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11/14/2025
U.S. and El Salvador Announce New Trade Agreement to Deepen Economic Ties
Check out this week's Customs Corner to read about the new trade agreement between the U.S. and El Salvador, new reciprocal trade agreement between the U.S. and Ecuador, and more.
Trade and Customs Updates
1) U.S. and El Salvador Announce New Trade Agreement to Deepen Economic Ties
The United States and El Salvador have reached a new trade agreement framework that will remove certain U.S. tariffs on Salvadoran exports and strengthen cooperation on trade, labor, environmental protections, and supply chain security, while El Salvador commits to removing non-tariff barriers and improving regulatory practices for U.S. goods and services.
The United States and the Republic of El Salvador have reached a Framework for an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade, aimed at strengthening and expanding their economic relationship, which already includes the CAFTA-DR free trade pact in force since 2006.
Under the new agreement, El Salvador has pledged to remove non-tariff barriers and streamline regulatory processes for U.S. exports, such as easing import restrictions on remanufactured goods, accepting U.S. auto standards, and expediting approval for pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and agricultural products. The agreement also includes commitments to uphold intellectual property rights, prevent discriminatory digital service taxes, and maintain a moratorium on customs duties for electronic transmissions.
El Salvador will reinforce labor rights protections, prohibit imports of goods produced by forced labor, and implement strong environmental measures, including combating illegal logging, wildlife trade, mining, and fisheries violations. Additionally, both countries will work together to address state-owned enterprise practices, industrial subsidies, and strengthen economic and national security cooperation—especially in areas like supply chain resilience and government procurement.
As a result of these commitments, the U.S. will lift certain reciprocal tariffs on Salvadoran exports not sufficiently produced in the U.S., such as specific textiles and apparel, and may factor the new agreement into future national security trade actions. The two nations expect to finalize and sign the agreement in the coming weeks, marking a significant step forward in promoting fairer and more robust trade relations.
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2) U.S. and Ecuador Reach New Reciprocal Trade Agreement to Boost Economic Ties
The United States and Ecuador have reached a new reciprocal trade agreement that will expand market access, reduce tariffs, address non-tariff barriers, strengthen labor and environmental protections, promote digital and services trade, and enhance economic and national security cooperation between the two countries.
President Donald J. Trump and President Daniel Noboa have reaffirmed the United States’ and Ecuador’s shared commitment to democratic values and a robust rules-based economic partnership by agreeing to a new Framework for an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade. The agreement aims to expand market access, strengthen economic and national security cooperation, and build on commercial engagement, including the U.S.-Ecuador Trade and Investment Council Agreement.
Under the new accord, Ecuador will reduce or eliminate tariffs on key U.S. exports such as machinery, health products, information and communications technology goods, chemicals, motor vehicles, and various agricultural products, while establishing tariff-rate quotas on others. In return, the U.S. will remove certain reciprocal tariffs on qualifying Ecuadorian goods not sufficiently produced in the United States.
Both countries have committed to tackling non-tariff barriers, with Ecuador reforming import licensing for food and agricultural products, ensuring fair market access for U.S. cheese and meat terms, and advancing trade facilitation measures such as ending pre-shipment inspections and expanding its Authorized Economic Operator program. Ecuador has also pledged to improve transparency and fairness regarding intellectual property, strengthen labor protections, and prohibit imports produced by forced or compulsory labor.
Environmental commitments include enforcing high standards, combating illegal logging and wildlife trade, and implementing WTO fisheries obligations. Ecuador will also remove discriminatory barriers to services, support digital trade, and refrain from imposing digital service taxes on U.S. companies.
The agreement further enhances collaboration on economic and national security, supply chain resilience, investment security, and export controls. Both nations will continue to coordinate closely through the Trade and Investment Council, reviewing progress as the agreement is finalized and prepared for implementation. The U.S. will lift certain tariffs on Ecuadorian exports in recognition of these commitments, marking a significant step toward deeper, mutually beneficial trade relations.
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3) U.S. and Guatemala Announce New Reciprocal Trade Agreement to Deepen Economic Ties
The United States and Guatemala have reached a new reciprocal trade agreement that will streamline regulations, remove non-tariff barriers, strengthen intellectual property, labor, and environmental protections, promote digital trade, and enhance economic and national security cooperation, with the U.S. set to lift certain tariffs on Guatemalan exports.
