should monitor official notices and assess potential impacts, including retaliation risk, pricing, and supply chain adjustments.
Agreements & Market Access
U.S., Jordan Sign Reciprocal Trade Pact on Tariffs, Export Controls, Forced Labor
STR Trade Report •July 23, 2026
On July 21, the U.S. and Jordan signed a reciprocal trade agreement that maintains Jordan FTA duty-free access and commits the U.S. to apply FTA or MFN rates, with preferential treatment in most future tariff actions (excluding AD/CVD, Section 232 and Section 201). Jordan will digitize customs and accept e-bills of lading, curb transshipment, prohibit forced‑labor imports within five years, align with U.S. export controls and Entity List restrictions, open critical minerals to U.S. investment, scrap a special tax on qualifying U.S. autos, and refrain from digital services taxes. The deal preserves both sides’ ability to levy protective tariffs under domestic law and brings Jordan into closer alignment with U.S. trade and security policies, joining a growing roster of partners concluding similar pacts.
U.S. and Jordan Sign Agreement to Strengthen Reciprocal Trade Ties
USTR Press Releases •July 21, 2026
USTR announced that Ambassador Greer signed a bilateral agreement with Jordan aimed at enhancing reciprocal trade. While the release provided no text or implementation details, businesses should watch for publication of the agreement and potential impacts on market access, licensing, customs procedures, and compliance under the existing U.S.–Jordan trade framework.
WTO opens India’s eighth Trade Policy Review; key reports published
WTO Latest News •July 20, 2026
The WTO will examine India’s trade and related policies on 21 and 23 July 2026, with members set to discuss and question India’s measures in the Trade Policy Review Body. An independent Secretariat report and the Government of India’s policy statement are now available, offering consolidated insight to help businesses gauge India’s policy direction, market-access conditions, and compliance considerations.
USTR Sets July 23 Hearing on 2027 AGOA Eligibility
USTR Press Releases •July 23, 2026
USTR will hold a public hearing on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at 10:00 AM EDT to receive oral testimony on sub‑Saharan African countries’ eligibility for AGOA benefits. The session will take place at 1724 F Street NW, Washington, DC; attendees should bring identification and allow extra time for security. A witness list with panel assignments is available for review.
Enforcement & Product Safety Watch
ITC Opens Three 337 Patent Probes, Ends Coated-Metal Case
STR Trade Report •July 24, 2026
The U.S. International Trade Commission instituted three new Section 337 patent investigations: DRAM devices (complainant Netlist; respondents in South Korea and the U.S.), foundry coke (SunCoke Technology & Development and Jewell Coke; respondents in the Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, and Italy), and convertible child high chairs (Kids2; respondents in Canada and the U.S.). It also terminated Investigation 337-TA-1431 on nanolaminate alloy coated metal parts with a no-violation finding, leaving imports unaffected. Importers and OEMs in the named sectors should prepare for accelerated discovery and potential exclusion orders, while others face no immediate changes.
Louisville CBP Seizes $28M in Counterfeit Audemars Piguet Watches
CBP Media Releases •July 17, 2026
CBP officers in Louisville intercepted a July 9 shipment from Hong Kong bound for Illinois containing 200 counterfeit Audemars Piguet watches, valued at over $28 million MSRP, after confirmation by the agency’s Centers of Excellence and Expertise. The seizure follows a haul two weeks earlier of 375 similar watches (MSRP > $54 million), signaling sustained IPR enforcement in international mail and express e-commerce channels and elevated risk for small-parcel imports.
CPSC Retires Obsolete Rules for Infant Bouncers, Activity Centers
STR Trade Report •July 24, 2026
CPSC issued a direct final rule eliminating outdated regulations for infant bouncer seats and stationary activity centers, noting both are already governed by newer, comprehensive mandatory safety standards. The change clarifies compliance without easing requirements and will take effect Sept. 21 unless significant adverse comments are filed by Aug. 21—prompting manufacturers, importers, and labs to update documentation and references to the current standards.
Policy Signals & Notices
WTO-IMF Index: Trade Policy Activity Doubled Since 2024, Still Rising
WTO Latest News •July 22, 2026
A new update to the joint WTO-IMF Trade Policy Activity Index through May 2026 shows global trade policy activity at a series high—nearly double 2024 levels and about 25% above the 2025 average. The acceleration is broad-based across G20 and non-G20 economies and reflects a mix of restrictive measures (tariff hikes, bans, quotas), facilitating steps, and expanded subsidies. A June 2026 nowcast signals further increases, underscoring a fast-moving policy environment that traders should monitor for compliance, pricing, and supply chain impacts.
Ambassador Greer warns EU actions cloud certainty in transatlantic trade
USTR Press Releases •July 23, 2026
Ambassador Greer issued a statement cautioning that recent European Union actions are creating uncertainty in the U.S.-EU trade relationship. Trade professionals should monitor for potential shifts in bilateral engagement that could affect compliance planning and market access.
USTR's Greer spotlights tariff gains for ranchers, workers, manufacturers in Colorado and Utah
USTR Press Releases •July 21, 2026
During visits to Colorado and Utah, USTR Ambassador Greer highlighted how U.S. tariffs are delivering benefits for American ranchers, workers, and manufacturers. The outreach underscores the administration’s emphasis on tariff-based trade enforcement and domestic industry support, a signal for trade-exposed sectors to plan around sustained tariff regimes and related compliance.
Why WTO Bans Transit Duties but Allows Negotiated Tariffs
WTO Latest News •July 22, 2026
Economist Robert Staiger explains that tariffs can still serve domestic objectives once terms-of-trade cost-shifting is neutralized, justifying negotiated commitments rather than zero rates. By contrast, pure transit charges lack any domestic-policy rationale and impose costs only on foreigners, supporting GATT Article V’s near-unconditional freedom of transit, echoed by UNCLOS. The WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement’s Article 11 further curbs procedural barriers that mimic transit fees; only transparent, cost-based service charges are defensible.
