26-0723: Thursday's "Export/Import Daily Bugle"

1. Commerce/BIS Amends EAR/CCL Controlling Firearm Silencers, Mufflers, and Suppressors

(Source: 91 FR 46252, 23 July 2026) [Excerpts]

This interim final rule (IFR) complements a Department of State interim final rule published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register (International Traffic in Arms Regulations: USML Category I Firearm Suppressors (1400-AG11) (State IFR)). This transfer of jurisdiction will reduce the regulatory burden on exports of sound suppressors.
     This IFR also revises the EAR to allow firearms and related items to be temporarily exported and reexported under a license exception as tools of trade, thereby relieving exporters of the regulatory burden of applying for authorization.
     This IFR also clarifies which items fall within the scope of the EAR's entry clearance requirements for a temporary import.

* DATE: This rule is effective November 20, 2026, except for amendatory instructions 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11, which are effective today, July 23, 2026. Comments must be received by BIS no later than August 24, 2026.

2. President Issues Proclamation "Further Strengthening Actions Taken to Adjust Imports of Aluminum into the United States"

(Source: 91 FR 46635, 23 Jul 2026) [Excerpts]

3. President Imposes Additional Duties to Offset Canadian Discrimination Against U.S. Commerce

(Source: 91 FR 46653, 23 Jul 2026) [Excerpts]

4. President Imposes Additional Duties to Offset Canadian Discrimination with Respect to Alcoholic Beverages

(Source: 91 FR 46639, 23 Jul 2026) [Excerpts]

5. President Imposes Additional Duties to Offset Canadian Discrimination with Respect to Motor Vehicles

(Source: 91 FR 46663, 23 Jul 2026) [Excerpts]

6. President Directs Secretary of War to Change Procedures for Issuing Waivers for Acquisition of Critical Materials

(Source: 92 FR 46693, 23 Jul 2026) [Excerpts]

7. President Continues National Emergency with Respect to Mali

(Source: 91 FR 46701, 23 Jul 2026) [Excerpts]

8. Future Federal Register

(Source: Future Federal Register)

9. CBP Cargo Systems Messages

(Source: DHS/CBP/CSMS)

10. CBP Events in August 2026

(Source: OTR Webinars)

11. Commerce/BIS (Nothing new.)

(Source: Commerce/BIS)

12. State/DDTC Experiencing Outage in Outgoing DECCS Email

(Source: State/DDTC, 23 Jul 2026)

DDTC began experiencing an issue affecting all automated emails generated from DECCS yesterday when automated communications were not being delivered, such as:

The DDTC IT team is actively working to fix the problem, and will provide updates as new information is available.

13. Treasury/OFAC Posts Counter Terrorism Designations; Counter Narcotics Designations; Cuba Designations; Belarus-related Designation Removal; and Issues Cuba-Related General Licenses

(Source: Treasury/OFAC, 23 Jul 2026)

The Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is issuing Cuba General License 2, "Authorizing the Wind Down of Transactions Involving CEIBA Investments Limited;" Cuba General License 3, "Authorizing Certain Transactions Related to Debt or Equity of, or Derivative Contracts Involving, CEIBA Investments Limited;" and Cuba General License 4, "Authorizing Transactions for Third-Country Official Missions in Cuba."
     OFAC also updated the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List.

14. US Trade Representative: Ambassador Greer's Statement on the European Union Creating Uncertainty in our Transatlantic Trade Relationship

(Source: USTR Press Office, 23 Jul 2026) [Excerpts]

