Which rulings did CBP issue in July 2026?

Dried hemp flowers from Colombia classified in 1404.90.90

CBP reviewed dried, de-stemmed, de-leaved, and ground hemp flowers imported from Colombia for CBD oil extraction. The question was whether the product should be classified as a textile material under Chapter 53 or as a vegetable product under heading 1404. CBP ruled the hemp flowers fall under subheading 1404.90.90, HTSUS, because they are not of a kind used primarily to manufacture textiles.

Who it matters to: Importers of dried, ground hemp flower for CBD extraction can look to this ruling to support classification under subheading 1404.90.90 rather than as a textile material.

CBP subject: Classification of Dried Hemp Flowers (Cannabis sativa L.)

HTS 1404.90.90

Unassembled truck cargo container classified in 8707.90.50, qualifies as Mexican origin under USMCA

CBP reviewed an unassembled cargo container made in Mexico from U.S. and Mexican components, imported for assembly and use as an aftermarket part on heavy trucks. CBP classified the container under subheading 8707.90.50, HTSUS, found it qualifies as a product of Mexico for marking purposes because the foreign materials meet the required tariff shift, and determined it is eligible for USMCA preferential tariff treatment as an aftermarket part under the applicable product-specific rule of origin.

Who it matters to: Importers of unassembled vehicle bodies or aftermarket auto parts made with mixed U.S. and Mexican components can use this ruling to confirm classification, marking, and USMCA eligibility for similar goods.

CBP subject: Country of Origin Marking; USMCA; Unassembled Cargo Container

Cream of tartar processed in Spain does not qualify for 9802.00.50 duty break

GC Chemicals Corp. exports crude potassium bitartrate (argol), an industrial byproduct, to Spain for purification into food-grade cream of tartar under subheading 2918.13.20. CBP considered whether the returned cream of tartar qualifies for the partial duty exemption under subheading 9802.00.50 as a repair or alteration. CBP affirmed NY N348053, holding the argol is not complete for its intended food-grade use at export and the Spanish purification is a necessary manufacturing step, so the exemption does not apply.

Who it matters to: Importers who send unfinished or industrial-grade materials abroad for purification or upgrading into a different commercial product should not expect 9802.00.50 treatment on the finished goods.

CBP subject: Request for Reconsideration of NY N348053; Cream of Tartar; 9802.00.50

CBP rules STIIIZY's Post-FD AIO vaporizer devices fall outside ITC exclusion order

CBP's Exclusion Order Enforcement Branch reviewed STIIIZY's 'Post-FD AIO (All in One) Devices' against a limited exclusion order the ITC issued in Investigation No. 337-TA-1392 covering oil vaporizing devices that infringe certain patents held by PAX Labs, Inc. CBP found that STIIIZY met its burden of proving these specific devices are not covered by the exclusion order, meaning they are not barred from entry on that basis.

Who it matters to: Importers of vaporizing devices or components, especially those involved in ITC section 337 proceedings, should note that CBP can determine on a product-specific basis whether a redesigned or new product falls inside or outside an existing exclusion order.

CBP subject: Ruling Request; U.S. International Trade Commission; Limited Exclusion Order; Investigation No. 337-TA-1392; Certain Oil Vaporizing Devices, Components Thereof, and Products Containing the Same

Redesigned liquid transfer device still blocked by ITC exclusion order

CBP reviewed a request to reconsider its ruling on a redesigned liquid transfer device with an integral vial adapter, which added a valve between the vial adapter and IV spike. The importer, Summit, argued the valve removed the device from the scope of a Limited Exclusion Order issued in ITC Investigation No. 337-TA-1362. CBP affirmed its earlier ruling, finding Summit did not prove the valve stops the device from having the 'direct and continuous fluid communication' required by the patent claim, so the redesigned device remains subject to the exclusion order.

Who it matters to: Importers of liquid transfer devices covered by ITC Limited Exclusion Order 337-TA-1362, or anyone relying on product redesigns to avoid a Section 337 exclusion order, should note that CBP requires clear proof the redesign removes the patented feature.

CBP subject: Request for Ruling Reconsideration under 19 CFR § 177.2 and § 177.12; U.S. International Trade Commission; Limited Exclusion Order; Investigation No. 337-TA-1362; Certain Liquid Transfer Devices with an Integral Vial Adapter

Reconsideration reclassifies NK cam levers from steel/aluminum articles to handtools of 8205

CBP reconsidered five cam lever models (used to clamp and hold workpieces in place) that NY N361167 had classified under 7326.90.8688 (iron or steel articles) and 7616.99.5190 (aluminum articles). After reviewing the components, including the lever arm, threaded studs or internal threading, and clamping plate, CBP found the cam levers are handtools with a working part of base metal and reclassified them under subheading 8205.59.5560 (iron or steel handtools) or 8205.59.7000 (aluminum handtools), depending on the model. This ruling revokes NY N361167.

