This session presented by Richard Wortman and Michele Lehat of GDLSK provides a comprehensive overview of recent tariff developments impacting the spice and food import sectors, with a focus on strategies to reduce duty exposure through strategic sourcing, tariff engineering, and a close examination of CBP’s substantial transformation test. In this presentation, experts reviewed the current legal framework governing substantial transformation. They also walked through practical examples relevant to food and spice products, and explored how proper application of this doctrine can lead to meaningful duty savings. Whether you're an importer or manage procurement, compliance, or logistics, this webinar will offer practical, actionable insights to help your business stay competitive in today’s evolving trade landscape.

The FDA is implementing import certification requirements under Section 801(q) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (added by FSMA Section 303) for certain foods from certain regions of Indonesia due to Cesium-137 (Cs-137) contamination risks. This was based on information available, including detection of elevated levels of Cs-137 in several shipments, including shrimp and cloves, FDA sample analysis, and known sources of contamination in the region. This one-pager provides what you need to know for shipping products subject to Import Alert (IA) 99-52.