As of October 1, 2025, the U.S. federal government has officially entered a shutdown due to a failure to pass a funding bill. This development has triggered a partial suspension of federal services. While essential enforcement and safety functions remain active, administrative and licensing operations across several government agencies are paused or significantly reduced.
| Agency | Status | Impact | Source |
| Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) | Enforcement actions are not affected by the shutdown; license processing is suspended. | Processing of export license applications, commodity classification requests (CCATS), encryption reviews, and advisory opinions is suspended. | DOC Contingency Plan |
| Customs and Border Protection (CBP) | All employees are excepted from shutdown procedures. |
Little impact on cargo flows, while some "non-essential" activities, such as travel and educational webinars, may be postponed. Refunds on overpayment of duties, taxes, and fees will be processed, but the timing of funds being released is contingent upon the U.S. Treasury and may not be prioritized. |
https://www.cbp.gov/ |
| Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) | CPSC will prioritize the protection of life and property from imminent threats, including screening hazardous products at ports. | CPSC personnel are likely to be screening shipments and available to resolve questions or concerns. | https://www.cpsc.gov/ |
| Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) | All non-enforcement activities are delayed. |
Delays in license applications, registration renewals, and Commodity Jurisdiction requests. Only critical national-security-related requests are being reviewed promptly. |
News & Events - DDTC Public Portal |
| Department of Transportation (DOT) | Rulemaking and law enforcement support are suspended. | License application processing is paused. | DOT Shutdown Plan 9.30.25 |
| Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) |
Staff are considered essential. Critical safety functions, such as flight inspections and airworthiness directives, will continue. |
Little impact on cargo flows. | Microsoft Word - DOT Shutdown Plan 9.30.25.docx |
| Food and Drug Administration (FDA) | Approved mission-critical activities include the screening of food and medical product imports. | Imports operations will continue, though activities upstream or downstream of actual import/export may be impacted. | https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/fda-fy-2026-lapse-funding-information |
| Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) | FMC is closed; licensing and filings are halted. |
No OTI licenses, NVOCC registrations, tariff filings, or agreements processed. Disputes paused. Online systems are available but not updated. |
FMC Suspends Operations Due to Federal Government Shutdown - Federal Maritime Commission |
| Fish and Wildlife (FWS) | Excepted personnel are those who perform activities necessary for the protection of life and property and for law enforcement. Import screening is not explicitly mentioned. | Unclear whether FWS inspectors will be screening shipments or available to resolve questions or issues. | FWS Contingency Plan |
| Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) | Sanctions enforcement will continue, including updates to restricted entity lists. | License application processing will cease. | DO Lapse Plan |
| Transportation Security Administration (TSA) |
Most employees are excepted/exempt from shutdown procedures. Enforcement activities will continue as normal. |
Little impact on cargo flows, while certain “non-exempt or non-excepted activities” will cease. | DHS Procedures Related to a Lapse in Appropriations (Updated September 2025) |
What You Can Do
As the shutdown continues, additional impacts may emerge across regulatory and operational domains. Updates will be communicated as warranted to help you stay informed and prepared.
Contact your local Expeditors representative to find out how this could affect your cargo.