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Supply Chain Updates—December 16, 2025 Newsletter

December 15, 2025

Boeing’s recent acquisition signals a realignment in the aerospace supply chain.

Our global forwarding team is monitoring these developments to ensure aerospace customers can maintain smooth shipments of critical components.

China’s rare-earth shipments have picked up following trade talks and export licensing updates, helping to ease short-term supply constraint for electronics and EV minerals.

Companies should keep an eye on allocations and plan ahead. Our team makes sure critical materials get where they need to go. This helps prevent delays and keeps operations running smoothly.

EU Council adopted negotiating mandates to implement tariff elements of the EU-U.S. joint statement, an important step toward tariff adjustments on certain industrial and food categories.

Importers and exporters should map their product lines against the proposed regulatory texts as they become available to ensure timely compliance.

Washington has moved forward with trade talks involving seven countries: Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Argentina, El Salvador, Ecuador, Guatemala, and South Korea.

The deals include tariff caps, MFN treatment, which ensures trading partners receive the same favorable terms offered to others, a 15% minimum tariff for South Korea, and reductions in Section 232 tariffs, all pending implementations.

Major manufacturers are reshaping their supply-chain leadership, such as appointing new global chief supply-chain officers, signaling a focus on resilience and sourcing strategy. 

Monitoring these changes helps us anticipate shifts and plan for potential supply chain changes.

Recent logistics data shows U.S. containerized imports declined 7.8% year-over-year in November, including a nearly 20% drop in volumes from China. 

For our customers, shifts like these can affect vessel capacity and lead-time planning. We monitor changes in real time so we can advise you on routing, timing, and any adjustments needed to keep your supply chain moving.

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 ApplicationThis 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:

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Tariff Update: 4 November 2025 232.11 KB 145 downloads

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