THE VIGILANT VIGIL – 10TH EDITION
Welcome, visitor, to the Vigil. Here you will find a summation of current global trade changes and regulatory updates. We aim to deliver helpful insights in a timely and relevant manner, to help you remain vigilant in an ever-evolving trade environment.
The Editing Director (T.E.D.)’s Foreword:
Welcome to the tenth edition of the Vigilant Vigil.
This week, as I sat staring at another seemingly endless stream of tariff updates, technical corrections, enforcement actions, sanctions developments, and regulatory changes , I found myself reflecting less on the regulations themselves—and more on the people who helped me learn how to navigate them.
Because the truth is, none of us survive in this industry alone.
Global trade compliance is hard. It is dynamic, exhausting, and at times completely overwhelming. The regulations never stop changing. The emails never stop coming. The meetings multiply like rabbits. And just when you think you finally understand one program or process, someone issues a technical correction to the technical correction.
And yet… somehow, many of us stay in this industry for decades.
Why?
Because of the people.
As I reflect on my own career, I realize how many individuals helped shape the professional—and frankly the person—I became. People who mentored me, challenged me, corrected me, encouraged me, and sometimes simply answered the phone when I was in over my head.
I think of Pete Mento, whose guidance and blunt honesty helped me through some incredibly difficult moments early in my career. Deep Sengupta and Karen Novo, who taught me invaluable lessons in compliance, logistics, and leadership. Mike McGee and Joan Glynn, who pushed me toward taking the brokerage exam and helped me survive corporate America with at least some semblance of sanity intact.
I think of Celine Gerson and her relentless passion for ethics and compliance. Rosalie Cmelak and her extraordinary commitment to customer service. The incredible colleagues and friends from my years at Livingston—people like Cora DiPietro, Jill Hurley, Tammy Borghi, and so many others who helped guide me professionally and personally.
And then there’s Bernie Hart. Few people have impacted my life and career more profoundly. Mentor, leader, advisor, friend—he has shaped the way I think about trade, business, and leadership in ways I probably still don’t fully appreciate.
And of course, I cannot talk about this industry without mentioning the late Ann Lister and the incredible Lynda Thompson. Through ICPA, they built far more than a trade association—they built a community. A place where competitors become collaborators, where service providers become friends, and where people across every corner of the industry come together to support one another.
Many of those people have become family to me.
That’s the part we don’t talk about enough in global trade.
Yes, this industry is about regulations, tariffs, systems, and compliance. But it’s also about relationships. It’s about community. It’s about having people you trust enough to call when things go sideways.
And in today’s environment, with the pace and complexity of change increasing globally, those relationships matter more than ever.
So this week, my advice is simple:
Build your village.
Get involved in industry organizations like ICPA, NCBFAA, AAEI, and others. Go to the conferences. Talk to people at breakfast. Introduce yourself at the exhibitor booths. Ask questions during sessions. Exchange numbers. Follow up.
Because the value of a professional network isn’t just career advancement.
Sometimes it’s friendship.
Sometimes it’s mentorship.
Sometimes it’s the person who keeps you from making a terrible decision.
And sometimes it’s simply knowing you are not carrying all of this alone.
I know I’ve left many names out—not out of lack of gratitude, but simply because there are too many people who have mattered along the way.
And maybe that’s the point.
None of us get here by ourselves.
So thank you—to all the people who help make this industry not just survivable, but meaningful.
Let’s stay vigilant.
Jamie Adams, LCB, CCS
Director of Global Compliance Solutions at Vigilant GTS
In this volume, we will explore:
- CSMS updates
- Updates to the Federal Registry, for both policy and product
- Cooperative call outs to other blogs
- Where to find us
- Be sure to check out our weekly edition of Trade Buzz
Let’s veer into it, shall we?
**The following contains links and citations from multiple US government agencies and other credible sources. Vigilant GTS LLC is not the source material but simply compilating the information.**
CSMS Updates
**The following are short summaries of the actual information provided by CSMS. To stay up to date with announcements and news, please subscribe at: https://www.cbp.gov/webform/subscribe-receive-cbp-access-updates **
CSMS # 68504361 – Harmonized System Update (HSU) 2609
Harmonized System Update (HSU) 2609 was created on April 29, 2026, and contains six Harmonized Tariff Records and 19 Automated Broker Interface (ABI) records.
This HSU contains updates to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) for duties imposed by presidential proclamation 11021. For more information on this, please see published inspection document. Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States for Duties Imposed by Presidential Proclamation; Technical Corrections.
CSMS # 68569567 – Best Practices for Protecting Your Information Regarding IEEPA Refunds
With the launch of the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE), CBP expects that scammers will attempt to use social media, email, and other communication methods to secure account information from importers in order to interfere with the process of refunding International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) duties.
CSMS # 68569567 – Best Practices for Protecting Your Information Regarding IEEPA Refunds
CSMS # 68554727 – GUIDANCE: Technical Corrections to Section 232 Duties on Imports of Aluminum, Steel, and Copper
The purpose of this message is to provide guidance regarding the technical corrections to Annex IV of Presidential Proclamation 11021, “Strengthening Actions Taken to Adjust Imports of Aluminum, Steel, and Copper into the United States.” New Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) classification 9903.82.01 established by this Notice is already effective in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). The ACE functionality for the acceptance of goods with a melt and pour country of the Netherlands under Headings 9903.82.04 and 9903.82.05 will be available on May 7, 2026.
