26-0807: Friday's "Export/Import Daily Bugle"

1. Today's Federal Register (No items of interest.)

(Source: Today's Federal Register)

2. Future Federal Register

(Source: Future Federal Register)

State Department; Rules; Implementation of the Administrative False Claims Act. Scheduled Pub. Date: 10 Aug 2026. Permalink

3. CBP Cargo Systems Messages

(Source: DHS/CBP/CSMS)

4. CBP Events in August 2026

(Source: OTR Webinars)

5. Commerce/BIS (Nothing new.)

(Source: Commerce/BIS)

6. State/DDTC: DECCS System Maintenance 7-8 Aug 2026, and Data Collection Modernization (DCM) Coming 14 Sep 2026

(Source: State/DDTC)

     The Defense Export Control and Compliance System (DECCS) will undergo system maintenance on Friday, August 7th, 2026, from 23:00 to Saturday August 8th, 17:00 (EST).
     Industry users may experience service degradation, interruptions, or limited application functionality within DECCS. If you experience any issues, please log back in after the maintenance window.
     Data Collection Modernization (DCM) Coming September 14, 2026 -- Modernizing DDTC's Licensing Experience. DDTC is pleased to announce the initial production release of the Data Collection Modernization (DCM) initiative, deploying to the DECCS Production environment on September 14, 2026.
     The Data Collection Modernization initiative is a multi-phase effort to modernize how DDTC collects, manages, and uses data across its digital services. This initial release focuses on enhancements to the licensing experience that improve data quality, streamline application submission, and deliver a more modern, user-friendly experience for industry users.
     This release affects:

     Organizations that submit applications through batch processes should ensure their systems are prepared for the September 14, 2026, production deployment. Updated user guides will be published prior to the release.
     If you have questions regarding this release, please contact the DECCS Help Desk at 202-663-2838 | [email protected].

7. UK Export Control Joint Unit: "Guidance -- HMRC Email Updates, Videos and Webinars About Importing and Exporting"

(Source: UK ECJU, 7 Aug 2026)

     Learn about importing and exporting goods:

8. US Trade Representative: "Ambassador Greer Issues Statement Welcoming S&P Global's Release of Critical Minerals Pricing Benchmarks"

(Source: USTR Press Office, 7 Aug 2026) [Excerpts]

     Today, Ambassador Jamieson Greer issued a statement welcoming S&P Global's release of new critical minerals pricing benchmarks, an important step toward promoting transparent, market-based pricing for critical minerals. Additional price transparency for critical minerals—including Gallium, Germanium, Tungsten, Antimony, and Neodymium and Praseodymium—coupled with the deep research provided will inevitably lead to more resilient decision making.
     Transparent and reliable pricing benchmarks such as these help provide the confidence market participants need to make long-term investment and sourcing decisions, helping to counter non-market policies and practices, encourage private-sector investment, and strengthen secure and resilient critical mineral supply chains. . . .
     The Agreement on Trade in Critical Minerals aims to establish phased-in mineral specific price floors, adjusted at the border, as well as common standards across like-minded trading partners. Negotiations will build on multiple engagements by the United States with G7 Finance and Trade Ministers on this topic earlier this year, as well as action plans signed with Japan, Mexico, and the European Union.
     The proposed design of the Agreement on Trade in Critical Minerals reflects insights provided by the nearly 2,500 comments submitted in response to the Federal Register Notice posted on February 26, 2026. . . . [Full statement]

9. White House Executive Actions: (No items of interest.)

(Source: The White House)

10. Expeditors News: "Brazil Announces Efforts for Economic Agreements with China and South Korea"

(Source: Expeditors News, 6 Aug 2026) [Excerpts]

     In a press release published on July 27, the Agencia Brasil announced that Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and the President of China, Xi Jinping discussed "the integration of national development projects, the leaders talked about the creation of a free trade zone between the two countries."
     China and Brazil are exploring increased cooperation in artificial intelligence, satellites, critical mineral processing and fertilizer trade.
     In a separate press release published on the same day, the Agencia Brasil announced new efforts to advance negotiations for a potential Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between South Korea and the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR). . . .
     Agencia Brasil's press release on Brazil and China is HERE. Agencia Brasil's press release on a potential MERCOSUR-South Korea agreement is HERE.

