Newsflash: Contemporary Photographs from Germany and the UK Subject to 25% Tariff, Effective October 18

October 2, 2019

The U.S. Trade Representative (“USTR”) announced that it will impose 25% tariffs on more than 150 goods imported from
European Union (“EU”) countries, including contemporary photographs from Germany and the UK.

Effective October 18, imports of photographs printed not over 20 years prior to import will be subject to 25% additional duty
if the photographs originated in Germany or the UK, regardless of the country of export. Photographs printed over 20 years
before the date of import are not subject to the tariff.

Other products of note that will be subject to the 25% tariff include mass produced lithographs and printed matter in single
sheets from Germany and the UK. Original lithographs, etchings, and engravings that are classified as works of art are not
affected.

The USTR announcement came after the World Trade Organization (“WTO”) determined that the U.S. can impose
countermeasures against the EU for its failure to comply with a previous ruling against subsidies provided to aircraft
manufacturer, Airbus. The USTR has stated that the tariffs will only be lifted “when the EU ends these harmful subsidies.”

View the full USTR press release here. Follow this link for the list of goods affected. Further updates will be provided as they
are available. In the meantime, if you have any questions please contact your local Masterpiece representative.

Thank You,

Tariff Updates & Trade Compliance Updates

CBP (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) is moving fully electronic: After nearly 28 years of issuing paper checks, CBP will transition all refunds to electronic payments beginning February 6, 2026, with only limited exceptions.
Act Now to Avoid Delays: With a short window to prepare, importers should act now to prevent disruptions to duty drawback claims, Post Summary Corrections (PSC), and other post-entry refunds. Importers already enrolled in the electronic refund program should review their setup to ensure payments are received without interruption.
Supreme Court Update – Value of Services (VOS) Selections: While no decision has been issued, importers may want to prepare for potential changes. If favorable, IEEPA tariffs could no longer apply, though refunds would require documentation and follow-up. Keeping detailed records and ensuring electronic refund information is current can help you stay ready.

Helpful U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Resources to Get Started:

CBP Trade Portal Account: Use this portal to manage your trade account, update company information, and oversee electronic transactions with CBP. This is the primary platform for maintaining refund eligibility.
Modernized Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Importer Account Application: This application allows importers to establish or update their trade account, a required step for enrolling in electronic refund payments.
Automated Clearing House (ACH) Refund Enrollment Guidance: U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s official guidance explains how to enroll in ACH for electronic refunds, including key requirements, timelines, and system updates importers should be aware of.

How Imperative Logistics Can Support You:

Electronic Refund Readiness: We provide guidance to help ensure your trade portal access and ACH electronic payment setup are ready for CBP’s new electronic refund process. The trade portal is U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s online system for managing import and export activity, while ACH is the banking network used to receive refunds electronically.
Refund & Post-Entry Guidance: Our team can help clarify how to track refunds and manage post-entry processes under CBP’s updated electronic-only refund requirements.
Third-Party Authorization Support: For importers who work with brokers or other third parties, we provide guidance on properly designating authorized parties under CBP rules.
Keeping You Informed: We monitor CBP notices, Federal Register updates, and regulatory trends, turning complex information into clear, actionable guidance so your business can stay compliant and prepared.

Have questions about how these tariff changes affect your shipments? Our team of experts is ready to provide guidance, please Contact Us anytime. For further details, please consult the latest Tariff Update and Reciprocal Tariff List for comprehensive information.

View the latest Tariff Information: