Certain U.S. federal agencies could be hindered from buying information technology systems made by companies with links to the Chinese government under the new funding law signed by President Barack Obama.

On February 1, 2013, the United States Department of Agriculture, Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS), announced new guidelines governing the importation of meat and meat products. According to the bulletin, "the guide articulates which products and FSIS sampling and testing programs are subject to this policy." The program known as "test and hold" has a major impact upon product being exported to the United States and upon the importers of record for these transactions.

More than 80 per cent of small- to mid-sized businesses are concerned about customs delays impacting their ability to properly manage their business - yet nearly a third say they tend to ignore the myriad of changes to government regulations and hope for the best when transporting their goods across international borders.