As of October 1, 2025, federal funding lapsed for numerous U.S. government agencies, including those engaged in sanctions, export control, and customs compliance and enforcement. Due to the lack of funding, export licensing functions have been significantly curtailed. Below is an overview of the status of key operations at OFAC, DDTC, BIS, and CBP.
William L. Matthews**
Bill has 40 years of experience in international trade. He assists the group’s lawyers in advising clients on matters regarding customs law, regulations and procedures; antidumping and countervailing duty proceedings; import and export policies; and WTO issues.
**Not licensed to practice law.
CIT Enjoins IEEPA Tariffs but CAFC Issues Temporary Stay – Analysis & Recommendations
- On May 28, the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) permanently enjoined tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), finding that he exceeded statutory and constitutional authority by imposing broad tariffs on imports from China, Canada, Mexico, and other countries.
- The CIT held that IEEPA does
CBP Adds New Forced Labor Benefits to CTPAT Trade Compliance Program
On November 18, 2022, Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) director Manual Garza announced that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) added three new forced labor benefits for its trade compliance partners “to the greatest extent possible and practical effective immediately.” These benefits include:
- Front of the Line Admissibility Review: CTPAT trade compliance members who have
…
CBP Issues WRO on Sugar Produced by Central Romana in the Dominican Republic Following Forced Labor Investigation
On November 23, 2022, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a Withhold Release Order (WRO) that mandates CBP personnel at all U.S. ports of entry detain raw sugar and sugar-based products produced in the Dominican Republic by Central Romana Corporation Limited (Central Romana). This WRO followed an investigation that reasonably indicated Central Romana uses forced…
Updated: CBP Postpones Implementation of UFLPA Region Alert
UPDATE: On November 1, 2022, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a message announcing that implementation of its Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) Region Alert is postponed until further notice. CBP stated that its Office of Trade “is actively working with impacted users to address concerns” and that a new implementation date will…
