IEEPA Refunds Begin, EU Steel Tightens, Enforcement Ramps Up
NEWSLETTER | Trade Insight AI
CBP Starts IEEPA Refunds Apr. 20; Protests, Litigation Still Key
STR Trade Report • April 15, 2026
Following a Court of International Trade directive, CBP will roll out phase one of its CAPE process on April 20 to refund IEEPA tariffs. This initial phase covers certain unliquidated entries and those within 80 days of liquidation, with most valid refunds expected 60–90 days after declaration acceptance and payouts consolidated by importer of record. Importers should continue monitoring liquidation dates, filing timely protests, and consider CIT actions for finally liquidated entries to preserve refund rights amid potential delays.
Policy & Tariff Outlook
EU Poised to Cut Steel TRQs 47%, Double Over‑Quota Duty to 50%
STR Trade Report •April 16, 2026
EU lawmakers reached a political deal to replace the expiring steel safeguard on July 1, cutting the duty‑free TRQ by 47% to 18.3 million tons and expanding covered categories to 30. Over‑quota or non‑covered steel would face a 50% duty (up from 25%), with EEA-origin excluded, and importers must meet stricter origin‑traceability rules that will influence quota allocations. A six‑month review could add more products; pending formal adoption, companies should adjust sourcing and shipment timing ahead of the July 1 start.
Tariff Authority Tested; China Counters Decoupling; USMCA Slips; Swiss Seek Certainty
STR Trade Report •April 16, 2026
A U.S. trade court judge questioned whether a trade deficit alone can justify a proposed 10% across‑the‑board tariff under the 1974 Trade Act, while China issued new rules that make it harder for foreign firms to divest from joint ventures or shift orders offshore. In North America, USMCA review talks may extend past the July 1 deadline, with a U.S. official suggesting exit steps could be considered to keep talks moving, and Switzerland aims to finalize a U.S. tariff accord by late July amid U.S. resistance to capping potential Section 301 duties. Together these moves heighten policy risk for tariff exposure, China exit strategies, and North American sourcing and pricing plans through mid‑year.
CBP Details CAPE Process for IEEPA Duty Refund Claims
CIT News •April 16, 2026
CBP has published guidance explaining new CAPE functionality to process refunds of IEEPA-assessed duties on eligible entries. Importers and brokers should review the instructions to confirm eligibility and the steps for submitting refund claims and adjusting filings, as documentation and timing requirements may apply. The update could unlock meaningful cash recoveries and streamline refund administration for affected entries.
Enforcement & Compliance Actions
DOL Unveils Forced Labor Tools as USTR Eyes 301 Tariffs
STR Trade Report •April 16, 2026
The Labor Department launched four resources—LaborShield, ImportWatch, SourcingStrong, and a Supply Chain Traceability Portal—to help importers map multi‑tier supply chains, flag high‑risk goods, and strengthen forced‑labor due diligence. In parallel, USTR is conducting Section 301 investigations into 60 trading partners’ enforcement of forced‑labor import bans, a step that could support reimposing broad tariffs following the Supreme Court’s rejection of IEEPA‑based duties. Importers should accelerate risk mapping and documentation to mitigate enforcement and potential tariff exposure.
BIS Imposes $1.7M Penalty for EAR99 Sales to China Entity List
STR Trade Report •April 17, 2026
BIS ordered a $1.7 million civil penalty for 18 alleged EAR violations after a U.S. firm used third-party distributors to sell EAR99 semiconductor-related items to China-based Entity List parties without required licenses. Citing weak compliance controls and a mistaken belief that EAR99 needed no license, BIS suspended the penalty for one year and will waive it if the company completes export control training within six months, an internal audit within nine months, and discloses any violations found—underscoring Entity List licensing obligations and distributor oversight risks.
CBP steps up scrutiny; importers should conduct compliance reviews now
STR Trade Report •April 17, 2026
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is intensifying scrutiny of importer responses to tariff hikes and supply chain changes, heightening the risk of investigations, audits, and penalties. Shifts in production to avoid Section 301/232 duties can trigger complex origin, classification, valuation, Incoterms, assists, and transshipment issues that expose companies to back duties and civil penalties. Proactive import compliance reviews can surface vulnerabilities and savings, enable prior disclosures to mitigate penalties, and identify refunds or antidumping/countervailing duty scope opportunities while aligning customs, tax, and sourcing teams.
CBP Seizes 1,000 Counterfeit Electronics Worth $150K at Peace Bridge
CBP Media Releases •April 15, 2026
CBP officers at Buffalo’s Peace Bridge warehouse intercepted a commercial vehicle on February 21 carrying nearly 1,000 counterfeit cell phones, smartwatches, and streaming devices; the goods were seized and later appraised by CBP’s Consumer Products and Mass Merchandising Center of Excellence at $150,000 MSRP on March 30. The case underscores CBP’s intensified IPR enforcement—counterfeit goods bearing recorded trademarks can be detained, seized, and destroyed—and signals ongoing risk for importers as CBP reported 78 million counterfeit items seized in FY2025 worth $7.3 billion.
CBP Atlanta Seizes $372K in Q1 for Unreported Currency
CBP Media Releases •April 13, 2026
CBP officers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport seized $372,264 from 24 travelers in Q1 2026 for failing to declare currency over $10,000, including top seizures of $44,432, $32,700, and $30,417 with assistance from K9 “Pub.” CBP emphasized FinCEN 105 reporting requirements and noted it helped travelers properly declare nearly $3 million during the period, warning that noncompliance can lead to seizure and potential criminal charges. For companies with international travelers, this underscores the need to brief employees on cash-reporting rules before departure.
