CBP Modernizes Low-Value Shipment Processing - USCBP
New requirements indefinitely suspend duty-free treatment, increase transparency, and strengthen enforcement
WASHINGTON — U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued new rules that modernize and strengthen how the agency processes low-value shipments at U.S. borders.
Following the president’s Executive Order, “Suspending Duty-Free De Minimis Treatment for All Countries,” which went into effect Aug. 29, 2025, the new rules ensure that all low-value shipments are subject to consistent enforcement across every mode of entry.
“For years, billions of low-value shipments have entered the United States without sufficient information,” said CBP Commissioner Rodney S. Scott. “These changes close that loophole, are consistent with the president’s suspension of de minimis, and fulfill the America First Trade Policy by strengthening our economic security.”
The regulations indefinitely suspend duty-free de minimis treatment for low-value imports valued at $800 or less. Currently, all shipments valued at $2,500 or less are subject to applicable duties, except for genuine gifts valued at $100 or less ($200 if sent from someone in the Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa), and certain personal or household use articles accompanying travelers. In addition, importers must provide more detailed information on international mail shipments. This ensures that CBP can collect proper duties and apply the same rules to international mail as every other mode of entry coming into the United States.
“With these changes, we’re ensuring that every shipment meets the same rigorous standards,” said CBP Office of Trade Executive Assistant Commissioner Susan S. Thomas. “Under the new rules, CBP will level the playing field for law-abiding businesses and prevent bad actors from dodging duties or sneaking in illegal goods.”
CBP is also testing a new electronic entry process for international mail shipments. Under this test, importers and brokers who elect to participate will submit enhanced data—including recipient information, and postal tracking numbers—to further improve CBP’s shipment monitoring and enforcement. This test is part of a phased approach that will ultimately bring shipments entering via international mail into parity with all other goods being imported into the United States.
“More data and enhanced entry procedures mean that we can target and intercept high-risk shipments with greater precision,” said CBP Office of Field Operations Executive Assistant Commissioner Diane J. Sabatino. “The more visibility we have into these shipments, the less dangerous, counterfeit, and illicit goods reach American families.”
CBP provides ongoing guidance, resources, and direct support to help the trade community adapt to these new requirements, including the new electronic entry test. To learn more about the new rules and get answers to frequently asked questions, visit CBP’s e-Commerce page.
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CBP issues 2 Withhold Release Orders on Needle Craft and Casual Wear, garment factories in Jordan - USCBP
Agency will detain imports of garments produced using forced labor
WASHINGTON — U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued two Withhold Release Orders against garments produced by Needle Craft Ltd. and Casual Wear Apparel LLC garment-manufacturing factories in Jordan. Effective immediately, CBP personnel at all U.S. ports of entry will detain garments produced in Jordan by Needle Craft and Casual Wear.
“CBP’s forced labor enforcement exposes supply chains that undermine the integrity of U.S. commerce,” said Executive Assistant Commissioner of CBP’s Office of Trade Susan S. Thomas. “These actions mark CBP’s fifth and sixth WROs this fiscal year, stopping more goods tied to exploitative labor practices from entering U.S. markets.”
Both WROs were issued due to violations of 19 U.S.C. § 1307, the law prohibiting goods made with forced labor from entering the United States. When CBP has evidence indicating that imported goods are made by forced labor, the agency acts to detain those shipments through WROs.
Both WROs are the result of a CBP investigation and review of information that Needle Craft and Casual Wear use forced labor to produce garments in Jordan. During its investigation, CBP analyzed the following supporting evidence: media reports, official Jordanian government documents, company statements, videos, photographs, victim statements, public reports, and non-governmental organization statements.
Taken together, the evidence demonstrated that workers at Needle Craft and Casual Wear are subject to seven International Labour Organization indicators of forced labor: retention of identity documents, excessive overtime, intimidation and threats, physical and sexual violence, withholding of wages, restriction of movement, and abusive living and working conditions. The facts underlying these indicators show, by reasonable suspicion, that workers are engaged in forced labor (i.e., work performed involuntarily and under menace of penalty). Additionally, CBP trade import data demonstrates that the goods are being, or are likely to be, imported into the United States.
