On December 8, Senate Finance Committee members Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) introduced the “Customs Modernization Act of 2023.” The act, which would amend the Tariff Act of 1930 “to strengthen the authorities of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) to enforce the customs and trade laws of the United States,” enhances CBP’s
Department of Commerce
BIS Expands Export Administration Regulations, Adds 13 Entities to Unverified List
On December 19, the Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) added 13 new entities to its Unverified List (“UVL”). All 13 of these entities were added under the destination of the Peoples’ Republic of China (“PRC”) on the basis that BIS was unable to verify their bona fides.
The UVL contains the names and addresses…
Commerce initiates review of Vietnam’s nonmarket economy status
In an October 24 press release, the U.S. Department of Commerce (“Commerce”) announced that it will initiate a review of Vietnam’s current status as a “nonmarket economy”. Commerce’s decision follows an official request submitted by the Government of Vietnam on September 8, 2023, to recognize the country as a market economy, and a recent…
U.S. Department of Commerce Joins with Allied and Partner Countries to Recommend Best Practices, Including Specific End User Assurances, To Prevent Diversion of 45 High Priority Items to Russia
On September 28, 2023, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), alongside the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand (termed the “Export Enforcement Five” or “E5,”), as well as the EU, issued new guidance with recommended best practices to help prevent a list of “high-priority items” from being diverted to Russia.
These…
Final Rule from Commerce on National Security Guardrails for CHIPS Act Funding: Restrictions on China and Other Countries of Concern
What You Need to Know
U.S. Department of Commerce Releases Text from IPEF Agreement on Supply Chains
On September 7, 2023, the U.S. Department of Commerce released the text of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) Supply Chain Agreement three days before a U.S. delegation is set to travel to Bangkok, Thailand for the fifth negotiating round. In this round, IPEF partners will focus on Pillars I (Trade)…
Commerce Concludes Controversial Investigation Into Solar Panels From China
On August 18, the U.S. Department of Commerce concluded an investigation it launched early last year on solar cells and modules from the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Commerce provided its conclusions in a Federal Register notice, highlighting that five specific Chinese companies are shipping Chinese-origin solar products to certain Southeast Asian countries for…
Comment Window Closes for Proposed Commerce Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Rules: Foreign Governments, Trade Associations, and Companies Weigh in on Contentious Changes
The comment window for the Department of Commerce’s (“the Department”) proposed rules for Antidumping and Countervailing Duty (“ADCVD”) Regulations closed on July 10, 2023. Pursuant to its authority under Title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930, the Department proposed to amend its regulations to strengthen its enforcement of trade remedies by revising many of its…
U.S. Department of Commerce Designates 43 entities to Entity List
On Monday, June 12, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) added 43 new entities under 50 entries to its Entity List. This list includes 31 entities in China, as well as entities located in Kenya, Laos, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.
The United States Imposes New Sanctions and Export Controls Targeting Russia and Belarus, Issues Joint Compliance Guidance, and Announces Corporate Compliance with Sanctions and Export Controls as an Enforcement Priority
On February 24, 2023, the United States and other G7 nations announced a number of new sanctions and export control measures coinciding with the one-year mark of Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine. Shortly after these expansive sanctions and export controls were announced, the Departments of Justice (“DOJ”), the Treasury (“Treasury”), and Commerce (“Commerce”) issued their…