The United States and Guatemala have reached a Framework for an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade, aiming to build on their long-standing economic partnership under the CAFTA-DR free trade agreement. The new deal is designed to remove non-tariff barriers, streamline regulatory processes for U.S. exports—including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and agricultural goods—and improve market access for both countries.
Guatemala has committed to adopt U.S. auto standards, ease import restrictions on remanufactured goods, and expedite product registration requirements. The agreement also features robust intellectual property protections, ensures fairness around geographical indications, and supports digital trade by prohibiting discriminatory digital service taxes and guaranteeing free data transfers.
Labor and environmental standards are set to be strengthened, with Guatemala pledging to prohibit imports produced by forced labor, enforce labor laws, combat illegal logging, improve fisheries oversight, and protect wildlife. The agreement also addresses state-owned enterprises, industrial subsidies, and aims to bolster economic and national security cooperation—particularly in supply chain resilience and investment security.
In recognition of Guatemala’s commitments, the United States will lift certain tariffs on qualifying Guatemalan exports, including textiles and apparel not sufficiently produced domestically. The two nations expect to finalize and sign the agreement soon, marking a new chapter in mutually beneficial trade and economic cooperation.
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4) U.S. and Argentina Forge New Trade and Investment Framework to Deepen Economic Ties
The United States and Argentina have announced a new reciprocal trade and investment agreement that will open markets, remove barriers, strengthen intellectual property, labor, and environmental protections, promote digital trade, and enhance economic and security cooperation, aiming to drive growth and innovation in both countries.
President Donald J. Trump and President Javier Milei have reaffirmed the strategic alliance between the United States and Argentina by announcing a new Framework for an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade and Investment. This initiative aims to create a transparent, rules-based environment for long-term growth and innovation.
Key elements of the agreement include opening markets and providing preferential access for U.S. exports to Argentina—covering medicines, chemicals, machinery, IT products, vehicles, and a broad range of agricultural goods—while the U.S. will remove certain tariffs on Argentine natural resources and pharmaceutical inputs. Both countries are enhancing market access for beef and streamlining trade by eliminating non-tariff barriers like import licensing and consular formalities, with Argentina also phasing out the statistical tax on U.S. goods.
Argentina is aligning with international standards for imports, simplifying certification processes for U.S. vehicles and medical products, and improving enforcement against counterfeit goods as it works to modernize its intellectual property regime. The agreement further expands market access for U.S. agricultural products, including live cattle and poultry, and simplifies procedures for importing beef, pork, and dairy.
On labor and environmental standards, Argentina has committed to protecting internationally recognized labor rights, prohibiting the import of goods produced by forced labor, and combating illegal logging and overfishing. The two nations will also enhance cooperation on economic security, export controls, and investment security, while working together on critical minerals and global soybean trade stability.
Digital trade is set for a boost, with Argentina recognizing the U.S. as an adequate jurisdiction for data transfers and pledging not to discriminate against U.S. digital services. Both countries will also address issues related to state-owned enterprises and industrial subsidies that could distort trade.
The U.S. and Argentina plan to finalize and sign the agreement soon, with ongoing coordination through existing bilateral forums to ensure effective implementation and further opportunities for economic partnership.
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5) FDA Shifts Import Messaging to Its Own Platform—CBP CSMS No Longer Used for Notifications
The FDA will now issue import notifications directly through its own automated email system instead of using CBP’s CSMS, and stakeholders can self-subscribe to receive these updates.
In a significant update for importers and the trade community, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced it will discontinue the use of the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Cargo Systems Messaging Service (CSMS) for issuing informational messages. Moving forward, the FDA will communicate directly with the trade through its own automated notification system.
This change means that importers and other stakeholders will now receive FDA import updates directly from the agency, streamlining communication and enhancing access to important regulatory information.
To stay informed, users can self-subscribe to FDA import notifications by following a few simple steps:
- Current Subscribers: If you already receive FDA email notifications, click here, enter your email address, and update your subscription preferences.
- New Subscribers: If you do not currently receive FDA notifications, click here, enter your email address to create an account, and select topics that interest you.
For those seeking import-specific updates, be sure to select “FDA Import Updates” under the “ORA Communications” section during the subscription process.
With this transition, the FDA aims to provide more direct and efficient updates to the trade, ensuring timely access to critical import information.
6) FWS Increases Scrutiny on Argentine Squid Shipments, Requests Additional Import Documentation
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is now requesting additional documentation—such as harvest vessel details and shipping information—for certain squid imports from Argentina, in response to concerns over overfishing and illegal practices, so importers should be prepared to provide this information if asked.
