CBP publishes advance traveler information rule for rail

USTR invokes USMCA Rapid Response Mechanism for review of alleged workers' rights denial at GLM Components Mexico

USTR has invoked the USMCA Rapid Response Labor Mechanism and asked Mexico to review whether workers at GLM Components Mexico, S.A. de C.V., an auto parts facility in Puebla, Mexico, are being denied freedom of association and collective bargaining. The action follows a September 8, 2026 RRM petition from the Sindicato Regeneración Nacional de Trabajadores y Empleados de la República Mexicana "Morenas" and an Interagency Labor Committee determination of sufficient, credible evidence. The Trade Representative has directed the Secretary of the Treasury to suspend liquidation of unliquidated entries of goods from the GLM Components facility.

CBSA arrests and charges Brampton man in firearm smuggling investigation

The Canada Border Services Agency arrested and charged Nasser Gholami, 47, of Brampton, Ontario, with multiple firearm-related offences after its Ontario Firearms Smuggling Enforcement Team investigated a parcel from the United States intercepted at the CBSA's Mississauga commercial operations facility on July 23, 2026, in which officers seized two complete firearms suppressors. A September 24, 2026 search warrant at Gholami's Brampton residence led to the seizure of three non-restricted firearms, one prohibited suppressor attached to one of the firearms, digital devices and ammunition. The charges include one count of smuggling prohibited devices (suppressors) under s.

CBP seeks comments on court-ordered refunds worksheet under IEEPA

CBP will submit an information collection request to OMB for review and approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 covering the Court-Ordered Refunds Under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act Worksheet. Comments must be submitted no later than November 4, 2026, through www.reginfo.gov by selecting "Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments" or using the search function. The notice does not state the worksheet's contents, the refund process it supports or any change to entry or refund procedures.

CBSA restricts oversized commercial vehicles at Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle crossing from April 21, 2025

CBSA states in Customs Notice 25-18 that, effective April 21, 2025, oversized commercial vehicles can no longer enter Canada northbound through the Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle (Highway 15) border crossing, due to power line and overhead cable installation and port-of-entry modernization work. Oversized vehicles are those with trailers exceeding 5 metres (16.4 feet) in height, 2.6 metres (8.5 feet) in width and 16.1 metres (53 feet) in length; road trains of these dimensions remain authorized.

CBP seeks comments on new Client Representative Technical Assistance Portal information collection

CBP is submitting a new information collection, the Client Representative Technical Assistance Portal (CR-TAP), to the Office of Management and Budget for review and approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Comments must be submitted no later than November 2, 2026, through www.reginfo.gov by selecting "Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments." The notice does not state what information the collection requires or who must report it.

CBP seizes 200 counterfeit Cartier watches worth $28 million in Chicago

CBP's Anti-Terrorism Contraband Enforcement Team at Chicago O'Hare International Airport seized two shipments containing 200 counterfeit Cartier watches on September 18; the shipment from Hong Kong was headed for California. CBP's Centers of Excellence and Expertise deemed the watches inauthentic, and they were seized for bearing counterfeit versions of registered and recorded trademarks. CBP valued the shipment at a combined manufacturer's suggested retail price of $28 million had the items been genuine.

CBP accredits Laboratory Services, Inc. (Kemah, TX) as a commercial gauger and laboratory

CBP states in a Federal Register notice that Laboratory Services, Inc. (Kemah, TX) has been approved to gauge and accredited to test petroleum and certain petroleum products for customs purposes for the next three years as of July 22, 2025. The next triennial inspection date will be scheduled for July 2028.

CBP accredits Intertek USA in Carteret, NJ, as commercial gauger and laboratory

CBP states in a Federal Register notice that Intertek USA, Inc. (Carteret, NJ), has been approved to gauge and accredited to test petroleum and certain petroleum products for customs purposes for the next three years as of August 28, 2025. The next triennial inspection date will be scheduled for August 2028.

CBP accredits Intertek USA (Chelsea, MA) as commercial gauger and laboratory

CBP states in a Federal Register notice that Intertek USA, Inc. (Chelsea, MA), has been approved to gauge and accredited to test petroleum and certain petroleum products for customs purposes for the next three years as of August 28, 2024. The next triennial inspection date will be scheduled for August 2027.

CBP issues Withhold Release Orders on palm oil from Indonesia's Mitra Aneka Rezeki and Hardaya Inti Plantation

CBP issued two Withhold Release Orders against palm oil and its derivative products produced in Indonesia by Mitra Aneka Rezeki and Hardaya Inti Plantation, effective immediately, and personnel at all U.S. ports of entry will detain those shipments. CBP found violations of 19 U.S.C. § 1307, which prohibits goods made with forced labor from entering the United States, after a review citing nine International Labour Organization indicators of forced labor at MAR and seven at HIP. CBP now oversees and enforces 60 WROs and eight Findings under 19 U.S.C. § 1307.

CBP seizes five shipments in Virginia over counterfeit, unsafe and fraudulently imported goods

CBP officers in Norfolk, Virginia seized five shipments of imported consumer goods — including dry-fit t-shirts from Morocco, rugs from Turkey, ceramic tiles and Land Rover parts from China, ceramic sinks from China and carpet rolls from China — for counterfeit certification marks, violations of the Flammable Fabrics Act and importation using stolen identities, with a combined value of nearly $856,000. The most recent seizure, on Tuesday, covered 697 cartons of t-shirts valued at $61,240; the largest, 1,176 rolls of carpet bearing counterfeit OEKO-TEX labels, was valued at $686,000 had it been authentic. The shipments were destined to Albany, N.Y., Tustin, Calif., San Francisco and Atlanta.

CBSA charges Ontario man with firearm smuggling after Essex County seizure of 53 firearms

The Canada Border Services Agency states that its Ontario Firearms Smuggling Enforcement Team arrested Frank Charette of Cottam, Ontario and charged him with smuggling controlled goods, importing goods without a permit and multiple Criminal Code firearm offences after an investigation into the smuggling of firearm parts from the United States. Search warrants executed in Essex County on July 15, 2026 with the RCMP and Ontario Provincial Police resulted in the seizure of 53 firearms, including six unlawfully possessed handguns, two unregistered sub-machine guns, 116 cartridge magazines, 39 of them over capacity, and one auto-sear. He is scheduled to appear at the Windsor courthouse on November 16, 2026.

CBP intercepts first-in-nation plant pathogen Davisoniella eucalypti at Houston airport

CBP states that its agriculture specialists at George Bush Intercontinental Airport intercepted eucalyptus leaves carrying the plant pathogen Davisoniella eucalypti in the baggage of a traveler from New Zealand, and that USDA plant pathologists confirmed the identification. CBP says this is the first time this pathogen has been intercepted at a U.S. port of entry. The intercepted leaves were destroyed in accordance with USDA protocols.

CBP keeps quarterly IRS interest rates for customs duty underpayments and refunds unchanged from October 1, 2026

CBP states in a general notice that the quarterly IRS interest rates used to calculate interest on overdue accounts (underpayments) and refunds (overpayments) of customs duties will remain the same from the previous quarter. For the calendar quarter beginning October 1, 2026, the underpayment rate is 7 percent for both corporations and non-corporations, and the overpayment rate is 7 percent for non-corporations and 6 percent for corporations. The rates are applicable as of October 1, 2026.

CBP begins removing importers of record in regulatory crackdown

CBP has begun purging importers of record as part of a regulatory crackdown, according to JOC. The report does not state which importers, products or HTS codes are affected, the legal basis for the removals, or an effective date.

CBP intercepts first-in-nation giant scale insects at Detroit airport

CBP states that its agriculture specialists at Detroit Metropolitan Airport intercepted a first-in-nation batch of giant scale insects, tentatively identified in February and confirmed by the USDA on Aug. 7 as belonging to the Aspidoproctus species. The roughly 5-mm insects were found feeding on fresh pine bark brought in for medicinal purposes during a baggage examination of a passenger in transit from Cameroon to Illinois. The scales and bark were seized for further analysis, and the traveler, a citizen of Cameroon, was advised of applicable regulations and released. Records indicate this was the first time the species had been encountered at a U.S. port of entry.

