26-0824: Monday's "Export/Import Daily Bugle"

1. Commerce/BIS Amends EAR to Remove Arrow Electronics (Hong Kong) Co., Ltd. from the Entity List under the destination of China

(Source: 91 FR 54658, 24 Aug 2026)

2. Commerce/BIS Amends EAR to Remove One Entity from the Entity List under the destination of Turkey

(Source: 91 FR 54657, 24 Aug 2026)

3. President Suspends Additional Duties on Alcoholic Beverages, Dairy, and Motor Vehicles from Canada

(Source: 91 FR 54789, 24 Aug 2026)

4. Future Federal Register

(Source: Future Federal Register)

5. CBP Cargo Systems Messages

(Source: DHS/CBP/CSMS)

6. CBP's Office of Trade Regulation Free Webinars in Aug-Sep 2026

(Source: OTR Webinars) (All times Eastern)

7. CBP's Office of Trade's National Commodity Specialist Division Free Webinars in Sep 2026

(Source: OTR Webinars) (All times Eastern)

     These webinars are a part of CBP's Continuing Education program (all times Eastern):

8. Commerce/BIS (Nothing new.)

(Source: Commerce/BIS)

9. Commerce/USCS Signature Events & Programs

(Source: Commerce Dept., US Commercial Service) [Excerpts]

10. DSCA Updates SAMM Policy on Transition of Cases from Interim to Final Closure

(Source: Defense Security Cooperation Agency, 21 Aug 2026)

DSCA posts Policy Memo 26-95 Interim to Final Closure. This memorandum updates the Security Assistance Management Manual (SAMM) to incorporate a new policy on the transition of cases from interim to final closure.

This policy outlines the process for Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS-IN) and Implementing Agencies (IAs) to monitor and reconcile cases, manage unliquidated obligations (ULO), and return excess funds to partner nations. This memo:

11. DSCA Updates SAMM Chapter 8, End-Use Monitoring (EUM)

(Source: Defense Security Cooperation Agency, 21 Aug 2026)

DSCA posts Policy Memo 26-72 Chapter 8 End Use Monitoring Administrative and Clarification Updates. This memorandum provides administrative and clarification updates to Chapter 8, End-Use Monitoring (EUM), of the Security Assistance Management Manual (SAMM). It closes several administrative DoW and Government Accountability Office (GAO) audit recommendations by refining current language for clarity.

This memorandum does not contain contextual policy changes. This memo updates Chapter 8, End-Use Monitoring (EUM)

12. State/DDTC (Nothing new.)

(Source: State/DDTC)

13. Treasury/OFAC Removes Syria's designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism and Associated Sanctions List Updates; Iran-related Designations; Updates Iran-related General Licenses

(Source: Treasury/OFAC, 24 Aug 2026)

     In line with President Trump's promise to deliver sanctions relief to Syria, the U.S. Department of State today removed Syria's designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism. Accordingly, Syria is no longer subject to prohibitions under the Terrorism List Governments Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR part 596 (TLGSR), or 22 USC 7205(a)(1).
     The U.S. Department of State also revoked the designation of al-Nusrah Front, also known as Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) organization. Concurrently, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) removed HTS from the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List ("SDN List").
     As a result, Syria General License (GL) 25, which authorized certain transactions that could otherwise have been prohibited due to the role of HTS in the Syrian government, is no longer necessary, and OFAC has revoked the general license. OFAC also updated FAQ 1220, FAQ 1221, and FAQ 1222, and removed FAQ 1223.
     Also, the U.S. Departments of Commerce, State and Treasury have issued an updated Tri-Seal Advisory: Sanctions and Export Controls Relief for Syria. . . .
     [Full article]

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

(Source: The White House)

15. Birr Metrics: "U.S. Lifted Ethiopia Arms Embargo Months Before New Pentagon Defense Partnership"

(Source: Birr Metrics, 23 Aug 2026) [Excerpts]

     The United States ended its arms embargo policy on Ethiopia in May, allowing applications for exports of U.S.-controlled defense equipment and services to be considered on a case-by-case basis, three months before the two countries agreed to expand defense and security cooperation during talks at the Pentagon.
     The U.S. State Department's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls said on May 11 that Washington had terminated the arms embargo on Ethiopia and removed the previous policy of denying licenses and other approvals for defense trade involving the country.
     The change applies to transactions governed by the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, or ITAR, which regulate exports and temporary imports of U.S. defense articles as well as the provision of certain defense services.
     The decision does not constitute approval for unrestricted U.S. weapons sales to Ethiopia. Individual transactions remain subject to U.S. licensing requirements and government review.
     The policy change preceded high-level defense consultations between Ethiopia and the United States held at the Pentagon on August 19 and 20. . . .
     Details of the cooperation framework have not been publicly released. Neither government has announced weapons purchases, defense financing or specific military equipment transfers associated with the agreement.
The May decision reversed restrictions introduced by Washington during the conflict in northern Ethiopia. . . .
     [Full article]