Both WROs against Needle Craft and Casual Wear highlight CBP’s continued efforts to combat forced labor. With this action, CBP now oversees and enforces 58 WROs and eight Findings under 19 U.S.C. § 1307.
Importers of detained shipments may seek to destroy or export their shipments or seek to demonstrate that the merchandise was not produced with forced labor.
CBP receives allegations of forced labor from a variety of sources including government agencies, media, non-governmental organizations, and members of the public. Any person or organization that has reason to believe merchandise produced with forced labor is being, or is likely to be, imported into the United States can report allegations through CBP’s Forced Labor Allegation Portal.
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Cotton Board Rules and Regulations: Adjusting Supplemental Assessment on Imports (2025 Amendments) - Federal Register
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture (USDA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is proposing to amend the Cotton Board Rules and Regulations to decrease the value assigned to imported cotton for the purposes of calculating supplemental assessments collected for use by the Cotton Research and Promotion Program. This amendment is required each year to ensure that assessments collected on imported cotton, and the cotton content of imported products, will be the same as those paid on domestically produced cotton. In addition, AMS is updating the Import Assessment Table to account for changes since the last assessment adjustment in 2024.
DATES: Comments must be received by July 23, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments concerning this proposed rule. Comments may be sent to Cotton Research and Promotion, Cotton and Tobacco Program, AMS, USDA, 3275 Appling Road, Memphis, Tennessee 38133 or via the internet at: https://www.regulations.gov.
All comments should reference the document number and the date and page number of this issue of the Federal Register. Comments submitted in response to this proposed rule will be included in the record and will be made available to the public and can be viewed at: https://www.regulations.gov.
Please be advised that the identity of the individuals or entities submitting the comments will be made public on the internet at the address provided above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sue Coleman, Branch Chief, Research and Promotion, Cotton and Tobacco Program, AMS, USDA, 3275 Appling Road, Memphis, Tennessee 38133; telephone (901) 384-3000; facsimile (901) 384-3033; or email at CottonRP@usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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Federal Register Notices:
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: 1,1,1,2- Tetrafluoroethane (R-134a) From the People's Republic of China: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2024-2025
• Prestressed Concrete Steel Wire Strand From Spain: Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2024-2025
• Carbazole Violet Pigment 23 From India: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2023-2024
• Certain Activated Carbon From the People's Republic of China: Amended Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2023-2024; Correction
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Passenger Vehicle and Light Truck Tires From the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Preliminary Results of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review; 2024
• Certain Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Products From the People's Republic of China and Taiwan: Continuation of Antidumping Duty Orders and Countervailing Duty Order
• Oil Country Tubular Goods From the People's Republic of China: Continuation of Antidumping Duty Order and Countervailing Duty Order
• Certain Steel Nails From the Republic of Korea: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2023-2024
• Silicon Metal From Malaysia: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2023-2024
• Carbazole Violet Pigment 23 From India: Preliminary Results, Intent To Rescind, and Rescission, in Part of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review; 2023
• Steel Propane Cylinders From Thailand: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2023-2024
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Certain Carbon and Alloy Steel Cut-To-Length Plate from Belgium: Amended Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2023-2024
• Acetone From the Republic of Korea: Rescission of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2025-2026
• Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells, Whether or Not Assembled Into Modules, From the People's Republic of China: Preliminary Results, Intent To Rescind, in Part, and Rescission, in Part, of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2023-2024
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Utility Scale Wind Towers from Canada: Notice of Court Decision Not in Harmony With the Final Determination of Antidumping Investigation; Notice of Amended Final Determination; Notice of Amended Order
• Mattresses From Poland: Rescission of Circumvention Inquiry on the Antidumping Duty Order
• Certain New Pneumatic Off-The-Road Tires from India: Preliminary Results of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review; 2024
• Carbazole Violet Pigment 23 From India: Preliminary Results, Intent To Rescind, and Rescission, in Part of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review; 2023
