Trade Tuesday is our weekly newsletter. Read along each week below or by signing up to receive it in your inbox on Tuesdays.

FEATURED

White House Proclamation Proposes Reduction of Section 232 Tariffs to Incentivize Domestic Aluminum Production

Further Strengthening Actions Taken to Adjust Imports of Aluminum into the United States – The White House

President Trump issued a proclamation proposing a reduction of Section 232 tariffs on certain aluminum imports if companies commit to domestic production, such as building, expanding, or refurbishing primary aluminum facilities.

For tariff reductions to apply, construction must begin by January 20, 2029, and approved companies can import primary aluminum at half the current 25% tariff rate.

The Commerce Secretary will monitor and enforce compliance, with the possibility of rescinding tariff benefits retroactively if commitments are not met.

GUIDANCE: Section 301 Forced Labor Import Duties

CSMS # 69326983

The purpose of this message is to provide guidance regarding the Office of the United States Trade Representative’s action imposing 10 percent to 12.5 percent tariffs on imports from sixty economies with certain exemptions, under section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, effective July 24, 2026.

This action was announced by the United States Trade Representative on July 23, 2026. See USTR Section 301 Forced Labor Action.

GUIDANCE

This guidance provides instructions for importers, brokers, and filers on submitting entries to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on imports from the sixty economies specified below entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time on July 24, 2026…

GUIDANCE: Section 232 Copper Smelt and Cast Reporting Requirements

CSMS # 69252300

On April 2, 2026, the President issued Proclamation 11021, “Strengthening Actions Taken to Adjust Imports of Aluminum, Steel, and Copper into the United States,” under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1862). The Proclamation requires that importers shall provide to CBP the information necessary to identify the countries where the copper used in the manufacture of copper article imports covered by this proclamation are smelted and information necessary to identify the countries where such copper article imports are cast.

See 91 FR 18201 and CSMS 68253075.

The functionality for the acceptance of the smelt and cast fields on certain imports of copper articles will be deployed to the certification environment in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) on July 16, 2026.

The functionality in production for the acceptance of the smelt and cast fields on certain imports of copper articles will be available in ACE on July 30, 2026.

WEBINARS

Upcoming Webinars

Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. ET: Into the Future with the General Rules of Interpretation – The webinar will provide an overview of the GRIs with a focus on using them to classify future products.

Monday, August 10, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. ET: Trade Violations Reporting (TVR) Q3 – This webinar will provide an overview of the TVR portal and how to file a trade violation with CBP.

Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. ET: Innovation in Handbags, Travel Bags, and Luggage – This webinar will provide an overview of innovations in handbags, travel bags, and luggage. It will also discuss classification considerations related to these products.

Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. ET: Enforce and Protect Act (EAPA) Q3 – This webinar will provide an overview of the EAPA process and how to file an EAPA allegation with CBP.

Thursday, August 13, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. ET: Women’s Suits and Ensembles – This webinar will be discussing women’s suits and ensembles, the features of both, and the questions we often get on these garments. Our focus will be on Note 3 of Chapters 61 and 62.

Friday, August 14, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. ET: The Classification of Steel Bars and Rods in Chapter 72 – This webinar distinguishes between different types of bars and rods, including the key legal notes, product definitions, and the major headings used for classification.

Wednesday, August 26, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. ET: Mattresses and Cushions: Hybrids & More of Heading 9404 – This webinar will cover the classification of mattresses and cushions of heading 9404 and how classification is determined for more complex items such as hybrids, pneumatic items, and bed-in-the-box items. We will examine the legal notes, previously issued rulings and court cases that guide our classification of these products.

Thursday, August 27, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. ET: Counter-Balance: Surfaces of Chapters 68 and 70 – This webinar will discuss the classification of, and AD/CVD scopes related to, manufactured surface products of Chapters 68 and 70.

Friday, August 28, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. ET: Wadding, Gauze, Bandages, and Similar Articles – This webinar will focus on the primary factors to consider when classifying products under heading 3005: medical use, wound treatment, the presence of pharmaceutical substances, and packing.

Your Weekly Recap

• CSMS # 69357309 - Harmonized System Update (HSU) 2617 July 27
• CSMS # 69324417 - Harmonized System Update (HSU) 2616 July 23
• 2026 HTS Revision 12 July 21
• White House - United States and Jordan Sign Agreement on Reciprocal Trade July 21
• CSMS # 69302472 - GUIDANCE: Section 301 Duties on Certain Products from Brazil July 21
• Reminder: White House Fact Sheet - Proclamations set 50% Tariff on Certain Canadian Products Starting August 19, 2026
• Reminder: FR Notice - Post-Summary Corrections and Single-Entry Summary Payment Test
• Reminder: PierPass Notice - TMF at Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to Increase 4.77% on August 1, 2026
• Reminder: Presidential Proclamation - “Adjusting Imports of Commercial Aircraft, Jet engines, and Aircraft and Engine Parts into the United States”
• Reminder: TCSS - Virtual Registration still available for Trade and Cargo Security Summit September 8-10, 2026
• Reminder: TIN # 68926824 - Steel Identification, Classification and Trade Law Seminar, Long Beach, CA August 4-5, 2026

Note: Italicized text is the day the news was published or made readily accessible.

RESOURCES

The CAPE Corner

Below are some helpful links to stay updated with CBP announcements regarding the CAPE IEEPA Refunds:

• International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) Duty Refunds
• CAPE Trade Information Notice
• ACE Portal: CAPE Declarations Quick Reference Guide
• Electronic Refund Enrollment in CBP’s ACE Portal (PDF)
• Electronic Refund Enrollment in the ACE Portal (Video)
• ACE Portal and ACH Refunds FAQs

Upcoming Webinars:

None scheduled.

For recorded webinars, please visit: CBP Trade Outreach Webinars

Additional Resources:

• CSMS # 69127837 - UPDATE – Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) for IEEPA Refunds – Warehouse Entries
• CSMS # 69035485 - UPDATE – Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) for IEEPA Refunds - Entries Flagged for Reconciliation
• IEEPA Refunds Scam Alert
• Consolidated Administration and Processing Entries (CAPE) Tool Resources
• CSMS # 68536553 - CBP Offers Multiple ACE Reports for Monitoring CAPE Refund Claims
• CSMS # 68569567 - Best Practices for Protecting Your Information Regarding IEEPA Refunds
• CSMS # 68397097 - Updated ACE Entry Summary Error Dictionary Now Available on CBP.gov
• CSMS # 68396594 - AVAILABLE NOW – Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) for IEEPA Refunds

The contents of this post are compiled from online resources and newsletters, including, but not limited to: CSMS, CBP, White House, Federal Register.