Resources

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Welcome to the March edition of VEDP International Trade’s Supply Chain Newsletter!

Just three months into 2026 and it's already clear that this will be another fast-moving year in the global supply chain world. With trade policies, regulations, and market conditions evolving quickly, staying informed has never been more important, or more challenging.

For this quarter's edition, we're spotlighting a few must-subscribe notifications and resources that help importers and businesses stay current. These are a mix of go-to updates our team relies on and recommendations we frequently hear about from Virginia businesses. We hope this roundup helps you cut through the noise, uncover new insights, and identify practical strategies to strengthen your supply chain operations in today's dynamic global supply chain landscape. 

VEDP recently hosted a webinar regarding recent tariff rulings and what it means for Virginia businesses. We were joined by Ned Steiner, Managing Director, International Trade & Government Relations at Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A. to learn how these recent tariff changes can affect your business. Click here to watch the recording.

VEDP's International Trade team may have resources available to assist your company with navigating your supply chain and importing challenges. Reach out to John Sauls at [email protected] or click this link to learn more.

Until the next shipment of insights,
John Sauls
Supply Chain Program Manager, VEDP International Trade
 

5 Steps to Prepare for Potential IEEPA Tariff Refunds

In light of the CIT Order and the Supreme Court’s recent decision on IEEPA‑related tariffs, importers that have paid IEEPA‑related tariffs should act now both to preserve potential refund claims and to manage forward‑looking tariff risk.

1. Map Your Exposure and Refund Potential. Identify all imports subject to IEEPA-related tariffs (by time period, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States classification, and country of origin) and quantify duties paid to estimate your potential refund.  
2. Review Liquidation and Protest Status. Determine whether each relevant entry is unliquidated, liquidated but still within the 180-day protest window, or final, and confirm what PSCs or protests have already been filed and what administrative options remain.  
3. Preserve Documentation. Collect and organize entry documentation, customs filings, duty payment records, internal tariff analyses, and communications with brokers, suppliers, and customers regarding tariff-related charges.  
4. Evaluate Contractual and Commercial Impacts. Review supply, sales, logistics, and other commercial contracts to confirm who bore the economic burden of the IEEPA-related tariffs, ensure tariff allocation clauses remain appropriate in light of potential refunds and the Section 122 Surcharge, and consider whether amendments or renegotiations are warranted.  
5. Pursue Appropriate Legal and Commercial Remedies. Consider judicial relief in the CIT, potential claims against counterparties that received tariff-related surcharges or pass-throughs, and negotiated solutions with suppliers, customers, and logistics partners to recover or reallocate tariff-related costs and refunds.

Continue reading this article here or subscribe to other notifications from Troutman, Pepper, and Locke here. 

Don’t Miss Critical Updates from Customs and Border Protection

Importers and trade professionals are strongly encouraged to subscribe to U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Cargo Systems Messaging Service (CSMS). CSMS is CBP’s primary channel for sharing timely updates on ACE system changes, maintenance windows, regulatory guidance, and trade‑related announcements that can directly impact shipments and compliance. Subscribing ensures you receive critical information as soon as it’s released, helping you stay informed, avoid disruptions, and respond quickly to changes affecting your supply chain operations. You can sign up directly on CBP’s website here.

Timely Updates on Tariffs, Trade, and Supply Chains

For those looking to stay current on rapidly evolving tariff rulings and broader trade and supply chain developments, Fox Rothschild’s publications are an excellent resource. Subscribers receive timely legal insights and analysis on major court decisions, regulatory changes, and enforcement trends affecting importers and global supply chains. A recent example is their in‑depth coverage of the Court of International Trade’s order directing refunds of IEEPA‑related tariffs, followed by a rapid pause just 48 hours later, underscoring how quickly the legal landscape can shift and why staying informed matters. You can read this article here or subscribe to receive future publications from Fox Rothchild here. 

Staying Current on Tariffs and Trade Law with SmarTrade

Thompson Hine’s SmarTrade blog and alerts are a great option for importers looking to stay informed on evolving tariff, trade, and supply chain developments. SmarTrade provides timely news and analysis on international trade law, including court decisions, CBP actions, and trade policy shifts that can have immediate impacts on importers. A recent SmarTrade article, “Two Steps Importers Should Take Now to Prepare for IEEPA Tariff Refunds,” is a good example of the practical, timely guidance subscribers receive, highlighting key considerations as the IEEPA tariff landscape continues to change. Subscribing to SmarTrade can help importers stay aware of important rulings and better understand potential implications for duties paid and next steps. If interested, you can subscribe here. 

VEDP Welcomes the 2026 Supply Chain Optimization Program Cohort with Orientation and Training

VEDP's Supply Chain Optimization Program (SCOP) recently welcomed a new cohort of 20 Virginia companies at the program's yearly training and orientation. Throughout the next year, these 20 businesses will benefit from counseling, training, funding, and other resources to support their supply chain optimization efforts. 

This training and orientation featured sessions on: 

• Supply chain planning, risk mitigation, and supplier development
• Strategies to reduce energy costs in operations
• HS code accuracy and classification best practices
• Trade policy & tariff updates
• Forced labor compliance and CBP enforcement
• An alum fireside chat on the real impact of SCOP

Could your company benefit from trainings like these to support improving your supply chain processes? Reach out to John Sauls at [email protected] to learn more and see if you are eligible for VEDP's Supply Chain Optimization Program. 

To subscribe to receive VEDP's supply chain newsletter, click here.