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: N-Cyclohexylbenzothiazole-2-Sulfenamide (“CBS”) From China; Determinations
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Citric Acid and Certain Citrate Salts From India: Preliminary Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination and Alignment of Final Determination With Final Antidumping Duty Determination
• Citric Acid and Certain Citrate Salts from Canada: Preliminary Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination and Alignment of Final Determination With Final Antidumping Duty Determination
• Twist Ties From People's Republic of China: Final Results of the Expedited First Sunset Review of the Countervailing Duty Order
• Silicon Metal From Republic of Kazakhstan: Final Results of the Expedited First Sunset Review of the Countervailing Duty Order
• Notice of Scope Ruling Applications Filed in Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Proceedings
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In the News:
• House passes affordable housing bill, sends it to Trump’s desk - [CNBC]
• Steel, aluminum makers face records gauntlet for new US tariff exemptions - [Yahoo Finance}|
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USTR Announces Initiation of Section 301 Investigation of Germany’s Persistent Underpayment for Innovative Pharmaceutical Products - USTR
WASHINGTON — Today (6/18/26), U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer initiated an investigation under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 against Germany. This investigation will seek to determine whether persistent underpayment for innovative pharmaceutical products by Germany is unreasonable or discriminatory and burdens or restricts U.S. commerce. This investigation follows months of meaningful discussions with our German partners in an effort to resolve this issue.
“President Trump has made clear that American patients should not be shouldering a disproportionate share of global pharmaceutical research and development,” said Ambassador Greer. “I am particularly concerned with news that Germany is fast-tracking legislation that would further reduce its spending on innovative pharmaceuticals. This is a serious step backwards at a time when our trading partners need to step up and start paying their fair share to fund innovative pharmaceutical research and development. We believe that the United States and Germany can find a path forward that expands access to the most innovative drugs for the German people while ensuring fair reimbursement for the pharmaceuticals made by American workers."
“On April 2, 2026, the United States and the United Kingdom announced a ground-breaking arrangement on pharmaceutical pricing that will help drive investment and innovation in both countries. Germany should follow suit with constructive negotiations to address this imbalance.”
“Fighting the war against disease is a shared burden across wealthy nations,” said U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “The United States is calling on Germany to pay its fair share for the innovative treatments its people use. I commend Ambassador Greer for his leadership in confronting this imbalance. Fair reimbursement strengthens medical innovation and helps ensure the development of the next generation of lifesaving cures.”
Background
On May 12, 2025, the President directed the U.S. Trade Representative to “take all necessary and appropriate action” to address foreign countries’ unfair actions that have the “effect of forcing American patients to pay for a disproportionate amount of global pharmaceutical research and development, including by suppressing the price of pharmaceutical products below fair market value in foreign countries.”
Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (Trade Act), is designed to address unfair foreign practices affecting U.S. commerce. Section 301 may be used to respond to unjustifiable, unreasonable, or discriminatory foreign government practices that burden or restrict U.S. commerce. Under Section 302(b) of the Trade Act, the U.S. Trade Representative may self-initiate an investigation under Section 301.
A Section 301(b) investigation examines whether the acts, policies, or practices are unreasonable or discriminatory and burden or restrict U.S. commerce. After considering the advice of the inter-agency Section 301 Committee, the U.S. Trade Representative initiates investigations. The U.S. Trade Representative must seek consultations with the foreign government whose acts, policies, or practices are at issue in each investigation. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has requested consultations with Germany in connection with this investigation.
To be assured of consideration, interested persons should submit written comments, requests to appear at the hearing, and a summary of the testimony, by August 10, 2026. USTR will hold a hearing in connection with these investigations on September 22, 2026.
As set out in the Federal Register notice, the investigation relates to allegations of Germany’s unfair pricing policies and practices with regard to innovative pharmaceutical products, which result in the United States paying a disproportionate share of global research and development (R&D) costs for innovative pharmaceuticals.
Although the means and tools for payment disparities for innovative pharmaceuticals vary, they may include the imposition of:
supplemental discounts in exchange for confidentiality of negotiated prices; and
mandatory variable rate rebates.
