Tax News Daily
The latest tax news from around the world, summarised and tagged for tax professionals. Updated twice daily.
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Indirect Tariff Payers May Be Overlooking a Meaningful Recovery Opportunity
This article highlights that businesses paying tariffs indirectly—through suppliers embedding tariff costs in product pricing—may be missing recovery opportunities. It discusses strategies such as tariff classification reviews, first sale valuation, duty drawback programs, and free trade agreement eligibility assessments that can reduce customs duty burdens. Companies in industries like manufacturing and retail often absorb inflated costs without realizing refund or mitigation options exist. The piece encourages indirect tariff payers to audit their supply chains and engage customs specialists to identify and recover overpaid duties under current U.S. trade regulations.
Customs Enforcement starts inquiry into senior officials over abuse of EFS
Pakistan's Customs Enforcement has launched a formal inquiry into senior officials suspected of abusing the Export Facilitation Scheme (EFS), a customs regime designed to allow duty-free import of inputs for export-oriented industries. The investigation focuses on alleged misuse of the scheme, potentially involving fraudulent claims or diversion of duty-exempt goods into the domestic market. Such abuses undermine customs revenue and distort trade competitiveness. The inquiry signals authorities' intent to tighten oversight of preferential customs schemes and hold accountable those exploiting regulatory frameworks meant to support legitimate exporters.
Webinar Recap: Tariff Refunds – What Consumer & Industrial Products Companies Need to Do Now
This webinar recap covers tariff refund strategies for consumer and industrial products companies amid evolving US trade policy. It addresses how businesses can identify overpaid tariffs, file for refunds, and navigate exclusion processes under current customs regulations. Key topics include Section 301 tariff exclusions, first sale valuation, and supply chain restructuring to mitigate duties. The article provides actionable guidance on customs compliance and duty recovery, making it directly relevant to companies managing import costs and trade tax exposures in the current geopolitical and regulatory environment.
Guidance: Preparing for Vaping Products Duty and the Vaping Duty Stamps Scheme
HMRC guidance on preparing for Vaping Products Duty and the Vaping Duty Stamps Scheme outlines the new UK excise duty regime applying to vaping liquids. The duty, announced at Spring Budget 2024, will be charged per millilitre of vaping liquid. The guidance covers registration timelines, the duty stamps scheme requiring physical fiscal marks on vaping products to indicate duty has been paid, and transitional arrangements. Businesses across the vaping supply chain — manufacturers, importers, and wholesalers — must prepare compliance systems ahead of the duty's introduction.
Maritime Task Force reforms boost customs efficiency, trade facilitation
Pakistan's Maritime Task Force has implemented reforms aimed at boosting customs efficiency and trade facilitation under the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). The initiative focuses on streamlining customs procedures at ports, reducing clearance times, and improving compliance mechanisms for importers and exporters. The reforms are part of broader efforts to modernize Pakistan's customs administration, curb smuggling, and enhance revenue collection through better border management. Improved coordination between maritime authorities and customs officials is expected to facilitate legitimate trade while strengthening enforcement against illicit goods, contributing to FBR's revenue targets.
E-commerce: EU abolishes the €150 de-minimis and introduces a €3 flat-rate customs duty
The EU is abolishing the €150 customs duty de-minimis threshold for e-commerce imports, replacing it with a €3 flat-rate customs duty on low-value parcels. This significant reform targets the surge in low-value imports, particularly from non-EU online marketplaces, closing a loophole widely exploited by large e-commerce platforms. The change levels the playing field for EU retailers and is expected to generate substantial customs revenue while reducing the administrative burden of individual parcel valuation. Online marketplaces and logistics operators will need to adapt their compliance frameworks accordingly.
Notice: Notices made under The Customs (Import Duty) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018
HMRC has published notices made under The Customs (Import Duty) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018, which govern the UK's post-Brexit customs import duty framework. These notices form part of the legal infrastructure establishing how import duties are assessed, collected, and administered following the UK's departure from the European Union. The regulations cover tariff classifications, duty rates, and procedural requirements for importers bringing goods into the UK. Such notices are legally significant for businesses engaged in cross-border trade, as they directly affect customs duty liabilities and compliance obligations for imports into Great Britain.
Pakistan Customs registers 201 IPR forfeiture cases in FY2025-26
Pakistan Customs has registered 201 intellectual property rights (IPR) forfeiture cases during fiscal year 2025-26, reflecting intensified enforcement against counterfeit and pirated goods at the border. The cases involve seizure of goods that violate trademark and copyright protections, with customs authorities acting under trade and IPR protection frameworks. This enforcement activity highlights the customs authorities' expanding role in protecting legitimate trade and IPR at Pakistan's borders, with significant implications for import/export compliance, customs duties, and trade regulation for businesses operating in or importing into Pakistan.
Software developers providing entry summary declaration support
This UK government guidance addresses software developers building tools to support entry summary declaration (ENS) submissions, which are required for goods entering Great Britain. The page outlines technical specifications and requirements for customs declaration software, ensuring compliance with UK import control regulations. Entry summary declarations are a core customs and trade compliance obligation, making this directly relevant to customs software development and trade facilitation technology. Developers must align their tools with HMRC's systems to enable traders to meet their legal obligations at the border.
Building a tariff-resilient compliance program: AI, technology, and a practical 90-day roadmap for global manufacturers
This article outlines how global manufacturers can build tariff-resilient compliance programs amid trade volatility, combining AI and technology with a practical 90-day implementation roadmap. It covers leveraging AI tools for tariff classification, duty drawback identification, and supply chain scenario modelling. The roadmap guides manufacturers through assessing current customs exposure, implementing technology solutions, and establishing ongoing compliance processes. Key themes include harmonized tariff schedule classification accuracy, rules of origin analysis, and using tax technology platforms to automate customs data management and reduce compliance risk in an increasingly complex global trade environment.
