Customer Advisory: Compliance Update Agency Operations During Shutdown

Operational Changes for Key Oversight Agencies During Shutdown Which Began on October 1st, 2025

Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC): Most operations have been suspended, including import surveillance and product screening.

Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS): Regular services are suspended, including the processing of export license applications, commodity classification requests, and advisory opinion requests.
Enforcement: Export controls enforcement activities are expected to continue.

Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP):
Trade operations, including cargo clearance, tariff collection, and inspections, will continue without interruption. CBP personnel are classified as "excepted employees" and are required to work.

Administrative functions: non-excepted functions, such as policy, administrative, and research activities, are suspended.

Department of State, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC): Services are significantly curtailed, impacting registration renewals and the processing of export licenses and advisory opinions. National security-related functions may continue.

Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC): The office will likely prioritize sanctions enforcement activities. While it will handle some sanctions-related inquiries on a limited basis, it will suspend the review of many license applications, voluntary disclosures, and other administrative communications.

Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS): While some import and export activities supported by user fees will continue, most regulatory work is suspended. This includes many functions related to animal and plant health.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):
Activities that continue during a shutdown: Emergency response, existing contracts and multi-year programs, criminal enforcement, and lab maintenance.
Activities that are suspended or delayed: Most civil enforcement inspections of facilities are stopped, which can lead to increased pollution as fewer “eyes on the ground” monitor compliance.

U.S. Food & Drug Administration (USFDA), Food Safety & Inspection Service (FSIS): Mandated meat, poultry, and egg inspections continue, but other FDA activities related to food safety are reduced.

Federal Maritime Commission (FMC): All employees have been furloughed, and all functions have been suspended. This includes processing contract submissions, online filings, and resolving cargo disputes.

U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC): Regular operations have ceased, and many investigative activities are suspended. While its HTS Search Tool and Data Web remain accessible, document filing for the online docketing system is disabled.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONCERNING OPERATIONS IN THE ABSENCE OF APPROPRIATIONS

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