A copy of the Federal Register Notice is available here.
A docket for comments regarding the investigation will be available here.
A docket for requests to appear at the public hearing to be held in connection with this investigation will be available here.
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Polypropylene Corrugated Boxes from Vietnam Injure U.S. Industry, Says USITC - USITC
The U.S. International Trade Commission (Commission or USITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of polypropylene corrugated boxes from Vietnam that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value.
Chairman David S. Johanson and Commissioners Jason E. Kearns and Amy A. Karpel voted in the affirmative.
As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determination, Commerce will issue an anti-dumping duty order on imports of this product from Vietnam.
The Commission also made a negative critical circumstances determination with respect to the subject imports from Vietnam for which Commerce had made a final affirmative critical circumstances finding in its antidumping duty investigation.
The Commission’s public report, Polypropylene Corrugated Boxes from Vietnam (Inv. No. 731-TA-1738 (Final), USITC Publication 5759, July 2026), will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigation.
The report will be available on the USITC website by August 3, 2026.
Status of proceedings, links to relevant documents, and more information about the investigations can be found on the Commission’s Investigations Database System (IDS).
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FTC Files Amicus Brief to Protect Consumers from Pharmaceutical Monopolies - Federal Trade Commission
The Federal Trade Commission filed an amicus brief in an antitrust case alleging that drug manufacturer Johnson & Johnson illegally maintained a monopoly through anticompetitive conduct. The FTC’s brief seeks to protect American consumers from anticompetitive harm by asserting that longstanding Supreme Court precedent has clearly and consistently held that antitrust law is focused on the impact of anticompetitive conduct, not on the intent to harm competition.
CareFirst of Maryland Inc. brought a class action alleging that Johnson & Johnson willfully maintained its monopoly power in the market for Stelara (ustekinumab)—a drug used to treat several autoimmune conditions, including psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease—through the acquisition of Momenta Pharmaceuticals and subsequent assertion of its patent portfolio to delay or prevent competition.
The FTC’s amicus brief argues that binding precedent focuses on the effect on competition and harm to consumers, not on proof of specific intent to harm competition. Requiring a plaintiff to show that an alleged monopolist specifically intended for conduct to have anticompetitive consequences would impede vigorous antitrust enforcement, undermine competition and harm American consumers, the FTC’s brief states.
The Commission filed the amicus brief given its strong interest in ensuring the proper application of federal antitrust laws.
Under President Donald Trump’s leadership, the Federal Trade Commission is focused on making prescription drugs more affordable for Americans by promoting competition.
The Commission vote authorizing the issuance of the amicus brief was 2-0.
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Animal Lovers: Learn to Spot and Avoid this Breed of Pet Scams - Federal Trade Commission
Scammers have been taking advantage of how much people love animals. They’ll steal and manipulate pet images, videos, and even use AI-generated deepfakes to help them trick you into giving them your money or personal information. Fortunately, there are ways to help you detect and avoid these kinds of scams:
• Scammers pretend to be law enforcement or an animal hospital, claiming to have your pet who’s had an emergency. They might have seen a flyer for a missing pet, or know from social media that you’re away from home. They might even use AI to create fake photos or videos of your pet in distress. But it’s all a lie. If someone says the only way to pay for your pet’s treatment is with a gift card, a payment app, cryptocurrency, or a wire transfer service, you’re dealing with a scammer.
• Scammers impersonate real animal shelters and hospitals collecting donations for pets in need. They might create fake webpages and posts using stolen or AI-generated images of pets in need of forever homes. If someone asks you to donate, check ftc.gov/charity for advice on how to donate safely. And, as part of your research, do a reverse image search to see if the images are stolen.
• Scammers want you to think you won a prize because you previously donated to help animals. The name of the prize or organization might sound real but it’s another lie. If you have to pay to collect a prize or sweepstakes winnings, you know it’s a scam.
Don’t let scammers rush you into making a decision. Slow down and talk to someone you trust. And if you spot one of these scams, tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.]