Ambassador Greer issued the following statement today regarding the European Union's recent actions that create uncertainty in the Turnberry Agreement:
     "Today, the European Commission announced that it will fine Google nearly $1 billion, the latest in an increasingly aggressive approach targeting U.S. technology firms. This is in addition to two recent actions by the Commission under the Digital Markets Act that target Google's Android operating system and Search services that pose serious risks for the privacy and security of users, represent a de facto forced technology transfer and intellectual property theft, and impose unreasonable financial penalties.
     The EU's fines of Google alone add up to over 2 percent of the EU's budget—a larger 'contribution' to the budget than many EU member states. Add in the recent announcement of the largest ever state-backed loan to Airbus, and it becomes clear that the EU continues to target the most competitive U.S. companies," said Ambassador Greer.
     "The EU often claims that it is looking for stability and predictability in our trading relationship, but these actions are driving massive uncertainty for U.S. exports of goods and services to Europe.
     We are trying to resolve our concerns with the EU's Digital Markets Act and other actions through responsible, constructive dialogue. But a real dialogue can only take place during a ceasefire. The EU's recent actions undermine these efforts and pose a real risk to the continuation of transatlantic stability with respect to trade."

15. White House Executive Actions (No items of interest.)

(Source: The White House)

16. Breaking Defense: "Pentagon Willing to Work with Industry Over Critical Mineral EO Concerns"

(Source: Breaking Defense News, 23 Jul 2026) [Excerpts]

A new executive order [see Item #6 above] essentially gives companies until the start of 2027 to alter their supply of critical materials and minerals. Industry is worried that could be a difficult lift.
     Amidst industry concerns that a new executive order on critical minerals has an unrealistic timeframe, a key Pentagon official is saying the department is prepared to work with companies — as long as they are making a good-faith effort to comply with the order.
     "What we need to do is commit to companies to say, 'Look, how are you going to go ahead and resolve this problem through friendshoring, through domestic shoring, through changes in suppliers?" Michael Cadenazzi, the assistant secretary of defense for industrial base policy, told Breaking Defense Wednesday on the sidelines of the Farnborough Airshow.
     "And if there's a gap, a legitimate gap, [and] you have a plan and you need a window to see you through [to] bridge that gap, that's what we want to know," he added. "But it's about the plan, it's about the mitigation plan for the long haul."
     Cadenazzi's comments came two days after the White House released a new executive order essentially giving companies until the start of 2027 to stop using critical materials and minerals from Russia, Iran, North Korea and most notably China.
     More specifically, that EO told Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that he has six months to craft policy and implementation guidance requiring all prime contractors and subcontractors to map out and trace "all components, parts, equipment, software, and materials back to the origin of raw materials in their supply chains." . . . [Full article]

17. Defense.IN: "From ITAR Hurdles to GTF Crises, Why Pratt and Whitney Avoided India's 110 kN AMCA Mk2 Joint Engine Programme"

(Source: Defense.IN (India), 23 Jul 2026)

With New Delhi moving forward on its ambitious Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Mk2 project, multiple international aerospace giants are eager to co-develop the required 110-130 kN thrust class engine. While prominent players such as France's Safran, Britain's Rolls-Royce, and America's GE Aerospace are openly vying for this strategic partnership, Pratt & Whitney (P&W)—a global leader in military aviation engines—has noticeably stayed away from the competition.
     The renowned manufacturer behind the powerplants for the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II has made no public effort to bid for the Indian fighter jet requirement. This strategic distance is not due to a single issue. Instead, it stems from a complex mix of strict export regulations, current corporate commitments, United States government policies, and recent industrial hurdles. . . .
     These include state-of-the-art thermal management, specialized high-temperature materials, cutting-edge turbine blade metallurgy, digital flight control software, and stealth integration techniques. Such breakthroughs are heavily guarded by the US International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and various national security protocols. Sharing the core intellectual property of these advanced systems requires explicit permission from Washington, which fiercely protects any technology deemed vital to its national defence. Although future technology agreements rely on evolving US policies, there are currently no signs that the American government is willing to share the foundational design secrets of the F119 or F135 engines with any foreign ally, including India.