CBP seeks comments on revised information collection for exportation of used self-propelled vehicles

CBP is submitting a revised information collection on the exportation of used self-propelled vehicles, OMB Control Number 1651-0054, to the Office of Management and Budget for review and approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act. Comments must be submitted no later than November 16, 2026, to CBP_PRA@cbp.dhs.gov, with the OMB Control Number 1651-0054 in the subject line. The notice does not state what changes the revision makes to the collection.

CBP hosts 2026 Trade and Cargo Security Summit in Dallas

U.S. Customs and Border Protection hosted the 2026 Trade and Cargo Security Summit in Dallas, Texas from Sept. 8-10, with 1,300 in-person and 3,000 virtual participants, under the theme "Knowing Your Supply Chain to Remain Compliant and Mitigate Risk." CBP Deputy Commissioner Ron Vitiello's opening remarks covered the Strengthening Customs Enforcement Executive Order, illegal transshipment, forced labor enforcement, ACE modernization, Enforce and Protect Act investigations and supply chain security. CBP encouraged attendees to file formal comments on the Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking titled "Heightened Import Disclosures for Supply Chain Visibility."

CBP accredits Bennett Testing Service as a commercial gauger and laboratory

CBP states in a Federal Register notice that Bennett Testing Service, Inc. (Rahway, NJ), has been approved to gauge and accredited to test petroleum and certain petroleum products for customs purposes for the next three years as of August 28, 2025. The next triennial inspection date will be scheduled for August 2028.

CBP approves Saybolt LP (Pittsburgh, PA) as a commercial gauger

CBP states in a Federal Register notice that Saybolt LP (Pittsburgh, PA) has been approved to gauge petroleum and certain petroleum products for customs purposes for the next three years as of September 3, 2025. The next triennial inspection date will be scheduled for September 2028.

CBP accredits Saybolt LP in Deer Park, TX, as commercial gauger and laboratory

CBP states in a Federal Register notice that Saybolt LP (Deer Park, TX) has been approved to gauge and accredited to test petroleum and certain petroleum products for customs purposes for the next three years, as of October 29, 2025. The approval and accreditation cover gauging and testing of petroleum and certain petroleum products. The next triennial inspection date will be scheduled for October 2028.

CBSA seizes over $13.8 million in tobacco and nicotine products across Southern Ontario in August

The Canada Border Services Agency states that its officers at land ports of entry across the Southern Ontario Region seized illicit tobacco and nicotine products valued at more than $13.8 million during August, with the majority of the seizures involving significant quantities in commercial shipments from the United States. Notable seizures included 14,964 kg of loose-leaf tobacco valued at $2,765,969 at the Blue Water Bridge on August 20, 1,781,000 cigarettes valued at $333,189 at the Ambassador Bridge on August 17, and 2,796 kg of nicotine pouches valued at $2,983,499 at the Blue Water Bridge on August 11.

CBP seeks comments on advance rule for heightened import supply chain disclosures

CBP issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking stating it is considering amending its regulations to require greater visibility into the supply chains of goods imported into the United States, including information on the parties involved in importation, technical solutions for tracing supply chains, and foreign export documentation that foreign exporters must submit to their customs authority before export to the United States. CBP says the proposals aim to detect and interdict illicit importations, especially goods illegally transshipped to evade U.S. customs and trade laws. Comments are due on or before December 1, 2026, under docket number USCBP-2026-1058.

CBP publishes Rail Electronic Export Manifest final rule requiring advance electronic manifests

CBP published the Rail Electronic Export Manifest Final Rule on August 26, 2026, requiring advance submission of electronic rail export manifests in the Automated Commercial Environment's Electronic Export Manifest system. The rule makes EEM mandatory for electronic rail manifest processing, moving beyond the current EEM Pilot. The notice does not state an effective date or compliance deadline.

