Customs Blog & Industry News

    Expert insights, compliance updates, and practical guides from licensed customs brokers

    Category:
    23 articles
    News

    Section 338 on Canadian goods is live. The three-day pause is over.

    The three-day pause on Section 338 additional duties on certain products of Canada has expired. CBP CSMS #69606660 tells filers which 9903.03 headings to report on the 7501.

    August 25, 2026
    4 min read
    Section 338CanadaChapter 99
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    Guides

    There isn't one IEEPA refund deadline. There is one per entry.

    CBP is still taking IEEPA refund claims through CAPE in ACE. There is not one company-wide deadline — each entry has its own clock tied to liquidation.

    August 25, 2026
    6 min read
    IEEPACAPETariff Refunds
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    News
    Featured

    Section 301 Exclusions End November 10, 2026: What to Do

    The 178 remaining China Section 301 exclusions expire November 9, 2026. Here is how to confirm coverage, model the duty snapback, and file cleanly through the cliff.

    August 18, 2026
    12 min read
    Section 301China TariffsTariff Exclusions
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    Guides

    How Much Does a Customs Broker Cost in 2026?

    Brokers charge $100-$250 per entry, but that is the smallest part of the bill. Here is the full 2026 cost stack, add-on fees included.

    August 17, 2026
    12 min read
    Customs Broker CostCustoms Brokerage FeesMPF
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    Guides

    Customs Broker Software for Importers: Broker vs. Self-Filing

    "Customs broker software" means two things: tools brokers use, and self-filing platforms importers use. How to tell which you need — and what each costs.

    August 13, 2026
    13 min read
    Customs Broker SoftwareABI SoftwareISF Filing
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    Guides
    Featured

    De Minimis Suspended in 2026: What Importers Need to Know

    The $800 de minimis exemption was suspended for all shipment modes on June 24, 2026. Here's what changed, what an entry requires, and when self-filing beats a broker.

    August 13, 2026
    11 min read
    De MinimisSection 321Self-Filing
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    Guides

    Tariff Stacking in 2026: How Duties Layer on One Entry

    MFN, Section 301, forced-labor 301, Section 232, and AD/CVD can all stack on one entry in 2026. Here's how they layer, what's capped, and how to audit your duty bill.

    August 13, 2026
    12 min read
    Tariff StackingSection 301Section 232
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    News

    CIT Orders IEEPA Tariff Refunds; Appeal Expected

    The Court of International Trade has ordered CBP to liquidate and reliquidate entries without IEEPA duties following the Federal Circuit's March 2 mandates. An appeal is expected. Here's what importers need to know.

    March 5, 2026
    8 min read
    IEEPACITCourt of International Trade
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    News
    Featured

    Supreme Court Strikes Down IEEPA Tariffs: What Importers Must Do Now

    The Supreme Court struck down IEEPA tariffs as unconstitutional, and roughly $165 billion in refunds now flows through CBP's CAPE process. Learn what the ruling means, how the recovery ladder works, and the entry-by-entry deadlines for claiming your refund.

    February 21, 2026
    12 min read
    IEEPASupreme CourtTariff Refunds
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    News

    CBP Electronic Refunds: Mandatory ACH Transition Effective February 6, 2026

    Since February 6, 2026, CBP issues all refunds electronically via ACH — enrollment is required to receive any CBP refund, including CAPE refunds. Learn how to enroll in the ACE Portal and avoid refund delays.

    January 13, 2026
    8 min read
    CBPElectronic RefundsACH
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    Compliance

    How to File a Post Summary Correction (PSC) Before Liquidation

    A PSC amends a customs entry before it liquidates — fixing classification, valuation, and similar errors. IEEPA recoveries belong on the CAPE path, not as a PSC headline. Deadlines still run entry by entry.

    November 15, 2025
    16 min read
    PSCPost Summary CorrectionsEntry Corrections
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    Guides

    Customs Valuation Strategies: Accuracy, Transaction Value, and Related-Party Review

    How transaction value, related-party tests, assists, and royalties actually work, and when to request a documented customs valuation review.

