EU concludes FTA with Mexico, while the US tightens restrictions - What's in the PLM this week
27 April 2020 - 03 May 2020

Every week, Customs and Global Trade Professionals receive updates on the legislative changes directly in their inbox. Subscribing to receive PLM updates allows customs managers and global trade professionals to stay up-to-date and free their time to care for more strategic tasks.
The BASIC subscription is free. ADVANCED and PRO options upgrades are available.
Here are the highlights of WEEK 18
EU moves ahead with Free Trade Agreement with Mexico
The EU-Mexico concluded negotiations for a new trade agreement, with this agreement, all trade in goods between the two parties will be duty-free, meaning up to 100 million euros a year in customs duties can be saved, easy customs procedures making it easier for EU exporters to sell their products in Mexico.
US tightens export controls
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) proposes to amend the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) by modifying license Exception Additional Permissive Reexports (APR). Specifically, BIS is proposing to remove provisions that authorize re-exports of certain national security-controlled items on the Commerce Control List (CCL) to gain better visibility into transactions of national security or foreign policy interest to the US.
The US tightens restrictions on exports to China, Russia, and Venezuela
The US Department of Commerce is tightening its export controls concerning China, Russia, and Venezuela to acquire US technology that could be used in the development of weapons, military aircraft, or surveillance technology through civilian supply chains, or under civilian-use pretenses, for military end uses and military end-users.
Other customs, global trade and export control changes covered in this edition (Advanced and Pro version contain direct links to the legislation)
Coronavirus impact on Global Trade
COVID-19: The US temporarily suspend immigration over coronavirus concerns
US continues to lead the response to COVID-19 according to State Department
EU Commission informs WTO on a new set of coronavirus measures
WCO updates reference for COVID-19 medical supplies in ES, PT and RU
WCO presents list of priority medicines for customs during COVID-19
WCO lists temporary import support measures by Members
WCO issues 2nd edition of its members’ practices to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic
WTO members eliminate duties on over 84% of medical products for 2020 under various agreements
+ Access to Customs Manager’s COVID-19 Customs & Global Trade Resource Center
EU & US Customs
CBP issues detention order on hair products manufactured with forced labor in China
CBP Seized 1147 prohibited test kits in 45 days
CROSS Update
Harmonized System Update (HSU)
CBP Seized 1147 prohibited test kits in 45 days
GUIDANCE: Section 301 Tranche 3 - $200B: Twelfth Round of Product Exclusions from China (9903.88.45)
Section 232 and Section 301 – Extensions Requests, PSCs, and Protests : Application Approvals for TFTEA General Rulings Under 1313(b)
May 7 Quota opening: Large Residential Washing Machines 2020 Period 2
TCG meeting with DG TAXUD
EU modifies the additional import duties against the US
EU amends ADD on imports of ceramic tableware and kitchenware from China
EU exempts the extension of ADD on certain bicycle parts from China
EU fixes the import duties for cereals applicable from 27 April 2020
Trade Agreements & Global Trade
EU-Mexico conclude negotiations for a new trade agreement
Brexit: Outcome of the first meeting of the Specialised Committee on the Protocol on Ireland / Northern Ireland
Export Controls
Treasury Designates IRGC-Qods Force Front Company and Owner
Finding of Violation issued to AMEX by OFAC
EU amends restrictive measures against the Central African Republic
Five men charged with breaching EU sanctions on Libya.
International
Interim appeal arrangement for WTO disputes becomes effective
About Professional Legislative Monitoring, referred to as PLM. This is a weekly edition that looks back at the law and legislation changes for the past seven days. It covers three (3) topics, notably customs, trade agreements and export controls. It focuses on only two (2) jurisdictions, the EU and the US (with some limited references to other countries and global organizations).
About Customs Manager
Our mission is to create the world's largest community of empowered Customs managers and Global Trade Professionals. We achieve this through professional legislative monitoring, ongoing training & education, and providing first-class support. In this way, we strengthen the overall customs & global trade (C>) profession by creating up-to-date, well-trained, and supported customs managers ready to grow global trade effectively, efficiently and compliantly.
Always up to date. Always learning. Always supported.
Find out more at www.customsmanager.org