John S. Connor, Inc

John S. Connor President, Butch Connor and VP of Compliance, Matt Kmet recently attended the NCBFAA 2025 Annual Conference in Phoenix, Arizona. The Conference brought together more than 600 international trade industry’s top representatives of the nation’s leading customs brokers, freight forwarders, NVOCCs, OTIs, and service providers to update themselves on industry developments. As the industry deals with the turbulence and chaos of the current administration’s tariff policy thrust on logistics professionals, the pace and timing of the change is very impactful and must be monitored to remain vigilant to inform our team and clients. At John S. Connor, we continue to work diligently for our clients – as we have done through times like these. – for 108 years.

Updated Guidance on Country Specific Reciprocal Tariffs and an Increase on Goods from China, Effective April 10, 2025. This alert provides updated guidance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regarding import duties, effective as of 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on April 10, 2025. These changes include a significant increase in duties on goods from China and the suspension of previously implemented country-specific rates. https://shorturl.at/HkwDh

President Trump announced raising the tariff charged to China by the United States to 125%, effective immediately. President Trump also announced a 90-day pause and a "substantially lowered" 10% reciprocal tarriff effective immediately.

Effective April 9, 2025, the CBP issued updated guidance on reciprocal tariffs on goods from China. The key change is an increase in the additional ad valorem duty rate to 84% for goods originating from China, including Hong Kong and Macau. The 84% rate replaces the previous rate of 34%. These new tariffs apply to goods entered for consumption or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption on or after 12:01 a.m. ET on April 9, 2025, excluding any exceptions detailed in the previously issued CSMS # 64680374.

On April 8, 2025, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued message CSMS # 64680374, which provides guidance and the announcement of the implementation of reciprocal tariffs on imported goods as mandated by Executive Order 14257. These tariffs are intended to address large and persistent United States goods trade deficits. Effective Dates: The reciprocal tariffs are being implemented in two phases: April 5, 2025, and April 9, 2025.

Beginning April 9, country-specific tariffs will be implemented under new subheadings ranging from 9903.01.43 through 9903.01.76, with countries grouped by their tariff rates. The order also details tariff treatment for Canada and Mexico should their IEEPA tariffs be removed, specifying subheadings and rates (generally 12%) for various categories of goods, including USMCA goods and energy/potash products, as well as duty-free treatment for certain parts and components. 

The CBP published guidance on the implementation of tariffs on specific aluminum goods. This announcement, made on April 4, 2025, detailed the addition of aluminum derivative products, along with beer and empty aluminum cans, to Annex 1. These additions became subject to a 25 percent ad valorem tariff on imports from all countries, starting on April 4, 2025.

The White House is set to impose a 25% tariff on imports of autos and certain auto parts effective from 12:01 a.m. ET on April 3. The tariffs on automobile parts will be effective on the date specified in the Federal Register, but no later than May 3. The 25% tariff will be applied to imported passenger vehicles (sedans, SUVs, crossovers, minivans, cargo vans) and light trucks, as well as key auto parts (engines, transmissions, powertrain parts, and electrical components), with processes to expand tariffs on additional parts if necessary. If you have any questions, please contact our Compliance Team or your JSC account supervisor.

President Trump issued an Executive Order (EO) on March 24, 2025, citing a continued national emergency regarding Venezuela and the Maduro regime's actions. Specifically, the continued support and the threat posed by the Tren De Aragua gang. The EO mandates that starting April 2, 2025, a 25% tariff may be imposed on all goods imported from countries that import Venezuelan oil, whether directly or indirectly.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) provided the following additional guidance on the additional duties imposed on March 4, 2025 on imports of energy and energy resources that are the products of Canada. If you have any questions about CBP CSMS # 64470353 – Guidance, please contact our Compliance Team or your JSC account supervisor.