The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is reminding the trade that the temporary suspension of the hyphen requirement for ISPM‑15 markings on Wood Packaging Material will end on Dec. 31, 2025.

The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) E-Filing Webinar on Nov. 17 drew a record crowd, with panelists providing thought-provoking information on this complex new regulatory requirement. The webinar was moderated by Michele Pearce of A.N. Deringer, Inc., who serves as NCBFAA Regulatory Agencies Committee (RAC) CPSC Subcommittee Chair, and featured Monica DeMars of C.H. Robinson and Eric Sherman, Director of Customs Compliance for Dollar Tree Stores. All panelists have participated in the voluntary CPSC pilot for over a year and shared the challenges and opportunities for customs brokers and importers.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on Dec. 1 plans to conduct a pilot for asset-based and non-asset-based third-party logistics providers (3PLs) to participate in the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) Program.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on Nov. 18 issued a Withhold Release Order (WRO) against, and will immediately detain, garments, apparel, and textiles manufactured in Mauritius by Firemount Group Ltd., based on information that reasonably indicates forced labor use.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on Nov. 21 announced the addition of qualified parties permitted to pay duties on international mail shipments, following the end of de minimis duty-free status on shipments entering the U.S.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said the agency’s Drawback Specialists and drawback program has successfully transferred from Chicago to the Petroleum, Natural Gas and Mineral Center of Excellence and Expertise in the Houston Field Office for enhanced uniformity and oversight. The move became effective Oct. 6.

Customs and Border Protection on Nov. 21 published an interim final rule amending regulations pertaining to the Air Cargo Advance Screening (ACAS) program to require additional data elements, with the amendments taking effect immediately. The agency said it will accept comments regarding the changes to ACAS through Jan. 20, 2026.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a message to the trade to improve filing accuracy of GLP-1 weight loss drugs. The agency has noticed misclassifications of the GLP-1 drug products as cosmetics, peptides or inaccurate drug products, as well as inappropriate disclaims as "for research purposes" or "not for human consumption."

The State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) in a final rule on Nov. 7 removed Cambodia from 22 CFR 126.1 as a country subject to certain prohibitions for defense articles and defense services.

The Treasury, State, and Commerce departments on Nov. 10 issued a tri-seal advisory detailing the sanctions and export controls relief the U.S. Government has implemented for exports to Syria since the removal of comprehensive Syrian sanctions in June. On the same day, the Secretary of State signed a determination suspending for 180 days the imposition of some sanctions on Syria pursuant to the Caesar Act.