26-1023: Friday's "Export/Import Daily Bugle"

1. Today’s Federal Register (No relevant items.)
(Source: Federal Register)

2. Future Federal Register (No relevant items.)
(Source: Future Federal Register)

3. CBP Cargo Systems Messages
(Source: DHS/CBP/CSMS)

4. CBP Reminder: Licensed Customs Brokers Must Complete Continuing Education by 31 Jan 2027
(Source: CBP Continuing Education, 1 Oct 2026)

     To maintain your Customs Broker license, you are required to complete 20 hours of Continuing Education (CE) by January 31, 2027. Don’t wait until the last minute. Failure to meet these requirements will result in the revocation of your customs broker’s license.
     If you have not yet done so, start your CE training today. Visit the Customs Broker Triennial Status Report (TSR) and Continuing Education (CE) Requirements | U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Customs Broker Continuing Education | U.S. Customs and Border Protection webpages.
     CE Requirements: Individual brokers are required to complete 20 hours of CE credits to maintain their license for the current triennial. . . .]
     CBP recommends that brokers file their TSR as soon as their CE credits are complete. The deadline to complete the 20 hours of CE credits is January 31, 2027.”
     [Full requirements]

5. CBP to Hold UFLPA Enforcement Statistics Dashboard Webinar 28 Oct 2026
(Source: OTR Webinars)

6. Commerce/BIS (Nothing new.)
(Source: Commerce/BIS)

7. DSCA Posts Policy on Adding Entry for Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative (SAMM E-Change 862)
(Source: Defense Security Cooperation Agency, 23 Oct 2026)

     DSCA has posted Policy Memo 26-94 Addition of Appendix 8 Entry for the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative. This memorandum establishes Appendix 8 Entry Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative.

8. State/DDTC (Nothing new.)
(Source: Defense Directorate of Trade Controls)

9. Treasury/OFAC: “Iran-related Designations; Belarus and North Korea Designations Removals; Issuance of Iran-related and Russia-related General Licenses and Amended FAQs”
(Source: Treasury/OFAC, 21 Oct 2026)

     The Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is issuing Iran General License GG, "Authorizing the Wind Down of Transactions Involving Karnakis and Karnakis;" and Iran General License HH, "Authorizing Wind Down Activities, Limited Safety and Environmental Transactions, and the Offloading of Cargo Involving Certain Persons or Vessels Blocked on October 21, 2026."
     OFAC has issued Russia-related General License 131K, "Authorizing Certain Transactions for the Negotiation of and Entry Into Contingent Contracts for the Sale of Lukoil International GmbH and Related Maintenance Activities." OFAC is also issuing two amended Frequently Asked Questions, FAQ 1224 and FAQ 1225.
     OFAC has made the following changes to the list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN List): [See list HERE.]

10. Treasury Issues Proposed Rule to Implement Comprehensive Outbound Investment National Security Act
(Source: Treasury Press Office, 22 Oct 2026)

     Editor’s Summary: The U.S. Department of the Treasury has proposed regulations to implement the Comprehensive Outbound Investment National Security (COINS) Act, expanding oversight of certain U.S. investments in foreign entities involved in sensitive technologies.
     The proposed rule would require notification of some transactions and prohibit others involving covered foreign persons engaged in technologies deemed critical to national security.
     The rule covers semiconductor and microelectronics technologies, artificial intelligence, quantum information technologies, high-performance computing and supercomputing, and hypersonic systems. Treasury also proposes adding biotechnology as a covered sector.
     The proposal outlines who must comply, the types of transactions covered, notification requirements, due diligence expectations, exemptions, definitions, penalties for violations, and procedures for obtaining guidance from Treasury.
     Treasury is seeking public comment before issuing final regulations, which will establish the program's effective date. The stated goal is to prevent U.S. investment from supporting foreign adversaries' military, intelligence, surveillance, or other national-security-related capabilities.
     The NPRM, fact sheet, and additional information are available HERE.

11. US Trade Representative: U.S. and Mexico Announce Course of Remediation at Minera Peñasquito
(Source: USTR.gov, 23 Oct 2026)

     The Office of the United States Trade Representative and the Government of Mexico today announced a course of remediation at Minera Peñasquito, S.A. de C.V. (Newmont Peñasquito), located in the state of Zacatecas, Mexico.
     The remediation plan will help ensure workers at the facility can freely exercise their right to freedom of association and collective bargaining. . . .

