Customs news
Daily news on nomenclatures, tariffs and customs regulations, written by AI from cited public sources.
Mexico: 50% tariff on Chinese cars confirmed to stay, amid USMCA/T-MEC renegotiation
On 20 October 2026, Mexico's Ministry of Economy confirmed to car dealers that the 50% tariff on Chinese vehicles will remain in force, despite fears of losing Chinese industrial investment. This confirmation comes as Mexico simultaneously negotiates with Washington a reduction of its own US tariff from 25% to 15% on vehicles manufactured in Mexico, as part of the USMCA/T-MEC annual review.
Written with the help of an AI model (Anthropic) — for information only
Canadian cheeses: US importer takes legal action against Trump's 50% tariffs imposed via a 1930 customs law
On 20 October 2026, food importer Gellert Global Group filed a case with the US Court of International Trade seeking to have the 50% tariffs imposed on certain Canadian products, including cheeses, annulled. The complaint, brought by the same firm that brought down the IEEPA tariffs before the Supreme Court in February, could undermine one of the US administration's last tariff weapons against Canada.
Written with the help of an AI model (Anthropic) — for information only
India adjusts customs tariff values on 15 October: new basis for calculation on oils, gold and silver from 16 October 2026
On 15 October 2026, the Indian customs administration published notification No. 86/2026-Customs, revising the reference tariff values for eight categories of strategic products, applicable from 16 October. These new values — which serve as the basis for calculating customs duties — concern palm oils, soya bean oil, brass scrap, gold, silver and areca nuts, and immediately alter the customs equation for all European, American and global importers purchasing these raw materials into the Indian market.
Written with the help of an AI model (Anthropic) — for information only
Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein sign free trade agreement with Vietnam yesterday: immediate elimination of duties on Vietnamese products and zero tariffs on Norwegian salmon
On 18 October 2026, Vietnam and the four EFTA countries signed a free trade agreement in Hanoi after 14 years of negotiations. The European countries will immediately remove customs duties on Vietnamese industrial products and seafood, while Vietnam will progressively eliminate its tariffs on 98% of Norwegian exports over seven years. For importers and exporters worldwide trading with these markets, this signature transforms customs access in a strategic corridor worth €4.8 billion in bilateral trade.
Written with the help of an AI model (Anthropic) — for information only
United States imposes antidumping duties of up to 268% on solar energy: USITC ruling of 14 October on India, Indonesia and Laos
On 14 October 2026, the United States International Trade Commission confirmed that imports of solar cells and modules from India, Indonesia and Laos are causing material injury to the US industry. This final determination authorises the Department of Commerce to publish orders on 2 November imposing combined antidumping and countervailing duties reaching 249% for India, 268% for Indonesia and 219% for Laos. For global solar panel importers, this third wave of US trade restrictions on photovoltaics is abruptly reshaping global supply chains and effectively shutting off US market access for three of the main alternative suppliers.
Written with the help of an AI model (Anthropic) — for information only
United States postpones Entry Type 13 obligation for international mail to 20 January 2027: 90-day extension announced yesterday for postal shipments subject to Section 301 tariffs
On 14 October 2026, US Customs announced a three-month postponement of the mandatory deadline for new electronic entry procedures for international mail, moving it from 22 October 2026 to 20 January 2027. This 90-day extension applies to all postal shipments subject to Section 201, 232 or 301 duties, or under the jurisdiction of partner government agencies, and gives importers, brokers and logistics providers crucial breathing space to adapt their processes before the mandatory application of Entry Type 13 in the ACE system.
Written with the help of an AI model (Anthropic) — for information only
EU imposes "melt & pour" traceability on steel from 1 October: mandatory mill certificates and risk of customs refusal for importers without a heat number
Since 1 October 2026, all importers of steel products into the European Union must declare the country where the steel was originally melted and cast, and prove it with a mill certificate (Mill Test Certificate) containing the heat number. This new traceability requirement, imposed by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1963, adds to the country-by-country quotas and the 50% out-of-quota duty already in force since July. Without verifiable documentation, European customs authorities may refuse the import.
Written with the help of an AI model (Anthropic) — for information only
