Cross-border intelligence

OCC Finalizes Stablecoin Framework as January Compliance Date Approaches

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has finalized rules governing stablecoin issuers under its jurisdiction, establishing standards for reserves, redemption, custody and risk management ahead of a January deadline. The rule,

2026 Economics Nobel Laureate Robert Hall Helped Lay Foundation for Pro-Growth Tax Reform

Hall’s research helped economists understand how taxes distort investment decisions, while his work with Rabushka shows how to minimize those distortions. Although the US remains far from a pure consumption tax, Hall’s work informs efforts

BAMAMON Recalls LED Projecting Finger Light Toys Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Battery Ingestion; Violate Mandatory Standard for Toys

The recalled finger lights violate the mandatory standard for toys because they contain button cell batteries and the compartments that hold the batteries can be easily accessed by children, posing a deadly ingestion hazard to children. Whe

Lithonia Lighting Recalls RSX Luminaires with Adjustable Tilt Arm Mountings Due to Risk of Serious Injury from Impact Hazard

The knuckle of the recalled adjustable tilt arm mountings can fail, allowing the luminaire to fall from the mounting arm, posing a risk of serious injury due to impact hazard.

Costway Recalls Convertible High Chairs Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Entrapment and Fall Hazards; Violate Mandatory Standard for High Chairs

The convertible high chairs violate the mandatory safety standard for high chairs because they do not contain a passive restraint system and a child can slip through the opening between the feeding tray and seat and become entrapped or fall

FoShanShiNanHaiQuNuoAiTongZhuangShangHang Recalls CIYTI Light-Up Princess Costumes Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Battery Ingestion; Violate Mandatory Standard for Toy

The costumes violate the mandatory safety standard for toys because the button cell batteries can be accessed easily by children, posing a deadly ingestion hazard. If button cell or coin batteries are swallowed, the ingested batteries can c

VQQQ Gas Patio Heaters Recalled Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Fire and Burn Hazards

Components on the recalled patio heaters can malfunction causing gas to be released, posing a risk of serious injury or death from fire and burn hazards.

Accredited official statistics: Alcohol Bulletin

This publication covers provisional alcohol duty receipts data to October 2026 and provisional production and clearances data to September 2026.

Guidance: Import Control System 2: service availability and issues

Check the availability and any issues affecting the Import Control System 2 (ICS2) service.

Registration and approval of excise goods held in duty suspension (Excise Notice 196)

Requirements for excise goods held in duty suspension in a warehouse by an authorised warehousekeeper or registered consignor in the UK.

Notice: Trade remedies notices: S-PVC from China, Mexico and South Korea

Trade remedies notices published by the Secretary of State relating to imports of Suspension Polyvinyl Chloride (S-PVC) originating from China, Mexico and South Korea.

Promotional material: Help with VAT on cryptoassets — GfC21

Find out how UK VAT applies to cryptoasset activities, including when to register, place of supply rules and record‑keeping.

Part 6: Exemptions — Part A: property used for disabled persons

The Valuation Office's technical manual for the rating of business (non-domestic) property.

Part 1: Rateable occupation

The Valuation Office's technical manual for the rating of business (non-domestic) property.

Rating Manual section 2: valuation principles

The Valuation Office's technical manual for the rating of business (non-domestic) property.

A fundamental overhaul of US customs regulation! Executive Order 14411: the compliance life-or-death situation US cross-border sellers must fully understand

Hundreds of millions of traffic, up to 12% commission rebate: AliExpress Double 11 policy—how should sellers follow suit?

Accredited official statistics: HMRC tax receipts and National Insurance contributions for the UK

Summary of HM Revenue and Customs' tax receipts, National Insurance contributions (NICs), and expenditure for the UK.

179-2026: AusTreat registration renewals now available through ProviderHub

21 October 2026 Who does this notice effect? Pre-border biosecurity treatment providers currently registered under AusTreat. What has changed? The department has introduced ProviderHub, a new online platform for managing AusTreat registrati

178-2026: Declared ports for the ship sanitation certification scheme

21 October 2026 Who does this notice affect? All vessel owners, operators, masters, and shipping agents who represent international, commercial vessel operators preparing for arrival into Australian territory. What has changed? The authoris

Trade Facilitation Committee advances TFA review and discusses implementation support

WTO members meeting in the Committee on Trade Facilitation on 21-22 October advanced work on the second review of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) and reaffirmed their commitment to completing the review by the end of the year. They a

The Philippines launches safeguard investigation on pork

On 21 October 2026, the Philippines notified the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards that it had initiated on 9 October 2026 a safeguard investigation on imports of pork.

Import VAT Manual

Guidance on the VAT on imported goods and import VAT reliefs.

Working out the VAT value using the customs value of the imported goods

How to use the customs value to calculate VAT for imported goods if you’re an importer or clearing agent.