16. Breaking Defense: "DoD Memo Pushes for More Contractor Pricing Info, Potential Direct Software Link"

(Source: Breaking Defense News, 24 Aug 2026)

     The new directive, signed off by Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg, is meant to "reset" the Pentagon's expectations for supplier cost and pricing information.
     The Pentagon wants more transparency from defense primes and their supply chains on the cost of building weapons and is considering the use of software that would pull data directly from companies' financial systems to get it, according to memo reviewed by Breaking Defense.
     The memo, signed off by Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg on Tuesday, is meant to "reset" the Pentagon's expectations for supplier cost and pricing information, with the department seeking to use that data to ensure that contractors' profit margins don't get out of control.
     "Full transparency throughout all tiers of the supply chain applies to all contractors and subcontractors," Feinberg stated in the memo, which was addressed to senior Pentagon leaders and the directors of defense agencies and department field activities. "This requirement supports negotiations for products and services valued at $10 million or more, regardless of whether cost and pricing data requires certification."
     "Additionally, I have directed the Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment (USW(A&S)) to establish fair and reasonable contract profit margins by applying commercial best practices tailored to each product or service line," he said.
     Key among the changes proposed by the memo is a software tool that would give the Defense Department direct, machine-to-machine access to defense companies' financial systems. . . . [Full article]

17. CNBC: "Trump Says U.S. Will Hike Canada Auto Tariffs to 50% as Trade War Escalates"

(Source: CNBC, 24 Aug 2026) [Excerpts]

     President Donald Trump on Monday said the U.S. will raise tariffs on imports of cars, trucks and auto parts from Canada to 50% on Jan. 1, 2027, following a breakdown in trade negotiations last week.
     "Canada has been ripping off the United States of America for years," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post, accusing the longtime trading partner of hurting U.S. farmers through its own tariff policies.
     "Not sustainable, and NOT ANYMORE!" he wrote. "On January First, 2027, Tariffs on all Cars, Trucks, both large and small, Automotive Parts, and Steel, will be increased to 50%."
     Trump's latest tariff threat would double top-line U.S. duties on Canadian auto imports, which currently sit at 25%. Canada sought to lower those tariffs as part of a new trade deal with the U.S., which appeared to be inches from completion before falling apart Friday night.
     U.S. tariffs on Canadian steel imports are already at 50%.
On Saturday, the U.S. imposed 50% tariffs on about $20 billion of Canadian goods, including wine, cement and hockey sticks. Those duties were imposed in retaliation for alleged Canadian trade discrimination against U.S. cars, alcohol and dairy. . . .
     [Full article]

18. Shapiro: "U.S.-Canada Trade Talks Break Down; 50% Tariffs Return"

(Source: Shap Flash, 24 Aug 2026)

     Trade talks between the U.S. and Canada broke down Friday, and on Saturday the U.S. reinstated 50% tariffs on a range of Canadian goods including wine, dairy, furniture, cement, clothing, and hockey/fishing equipment. The move follows Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, last used in 1949, and comes after a brief suspension of the duties earlier in the week while negotiations were underway.
     In response, Canada announced it will impose its own "dollar for dollar" retaliatory tariffs starting September 8, targeting sectors like steel, dairy, agricultural equipment, and pulp and paper. Prime Minister Mark Carney said U.S. demands "went too far," while U.S. officials say Canada backed away from an agreed deal. No new talks are currently scheduled.
     CBP has issued guidance for importers, brokers, and filers on how to enter affected goods, with the relevant duties classified under HTSUS headings 9903.03.12--9903.03.16. The corresponding Chapter 1--97 HTSUS classifications can be found in the Federal Register notices at 91 FR 46639, 91 FR 46653, and 91 FR 46663.

