November 13, 2025

U.S. Government Reopens Following Historic Shutdown – Implications for Trade Stakeholders

Trade Advisory: U.S. Government Reopens Following Historic Shutdown - Implications for Trade Stakeholders

On November 12, 2025, President Donald Trump signed a bipartisan funding bill into law, officially ending the 43-day government shutdown—the longest in U.S. history. The legislation restores funding for most federal agencies through January 30, 2026, with select programs funded through September 2026.

Key Impacts on Trade and Transportation Agencies

Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

CBP remained fully operational throughout the shutdown, maintaining cargo inspections, tariff collections, and border enforcement.
However, non-essential functions such as drawback processing, training, and certain investigations (e.g., forced labor cases) were delayed or paused.
With the reopening, CBP is expected to resume full service, including refund processing and backlog clearance.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

TSA agents were deemed essential and continued working without pay during the shutdown.
The shutdown caused air travel disruptions, including longer security lines and reduced staffing at checkpoints.
With funding restored, TSA operations are expected to normalize, and back pay will be issued to affected employees.

Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) – Department of Commerce

BIS paused export license processing, commodity classification requests (CCATS), and advisory opinions.
Only emergency license applications tied to national security were processed.
Enforcement activities, including end-use checks and investigations, continued.
These services will now gradually resume, though delays may persist as staff return and backlogs are addressed.

Other Trade-Related Entities

USTR prioritized international trade negotiations using no-year funds but paused routine engagements.
FDA, DOC, USITC, and TTB focused on critical enforcement roles, suspending non-essential regulatory and administrative tasks.
Census Bureau continued ACE access and EEI submissions but delayed statistical releases.

Recommendations for Trade Stakeholders

Expect Delays: Resume monitoring of pending applications, refunds, and regulatory reviews. Agencies will need time to clear backlogs.
Reassess Compliance Timelines: Review any deadlines or filings affected during the shutdown and adjust timelines accordingly.
Engage with Agencies: Reach out to CBP, BIS, and other relevant bodies for updates on resumed services and revised processing schedules.
Monitor Legislative Developments: The bill includes a mid-December vote on ACA tax credits, which may influence future budget negotiations and agency priorities.