Weekend Announcements of New Tariffs on China
In a Truth Social Post late Friday, October 10, President Trump announced a NEW 100% tariff on products imported from China, adding to the tariffs already in effect. This move is reportedly in response to new export controls being implemented by China. President Trump followed up with another post on Sunday, stating, “Don’t worry about China, it will all be fine!” However, no further details have been provided on how or when this additional tariff would take effect.
With tensions between the U.S. and China clearly escalating, talks between the two countries in the coming weeks will be critical ahead of the announced implementation date of November 1.
Heavy Truck Tariffs
A Truth Social post on October 6, 2025, provides the latest update regarding the heavy-duty truck tariffs initially announced by the President on September 25, 2025. The post reaffirms that the 25% tariff will be implemented under Section 232, with the effective date now scheduled for November 1, 2025—postponed from the originally announced start date of October 1, 2025.
An official notice has yet to be issued following the Truth Social post. An Executive Order will need to be issued prior to the effective tariff start date.
We will report back with more details when they become available via Executive Order and Federal Register Notice.
Another Government Shutdown Update from CBP
CBP hosted another public facing conference call on October 6, 2025, to update the trade community on the impact of the ongoing government shutdown. Representatives from multiple offices participated and were available to answer questions.
CBP emphasized that this shutdown differs from previous ones, as nearly all agency personnel are currently reporting to work. In prior shutdowns, port operations continued but not necessarily those at Headquarters. This time, CBP noted that its capacity to “keep things moving” is far greater than in past events.
However, although all personnel are on duty, there are restrictions to the work they can perform—activities must be directly related to mission-critical tasks and other “accepted” functions.
Refund processing and issuance were key open questions from the earlier call held on October 1. The Office of Finance provided an update, clarifying that no refunds are being issued at this time, though the situation is under review and evaluation. All CBP employees are at work, but not all their specific functions are classified as ‘accepted’ - issuing refunds is one example. CBP is bound to follow the hiatus language for specific tasks and issuing refunds is not allowed in the appropriation language. CBP officials are holding follow-up meetings to further check into this issue. If different instructions are received, refunds will be processed immediately, and the trade/importers will not have felt a noticeable impact yet.
There was a robust Q&A session during the call which yielded the following additional information:
Q: Is everyone at CBP still accepted and authorized to continue working at this point?
A: YES
- Holds and Exams involving Agriculture: CBP’s Agriculture Specialists are on duty, and staff in the CEEs are also working, so reach out to your local port if you are not seeing timely responses on issues CBP cannot speak for USDA staff involved in these inspections.
Q: Can you provide a definition of what’s being discussed under the ‘refunds’ topic umbrella?
A: A refund is defined as anything where a treasury check is issued
Q: With refunds on hold, does anything need to be done by the importer or broker side once the shutdown is over to ‘push’ any refunds associated with Protests which are approved during the hiatus?
A: NO. Once there is authorization to go ahead with refunds, CBP will flip the switch and those will go through as normal.
Q: Checks from Treasury are not being issued but how about refunds via ACH?
A: Refunds, regardless of how they're being sent, are all under the same appropriations rules and are NOT being paid out.
- Refunds associated with Drawback claims, PSCs, and Protests: All these mechanisms for refunds fall under 'refunds' with a treasury check issued so they are ALL ON HOLD.
- CBP will pay interest on refunds delayed for more than 30 days.
- CTPAT: It is mandatory to continue to submit all info due at this time, including for renewals. The CTPAT specialists are all working.
Q: Will PGAs be included in these calls in the future? Or at least CBP Ag and 1USG office?
A: Agencies which are furloughed cannot be on. CBP Ag is on today.
Q: Any update on heavy truck tariffs?
A: No update at this time.
Q: Is the Revenue Department still processing ACH Debit applications and issuing PUN numbers?
A: YES. There's a bit of a backlog, but reassignment of personnel has taken place on the backend to keep this moving.
- No changes expected for the Licensed Customs Broker (LCB) Examination scheduled for October 22, 2025
Q: Are seizure operations at HQ and Ports operating normally? Petitions for release of items still being processed as normal?
A: YES. All Fines, Penalties and Forfeitures (FP&F) personnel are working.
Q: Is the FDA Import Division working?
A: Not able to comment. Check their website.
Q: Are CBP Import Specialists still reviewing Post Summary Correction (PSC) claims? Will liquidation dates be impacted by the shutdown?
A: NO. There is no impact on the work of CBP Import Specialists.
- All Collections & Bills due to CBP should be submitted on schedule and paid without delay.
Q: Is ACE Support still up and running regarding questions about ACE Portal data?
A: YES
Q: If all personnel are working, what is the cause of delays on the Northern and Southern border?
A: CBP has not identified any delays on the US side at this time.
Q: Any delays in bond sufficiency notices going out?
A: NO. Those notices are being processed and sent out on a normal schedule.
Q: Any anticipated impact on the tariffs scheduled for timber, lumber, and furniture scheduled to go into effect on October 14?
A: NO. No impact or delays and CBP is still on track to send guidance via CSMS to the trade.
Q: Will CBP be operational for the entirety of the shutdown?
A: If there are any major changes in CBP operations, should there be an extended shutdown period, another call will be scheduled to update the trade.
- Please direct additional questions to: tradeevents@cbp.dhs.gov
The situation continues to remain fluid. The Laufer Group team will continue to monitor these changes and provide updates on any significant developments.
Please check our INSIGHTS page for previous updates and to find more details on other active tariffs and open regulatory items.