Advisories

Effective October 30^th, the Trump Administration has modified Section 338 tariffs on Canadian imports like so:

Removed from 50% Tariffs:

• Certain plywood sheets
• Specified paper and packaging products (including certain packing crates and boxes)
• Certain industrial machinery and refrigeration equipment
• Agricultural and regional equipment components

Added to 50% Tariffs:

• Carpets and textile floor coverings
• Cocoa powder
• Shampoos, paints, and certain soaps
• Valves, waste products, canoes, chest freezers, and additional wood/paper goods

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As of October 6^th, businesses that submitted a valid importer of record number to U.S. Customs by the end of July can seek refunds for finally liquidated entries through the agency’s Consolidated Administration & Processing of Entries (CAPE) portal.

Those seeking refunds for entries submitted after July 30^th, 2026, must await additional instructions. No timeframe has been given yet.

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The Panama Canal Authority is easing some of its recent draft restrictions after rain has eased pressure in Gatun Lake.

• The maximum draft of the Neopanamax locks has been increased by 1’ effective immediately (now 49’ or 14.94 meters)
• 33 transit slots per day, starting Oct. 15th (10 Neopanamax and 23 Panamax)

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Canada’s federal government is committing C$1.2B (USD $843M) to ocean protection and marine safety as it prepares for increased commercial vessel traffic tied to new energy, LNG, and port projects.

• Transport Canada will replace aging digital systems used for cargo inspections, port state control, domestic vessel oversight and seafarer certification. The new system will integrate marine data and improve risk analysis, enforcement, and regulatory services.
• New infrastructure projects: expansion at the Port of Vancouver and the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 project will bring additional ship traffic to the West Coast.
• DP World’s Centerm terminal (Vancouver) has increased container capacity by 65% with a 75-metre berth extension, expanded on-terminal rail capacity, and automated truck gates.

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Phase 3 of the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) system will allow eligible plaintiffs to seek refunds on finally liquidated entries covered by court-ordered reliquidation.

Importers that provided a valid importer of record number to U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) by July 30^th, 2026, can begin filing Phase 3 declarations on that date. CBP is expected to provide further guidance soon.

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