On January 17, 2025, the Department of State’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) published an Interim Final Rule that will amend §§ 121.0 and 121.1 of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) by revising certain U.S. Munitions List (USML) definitions, adding new definitions, and updating certain parts of the USML under categories II
CBP Publishes Proposed Rule to Limit Duty Exemption for Certain Low-Value Shipments
On January 17, 2025, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) intended to tighten the de minimis duty exemption for certain low-value shipments entering the United States. Under the proposed rule, merchandise subject to specific trade and national security actions would no longer qualify for the de minimis exemption and
USTR Releases Determination Finding that China’s Targeting of the Maritime, Logistics, and Shipbuilding Sectors for Dominance Is Actionable Under Section 301
On January 16, 2025, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) released its report and findings in the Section 301 investigation of China’s targeting of the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors for dominance, concluding that China’s targeted dominance in these sectors is unreasonable and burdens or restricts U.S. commerce, and is thus “actionable” under
DHS Updates UFLPA Entity List with Additional Chinese Companies; USTR Releases Trade Strategy to Combat Forced Labor
On January 14, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the addition of 37 companies based in China to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) Entity List, bringing the total number of entities on the UFLPA Entity List to nearly 150 entities.
According to a press release by DHS, the entities added include globally recognized
OFAC Takes Further Action on Russia’s Attempts to Evade U.S. Sanctions
The Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Controls (OFAC) has issued further sanctions (see also January 15, 2025 Thompson Hine Update) to address Russia’s continued efforts to evade U.S. sanctions. OFAC noted in a press release that this latest action “targets a sanctions evasion scheme established between actors in Russia and [China]
BIS Adds 27 Chinese Companies to Entity List
On January 15, 2025, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) issued two Final Rules adding 27 companies to the Entity List.
In the first Final Rule, BIS added 16 entities under the destinations of China (14) and Singapore (2). These entities are being added to the Entity List due to
Treasury and State Departments Further Increase Sanctions on Russia by Targeting Its Oil and Gas Production Sectors
On January 10, 2025, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) targeted significant entities involved in Russia’s oil production, maritime insurers, maritime oil tankers, and other entities and persons engaged in Russia’s energy sector. According to an OFAC press release, the sanctions block two major Russian oil producers, over 180
CBP Issues Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to Address Low-Value Shipments into the United States
On January 14, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPR) that would amend CBP regulations pertaining to the entry of certain low-value (i.e., de minimis) shipments into the United States not exceeding $800 that are currently eligible for an administrative exemption from duty and tax. CBP states
OFAC Sanctions Venezuelan Officials Supporting Nicolas Maduro’s Regime
On January 10, 2025, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated and placed eight Venezuelan officials on the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List for “enabling Nicolas Maduro’s repression and subversion of democracy in Venezuela.” The individuals sanctioned include the president of Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A., (PdVSA), Venezuela’s state-owned oil company
OFAC Issues Syria General License Addressing Sanctions Relief for Syrian People
On January 6, 2025, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued Syria General License (GL) 24 to expand authorizations for activities and transactions in Syria following the events of December 8, 2024, and the removal of Bashar al-Assad from power. The intent of the GL is to ensure that U.S.