As global trade regulations continue to evolve, importers are once again adjusting to significant changes in the U.S. tariff landscape. With the expiration of the temporary Section 122 surcharge, the United States has implemented a new round of Section 301 tariffs affecting imports from 60 trading partners. These actions, which are tied to findings related to forced labor enforcement, represent one of the most significant trade developments of the year and are expected to influence sourcing strategies, customs compliance, and landed costs for many businesses.

President Trump has announced three separate presidential proclamations imposing an additional 50% ad valorem tariff on certain imports from Canada under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930. The new duties are scheduled to take effect at 12:01 a.m. ET on August 19, 2026, and represent the first known use of Section 338 as the legal authority for imposing tariffs.

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has announced a new trade action that will impose a 25% tariff on certain products imported from Brazil under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. The new tariffs are scheduled to take effect on July 22, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time for goods entered for consumption or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption on or after that date.

As businesses begin preparing for the busy holiday season, now is the time for importers to evaluate their supply chains and make plans for the months ahead. Peak shipping season, which typically runs from August through October, brings increased demand for transportation services, tighter carrier capacity, and a greater potential for delays.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has updated its Frequently Asked Questions regarding IEEPA duty refunds and the CAPE declaration process, providing importers and customs brokers with additional clarity on account management, refund processing, and common filing issues. The updates, highlighted by the NCBFAA Customs Committee and Counsel of Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, reflect CBP’s continued efforts to improve the refund experience for trade participants.

Importers are facing two significant trade developments that could affect sourcing decisions, compliance obligations, and overall landed costs in the months ahead. The first is a series of changes to certain Section 232 tariffs scheduled to take effect on June 8, 2026. The second is a newly proposed Section 301 tariff action from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) that would impose additional duties on imports from 60 countries identified in a forced labor trade investigation.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) updated its IEEPA FAQ page on May 26, 2026, adding two important responses related to reconciliation filings and CAPE refund processing.

The temporary 10% Section 122 import surcharge is currently scheduled to remain in effect through July 24, 2026, unless extended or modified through future government action. As the deadline approaches, importers should begin reviewing supply chain strategies, shipment timing, and overall landed cost exposure to help prepare for potential trade policy changes in the months ahead.

In today’s rapidly evolving trade environment, accurate Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) classification has become more important than ever. With ongoing tariff updates, changing trade policies, and increased Customs scrutiny, even small classification errors can create costly disruptions throughout the supply chain.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has officially launched the CAPE (Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries) portal, allowing importers to begin filing claims for IEEPA duty refunds through the ACE system. While this marks a major step forward for the trade community, filing through CAPE is not simply a submission—it requires careful preparation. Importers who take the time to review eligibility, confirm system access, and align internally will be best positioned to avoid delays and maximize refund opportunities.