CBP seizes 875 counterfeit jewelry pieces from Hong Kong shipment in Indianapolis

CBP officers at Indianapolis' express consignment facility seized a shipment from Hong Kong containing 875 pieces of jewelry and five designer handbags bearing suspected Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Versace, Gucci, Tiffany & Company, Cartier and Van Cleef and Arpels trademarks, deemed inauthentic by CBP's Centers of Excellence and Expertise. The shipment, headed to a residence in Georgia, was seized on August 18 for bearing counterfeit versions of registered and recorded trademarks; CBP states the items would have had a combined manufacturer's suggested retail price of over $3.7 million had they been genuine.

CBSA announces closure of East Farnham, Quebec highway sufferance warehouse

CBSA states in Customs Notice 26-18 that, effective August 10, 2026, the company at 100, Leon Paul, East Farnham, Quebec surrendered its "BW" type highway sufferance warehouse license, and CBSA has decided not to advertise for a new highway sufferance warehouse at this port. As a result, effective August 10, 2026, all bonded highway carriers transporting commercial freight for clearance at the East Farnham, Quebec port of entry must declare at another highway sufferance warehouse. Questions go to Superintendent Michel Dubois at the Stanstead office.

CBSA announces closure of St-Cesaire, Quebec highway sufferance warehouse

CBSA states in Customs Notice 26-19 that, effective August 10, 2026, the company at 2500, chemin St-François, St-Cesaire, Quebec surrendered its "BW" type highway sufferance warehouse licence, and CBSA has decided not to advertise for a new highway sufferance warehouse at this port. As a result, effective August 10, 2026, all bonded highway carriers transporting commercial freight for clearance at the St-Cesaire, Quebec port of entry must declare at another highway sufferance warehouse.

CBSA to close Remote Area Border Crossing Program on December 1, 2026, replacing it with telephone reporting

The Canada Border Services Agency states that the Remote Area Border Crossing (RABC) Program will close on December 1, 2026, and that travellers entering Canada through remote areas of northern Ontario or from the Northwest Angle into southern Manitoba must then report to the CBSA at a port of entry or a designated telephone reporting site. Telephone reporting will be introduced in the Northwest Angle Area, Pigeon River through to and including Lake of the Woods, the Canadian shore of Lake Superior, Sault Ste. Marie (upper lock system) and Cockburn Island. Active RABC permits have been extended and remain valid until 11:59 p.m. on November 30, 2026.

CBP seizes 300 counterfeit Audemars Piguet watches in Louisville

CBP states that on July 31 its officers at the Port of Louisville, Kentucky intercepted a shipment from Hong Kong containing 300 Audemars Piguet watches, which CBP's Centers of Excellence and Expertise deemed inauthentic; the watches were seized for bearing counterfeit versions of registered and recorded trademarks. CBP says the shipment was headed for a residence in Houston and would have had a combined manufacturer's suggested retail price of over $43 million had the watches been genuine.

CBP seizes nearly $4 million in counterfeit MLB, Nike, Louis Vuitton and Jaguar goods at Houston airport

CBP states that officers from the George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) Trade Enforcement Team seized nearly $4 million in counterfeit goods, including fake MLB and Nike apparel, Louis Vuitton bags, Cartier sunglasses and Jaguar Land Rover computer systems, with a Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price of $3.7 million. Most shipments originated from China and were destined for locations both within and outside the United States. CBP's Centers of Excellence and Expertise deemed the items inauthentic, and they were seized for bearing counterfeit versions of registered and recorded trademarks.

CBP Office of Field Operations launches OFO Strategy 2026-2030

CBP's Office of Field Operations unveiled the "OFO Strategy 2026-2030," a roadmap setting four goals for its ports-of-entry operations: national security, economic security, integration and workforce cultivation. The strategy covers intelligence-based targeting, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, modernization of port infrastructure and technology, and industry awareness. CBP states that in Fiscal Year 2025 OFO processed approximately 380 million travelers and $3.6 trillion in import cargo.

CBSA to end Commercial Driver Registration Program on September 1, 2026

The Canada Border Services Agency states that, as of September 1, 2026, it is ending the Commercial Driver Registration Program (CDRP) because of low uptake and because it duplicates the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program. CDRP applications received on or before September 1, 2026, will continue to be processed, and current membership cards remain valid until their expiry date. Commercial drivers who want to maintain their Trusted Trader benefits are encouraged to apply to FAST.

