Trade, Customs & Supply Chain in the United States

Full guide · Source-checked research100% of statements checked against a source127 checked against an official source2 checked against a secondary sourceChecked 2026-10-19Not yet professionally reviewed

• The US International Trade Commission can order US Customs to exclude imported goods that infringe US patents or trademarks, and can issue cease and desist orders against named importers, under Section 337 of the Tariff Act.

  Federal; imports only. Also covers trade secret misappropriation, trade dress, passing off and false advertising.United States International Trade Commission · checked 2026-10-18

• The Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) is the system through which the trade community reports imports and exports to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and through which the government determines admissibility.

  Federal. Customs is exclusively federal; states do not run customs procedures.US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) · checked 2026-10-19

• Entry of imported goods must be made by a party qualifying as importer of record, using reasonable care; the owner or purchaser of the goods, or a person they designate who holds a customs broker licence under 19 USC 1641, may file.

  Federal, 19 USC 1484(a). The statute does not define reasonable care.Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School · checked 2026-10-19

• Shipments of merchandise not exceeding 2,500 US dollars in value may be entered under the informal entry procedure, except articles valued above 250 US dollars classified in Chapter 99, Subchapters III and IV, of the HTSUS.

  Federal, 19 CFR 143.21(a). Shipments above the limit, or excluded Chapter 99 articles, need formal entry. CBP proposed changes to informal entry filing and bonding for low-value shipments on 8 October 2026 (Federal Register document 2026-20650); not in force at the check date.Office of the Federal Register (eCFR) · checked 2026-10-19

• Imported merchandise is not released from CBP custody at entry unless a single-entry or continuous bond on CBP Form 301, executed by an approved corporate surety or secured by cash or US government obligations, is on file.

  Federal, 19 CFR 142.4(a). The port director may waive surety for merchandise valued at no more than 2,500 US dollars where estimated duties are paid before release and the importer has no record of delinquency; the waiver does not apply to quota merchandise, merchandise that is hard to appraise or classify, or where redelivery may be needed (142.4(c)).Office of the Federal Register (eCFR) · checked 2026-10-19

• Any importer or exporter, or other interested person, may ask CBP for a written ruling interpreting customs law, generally only for prospective transactions, and oral advice from CBP staff is not binding on CBP.

  Federal, 19 CFR Part 177. Commonly used to obtain advance certainty on tariff classification and origin.Office of the Federal Register (eCFR) · checked 2026-10-19

• The US International Trade Commission maintains the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, and 2026 HTS Revision 21 was published on 9 October 2026.

  Federal. The schedule is revised several times a year as tariff measures change, so the revision in force on the date of entry must be used.US International Trade Commission (USITC) · checked 2026-10-19

• On 20 February 2026 the US Supreme Court held in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump (No. 24-1287) that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not authorise the President to impose tariffs.

  Federal. Does not affect tariffs imposed under other statutes such as Section 232 or Section 301.Supreme Court of the United States · checked 2026-10-19

Read the full guide: Customs, tariffs and export controls