18. Expeditors News: "White House Proposes Reduced Aluminum Tariffs to Support Domestic Production"

(Source: Expeditors News, 22 Jul 2026) [Excerpts]

In a Presidential Proclamation published on July 20, 2026, the White House announced a "program to incentivize new investment in U.S. production facilities to produce primary aluminum."
     Under the program, companies can provide an onshoring plan to the Secretary of Commerce that includes a commitment to build, refurbish, or expand a facility in the United States that will produce primary aluminum. The plan must include a commitment to begin construction of the facility by January 20, 2029.
     If the Secretary of Commerce approves the onshoring plan, the company will be eligible to "annually import primary aluminum of a quantity that corresponds to the U.S. production facility's reasonably anticipated annual output of primary aluminum when the onshoring project is completed." These imports will be at a half duty rate on Section 232, which is currently set at 25%. [Full article]

19. Military Times: "House Passes $1.15 Trillion Defense Bill in Near Party-Line Vote"

(Source: Military Times, 22 Jul 2026) [Excerpts]

The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed its version of a sweeping defense policy bill Wednesday, approving a historic $1.15 trillion budget for the Pentagon amid uncertainty on the future of the Iran war.
     The increased budget, up from the $900.6 billion authorized last year, raised concerns among lawmakers who felt they should cease funding the war in Iran, especially as the U.S. faces mounting debt. . . .
     The bill would have the Department of Defense officially adopt a name change to Department of War. The massive bill also includes a 5% to 7% pay raise for military service members, an increase in active-duty force size and a mandate to revert the names of nine southern military bases to those recommended in 2023 to replace Confederate honorifics. . . . [Full article]

20. ST&R Trade Report: "U.S. Signs Trade Agreement with Jordan"

(Source: Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg Trade Report) [Excerpts]. Contact: [email protected], 1-305-894-1035

The U.S. on July 21 announced the signing of an agreement on reciprocal trade with Jordan. The Trump administration has signed similar agreements with Argentina, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Taiwan.
     Tariffs. Jordan will continue to provide duty-free market access for almost all U.S. goods, as provided in the U.S.-Jordan Free Trade Agreement. The U.S. will apply Jordan FTA duty rates to goods that qualify as originating from Jordan, or the most-favored-nation duty rate in effect, as applicable. . . .
     Both countries will retain the ability to impose additional tariffs to remedy unfair trade practices, address import surges, protect their economic or national security, or achieve another objective consistent with their domestic law.

21. Akin: "Commerce Establishes Approved Supplier Registry Under Connected Vehicles Rule"

(Source: Akin Alerts, 22 Jul 2026) [Excerpts]

* Principal Author: Christian C. Davis, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP

Key Points:

Background: . . .
     Application and Approval Process: . . .
     Implications for Connected Vehicle Manufacturers and VCS Hardware Importers: . . . [Full article]

22. Diaz: "CBP Protests and Post-Entry Corrections"

(Source: Customs & International Trade Law Blog, 22 Jul 2026) [Excerpts]

* Author: Jennifer Diaz, Esq., Diaz Trade Law LLP

CBP is one of the most active federal enforcement bodies in international trade. CBP has broad authority to examine, detain, seize, and penalize imported goods, and it exercises that authority through an expanding set of tools.

Enforcement Mechanisms. CBP's core enforcement mechanisms include:

Recent Developments: A More Aggressive CBP and DOJ.

The customs enforcement landscape has undergone a fundamental shift in recent years. CBP has moved from a trade facilitation entity to an enforcement agency:

Post Summary Corrections: . . . [Full article]

23. KPMG: "U.S. Interim Final Rules: Transfer of Firearm Suppressors to Commerce (EAR/CCL) Jurisdiction and Related Export Control Changes"

(Source: KPMG Insights, 23 Jul 2026) [Excerpts]

The U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) and the U.S. Department of State have issued [see Item #1 above] related interim final rules (IFRs) to transfer export jurisdiction over certain firearm silencers, mufflers, and sound suppressors from the United States Munitions List (USML) under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) to the Commerce Control List (CCL) under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), while also implementing related updates to license exceptions and temporary import clearance procedures. Read the BIS interim final rule and the State interim final rule. . . .
     The rules also clarify that temporary importers of any items subject to the EAR that are on the United States Munitions Import List (USMIL) can utilize the entry clearance procedures in § 758.10 of the EAR to facilitate imports without a separate permit from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

[Full article]