    November 10, 2025
    14 min read
    Customs ValuationDutiesCompliance
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    Guides

    What is ABI Software? Automated Broker Interface Explained

    Understand ABI (Automated Broker Interface) software for customs clearance. Learn how ABI connects to CBP's ACE system, who needs it, and how to choose the right platform for your import operations.

    November 8, 2025
    16 min read
    ABI SoftwareAutomated Broker InterfaceACE Integration
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    Guides

    From Detention to Release: How Proper Documentation Saves the Day

    Composite UFLPA, classification, and FDA hold scenarios showing which documents win a release — and why they have to exist before the notice arrives.

    November 3, 2025
    13 min read
    CBP DetentionDocumentationSuccess Stories
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    Compliance
    Featured

    UFLPA Compliance Made Simple: A Step-by-Step Guide for Importers

    The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act has fundamentally transformed import compliance requirements, with the UFLPA entity list reaching 187 companies as of August 2026. This comprehensive guide breaks down UFLPA requirements into manageable steps.

    October 27, 2025
    17 min read
    UFLPAForced LaborSupply Chain
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    Compliance

    Supply Chain Due Diligence in 2025: Beyond Basic Compliance

    UFLPA evidence, restricted-party screening, and supplier files you can produce on a CBP deadline — what supply chain due diligence means once a hold lands.

    October 20, 2025
    14 min read
    Due DiligenceSupply ChainESG
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    Guides

    Self-Filing vs. Full-Service Customs Brokerage: Which Option Fits Your Business?

    Should you handle customs clearance internally through self-filing, or partner with a full-service customs broker? With self-filing at $30 per entry versus traditional brokerage fees of $100 to $250 per entry, the decision extends far beyond simple cost calculations.

    October 13, 2025
    13 min read
    Self-FilingCustoms BrokerageCost Analysis
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    News

    The Montana Advantage: Why Location Matters for Your Customs Brokerage Partner

    While conventional wisdom suggests customs brokers must be physically present at major ports, the digital transformation of international trade has rewritten the rules of geographic advantage. Discover how Montana-based operations provide unique benefits that translate to better service, lower costs, and enhanced compliance support.

    October 6, 2025
    10 min read
    Customs BrokerageTechnologyRemote Operations
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    How-To

    ISF Filing Best Practices: Avoiding the Most Expensive Mistakes

    A single ISF filing error can cost importers $5,000 per violation, with penalties capped at $10,000 per filing. Learn proven strategies to ensure your filings meet CBP's exacting standards while maintaining supply chain velocity.

    September 29, 2025
    11 min read
    ISF Filing10+2Compliance
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    Guides

    Customs Classification Decoded: Understanding HTS Codes for New Importers

    Every product entering the United States requires a 10-digit Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) code that determines duty rates, regulatory requirements, and even whether your goods can legally enter the country—yet 42% of customs penalties stem from classification errors.

    September 22, 2025
    16 min read
    HTS CodesClassificationTariff Codes
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    Guides

    The Hidden Costs of Import Compliance Mistakes: A CFO's Guide

    Detention, exams, legal spend, audits, and missed seasons usually cost more than the penalty. A CFO's map of where compliance failures actually bill.

    September 15, 2025
    15 min read
    Import CostsComplianceCFO
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    Compliance

    2025 CBP Audit Alert: Record-Breaking Enforcement and How to Protect Your Import Business

    U.S. Customs and Border Protection completed 200 audits in the first four months of 2025, recovering $134 million in duties—already surpassing the entire previous year's collections. Get our comprehensive protection checklist to safeguard your business.

    September 8, 2025
    14 min read
    CBP AuditEnforcementCompliance
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    Industry Updates

    Customs Automation and AI in 2026: What Works, What Doesn't

    Customs automation cuts clearance time and filing errors in specific ways, and fails in others. Here is what works, and where a broker still signs off.

    September 1, 2025
    10 min read
    Customs AutomationAutomated Customs ClearanceAI
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    Need Expert Customs Guidance?

    Our licensed customs brokers are here to help with your specific import challenges