AD/CVD Remedies Tracker
AD/CVD Update: Foil, Mattresses Hit Hard; Steel Plate Cleared
STR Trade Report •April 17, 2026
U.S. trade agencies issued new AD results setting margins of 25.76–29.10% on Chinese aluminum foil and 18.27% on Chinese mobile access equipment, preliminarily 42.92% on Malaysian mattresses, and 0% for Korean cut‑to‑length steel plate. In sunset reviews for forged steel fluid end blocks, authorities found dumping/subsidy risks would persist—up to 78.36% (Germany), 58.48% (Italy) and subsidies up to 337.07% (China)—supporting continuation of existing AD/CVD orders across China, Germany, India, and Italy. Importers should confirm cash deposit rates and evaluate potential assessment/refund exposure for the covered review periods.
Commerce posts 164% CVD rate; sunset reviews sustain high margins
STR Trade Report •April 16, 2026
Commerce issued AD/CVD updates, including a preliminary administrative review finding a 164.29% net subsidy rate on aluminum extrusions from China for Jan. 1–Dec. 31, 2024. In sunset reviews, Commerce found that revoking existing orders would likely lead to renewed dumping/subsidizing: citric acid from China (dumping up to 156.87%, subsidies 52.22%–166.34%), frozen fish fillets from Vietnam (dumping up to 63.88%), forged steel fittings from India and South Korea (dumping up to 293.4% and 198.38%; India subsidies 2.64% and 300.77%), and OCTG from China (dumping up to 99.14%). These findings signal continued high duty exposure and likely continuation of the orders pending ITC injury reviews, prompting importers to reassess sourcing and cash-deposit risks.
AD/CVD Roundup: New Lumber, End Block Rates; Electrodes, Covers Advance
STR Trade Report •April 15, 2026
U.S. trade authorities issued multiple AD/CVD updates, including rescinding the review for Chinese aluminum extrusions for 79 firms (May 1, 2024–Apr. 30, 2025) and issuing preliminary affirmative injury determinations for large‑diameter graphite electrodes (China, India) and truck bed covers (China). Preliminary review results set new rates for forged steel fluid end blocks—Italy CVD 8.49–10.89%, AD 21.97% (Italy) and 0% (Germany)—and Canadian softwood lumber—AD 4.77–16.85% and CVD 11.7–15.93%. Importers should verify cash-deposit rates, reassess 2024 liability, and track final determinations.
WTO and Market Access Watch
FCC narrows import bans, conditionally clears select drone and router models
STR Trade Report •April 17, 2026
The FCC has narrowed its recent bans on new imports of foreign-made drones/UAS components and consumer-grade routers by granting conditional approvals announced Apr. 14—one drone (through Dec. 31, 2026) and several routers, cable gateways, and cable modems (through Oct. 1, 2027)—exempting them from Covered List restrictions. Existing FCC‑authorized drone and router models were already permitted; these approvals carve out additional, time-limited pathways for specified new models. Importers should verify model-specific eligibility and plan around expiration dates, as the FCC offered no detailed rationale and could revise the exemptions.
U.S. Triggers USMCA Labor Review at Mexico’s Latex Occidental Plant
USTR Press Releases •April 16, 2026
The United States requested that Mexico review alleged denials of freedom of association and collective bargaining at the Latex Occidental facility under the USMCA Rapid Response Labor Mechanism. The action underscores intensified cross-border labor enforcement and could lead to remedial commitments or trade measures targeting the plant’s exports if violations are confirmed. Importers and buyers in related supply chains should monitor for potential compliance requirements and any impact on shipments from the facility.
Kazakhstan Files WTO Dispute on Indonesia’s Hot-Rolled Steel Duties
WTO Latest News •April 14, 2026
On 15 April 2026, Kazakhstan requested WTO consultations with Indonesia over additional ad valorem duties on Kazakh-origin hot-rolled steel coils—its first complaint as a WTO member. Astana alleges breaches of GATT 1994, the Anti-Dumping Agreement, and the Marrakesh Agreement; if talks fail within 60 days, Kazakhstan may seek a dispute panel, with potential implications for steel market access into Indonesia.
Philippines Launches Rice Safeguard Probe; Submissions Due in Five Days
WTO Latest News •April 14, 2026
The Philippines notified the WTO on 15 April 2026 that it opened a safeguard investigation on 26 March into certain rice imports (G/SG/N/6/PHL/24). Interested parties have five days from the notice’s publication to register and submit evidence, with the Department of Agriculture’s Trade Remedies Office as point of contact. If serious injury is found, Manila could impose temporary import restrictions, affecting market access and pricing for rice shipments to the Philippines.
New 8 May deadline for WTO Fish Fund grant proposals
WTO Latest News •April 14, 2026
Eligible WTO members now have until 8 May 2026 to submit applications under the Fish Fund’s second call, offering up to USD 50,000 for project-prep grants and up to USD 300,000 for implementation projects. Backed by CHF 15.7 million in commitments and coordinated with FAO, IFAD and the World Bank, the fund supports developing and least-developed members in implementing the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, which 119 members have accepted. The extension gives capitals more time to finalize needs assessments and compliance projects, following 26 grants totaling nearly USD 3 million approved in November 2025.
Related News
April 3, 2026
CBP Refund Rollout, WTO Digital Trade Moves, and Enforcement Heat‑Up
Read more →
January 29, 2026
Benchmarking Trade Compliance Maturity Across Organizations
Read more →
March 4, 2026