California Lab Approved for Customs Oil Gauging Duties

2026-17390, Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Electronic Export Manifest for Rail Cargo

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is revising its regulations pursuant to the Trade Act of 2002 requiring the transmission of export manifest data electronically in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) for cargo transported by rail for any train departing the United States. This rule mandates the electronic transmission of rail export manifest information, identifies the parties eligible to transmit information, and describes the time frames prior to departure in which the information is due. This rule enables CBP to address important cargo security concerns while providing efficiencies to the trade.

2026-12670, Indefinite Suspension of the De Minimis Exemption for Merchandise Arriving Through All Modes Other Than the International Postal Network

Starting June 24, 2026, small shipments worth $800 or less arriving by anything but the international postal network will no longer skip customs checks. This means everyone importing these goods must follow formal or informal entry rules, which could mean more paperwork and possible fees. If you’re a shopper, seller, or shipper using other delivery methods, get ready for this change and share your thoughts by July 24, 2026!

2026-12669, Indefinite Suspension of the De Minimis Exemption for Mail Shipments and New Postal Informal Entry Process

Starting July 24, 2026, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection is stopping the $800 tax-free rule for mail shipments coming into the U.S. Instead, a new process will handle these packages to better track and tax imports. This change affects anyone sending or receiving international mail and aims to protect U.S. revenue from unpaid duties.

2026-17354, Establishment of Four Customs-Enforcement Areas

This document sets forth the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) declaration establishing four Customs- Enforcement Areas (CEA) in the near shore waters of South Florida, Central/Southern California, Puerto Rico, and the Gulf Coast of Texas. This action will further CBP efforts to interdict hovering vessels utilized for smuggling illegal cargoes into or out of the United States specifically within the CEAs. Additionally, this action authorizes customs officers and agents to enforce applicable U.S. laws, including the authorization to board vessels, examine vessels, merchandise and persons on board, bring the same into port, and pursue, seize, and arrest individuals, within the CEAs.

2026-16911, Accuracy of Importer of Record Data Submitted to CBP

Starting September 18, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will crack down on importers by making sure all their info on Form 5106 is 100% accurate. If importers or their brokers mess up or give wrong details, their Importer of Record (IOR) numbers could be canceled right away. This means importers need to double-check their info to avoid losing their IOR number and facing enforcement actions.

2026-16432, Imposition of Import Restrictions on Categories of Archaeological and Ethnological Material of Nepal

This document amends U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations to reflect the imposition of import restrictions on certain archaeological and ethnological material from the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal (Nepal). These restrictions are imposed pursuant to an agreement between the United States and Nepal, entered into under the authority of the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act. This document amends the CBP regulations by adding Nepal to the list of countries which have bilateral agreements with the United States imposing cultural property import restrictions and contains the Designated List, describing the archaeological and ethnological material to which the restrictions apply.

Previous: 2025-09569, Withdrawal of National Environmental Policy Act Guidance on Consideration of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate Change

The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) is pulling back its 2023 advice on how to think about greenhouse gas emissions and climate change when making big government decisions. This change affects federal agencies that review projects under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). It means those agencies will no longer have to follow the withdrawn guidance, which could speed up project reviews and impact how climate factors are considered.

Next: 2025-09571, Accreditation and Approval of Intertek USA, Inc. (Sulphur, LA) as a Commercial Gauger and Laboratory

Intertek USA, Inc. in Sulphur, LA, just got the green light to measure and test petroleum products for customs for the next three years starting March 22, 2023. This means businesses dealing with petroleum can trust Intertek’s work for official customs checks. No extra costs or changes for you, just smoother, official testing ahead!