What today’s tariff authorities actually demand: The data, visibility, and compliance gaps most manufacturers haven’t closed
This article examines the compliance demands that tariff authorities place on manufacturers, focusing on data visibility gaps that many companies have yet to address. It highlights the need for accurate classification, valuation, and origin documentation as customs authorities increase scrutiny. Manufacturers face pressure to maintain real-time supply chain visibility, harmonized tariff schedule accuracy, and audit-ready records. The piece identifies systemic weaknesses in ERP and trade management systems that leave companies exposed to penalties and delays. It serves as a practical guide for global manufacturers seeking to close compliance gaps amid an increasingly aggressive customs enforcement environment.
After IEEPA: Which tariff authorities does the U.S. government still have — and what global manufacturers need to know
This article analyzes the U.S. tariff legal landscape following challenges to IEEPA-based tariff authorities, outlining which statutory powers the U.S. government retains to impose duties. It covers alternative authorities including Section 232, Section 301, and the Trade Act provisions still available to policymakers. Global manufacturers are advised to reassess supply chain strategies given the remaining legal tools for tariff imposition. The piece provides a framework for understanding the durability of existing tariffs and the risk of new measures, helping businesses anticipate trade policy shifts and maintain compliance under a complex and evolving U.S. trade authority structure.
FMCG importers ask FBR to review new packaging rules
FMCG importers in Pakistan have approached the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) requesting a review of newly introduced packaging rules affecting imported fast-moving consumer goods. The importers argue the regulations create compliance burdens and increase costs for businesses bringing products into the country. The packaging requirements, linked to customs clearance procedures, have raised concerns about their practical implementation and impact on supply chains. Industry stakeholders are seeking clarification and potential amendments to ensure the rules are workable without disrupting trade flows or unfairly penalising legitimate importers.
PSW Partners with LUMS to promote digital trade & customs expertise
Pakistan Single Window (PSW) has partnered with the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) to advance digital trade facilitation and customs expertise in Pakistan. The collaboration aims to build capacity in customs procedures, digital trade systems, and cross-border regulatory frameworks. By leveraging LUMS's academic resources alongside PSW's operational infrastructure, the initiative seeks to develop skilled professionals equipped to handle modern customs and trade compliance challenges, supporting Pakistan's broader ambitions to modernize its trade ecosystem and improve border management efficiency.
Fuel used in private pleasure craft and for private pleasure flying (Excise Notice 554)
UK HMRC Excise Notice 554 provides detailed guidance on fuel duty rules for private pleasure craft and private pleasure flying. It covers the types of fuel liable for full duty rates, restrictions on using rebated fuels such as red diesel in private pleasure craft, compliance obligations for operators, and penalty provisions. The notice explains how HMRC distinguishes between commercial and private use, outlines record-keeping requirements, and clarifies which fuels are permitted. This is a practical compliance guide for individuals and businesses operating private vessels or aircraft in the UK excise duty framework.
Relief from fuel duty for marine voyages (Notice 263)
UK HMRC Notice 263 outlines the conditions under which relief from fuel duty can be claimed for marine voyages. It covers eligibility criteria for duty-free fuel on qualifying international and domestic commercial voyages, how operators can obtain and use duty-relieved fuel, documentation and record-keeping requirements, and HMRC compliance expectations. The notice distinguishes between commercial shipping and private use, detailing the specific marine routes and vessel types that qualify for relief. It serves as a practical compliance reference for shipping operators and fuel suppliers operating within the UK excise duty framework.
EU Flat‑Rate €3 Customs Fee on Non‑EU Online Purchases
The EU is introducing a flat-rate €3 customs fee on low-value goods purchased online from non-EU sellers, targeting the wave of cheap imports — particularly from platforms like Temu and Shein — that have previously benefited from the de minimis VAT exemption. This measure accompanies broader EU customs reform aimed at closing loopholes exploited by high-volume e-commerce shipments. The flat fee is designed to be simple to administer while generating revenue and levelling the playing field for EU-based retailers. Implementation will require cooperation with customs authorities across all member states and will significantly affect cross-border e-commerce flows into the EU.
Registered dealers in controlled oil (Excise Notice 192)
UK HMRC Excise Notice 192 sets out the registration requirements and obligations for dealers in controlled oils, including gas oil, kerosene, and other rebated fuels. It explains who must register as a Registered Dealer in Controlled Oil (RDCO), the application process, due diligence responsibilities when buying and selling controlled oils, record-keeping obligations, and reporting requirements. The notice also covers penalties for non-compliance and HMRC's powers to tackle fuel fraud. It is a key compliance reference for fuel distributors and suppliers operating within the UK's excise duty regime for controlled petroleum products.
There Is No Low-Tax Case for Tariffs
The Tax Foundation argues there is no credible low-tax justification for tariffs, rebutting claims that import duties serve as a legitimate alternative to income or consumption taxes. The article contends that tariffs function as hidden taxes on consumers and businesses, raise costs across supply chains, and distort trade patterns without delivering meaningful fiscal benefits. It challenges the framing of tariffs as pro-growth policy, asserting they undermine the efficiency gains associated with genuine tax reduction. The piece situates tariffs within the broader debate over trade and tax policy in the United States.
India, China Call Broad US Forced Labor Tariffs Not Justified
India and China have jointly challenged broad US tariffs imposed under forced labor justifications, arguing they lack sufficient legal and factual basis under international trade rules. Both nations contend the sweeping tariff measures are disproportionate and not adequately justified under WTO frameworks or US trade law. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions over US customs and trade enforcement tools, particularly the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act and related import restrictions, which have significantly affected exports from both countries.
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