12. White House Modifies Duties on Imports of Motor Vehicles from Canada
(Source: The White House, 23 Oct 2026)

     Action: Proclamation “FURTHER MODIFYING THE SCOPE OF PRODUCTS OF CANADA SUBJECT TO THE ADDITIONAL DUTIES IMPOSED TO OFFSET CANADIAN DISCRIMINATION AGAINST THE COMMERCE OF THE UNITED STATES WITH RESPECT TO MOTOR VEHICLES”.
     Editor’s Summary: President Trump’s proclamation modifies the 50% additional tariff imposed on certain Canadian products under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930.
     The Administration previously determined that Canada’s motor vehicle tariff policies discriminated against U.S. commerce, prompting Proclamation 11048 in July 2026. Although Canada briefly pledged to remove the discriminatory measures, negotiations collapsed, the suspension of the tariffs expired, and the duties took effect in August 2026. A subsequent September proclamation adjusted the scope of covered products.
     After reviewing new recommendations from senior executive branch officials, the President concluded that further changes to the list of affected Canadian products would continue to offset the disadvantage to U.S. commerce while better serving the public interest.
     Effective October 30, 2026, some Canadian products are removed from the 50% tariff while others remain subject to it.
     The proclamation also updates the Harmonized Tariff Schedule and authorizes Customs and other agencies to implement and administer the changes.

13. Breaking Defense: “Pentagon, Lockheed Agree to Decade-Long F-35 Framework Deal for Hundreds of Jets”
(Source: Breaking Defense News, 22 Oct 2026) [Editor’s Summary]

     The Pentagon and Lockheed Martin have finalized a framework agreement covering at least 850 U.S. F-35 fighters across 10 production lots, along with initial spares, sustainment, and modification kits over the next decade. Lockheed also pledged $7 billion in F-35 program investments and will maintain production at 156 aircraft annually.
     Defense officials said the arrangement is intended to strengthen the industrial base, improve long-term planning, and support supply-chain resilience. Lockheed said the greater predictability will enable investments to expand capacity and improve efficiency.
     The agreement follows broader Pentagon efforts to use long-term framework contracts to secure production stability and reduce costs. However, unlike some other recent defense frameworks, the deal does not increase F-35 production rates.
     Key questions remain unresolved, including the total cost to taxpayers, expected savings from the multi-year approach, and whether Congress will approve the arrangement. The framework is not yet a finalized procurement contract.

14. Expeditors News: “China Announces Proposed and Updated Export Controls”
(Source: Expeditors News, 23 Oct 2026) [Editor’s Summary]

     In October 2026, China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) and Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) proposed expanding the Catalogue of Technologies Prohibited or Restricted from Export by adding 40 technologies, including 23 related to artificial intelligence, five biomedical technologies, and 12 photovoltaic technologies.
     The proposal also covers key equipment incorporating or using these controlled technologies. Although the proposed measures remain open for public comment until November 15, 2026, an export pre-registration requirement took effect immediately upon publication and applies even to certain ongoing or in-transit transactions.
     Separately, MOFCOM, the General Administration of Customs, and the Central Military Commission Equipment Development Department announced updated export controls on specified unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), related components, software, and technologies.
     Covered items include certain engines, autopilots, communications equipment, motors, propeller blades, and autonomous navigation technologies. Effective November 18, 2026, exports of these items will require authorization, and exporters must provide technical details in customs filings. China’s Dual-Use Items Export Control List will be updated concurrently.
     Announcement 48 of 2026 on AI, biomedical & photovoltaic Technologies is HERE. Announcement 49 of 2026 on UAV-related items is HERE.

15. ST&R Trade Report: “The Week Ahead: Right to Make Entry, Trade Policy, Foreign Barriers, Export Manifests”
(Source: Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg Trade Report, 23 Oct 2026). Contact: [email protected], 1-305-894-1035

16. ST&R Trade Report: “CBP Modifies Test of Informal Entry for Mail Shipments”
(Source: Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg Trade Report, 23 Oct 2026). [Excerpts] Contact: [email protected], 1-305-894-1035

     Effective Oct. 22, U.S. Customs and Border Protection is modifying its test of a new electronic informal entry type for merchandise entering the U.S. through the international mail process to permit transmission of the entry with or without electronic partner government agency data.
     On Sept. 22 CBP began a test of entry type 13, a new electronic informal entry process for shipments valued at $2,500 or less, including those that would previously have been eligible for the de minimis duty exemption, that are sent to the U.S. through the international postal network.
     This test creates an informal entry pathway for low-value international mail shipments subject to PGA data requirements or duties other than those set forth in HTSUS Chapters 1-97 (which are ineligible for the interim process for informal mail entries).
     CBP states that test participants with shipments subject to PGA data requirements may transmit PGA data electronically in ACE with their entry type 13 filing. . . . [Full article]