11. LaoDong: "Mexico Promotes Resumption of Avocado Exports to the US"

(Source: LaoDong News (Vietnam), 7 Aug 2026) [Excerpts]

     According to Xinhua News Agency, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on August 6 (local time) that the country's government is developing an action plan to protect avocado production areas, packaging facilities and transportation routes.
     Security reinforcements were deployed after the US temporarily suspended inspections and imports of avocados from some areas of Michoacan due to security concerns. . . .
     Michoacan is Mexico's leading butter production and exporting state to the US market. The Mexican Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has requested a meeting with the US Embassy as soon as possible to promote the resumption of inspection activities with the participation of supervisors from the Mexican National Food Safety Authority. . . . [Full article]

12. Scanx: "US Reviews China's Offshore Nvidia Chip Access After AI Breakthroughs"

(Source: Scanx, 7 Aug 2026) [Excerpts]

     The United States is reviewing its restrictions on China's offshore access to Nvidia chips, a move triggered by recent artificial intelligence breakthroughs originating from Chinese entities.
     According to a report by Bloomberg on August 7, 2026, this regulatory scrutiny underscores the intensifying competition in the global AI landscape and the US government's efforts to maintain technological supremacy. The review focuses on how Chinese firms are potentially circumventing existing export controls to acquire advanced semiconductor technology, which is critical for training large language models and other AI applications.
     The current review process involves an assessment of existing export control mechanisms designed to limit China's access to high-performance computing hardware. Nvidia, a leading manufacturer of graphics processing units (GPUs) essential for AI development, has been at the center of these export restrictions.
     The US government's decision to re-evaluate these rules suggests concerns that current measures may not be sufficiently effective in preventing the transfer of sensitive technology through offshore channels or third-party intermediaries. . . . [Full article]

13. ST&R Trade Report: "Import Program, Importer and Facility Reinspections, Etc."

(Source: Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg Trade Report, 7 Aug 2026) [Excerpts]. Contact: [email protected], 1-305-894-1035

     The Food and Drug Administration has established a fee of $9,994 (up from $9,620) for importers approved to participate in the Voluntary Qualified Importer Program for fiscal year 2027. Importers must pay this fee prior to Oct. 1 to be eligible to participate.
     VQIP is a voluntary fee-based program that provides expedited review and importation of human and animal foods for approved applicants who achieve and maintain a high level of control over the safety and security of their supply chains.
     To participate, importers must meet certain eligibility requirements, which include ensuring that the facilities of their foreign suppliers are certified under the FDA's accredited third-party certification program.
     The FDA has said importers should have at least a three-year history of importing food into the U.S. and be in compliance with supplier verification and other responsibilities under the Foreign Supplier Verification Program and the juice and/or seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point regulations, if required.
     However, VQIP requires that importers go one step further to establish additional controls over their supply chains; e.g., creating quality assurance programs, which include written policies and procedures regarding safety and security and showing compliance with criteria related to transportation and food defense.
     Food Facility and Importer Reinspections. The FDA has announced its FY 2027 fees for certain domestic and foreign food facility reinspections, failures to comply with a recall order, and importer reinspections. Fees for these services will be assessed at $354 per hour if domestic travel is required (up from $339 in FY 2026) and $414 per hour if foreign travel is required (up from $376).
. . . [Full article]

14. Tech Times: "BIS Targets Legal Cloud Compute as China AI Firms Bypass Export Controls"

(Source: Tech Times, 7 Aug 2026) [Excerpts]

     The US government's enforcement arm for chip export controls has crossed a significant threshold: it is now examining whether legally structured offshore compute-rental agreements — not just illegal chip smuggling — violate the intent of US export-control law.
     According to people familiar with the matter who spoke to Bloomberg on condition of anonymity, the division that typically investigates export-control violations is conducting a systematic review of legal channels through which Chinese AI companies rent computing power from data centers in third countries, accessing Nvidia chips without those chips ever crossing a border in a way that previously triggered enforcement action.
     For data-center operators in Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates that have built business models around serving Chinese AI clients, this review represents a qualitatively different risk than anything in prior enforcement history: the scrutiny is now falling on transactions their lawyers told them were legal. . . .
     [Full article]

15. Breaking Defense: "How ITAR Concerns are Affecting US Defense Sales Abroad"

(Source: Breaking Defense, 7 Aug 2026) [Excerpts]

     US arms-sale regulations are causing some European firms to reassess their approach toward military modernization. Some European firms are changing their approach toward US weapons sales due to restrictions from American International Traffic in Arms Regulations, or ITAR.
     In this episode of The Pentagon Buzz, Pentagon reporter Ashley Roque explains what ITAR means and how some in Europe are moving away from buying weapons with US-controlled parts. . . . [Full article]

16. Diaz: "Reminder: FDA VQIP Applications for FY2027 Close on 1 Sept 2026"

(Source: Customs & International Trade Law Blog, 7 Aug 2026) [Excerpts]

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

Here is a recap of the latest customs and international trade law news:

     Deadline and Program Overview. Food importers seeking faster FDA entry processing should take note: the application period for the FDA's Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP) for Fiscal Year 2027 closes on September 1, 2026.
     VQIP is a fee-based program established under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) that rewards importers with strong supply chain controls and demonstrated food safety compliance. Approved participants may benefit from expedited review and importation of eligible human and animal food products entering the United States.
     Applications approved for FY2027 will provide benefits beginning October 1, 2026, provided the FDA receives both an approved application and the required user fee payment.
     Eligibility Requirements. Importers should not assume they qualify automatically. One of the most common barriers to participation is the requirement that all foreign suppliers associated with VQIP-covered products maintain a valid facility certification issued by an FDA-accredited certification body under the FDA's Accredited Third-Party Certification Program.
     Importers considering VQIP participation should verify the following requirements: . . . [Full article]

