On April 1, 2026, Senior Judge Richard Eaton of the U.S. Court of International Trade (“CIT”) issued an order in Atmus Filtration, Inc. v. United States, the lead case addressing refunds of duties paid under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”), concluding that the government “continues to make satisfactory progress” and “is on
CIT Expands IEEPA Tariff Refund Order to Include Finally Liquidated Entries
On March 27, 2026, Senior Judge Richard Eaton of the U.S. Court of International Trade (“CIT”) issued an order in Atmus Filtration, Inc. v. United States, updating his March 20, 2026 order regarding refunds of duties paid under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”). (For background on the March 20, 2026 order, see
CIT Judge Further Amends IEEPA Order, Noting Protests for Liquidated Entries
On March 20, 2026, Senior Judge Richard Eaton of the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) issued another Order in Atmus Filtration Inc. vs. United States regarding refunds of duties paid under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). In summarizing the CIT’s March 19, 2026 closed conference with plaintiff and government legal counsel, the
Eaton Formally Assigned IEEPA Tariff Refund Litigation, Signals New Lead Case
On March 17, 2026, Chief Judge Mark Barnett of the U.S. Court of International Trade (“CIT”) issued an order of reassignment transferring cases seeking refunds of duties paid under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”) to CIT Senior Judge Richard Eaton. Chief Judge Barnett’s order effectively ratified Judge Eaton’s March 4, 2026 order in
USTR Launches Section 301 Investigations into Forced Labor Practices
On March 12, 2026, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced that it was launching Section 301 investigations into 60 trade partners to determine whether they have been engaged in forced labor practices. The investigations, to be conducted pursuant to Section 301of the Trade Act of 1974, include China, the European Union, India, and Mexico. A
OFAC Issues Russia General License Allowing Delivery and Sale of Russian Crude Oil and Petroleum
On March 12, 2026, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued Russia-related General License 134, “Authorizing the Delivery and Sale of Crude Oil and Petroleum Products of Russian Federation Origin Loaded on Vessels as of March 12, 2026.” The general license authorizes transactions “that are ordinarily incident and necessary
CBP Reports Progress on IEEPA Tariff Refund Process
On March 12, 2026, Judge Richard Eaton of the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) held a second conference with the parties in the Atmus Filtration, Inc. vs. United States, et al. litigation matter regarding the progress of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in establishing a process and procedures to allow for automated refund of
Two Steps Importers Should Take Now to Prepare for IEEPA Tariff Refunds
On March 6, 2026, Brandon Lord, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) official who, inter alia, leads CBP’s strategic efforts to enforce and protect tariff revenue, submitted a declaration to the U.S. Court of International Trade outlining a proposed process for issuing refunds for importers who have paid tariffs under the International Emergency Economic
CIT Suspends Earlier Order Directing IEEPA Tariff Refunds
On March 6, 2026, Judge Richard Eaton of the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT or Court) held a closed conference in Atmus Filtration, Inc. vs. United States, to continue the Court’s process in determining how the International Economic Emergency Powers Act (IEEPA) tariffs can be refunded to importers of record. At the conclusion of
CIT Orders Refund of IEEPA Tariffs
On March 4, 2026, in Atmus Filtration, Inc. vs. United States, Judge Richard Eaton of the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) issued an order, referencing the U.S. Supreme Court’s February 20, 2026 ruling in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump declaring International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariffs unlawful, that: (1) “[a]ll importers