A technical hiccup in the U.S. Customs system caused a temporary freeze on updated tariffs for shipments already en route to the U.S. this week. The glitch lasted over 10 hours, slowing processing for goods from the Chinese mainland and regions with temporary tariff relief.
The Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) platform – the digital backbone for import/export declarations – hadn’t refreshed duty rates to match President Trump’s April 9 pause on new tariffs. Imagine your phone not updating apps for days… but with billions in trade at stake. 💸
U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirmed the issue is fixed, calling it a 'software adjustment.' No delays are expected for incoming shipments now. CBP spokesperson added: 'We prioritize smooth trade operations while adapting to policy changes.'
This comes amid ongoing shifts in U.S. trade strategies, including 90-day tariff pauses for some allies. Still, the speedy fix shows how tech is reshaping global commerce – one update at a time. 🔧🌐