19. ST&R Trade Report: "The Week Ahead: Section 232 Tariffs, Export Controls, Batteries"

(Source: Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg Trade Report, 24 Aug 2026). Contact: [email protected], 1-305-894-1035

     Highlights of regulatory effective dates and deadlines and other trade-related events coming up in the next week:

20. ST&R Trade Report: "New Import Restrictions on Materials from Nepal"

(Source: Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg Trade Report, 24 Aug 2026) [Excerpts of subscription service.] Contact: [email protected], 1-305-894-1035

     U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a final rule imposing import restrictions on archaeological and ethnological materials from Nepal. Effective Aug. 12, 2026, through Jan. 8, 2031, unless extended, the importation of these materials is restricted unless they are accompanied by documentation certifying that they left Nepal legally and are not in violation of that country's export laws.
     The covered archaeological materials include objects made of stone; ceramics, faience, and fired clay; metal; plaster, stucco, and unfired clay; paintings; ivory and bone; glass; leather, parchment, birch bark, paper, and palm leaf; wood, shell, and other organic material; and human remains ranging in date from 32,000 BCE through 1770 CE. . . .
     [Full article]

21. WTTL: "U.S. Hits Canada With 50% Tariffs After Trade Talks Collapse"

(Source: Washington Tariff & Trade Letter, 24 Aug 2026) [Excerpts of subscription publication]

     The United States imposed additional 50% tariffs on about US$20 billion of Canadian goods early Saturday after last-minute negotiations collapsed, prompting Prime Minister Mark Carney to halt the talks and promise matching Canadian retaliation.
     The duties took effect at 12:01 a.m. ET on Aug. 22 and cover a range of products targeted under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, including certain alcohol, dairy, automotive, sporting, construction and consumer goods. The affected trade represents roughly 5% of Canada's annual exports to the United States. U.S. Customs and Border Protection notified importers shortly before the deadline that the tariffs would be collected as scheduled.
     Carney recalled Canada's negotiating team to Ottawa, saying Washington had altered its offer at the end of several days of intensive discussions. "Last-minute changes in the U.S. proposed terms were unfair, uneconomic, and called into question the reliability of any deal," he said. Canada's objective, he added, was "never a deal at any price or on any deadline."
     "Canada will match those tariffs dollar for dollar to protect our workers and businesses," Carney said, referring to approximately C$28 billion in affected Canadian exports. Ottawa is expected to provide details of its counter-tariffs and additional assistance for affected workers and companies in the coming days. . . .
     [Full article]

22. Baker/McKenzie: "Switzerland Implements Remainder of EU's 20th Sanctions Package Against Russia"

(Source: Global Sanctions and Export Controls Blog, 24 Aug 2026) [Excerpts]

* Principal Author: Philippe Reich (Switzerland); Baker Mckenzie

     On 19 August 2026, the Swiss Federal Council adopted extensive amendments to the Ordinance on Measures in Connection with the Situation in Ukraine (the "Ukraine Ordinance"; the following citations in each case refer to the Ukraine Ordinance), thereby completing the implementation of the EU's 20th sanctions package against Russia (see press release here).
     This final step follows the initial implementation step taken on 22 May 2026, when the Swiss Federal Council updated several Annexes to the Ukraine Ordinance as a consequence of the same package and, in particular, extended various sanctions lists (see our blog here).
     The revision announced on 19 August 2026 did not include any amendments to the Ordinance on Measures against Belarus, last updated on 22 May 2026. . . .
     [Full article]

23. Export Practitioner: "A US Enforcement Reprieve Is No Global Safe Harbor"

(Source: The Export Practitioner, 24 Aug 2026) [Excerpts of paywall publication.]

Companies tempted to relax compliance controls as Washington narrows its enforcement priorities still face overlapping criminal, regulatory and civil exposure overseas.

     The Trump administration's reset of US corporate enforcement has changed the risk calculus for multinational businesses—but it has not removed the risk.
     Following a temporary pause in Foreign Corrupt Practices Act enforcement, the Department of Justice resumed activity in June 2025 under guidelines concentrating resources on cases involving cartels and transnational criminal organizations, harm to US companies, national-security interests and particularly serious or concealed bribery.
     The policy represents a narrower and more selective approach, not a repeal of the FCPA. The statute remains in force, and a future administration could again alter enforcement priorities. DOJ's FCPA guidelines and its subsequent enforcement record both underline that distinction.
     More importantly, a decision by Washington not to investigate—or to resolve an investigation favorably—does not bind prosecutors, regulators or private claimants elsewhere. . . . [Full article]

24. Steptoe: "Critical US Export Controls for Civil Nuclear Power Projects"

(Source: Int'l Compliance Blog, 24 Aug 2026) [Excerpts]