17. Baker McKenzie: “OFAC Designates the International Criminal Court and Issues Four Related General Licenses”
(Source: Global Sanctions and Export Controls Blog, 21 Oct 2026) [Editor’s Summary]
• Principal Author: Alison J. Stafford Powell, Baker McKenzie

     On October 9, 2026, OFAC designated the International Criminal Court (ICC) as a Specially Designated National under Executive Order 14203, extending sanctions beyond the 17 ICC officials previously listed.
     As a result, ICC property and interests in property subject to U.S. jurisdiction are blocked, and most transactions involving the court by U.S. persons are prohibited.
     OFAC simultaneously issued four general licenses. GL 13 authorizes a 180-day wind-down period through April 7, 2027. GL 14 permits certain telecommunications, software, internet, and IT-related services involving the ICC. GL 15 authorizes processing of ICC-related pension payments, subject to specified blocking requirements. GL 16 permits transactions necessary for the detention, health, safety, and welfare of nine specified detainees.
     On October 10, the European Union criticized the sanctions, urged their reversal, and said it stands ready to take measures to ensure the ICC can continue operating effectively. [Original article]

18. Export Practitioner: “EU Prepares Blocking Statute to Counter U.S. Sanctions on International Criminal Court”
(Source: Export Practitioner, 22 Oct 2026) [Editor’s summary of subscription article.]

     The European Union is considering use of its blocking statute to protect European companies from U.S. sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC). The move follows the Trump administration’s October 9 designation of the ICC as a sanctioned entity and could prohibit certain EU firms from complying with related U.S. sanctions.
     The dispute centers on preserving the ICC’s access to banking, technology, and other essential services. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Brussels is preparing possible countermeasures while continuing negotiations with Washington.
     The U.S. measures include a 180-day transition period and several OFAC general licenses authorizing specified transactions.
     If the blocking statute is extended to cover the ICC sanctions, multinational companies, banks, and technology providers could face conflicting U.S. and EU legal obligations, creating significant compliance challenges for businesses operating on both sides of the Atlantic.
     [Full article]

19. Steptoe: “Department of State Proposes Targeted ITAR And USML Decontrols”
(Source: Steptoe Int’l Compliance Blog, 21 Oct 2026) [Editor’s Summary]
• Principal Author: Carie Cartwright, Steptoe LLP

     On October 1, 2026, the U.S. Department of State proposed revisions to the ITAR and U.S. Munitions List (USML) aimed at focusing controls on items that provide a critical military or intelligence advantage while reducing regulatory burdens and classification uncertainty. Comments are due by November 30, 2026.
     Key proposals include targeted decontrols, such as removing most radar altimeters from Category VIII, narrowing controls on certain protective equipment and submersible-related items, and removing specific launchers from Category II. DDTC also seeks input on commercial uses, civil applications, and foreign availability of controlled items.
     The rule would create new USML exclusions clarifying when modified items no longer remain controlled and codifying exclusions for unclassified marketing and functional descriptions. It would also narrow the “specially designed” analysis to prevent certain EAR-controlled items from becoming ITAR-controlled solely through later use in defense articles.
     Finally, DDTC proposes a new exemption allowing temporary exports of certain foreign defense articles for repair and solicits comments on broader ITAR modernization opportunities. . . . [Full article]

20. ST&R Trade Report: “Beef Import Regulations Would be Amended Under USDA Proposal”
(Source: Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg Trade Report, 23 Oct 2026) Contact: [email protected], 1-305-894-1035

     The Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is proposing to lower from 4 ºC to 2 ºC the minimum maturation temperature for fresh (chilled or frozen) boneless beef and ovine meat from certain listed regions or countries affected with foot-and-mouth disease.
     Comments on this proposal are due no later than Dec. 21. APHIS states that all other existing mitigations for the importation of beef from regions or countries affected with FMD would remain unchanged.

21. FD Associates Presents: “Advanced ITAR Compliance Programs” Workshop, 18-19 Nov 2026
(Source: Sarah Huffman)

22. List of Export/Import Job Openings
(Source: Editor)

RECENT:

FULL LIST (Includes above entries.):

24. Bartlett's Unfamiliar Quotations
(Source: Brainy Quotes)

Friday Funnies:

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.