Who it matters to: Importers of cam levers or similar clamping hand tools with lever arms should review whether their products belong in 8205 rather than the general iron, steel, or aluminum articles headings.

CBP subject: Request to reconsider NY N361167; Tariff Classification of Various Cam Levers

Philips Ultrasound System assembled in US and Mexico is a US product for government procurement

Philips North America LLC asked CBP to determine the country of origin of its Ultrasound System 5100 POC Series for Trade Agreements Act government procurement purposes. The system uses subassemblies from the United States, Mexico, and other countries, with the E-box and cart assembled in Mexico and final assembly, integration, and proprietary software programming done in the United States. CBP found the last substantial transformation occurs in the United States because the subassemblies cannot function as an ultrasound system until final assembly and software programming happen there, so the country of origin is the United States.

Who it matters to: This ruling matters to importers and manufacturers of multi-country assembled medical devices who need to establish US origin for Buy American or Trade Agreements Act government procurement eligibility.

CBP subject: U.S. Government Procurement; Title III, Trade Agreements Act of 1979 (19 U.S.C. § 2511); Subpart B, Part 177, CBP Regulations; Philips North America LLC; Country of Origin of Ultrasound System 5100 POC Series; Substantial Transformation

German steel plates clad in the US qualify for TIB, but owe duty and AD/CVD when shipped to Canada

DMC Global imports German steel plates classified under HTSUS 7208.51.0060, 7208.52.0000, or 7225.40.3050, and subjects them to explosion welding cladding before exporting the finished plates to Canada. CBP ruled that this cladding qualifies as processing under subheading 9813.00.05, so the plates can enter duty free under a temporary importation bond. However, CBP determined the plates are not exported in the same condition as imported, so at exportation to Canada they become subject to a USMCA entry for consumption and owe duty, including any applicable antidumping, countervailing, and Section 232 duties, based on their condition at importation.

Who it matters to: Importers using TIB entries for processing before shipping goods to Canada or Mexico should expect duty, AD/CVD, and Section 232 liability at exportation if the processing changes the product's condition or tariff classification.

CBP subject: Temporary Importation under Bond; Steel Plates; United States-Mexico-Canada (USMCA); Antidumping and Countervailing Duties; Section 232 Duties

Boat rental company's charter agreement qualifies as valid bareboat charter under coastwise laws

KJ Marine Services, LLC, doing business as Boat Chicago Charters, asked CBP whether its proposed Recreational Charter Agreement for a non-coastwise-qualified vessel on Lake Michigan is a valid bareboat charter. CBP reviewed each provision of the agreement and found that it transfers possession, command, and navigation of the vessel to the charterer. CBP held that the agreement is a valid bareboat charter and that operating the vessel under it does not violate the coastwise laws.

Who it matters to: This ruling matters to companies that charter vessels for use in U.S. waters, including the Great Lakes, because it shows what contract terms CBP looks for to confirm a bareboat charter and avoid coastwise law violations.

CBP subject: Coastwise Trade; Passengers; Bareboat Charter Agreement; 46 U.S.C. §§ 55102 and 55103.

Fidget blankets do not qualify for duty-free 9817.00.96 treatment

CBP reviewed textile fidget blankets marketed for people with dementia, autism, ADHD, and anxiety, sold under subheading 6307.90.98. The importer asked CBP to reconsider its denial of duty-free treatment under subheading 9817.00.96 for articles for the handicapped. CBP affirmed the denial, finding the blankets are not specially designed for handicapped persons because similar textured fidget items are commonly used by the general public and the targeted conditions vary too widely in severity.

Who it matters to: Importers of sensory or fidget products marketed to people with disabilities should know CBP requires proof the item is specially designed for a specific handicapped class, not just marketed toward broad conditions like anxiety or ADHD.

CBP subject: Request for Reconsideration of N352402 – Fidget Blanket - Articles for the Handicapped, Subheading 9817.00.96, HTSUS;

HTS 9817.00.96

Cosmetic brush bristles from China keep China origin despite Indonesia assembly

CBP reviewed a cosmetic brush, model SMB2534, whose PBT fiber bristles, metal ferrule, and painted wood handle originate in China but are assembled in Indonesia. CBP affirmed NY N348411, holding that inserting, bonding, trimming, and shaping the pre-cut Chinese bristles in Indonesia does not substantially transform them because they already had the shape and identity of a brush head before importation into Indonesia. The country of origin of the finished cosmetic brush remains China.

Who it matters to: Importers of cosmetic brushes or similar tools assembled from pre-shaped foreign components should confirm whether the assembly country's processing meets the substantial transformation standard before claiming a different country of origin.

CBP subject: Affirmation of NY N348411; Country of Origin of a Cosmetic Brush; Substantial Transformation