24. ST&R Trade Report: "Traders Seek Measured Approach on Customs Enforcement"

(Source: Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg Trade Report, 23 Jul 2026) [Excerpts]. Contact: [email protected], 1-305-894-1035

Many in the trade community are calling on U.S. Customs and Border Protection to take a judicious approach in implementing the customs enforcement overhaul laid out in President Trump's June 3 executive order.
     The EO directs a broad tightening of U.S. customs enforcement, with a strong emphasis on importer accountability and vetting, foreign importer restrictions, disclosure obligations, and higher penalties. The most immediate practical effect will likely be an increase in enforcement, bonding, data submissions, and compliance requirements for importers of record, especially foreign IORs.
     The EO directs that many of its changes should be made within six months, raising the possibility that they could be implemented through regulations that take effect immediately upon publication. However, in a July 9 letter, dozens of business organizations and trade associations urged CBP to use "a robust and transparent rulemaking process" that first proposes regulatory changes and provides an opportunity for public input before they are finalized. . . .
     A July 14 letter from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce echoed these sentiments. . . . [Full article]

25. Volkov: "What Is the Ethics Premium?"

(Source: Volkov Law, 23 Jul 2026) [Excerpts]

* Author: Michael Volkov, Volkov Law Group LLC

The root of every strong compliance program is a strong culture. I say this on every episode, and I'm going to keep saying it. Culture is the single most important control that your compliance program builds. It's at the heart of every compliance program—not the policy binder, not the training module. Culture.
     Here's what the research really shows: companies with strong ethical cultures perform better financially. They're more sustainable because employees believe in the mission. They don't cut corners when nobody's watching. And employee engagement and satisfaction go up—way up—when people trust that their company will do the right thing, even under pressure.
     Think about what this means practically: lower turnover, higher productivity, fewer whistleblower complaints turning into full-blown investigations because people raise issues early instead of burying them. That's the ethics premium, and it's real.
     So, if you're a CCO fighting for budget, stop pitching compliance as a cost center. Pitch it as what it really is: the thing that makes your business more successful, more sustainable, and a place people actually want to work.
     Culture isn't a soft metric. It's your bottom line. [Listen to podcast on this article here.]

26. Skill Dynamics Presents: "The Fundamentals of U.S. Export Regulations" 13-15 October 2026 in Dallas

(Source: Skill Dynamics (previously Content Enablers))

27. List of Export/Import Job Openings

(Source: Editor)

29. Bartlett's Unfamiliar Quotations

(Source: Brainy Quotes)

* Raymond Chandler (Raymond Thornton Chandler; 23 Jul 1888 – 26 Mar 1959; was an American-British poet, novelist, and screenwriter. In addition to his short stories, Chandler published seven novels, all featuring the character, Philip Marlowe. Most were made into motion pictures, some more than once. In the year before his death, he was elected president of the Mystery Writers of America.)

- "She jerked away from me like a startled fawn might, if I had a startled fawn and it jerked away from me."

- "The streets were dark with something more than night."

* Max Heindel (born Carl Louis von Grasshoff, 23 Jul 1865 – 6 Jan 1919; was a Danish-American Christian occultist, astrologer, and mystic.)

- "An animal takes freely anything that it wishes: it commits no sin and is not held responsible for its action because it knows no better. But as soon as the idea of 'mine' and 'thine' has been imprinted upon our consciousness, then also the responsibility comes."

* Haile Selassie (born Tafari Makonnen; 23 Jul 1892 – 27 Aug 1975; was Emperor of Ethiopia from 1930 to 1974. He was a defining figure in modern Ethiopian history. He was a member of the Solomonic dynasty who traced his lineage to Emperor Menelik I, the son of King Solomon and Makeda, the Queen of Sheba.)

- "Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted; the indifference of those who should have known better; the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most; that has made it possible for evil to triumph."

30. Do You Need to Update Your Daily Bugle Profile?

(Source: Editor)

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31. Are Your Copies of Export/Import Regulations Current?

(Source: Editor)

The official versions of the following regulations are published annually in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) but are updated as amended in the Federal Register. The latest amendments are listed below.