* Principal Author: Jack R. Hayes, Steptoe LLP

     As the world turns to civil nuclear power to satisfy growing energy demands, civil nuclear power project developers, contractors, and suppliers around the globe are increasingly navigating complex US export control laws and regulations. These requirements often arise long before any equipment is shipped and persist long after the power plant is operational. . . .
     In a recent client alert, we examined several key issues facing engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors undertaking nuclear projects, including the allocation of regulatory risk, liability considerations, and damages exposure. In this article, we provide an overview of the principal US export control regimes facing EPC contractors undertaking civil nuclear power projects outside the United States, highlight common areas where export control authorization and licensing risks arise throughout the project lifecycle, and discuss practical considerations for managing US regulatory compliance and enforcement risks.
     Key US Export Control Regimes for Nuclear Exports: . . .
     DOE - Part 810. The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) of the US Department of Energy (DOE) regulates, under 10 C.F.R. Part 810, the transfer of certain civil nuclear technology and technical assistance to any foreign person regarding the development or production of special nuclear material outside the United States (generally corresponding to the NSG Trigger List). . . .
     [Full article]

25. Volkov: "Plexon's $1.7 Million Export Settlement: Brain-Computer Interfaces, China's Military, and a Warning About Emerging Tech Controls"

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

* Principal Author: Michael Volkov, Volkov Law Group LLC

     The Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security announced a settlement with Plexon Inc., a Dallas-based neuroscience company, over eight unlicensed exports of brain-computer interface equipment to a Chinese research institute with direct ties to the People's Liberation Army.
     This case deserves attention well beyond the neuroscience and export control communities, because it illustrates exactly how emerging technology controls are catching companies that may not think of themselves as defense-adjacent or dual-use exporters at all.
     What Happened? According to documents BIS published, Plexon exported eight Neural Recording Data Acquisition Systems, marketed as Omniplex systems, along with related accessories, to China's Academy of Military Medical Sciences between February 2022 and August 2023.
     The transactions were valued at roughly $178,721 in total. None of the eight shipments had the export license BIS says was required. Plexon routed the equipment through its Asia distributor rather than shipping directly, a detail that matters because it raises the perennial compliance question of how much visibility and control an exporter actually maintains once a distributor is handling fulfillment to an end customer. . . .
     Why Brain-Computer Interface Technology Is Now an Export Control Focus: . . . [Full article]

26. Washington Tariff & Trade: "Is the White House Criminalizing Legitimate Trade?"

(Source: Washington Tariff & Trade Newsletter, 24 Aug 2026) [Excerpts of paywall publication.]

     The White House's "Great Transshipment Scam" report casts lawful sourcing shifts and trade involving Chinese inputs as potential customs fraud. Deborah Elms argues that this expansive definition could criminalize legitimate commerce, raise costs and cause further supply-chain disruption—much of it prompted by Washington's own uneven tariffs.
     The report identifies more than 40 countries, including several U.S. allies, as participants in a China-linked "Shadow Transshipment Network." It alleges that the network helps disguise the origin of goods entering the United States. . . .
     The administration's own tariff policies have helped create these incentives, she argues. Widely varying and frequently changing tariffs encourage companies to shift orders and production from countries facing high duties to those subject to lower rates. Treating these adjustments as evidence of wrongdoing risks penalizing businesses for responding rationally to U.S. policy. . . .
     [Full article]

27. List of Export/Import Job Openings

(Source: Editor)

29. Bartlett's Unfamiliar Quotations

(Source: Brainy Quotes)

30. Today in History (Source: History Channel)

AD 79: After centuries of dormancy, Mount Vesuvius erupted in southern Italy, devastating the prosperous Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum and killing thousands.
     The cities, buried under a thick layer of volcanic material and mud, were never rebuilt and largely forgotten in the course of history.
     In the 18th century, Pompeii and Herculaneum were rediscovered and excavated, providing an unprecedented archaeological record of the everyday life of an ancient civilization, startlingly preserved in sudden death.

1814: On August 24, 1814, during the War of 1812 between the United States and England, British troops enter Washington, D.C. and burn the White House in retaliation for the American attack on the city of York in Ontario, Canada, in June 1813.
     When the British arrived at the White House, they found that President James Madison and his first lady Dolley had already fled to safety in Maryland. Soldiers reportedly sat down to eat a meal made of leftover food from the White House scullery using White House dishes and silver before ransacking the presidential mansion and setting it ablaze.

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

(Source: Editor)

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32. 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.