THE VIGILANT VIGIL – 17TH 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 seventeenth edition of the Vigilant Vigil.
One of the biggest challenges in global trade today isn’t tariffs.
It isn’t sanctions.
It isn’t forced labor.
It isn’t even enforcement.
It’s information.
Or perhaps more accurately…
It’s too much information.
I’ll confess something. My phone lights up dozens of times a day with alerts. LinkedIn tells me tariffs have doubled. X says a country has reached a historic trade agreement. Someone forwards me a White House press release. A client asks whether a Truth Social post means they need to change pricing tomorrow morning. By lunchtime, someone has posted an AI-generated summary, another person has quoted Wikipedia, and a third has confidently declared, “Well… that’s the new law.”
Except… very often… it isn’t.
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned during my career is that announcements and implementation are two very different things.
Executive Orders often establish direction, but the details still need to be written. Agencies must publish regulations. CBP must issue guidance. CSMS messages explain implementation. The Federal Register establishes what actually becomes enforceable. Sometimes proposals change. Sometimes deadlines move. Sometimes lawsuits intervene. And occasionally, things that dominate the news cycle simply never happen at all.
That’s why trade compliance has never been about reacting to headlines. It’s about verifying facts.
The old saying was, “Trust, but verify.”
I’m beginning to think we’ve entered a new era:
“Verify… then trust.”
This isn’t unique to one administration, one political party, or even one country. Governments make announcements. Politicians make promises. Social media amplifies rumors. AI can generate convincing—but completely fictional—news stories in seconds. We’ve all seen stories shared thousands of times before someone finally points out they’re satire, parody, or simply wrong.
As compliance professionals, we have a higher responsibility.
Our job is not to repeat information.
Our job is to validate it.
That means reading the Executive Order—not someone’s interpretation of it. It means reviewing the Federal Register—not just the press release. It means watching for CSMS guidance before changing operational procedures. It means relying on reputable law firms, industry associations like ICPA, NCBFAA and AAEI, trusted consultants, and, whenever possible, the original government source itself.
Reasonable care doesn’t begin with filing an entry.
It begins with making sure we’re acting on information that is actually… true.
This week’s Vigil contains several examples of why that distinction matters.
So before forwarding the next headline or changing your compliance program because of a social media post, pause for a moment.
Read the source.
Verify the facts.
Then act.
In today’s trade environment, that may be one of the most valuable compliance skills any of us can develop.
Let’s stay vigilant.
Jamie Adams, LCB, CCS
Director of Global Compliance Solutions at Vigilant GTS
In this volume, we will explore:
- CSMS updates
- Lots of updates to the Federal Registry
- Cooperative call outs to other blogs
- Where to find us
- And finally, 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 # 69035485 – UPDATE – Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) for IEEPA Refunds – Entries Flagged for Reconciliation
On April 20, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) launched the first phase of the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) tool in the Automated Commercial Environment to process refunds of International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) duties. The purpose of this message is to provide updated guidance on the availability as of June 29, 2026, of new functionality for CAPE that provides for the acceptance of entries flagged for reconciliation with no reconciliation entry on file.
CSMS # 69019627 – Forced Labor Portal Overview Webinar
U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Office of Trade is hosting a webinar on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. ET titled Forced Labor Portal Overview. CBP will conduct an overview to train users on the usage of the new Forced Labor Portal that launched on January 21, 2026.
CSMS # 69019627 – Forced Labor Portal Overview Webinar
CSMS # 69031301 – Withhold Release Orders (WROs) on Garments Produced in Jordan by Needle Craft Ltd. and Casual Wear Apparel L.L.C.
On June 23, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued two Withhold Release Orders (WRO) against garments produced by Needle Craft Ltd. (Needle Craft) and Casual Wear Apparel L.L.C. (Casual Wear) garment-manufacturing factories in Jordan. Effective immediately, CBP personnel at all U.S. ports of entry will detain shipments of these garments due to evidence reasonably indicating the use of forced labor in their production.
