Why It Matters

Confederacion Latinoamericana de Agentes Aduanales, SC (CLAA) is making its first-ever foray into U.S. lobbying a to influence the 2026 United States Mexico Canada (USMCA) review—now expected to be a comprehensive renegotiation.

The stakes are high for customs agents. Congress is intensifying pressure on tariff enforcement while demanding streamlined procedures. Mexico’s new customs law, effective January 2026, eliminates liability waivers for brokers and increases penalties 250-300 percent. Meanwhile, tariff escalation and Chinese investment concerns will complicate origin verification requirements.

CLAA’s priorities align with pending legislative changes. The Customs Facilitation Act of 2025 seeks to modernize clearance processes. Proposed changes to de minimis thresholds and automotive rules of origin will reshape compliance burdens.

By engaging veteran trade specialists J. Nicole Bivens Collinson and David F. Olave, CLAA gained firepower in a crowded field where Vulcan Materials Co. and major manufacturers are already lobbying on overlapping issues.

By the Numbers

CLAA registered its first-ever federal lobbying effort in April 2024, hiring Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg PA to focus exclusively on USMCA negotiations.

Lobbying Team: Two veteran trade lobbyists represent CLAA:

Firm’s Track Record: Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg PA has disclosed over $11 million in lobbying activity across more than 1,100 filings since 2003, representing clients including Walmart Inc. and the American Free Trade Association.

The Agenda

CLAA is lobbying specifically on USMCA negotiations, with particular focus on the agreement’s 2026 joint review. The organization represents customs agents across Latin America whose operations depend on the agreement’s rules of origin and customs procedures.

The timing aligns with Congress’s intense focus on the approaching review. Relevant legislative priorities include S.2861—the Protecting the USMCA from Harmful Chinese Investment Act, S.956—the Customs Facilitation Act of 2025, and the Mexican Energy Trade Enforcement Act. Congressional members including Rep. Carol Miller are actively pressing USTR on protecting domestic interests.

Broader Context

The customs brokerage industry faces mounting pressures as the USMCA review scheduled for 2026 has transformed into a "high-stakes negotiation." The Trump administration signals willingness to use tariffs as leverage and potentially withdraw if terms don’t shift.

Tariff volatility is reshaping North American trade. Mexico approved significant tariff increases effective January 1, 2026, with non-FTA imports facing duties ranging from 5 to 50 percent.

Mexico’s customs law modernization creates acute operational challenges. The new system increases penalties 250-300% and eliminates liability waivers for customs brokers.

Congress pursues contradictory pressures: stricter origin verification for Chinese circumvention concerns while modernizing customs through the Customs Facilitation Act’s "single window".

Competitive Landscape

Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg PA enters a crowded field already lobbying on USMCA issues. Major stakeholders include automotive suppliers like Daimler Trucks North America LLC and Robert Bosch LLC, focused on rules of origin provisions.

Agricultural exporters represent another significant segment. Cargill Inc. lobbies on USMCA and tariffs, while the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas advocates for the agreement’s preservation.

On customs modernization, Deutsche Post World Net USA Inc. (DHL) lobbies for streamlined procedures through the Customs Facilitation Act. Mexican manufacturing associations, including Industria Maquiladora y Manufacturera de Exportacion, are also engaged on U.S.-Mexico trade.

The Bottom Line

CLAA has entered U.S. lobbying at a critical moment for North American trade policy. The organization’s first formal lobbying registration positions customs agents to influence the 2026 USMCA review, expected to become comprehensive renegotiation rather than routine assessment.

The timing coincides with escalating congressional focus on trade enforcement and Mexico’s customs law modernization. The customs brokerage industry faces competing pressures to enforce stricter origin verification while streamlining trade flows, making this a consequential moment for organizations representing customs agents across Latin America.

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