Importers of squid from Argentina should be aware that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is now requesting extra documentation on certain shipments, though this is not a permanent new requirement but rather a case-by-case measure. The information, which must be uploaded via the Document Imaging System (DIS), includes details such as harvesting vessel names, vessel fishing authorizations, harvest dates and areas, and shipping information from the country of harvest.
This heightened scrutiny follows a recent Environmental Justice Foundation report highlighting significant overfishing by China’s distant-water squid fleet near Argentina’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), with Chinese fishing efforts increasing by over 85% in the past five years. The report also noted that a substantial proportion of implicated buyers were based in the U.S. and Canada, possibly prompting the FWS’s increased attention.
Importers are advised to be prepared to supply comprehensive origin documentation for Argentine squid shipments if requested at the time of entry.
7) U.S. Customs and Border Protection to Enforce New Validations on e214 Submissions
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will begin strictly enforcing validations for FIRMS Codes, Zone IDs, and Port of Entry data on Foreign Trade Zone Admission (e214) submissions in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE).
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced upcoming enforcement actions concerning the submission of e214 transactions through the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) system for Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) admissions.
CBP is reminding all filers of the importance of providing accurate information for FIRMS Codes, Zone IDs, and Port of Entry data when submitting FTZ Admission transactions. These data elements must be entered correctly in the ACE Production (PROD) environment to comply with regulatory requirements.
The agency’s latest Cargo Systems Messaging Service (CSMS #66789049) highlights that validations related to these data fields will be strictly enforced. CBP encourages all stakeholders involved in the filing process to review their procedures and ensure their submissions meet the updated requirements to avoid potential delays or rejections.
For more information, filers are advised to consult the official CBP communications or reach out to their trade compliance contacts.
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8) CBP to Require Online Submission for Individual Broker License Applications Starting November 2025
Starting November 14, 2025, CBP will require all individual customs broker license applications and payments to be submitted online through the eCBP portal, while organization license applications will continue to follow the manual process until further notice.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced that, beginning November 14, 2025, the submission process for individual customs broker license applications will move entirely online. From that date, all applications and associated fees must be submitted through the eCBP portal. Any individual license applications that are hand-delivered, mailed, or emailed on or after November 14, 2025, will be returned and applicants will be instructed to resubmit via the eCBP portal.
Applicants will log into eCBP using their existing login.gov credentials, the same account used for the Customs Broker License Exam. The portal accepts credit and debit card payments at no additional charge, and electronic receipts will be provided.
CBP emphasized that this change will not affect the order in which applications are processed; submissions via eCBP will enter the existing application queue. This update applies only to individual license applicants and does not impact the current manual process for organization license applications. CBP will provide further guidance when the organization license application process is automated in the future.
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9) EPA Proposes Exemptions to PFAS Reporting Requirements Under TSCA
The EPA is proposing amendments to PFAS reporting regulations under TSCA that would introduce several exemptions—such as for de minimis levels, imported articles, byproducts, and small businesses—in order to reduce unnecessary compliance burdens while maintaining essential data collection, with public comments accepted until December 29, 2025.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed amendments to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) regulations that would modify the reporting and recordkeeping requirements for manufacturers and importers of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These changes, which apply to entities that manufactured or imported PFAS for commercial purposes between 2011 and 2022, would introduce several exemptions aimed at reducing unnecessary compliance burdens—particularly for small businesses—while maintaining essential PFAS reporting in line with statutory mandates.
The proposed exemptions include a de minimis threshold of 0.1%, imported articles, byproducts, impurities, research and development (R&D) activities, and non-isolated intermediates. EPA is also seeking public comment on consolidating these exemptions and their potential impacts, as well as making technical corrections to clarify reporting fields and adjust submission periods.
EPA’s analysis indicates that many small importers would otherwise be required to conduct extensive record searches, even when they have no reportable PFAS information, imposing significant costs with limited regulatory benefit. The agency estimates that the proposed changes could relieve small businesses of $703–$761 million in compliance costs.
Public comments on the proposal will be accepted until December 29, 2025. The EPA emphasizes that these amendments are designed to balance the need for meaningful PFAS data collection with minimizing unnecessary regulatory burdens, especially for small manufacturers.
The proposed changes do not affect the overall reporting period but are intended to align with
recommendations from the 2022 SBAR Panel Report and the agency’s obligations under the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
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