06/27/2025

Commerce Department Expands Section 232 Tariffs to More Steel Derivative Products

Check out this week's Customs Corner to read about tariffs on steel derivative products, CBP’s new forced labor allegation portal, and more.

Trade and Customs Updates

1) Commerce Department Expands Section 232 Tariffs to More Steel Derivative Products

The U.S. Department of Commerce has announced that, effective June 23, 2025, a new set of steel derivative products will be subject to Section 232 tariffs, following a Federal Register notice published on June 16, 2025 (90 FR 25208). The expanded measures now include consumer appliances and other steel-based goods falling under Chapters 84, 85, and 94 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS).

 

The newly targeted items include refrigerator-freezers, washers, dryers, dishwashers, freezers, cooking ranges and ovens, food waste disposals, and welded wire racks. These products, when imported for consumption or withdrawn from warehouses on or after 12:01 a.m. EDT on June 23, 2025, will incur additional tariffs based on their steel content.

 

Most affected imports will face a 50% ad valorem duty under HTSUS 9903.81.91, with a reduced 25% duty under HTSUS 9903.91.98 for qualifying goods originating from the United Kingdom. However, if the steel content was originally melted and poured in the United States, the derivative products may qualify for duty-free treatment under HTSUS 9903.81.92, regardless of further processing abroad.

 

These changes also apply to goods already in U.S. Foreign Trade Zones under "privileged foreign status" that enter U.S. commerce on or after June 23.

 

Reference:

CSMS # 65405824 - GUIDANCE: Section 232 Additional Steel Derivative Products

 

2) UPDATE - CBP Launches New Forced Labor Allegation Portal to Streamline Reporting

CBP has provided an update to the guidelines listed within the Forced Labor Allegation Portal, offering trade users a streamlined platform to submit allegations of forced labor in supply chains. 

 

Key changes include:

  • The portal link is https://flallegation.cbp.gov. Users will not be able to access the link until the deployment date of June 20, 2025.
  • Users attempting to use CBP’s Trade Violations Reporting (TVR) system (also known as “e-Allegations”), will be redirected to the new Forced Labor Allegation Portal.
  • These new capabilities streamline data transfer, coordination, and review between CBP’s Forced Labor Division (FLD), Office of Field Operations (OFO), and Centers of Excellence and Expertise (CEE).
  • Quick Reference Guides (QRGs) on how to use the portal, as well as an instructional video, can be found on the CBP Forced Labor Website at https://www.cbp.gov/trade/forced-labor.

 

Additionally, CBP announced on June 27, 2025, that they encountered an error with the original registration links. They noted that those previously registered for a webinar will receive a new registration confirmation email. No action is needed for previous webinar participants. The new links below are for those who have not yet registered.

 

Training Resources
The Forced Labor Division will provide three webinars to the general public on how to access and use the Forced Labor Allegation Portal:

 

References:

 

3) CBP to Launch Third Release of Section 321 De Minimis Enhancement in ACE

On June 26, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will deploy the third release of the Section 321 enhancement—covering aggregated shipments not exceeding $800—in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) certification environment. The enhancement is scheduled to go live in the production environment on August 12, 2025.

 

This update will enable CBP to withhold release of de minimis shipments that exceed the $800 per person, per day threshold, making them ineligible for clearance under Section 321. The release will also include changes impacting electronic data interchange (EDI) processes.

 

CBP will issue a follow-up notice with detailed deployment information in the coming weeks.

 

Reference:

CSMS # 65406053 - CBP will deploy the third release of the Section 321 – Does Not Exceed $800 in Aggregated Shipments enhancement to CERT on June 26, 2025

 

4) Update - CBP to Expand HTS Number Limit per Entry Summary Line in ACE

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will implement an enhancement to the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) on June 28, 2025, increasing the number of Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) numbers allowed per entry summary line from 8 to 32. This update, which applies to standard, Reconciliation, and Drawback entry summaries, will be available for software testing in the ACE certification environment beginning June 26, 2025. 

 

CBP will issue a follow-up message once the CATAIR documentation is updated to reflect the changes.

 

References:

 

5) APHIS Seeks Comment on Draft Pest Risk Assessments for the Importation of Fresh Cucumber, Oriental Melon, Turban Squash, and Watermelon from the Republic of Korea

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has released draft pest risk assessments evaluating the year-round import of fresh cucumbers, Oriental melons, turban squash, and watermelons from the Republic of Korea. The assessments identify potential pest threats associated with each commodity and are open for public review and comment through July 24, 2025, as part of APHIS’ process to gather stakeholder input before determining pest mitigation measures and moving forward with import approval.

 

To view the assessment or submit comments, go to Stakeholder Risk Assessment Consultation

 

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