International Trade Policy Under the Biden Administration: What to Expect
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International Trade Policy Under the Biden Administration: What to Expect

Internal Trade Policy In the following transcript, George W. Thompson discusses the likely impacts on American international trade policies under the Biden administration. Explore our international trade courses here. If you expected that the Biden international trade policy would mean a break from that under the Trump administration. Well, I hate to disappoint you, but…

Manufacturer’s “Made in U.S.A.” Claim Challenged as False by FTC
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Manufacturer’s “Made in U.S.A.” Claim Challenged as False by FTC

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has filed a Federal District Court complaint alleging that Chemence, Inc. committed unfair trade practices by claiming its merchandise, glue, is “Made in the U.S.A.” The FTC is charged with enforcement of statutes prohibiting the use of “unfair or deceptive acts or practices” in commerce.  Its lawsuit seeks an injunction against…

More Apparent OFAC Violations Involving Foreign Subsidiary Companies
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More Apparent OFAC Violations Involving Foreign Subsidiary Companies

Parenting can be such a chore.  Minding wayward little ones, cleaning up after them, and getting hit with six-figure Treasury Department penalties for their misbehavior can offset the joy of beholding the smiles on their cherubic faces. Did I say Treasury Department penalties? Yes, they can arise when the parent is a U.S.-based company and…

“Made in USA” Rules — The Federal Trade Commission Wants to Hear from You
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“Made in USA” Rules — The Federal Trade Commission Wants to Hear from You

The Federal Trade Commission’s rules governing assertions that a product is “Made in the U.S.” can be confusing. As we’ve discussed on various occasions, that agency has strict standards on when claims of United States origin are permissible. I won’t repeat the Made In/Assembled In and qualified and unqualified claim distinctions here, except to note that they…

Export Compliance Checklist – 5 Questions to Help You Get Started
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Export Compliance Checklist – 5 Questions to Help You Get Started

Why Exporting your product is a good idea Expanding your bottom line and selling to customers abroad is likely part of your business strategy or on your roadmap.  It is no wonder why, according to a study by the Institute for International Economics, U.S. companies that export not only grow faster, but are nearly 8.5…

BIS Puts the Squeeze on China, Russia and Venezuela
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BIS Puts the Squeeze on China, Russia and Venezuela

Amendments to the Export Administration Regulations may seem so dry and pedantic to non-specialists. The bureaucratic jargon, references to dry-as-dust sub-subsections, and wooden prose can mask legal changes with important consequences. I’ll leave it to you, Gentle Readers, to consider whether the Bureau of Industry and Security’s three new and proposed rules restricting trade with…

Export Controls on Personal Protection Equipment and Exceptions
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Export Controls on Personal Protection Equipment and Exceptions

Around the same time the Food and Drug Administration was loosening import requirements for such Personal Protection Equipment as masks and respirators, the Federal Emergency Management Agency imposed export controls on many of the same items. FEMA’s Temporary Final Rule limits exports of N95 filtering facepiece respirators, other filtering facepiece respirators, elastomeric, air-purifying respirators and appropriate particulate…

Trade Customs Rulings & Decisions – The iHome SmartPlugs
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Trade Customs Rulings & Decisions – The iHome SmartPlugs

Maybe you already have one. Or ten. Perhaps you command them with a steady voice – “Alexa?” “Hey, Google!” – or you could be old school and just reach out and actually turn something on or off by hand. Whichever is your style, smart plugs and bulbs have invaded our homes, and they won’t be going away.   iHome SmartPlugs plug into an…

Is Trade Compliance the Lone Ranger?
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Is Trade Compliance the Lone Ranger?

Is Trade Compliance the Lone Ranger?  There are companies, surely not yours, where various departments are viewed as spokes around the hub of the trade compliance department. Each department operates as if trade compliance is accomplished “out there somewhere” rather than taking an active part in making sure the company meets its import and/or export…

How to Navigate the Section 301 Tariff Process
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How to Navigate the Section 301 Tariff Process

Step One: Know Your HTS Subheading Every product subject to a proposed or ongoing Section 301 tariff action is identified by an 8-digit or 10-digit HTS Subheading. This search engine allows you to search by an 8-digit HTS Subheading to obtain information about a proposed or ongoing Section 301 tariff action. If you do not…