Canada to Exempt CUSMA-Origin U.S. Goods from 25% Retaliatory Tariffs Starting September 2025—Steel, Aluminum, and Autos Still Excluded
On August 27, Canada announced that, effective September 1, 2025, U.S. goods certified as CUSMA (USMCA) qualifying will be exempt from the country’s 25% retaliatory tariffs. This decision follows a similar exemption implemented by the United States earlier this year. However, the exemption does not apply to steel, aluminum, or automotive products; these items will continue to be subject to a 25% tariff, mirroring the U.S. rate imposed under Section 232.
CBP Provides Additional Guidance on Elimination of De Minimis Exemption
On August 21, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued CSMS #66033571, providing updated guidance on the elimination of the de minimis exemption under 19 U.S.C. § 1321(a)(2)(C). Effective August 29, 2025, CBP will reject all de minimis clearance requests for shipments. As part of this change, ACE will no longer accept Section 321 manifest filings through EDI, will eliminate the Truck Manifest Trade Portal filing option for Section 321 shipments, and will reject entry type 86 cargo release EDI transactions. The CSMS further notes that updated implementation guides for manifest and cargo release procedures will soon be available on the ACE CATAIR webpage.
Finally, the CSMS clarifies that informal paper entries will no longer be accepted. For international postal shipments that previously benefited from the de minimis exemption, entry processing will be suspended until CBP develops and announces a new procedure via the Federal Register. In the meantime, for all postal shipments, transportation carriers or other CBP-qualified parties are responsible for collecting and remitting duties to CBP.
CBP Releases List of Certified Parties for International Mail Duty Payments After De Minimis Elimination
On August 21, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued CSMS #65990231 , publishing a list of approved and certified CBP-qualified parties authorized to process duty payments for international mail shipments that were previously eligible for de minimis exemptions. As a reminder, effective August 29, 2025, Executive Order 14324 eliminates de minimis duty-free treatment for the majority of shipments entering the United States, including those arriving via international mail. Duties on such shipments must now be collected and remitted either by the international mail carrier or a CBP-certified qualified party.
Currently certified entities include SafePackage, Zonos, International Bonded Couriers, R&H International Brokerage, JFS, Flexport International, and North American eCommerce Solutions. Their contact information and the comprehensive, regularly updated list of qualified parties can be accessed on the CBP website. Only carriers those listed in CBP cargo systems messages or on the official website are recognized as qualified.
U.S. Trade Representative Extends Section 301 Exclusions for Select Chinese Products Through November 2025
On August 28, 2025, the U.S. Trade Representative (“USTR”) announced a 90-day extension—through November 29, 2025—of the current Section 301 tariff exclusions for 178 Chinese products, which includes certain items related to COVID-19 response and solar energy equipment. This decision follows a period of public comment period and consultation with subject-matter experts. The exclusions remain available for all products that meets the description in the product exclusion. CBP is expected to issue further guidance on how to claim these exclusions. USTR also indicated that it may revise or further extend the exclusions as circumstances evolve.
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