17. ST&R Trade Report: "CBP Reports More Than $1 Billion in Duties Owed Under EAPA"

(Source: Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg Trade Report, 7 Aug 2026) [Excerpts]. Contact: [email protected], 1-305-894-1035

     U.S. Customs and Border Protection recently announced that it has uncovered more than $1 billion in additional duties owed under the Enforce and Protect Act, which aims to prevent importers from evading antidumping and countervailing duties on imported goods. Though CBP did not specify the associated time frame, it appears to be within the last year, as an agency press release said the $1 billion figure is "a first in the program's 10-year history" and "300% above the program's annual average."
     Under CBP regulations implementing the EAPA, any interested party, including competing importers and federal government agencies, may submit allegations that AD/CVD duties are being evaded; e.g., by misrepresenting the goods' true country of origin, submitting false or incorrect shipping and entry documentation, or misreporting the goods' physical characteristics. . . . [Full article]

18. Volkov: "The Scoular Company FCPA Resolution"

(Source: Volkov Law, 6 Aug 2026) [Excerpts]

* Principal Author: Michael Volkov, Volkov Law Group LLC

     In this episode of Corruption, Crime and Compliance, Michael Volkov breaks down the Justice Department's $10.2 million foreign bribery resolution with The Scoular Company, an Omaha-based agricultural supply chain company that used customs brokers to pay more than $400,000 in bribes to Mexican officials over six years so that contaminated grain shipments could cross the U.S.-Mexico border despite failed inspections.
     Volkov walks through the mechanics of the scheme, a strikingly simple pattern of $2,000 per-train payments disguised on invoices as "reinspection fees," and explains why DOJ treated the case as an aggravated national security matter after determining that some of the bribe money ultimately reached individuals tied to a border cartel, even though Scoular itself had no knowledge of that connection.
     The episode also unpacks how DOJ applied its Corporate Enforcement and Voluntary Self-Disclosure Policy to the resolution, distinguishing between the voluntary disclosure credit Scoular did not earn and the cooperation and remediation credit it did, resulting in a three-year deferred prosecution agreement, a 25 percent reduction off the bottom of the sentencing guidelines, and no independent monitor. Volkov closes with practical takeaways for compliance officers on managing customs brokers as high-risk third parties, testing the substance behind recurring payments, and moving quickly on voluntary disclosure decisions once potential misconduct surfaces internally. . . . [Listen to full article here.]

19. Partnering for Compliance™ Presents: "Firearms: Exporting & Importing" 16 Sep 2026

(Source: A.E. NicPhaidin)

20. List of Export/Import Job Openings

(Source: Editor)

22. Bartlett's Unfamiliar Quotations

(Source: Brainy Quotes)

Friday Funnies:

23. Today in History (Source: History Channel)

1782: Today is "Purple Heart Day," observed each year on August 7 in the United States. It honors the service members who were wounded or killed in combat while serving in the U.S. military. The date commemorates August 7, 1782, when General George Washington established the Badge of Military Merit, the forerunner of today's Purple Heart medal.

1947: Norwegian explorer completes 4,300-mile ocean voyage in wooden raft. On August 7, 1947, Kon-Tiki, a balsa wood raft captained by Norwegian anthropologist Thor Heyerdahl, completed a 4,300-mile, 101-day journey from Peru to Raroia in the Tuamotu Archipelago, near Tahiti. Heyerdahl wanted to prove his theory that prehistoric South Americans could have colonized the Polynesian islands by drifting on ocean currents. Heyerdahl and his five-person crew set sail from Callao, Peru, on the 45-foot-long Kon-Tiki on April 28, 1947. The Kon-Tiki, named for a mythical white chieftain, was made of indigenous materials and designed to resemble rafts of early South American Indians. Heyerdahl's journey captivated the public and he wrote a book about the experience that became an international bestseller translated into 65 languages. He also produced a documentary about the trip that won an Academy Award in 1951.

1990: On August 7, 1990, President G.H.W. Bush ordered Operation Desert Shield to commence in response to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait on August 2. The order prepared American troops to become part of an international coalition in the war against Iraq that would be launched as Operation Desert Storm in January 1991. To support Operation Desert Shield, Bush authorized a dramatic increase in U.S. troops and resources in the Persian Gulf. The successful buildup of forces enabled the transition to Operation Desert Storm, the combat phase launched on January 17, 1991, to liberate Kuwait, which was achieved on February 28, 1991.

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

(Source: Editor)

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25. 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.