CSMS # 68559236 – GUIDANCE: Applying Section 232 Import Duties on USMCA-Qualifying Medium-and Heavy-Duty Vehicles (MHDVs)
The purpose of this message is to provide guidance on applying the 25 percent Section 232 duties imposed by Proclamation 10984 exclusively to the value of the non-U.S. content for approved imports of MHDVs qualifying for preferential tariff treatment under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
Federal Register Updates
**These are just a sampling of the many updates and changes made by the Federal Register. For a more comprehensive list, or to subscribe to the updates yourself, follow the link below, and never miss a thing.**
https://www.federalregister.gov
Section 337 Adjudication and Enforcement
| FR Document: 2026-08445 Citation: 91 FR 23190 |
PDF Pages 23190-23194 (5 pages) Permalink |
| Abstract: The United States International Trade Commission (“Commission”) proposes to amend its Rules of Practice and Procedure concerning section 337 adjudication and enforcement. The intended effect of the proposed amendments is to require disclosure of information by the parties and intervenors in section 337 investigations and ancillary proceedings before the Commission regarding entities that have an ownership or a financial interest in the investigation. | |
Prestressed Concrete Steel Wire Strand From Argentina, Colombia, Egypt, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, the Republic of South Africa, Spain, Taiwan, Tunisia, the Republic of Turkiye, Ukraine, and the United Arab Emirates
| FR Document: 2026-08636 Citation: 91 FR 23964 |
PDF Pages 23964-23966 (3 pages) Permalink |
| Abstract: The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) finds that revocation of the antidumping duty (AD) orders on prestressed concrete steel wire strand (PC strand) from Argentina, Colombia, Egypt, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, the Republic of South Africa (South Africa), Spain, Taiwan, Tunisia, the Republic of T[uuml]rkiye (T[uuml]rkiye), Ukraine, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping, at the levels indicated in… | |
Steel Nails from Malaysia, Oman, South Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam
| FR Document: 2026-08509 Citation: 91 FR 23454 |
PDF Pages 23454-23456 (3 pages) Permalink |
| Abstract: The Commission hereby gives notice that it has instituted reviews pursuant to the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, to determine whether revocation of the countervailing duty order on steel nails from Vietnam and revocation of the antidumping duty orders on steel nails from Malaysia, Oman, South Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury. Pursuant to the Act, interested parties are requested to respond to this notice by submitting the… | |
News from other esteemed sources:
BAKER/MCKENZIE
China has issued two State Council decrees that further develop its legal and institutional framework for responding to foreign measures applied on an extraterritorial basis and for safeguarding the security of industrial and supply chains. Both…
Read more…
| Canada Updates Guide to Export Controls and Proposes Expanded Export Controls on Semiconductors and Advance Manufacturing Goods and Technologies 04/30/2026On April 25, 2026, Canada published a new consultation in the Canada Gazette, Part I on April 25, 2026, concerning a proposed Order Amending the Export Control List (Amendments) under the Export and Import Permits Act. These amendments seek to… Read more… |
The EU–Mercosur Free Trade Agreement: A Landmark Deal at a Critical Moment
After more than 25 years of negotiations, the European Union (EU) and the Mercosur countries have reached and signed one of the world’s most ambitious trade agreements. The EU–Mercosur Free Trade Agreement (Agreement) is not only economically…
Read more…
THOMPSON/HINE
Commerce Adds Duty-Free Tariff Code for Section 232 Goods Containing No Aluminum, Steel, or Copper
By Aaron C. Mandelbaum, David M. Schwartz, Francesca M.S. Guerrero & Scott E. Diamond** on April 28, 2026
On April 27, 2026, the Department of Commerce (“Commerce”) published a Federal Register notice adding a duty-free code in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (“HTSUS”) with retroactive effect to cover goods subject to the Section 232 aluminum, steel, or copper tariff regimes that do not, in fact, contain these metals. This new provision, subheading 9903.82.01, applies retroactively to April 6, 2026…
Vigilant Visitation Opportunities
We will be out and about at different trade and compliance related conferences around the country! We would love for you to come to say hello, so we can get to know you better! You can also connect with us at: https://vigilantgts.com/ or through our socials, on Facebook and LinkedIn!
Where we will be:
ICPA Canada Conference, June 7 – 10
Toronto, Ontario Canada
Jamie Adams will be presenting, again, on the importance of US and CA Customs Entry and Broker Audits. The choir will also be singing, and we are looking to increase in number. You do receive a 33% discount for singing with us.
CBP Trade and Cargo Security Summit, (Rescheduled to September, 8-10, 2026)
Dallas, TX
Jamie Adams will be attending sessions and happy to connect with you.
ICPA Global Trade Pathways Conference (Fall), September 13, 2026
Grapevine, TX
Vigilant will be a sponsor and you can visit us at our booth. Jamie Adams will be presenting and leading the choir.
TRADE BUZZ – Powered by Vigilant GTS
Joe Burks has moved on to a new position at a new company, and he has graciously handed the reigns of Trade Buzz to Jamie Adams. We posted a video this week explaining the new direction of Trade Buzz.
Your ACE Account Is No Longer Optional: What Importers Need To Do Now
Check back with us every Tuesday as we will be publishing new quick topic videos every week.
You can see the library of all our videos on our website at: https://vigilantgts.com/webinars/