“CBP’s forced labor enforcement exposes supply chains that undermine the integrity of U.S. commerce,” said Executive Assistant Commissioner of CBP’s Office of Trade Susan S. Thomas. “These actions mark CBP’s fifth and sixth WROs this fiscal year…”
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
Hearings, Meetings, Proceedings, etc.:
Initiation of Section 301 Investigations; Germany’s Persistent Underpayment for Innovative Pharmaceutical Products
| FR Document: 2026-12671 Citation: 91 FR 38072 |
PDF Pages 38072-38074 (3 pages) Permalink |
| Abstract: The United States Trade Representative (U.S. Trade Representative) has initiated an investigation pursuant to the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (Trade Act), with respect to Germany’s persistent underpayment for innovative pharmaceutical products. The inter-agency Section 301 Committee is holding a public hearing and seeking public comments in connection with this investigation. | |
Indefinite Suspension of the De Minimis Exemption for Mail Shipments and New Postal Informal Entry Process
| FR Document: 2026-12669 Citation: 91 FR 37801 |
PDF Pages 37801-37821 (21 pages) Permalink |
| Abstract: This document amends the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations to implement an indefinite suspension of the de minimis administrative exemption for imports valued at $800 or less arriving through the international postal network. This document also establishes a new postal informal entry process for certain merchandise entering the United States through the mail environment. | |
Indefinite Suspension of the De Minimis Exemption for Merchandise Arriving through All Modes other than the International Postal Network
| FR Document: 2026-12670 Citation: 91 FR 37789 |
PDF Pages 37789-37801 (13 pages) Permalink |
| Abstract: This document amends the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations to implement an indefinite suspension of the de minimis administrative exemption for imports valued at $800 or less arriving via all modes other than through the international postal network. This indefinite suspension means that all entries of merchandise valued at $800 or less arriving through all modes other than the international postal network must utilize formal or informal entry procedures. | |
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals:
Five-Year Records Retention Requirement for Export Transactions and Boycott Actions
| FR Document: 2026-12727 Citation: 91 FR 37947 |
PDF Page 37947 (1 page) Permalink |
| Abstract: The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public’s reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB. | |
Voluntary Self-Disclosure of Antiboycott Violations
| FR Document: 2026-12728 Citation: 91 FR 37946 |
PDF Page 37946 (1 page) Permalink |
| Abstract: Public comments were previously requested via the Federal Register on April 9, 2026, during a 60-day comment period. This notice allows for an additional 30 days for public comments. | |
User Fees for Export and Investment Promotion Services/Events
| FR Document: 2026-12507 Citation: 91 FR 37077 |
PDF Pages 37077-37085 (9 pages) Permalink |
| Abstract: The International Trade Administration (ITA) is implementing new user fees for its export and investment promotion services/events to align with guidance from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in Circular A-25, which calls for agencies to fully recover their costs when providing services. ITA recently carried out an independent cost study which determined that the agency was not fully covering its costs when providing certain services under its current fee structure. This notice also.. | |
News from other esteemed sources:
BAKER/MCKENZIE
| EU: Update on the EU-US Tariff Agreement
On June 16, 2026, the European Parliament (EP) approved two legislative texts implementing the EU’s tariff commitments under the EU-US trade agreement. Formal approval by the Council of the EU remains pending. The adopted measures provide for… |
| Canada Proposes New Forced Labour Import Ban
On June 12, 2026, the Canadian government introduced Bill C-35, the Ban on Importing Goods Made with Forced Labour Act. Bill C-35 establishes a new statutory framework to prohibit forced labour imports, replacing the Customs Tariff‘s current… |
THE BRAUMILLER GROUP
Customs Enforcement Overhaul: What Importers and Brokers Need to Do Now
By: Adrienne Braumiller, Partner & Founder, Braumiller Law Group and Anthony DiBello, Law Clerk
On June 3, 2026, President Trump issued Executive Order 14411, “Strengthening Customs Enforcement,” directing the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection to tighten importer eligibility, increase disclosure obligations, and expand enforcement measures across the U.S. import system.
What Importers Need to Do about Customs Enforcement
CSIS/TRADE GUYS
USMCA Review, G7 Summit, and the EU-U.S. Trade Deal
On this episode of the Trade Guys, Bill and Scott dig into the latest on the USMCA review, break down the outcomes from the G7 Summit, and take a look at the European Parliament’s approval of the EU-U.S. trade deal.
USMCA Review, G7 Summit, and the EU-U.S. Trade Deal | The Trade Guys | CSIS Podcasts
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:
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.
ICPA Global Trade Insights Conference (Fall), September 29 – October 1, 2026
Dublin, Ireland
Jamie Adams will be moderating a panel on US Tariff Updates and Mitigation Strategies.
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 regarding the very dynamic environment of global trade and the critical need for everyone to stay current – https://vigilantgts.com/outsmart-rule-changes-protect-profits-and-reputation-hb/
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/