CBP reports record $1 billion in additional duties owed under EAPA

CBP announced that it has uncovered more than $1 billion in additional duties owed under the Enforce and Protect Act, a first in the program's 10-year history and 300% above the program's annual average. CBP issued 14 notices of determination in 2026 covering products including solar cells, tow-behind lawn groomers, lumber, pipes, xanthan gum, metal lockers and wooden furniture imported from countries across the globe, and investigators traveled to Mexico, Thailand, India, New Zealand and the United Kingdom to inspect production facilities. The agency says EAPA investigations are required by statute to conclude within one year.

CBP reports 14 straight months of zero border releases and June enforcement statistics

CBP announced 14 consecutive months of zero releases at the border, with nationwide encounters in June at 31,626, 4% lower than May, and southwest border apprehensions 94% below the monthly average of the Biden administration. In trade enforcement, CBP processed $330 billion in imports in June 2026 and identified $22.9 billion in duties for collection. CBP also stopped 372 shipments valued at more than $38 million for potential forced labor violations and seized nearly 2 million counterfeit goods valued at over $1.4 billion.

CBSA lays criminal charges after seizing prohibited firearms at Lansdowne port of entry

The Canada Border Services Agency has laid multiple charges against two individuals after seizing eight firearms, including four prohibited firearms, 13 magazines, including seven prohibited over-capacity magazines, 1,500 rounds of ammunition and personal amounts of suspected narcotics at the Lansdowne (Thousand Islands Bridge) port of entry on May 23, 2026. Daniel Sargent (59) of Virginia and Danette Garrelts (56) of California were each charged under the Customs Act, the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Cannabis Act and the Criminal Code, including counts of smuggling, failing to report goods and unauthorized importation of a firearm.

RCMP charges St. John's man after CBSA intercepts prohibited device at Mississauga mail centre

The RCMP's Federal Policing – Eastern Region charged 38-year-old Lee Ballett of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador on June 24, 2026, after CBSA officers at the International Mail Processing Centre in Mississauga, Ontario intercepted a package from an international shipper containing a device prohibited under the Criminal Code. The charges include unauthorized importing or exporting, two counts of unauthorized possession of a prohibited device, five counts of unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of a Schedule III substance under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, and keeping, acquiring or disposing of illegally imported goods and smuggling into Canada under the Customs Act.

CBSA issues summer travel tips for entering Canada

The Canada Border Services Agency on June 22, 2026 reminded travellers to plan ahead when crossing into Canada this summer, listing tips that include having travel documents ready, using Advance Declaration up to 72 hours before arrival at participating airports, checking border wait times and port-of-entry hours, and declaring all goods. The CBSA said construction at the Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle port of entry may cause higher than normal wait times and suggested alternative ports.

CBP officers in Cincinnati seize 111 counterfeit watches and fashion accessories from Colombia

CBP officers at the port of Cincinnati stopped a shipment on June 3 containing 111 pieces of counterfeit items, including 44 Rolex watch models, 4 Richard Mille watches, 10 Cartier watches, 20 hats from Prada, ALO, Gucci and Coach, and 62 pairs of designer branded sunglasses and glasses. The shipment from Colombia was headed for a residence in Puerto Rico; CBP's Centers of Excellence and Expertise deemed the items inauthentic and seized them for bearing counterfeit versions of registered and recorded trademarks. Had the items been genuine, CBP states the shipment would have had a combined Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price of over $19.26 million.

CBP prepares World Cup security and counterfeit merchandise enforcement

U.S. Customs and Border Protection states it has established a CBP World Cup Task Force to coordinate security operations across all FIFA World Cup 2026 host cities, and that its Office of Field Operations has increased officer numbers, expanded hours and added screening technology at key ports. CBP says officers and import specialists will inspect goods entering for the tournament, working with the USDA, CDC and FDA on agricultural and biological materials, and that it has expanded intellectual property rights enforcement training on counterfeit FIFA merchandise.