Customer Advisory: U.S. Compliance Update

• While the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for monitoring various compliance programs, two that specifically impact importers and exporters are the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Access to these program compliance resources to stay in compliance.
• S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Announces Launch of Forced Labor Portal
  Effective January 21, 2026, it is mandatory to use the Forced Labor Portal to submit the following reviews:
  • Withhold Release Order/Finding admissibility reviews.
  • Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) applicability reviews.
  • UFLPA requests for exception; and
  • Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) exception requests

Access: Quick Reference Guide, Direct link to Instructional Video

Email questions regarding this portal to: ForcedLabor@cbp.dhs.gov

• S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Opens Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP) Application Portal for Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 on January 1, 2026, a voluntary fee-based program that provides importers, who achieve and maintain control over the safety and security of their supply chains, the benefits of expedited review and importation of human and animal foods into the U.S. Food importers must meet certain eligibility requirements, including ensuring that the facilities of their foreign suppliers are certified through the FDA's Accredited Third-Party Certification Program.
• CBP Issues Cargo Systems Messaging Service (CSMS) No. 67513690, - REMINDER: Electronic Refunds Interim Final Rule Effective February 6, 2026 – New FAQs Now Available
• Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Posts Federal Register (FR) Notice Inviting Comments on Global Sanitary & Phytosanitary Standards
• CBP Webinar: New World Screwworm (NWS) Impact to U.S., Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. EST
• Centers of Excellence & Expertise Directory, CSMS #43089259 for details
• National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA) Educational Institute (NEI) Reminder – January 31, 2026, deadline to complete the continuing education requirements in order to maintain NEI certification and be eligible for renewal, you must earn 15 credits by this date.

STAY AHEAD – ONE FORWARDER + ONE BROKER = OVERALL COMPLIANCE

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