Laws and regulations
The laws and rules that govern how goods are stored, moved, and sold, each with what it requires and why it matters to fulfillment.
US federal86 laws
- 1887Interstate Commerce Act of 1887First US federal law regulating railroad rates
- 1893Harter Act of 1893US law barring carriers from contracting out negligence
- 1900Lacey ActUS ban on illegally sourced wildlife, plants and wood
- 1908Hazardous Materials Regulations (49 CFR)US DOT rules for shipping hazardous materials
- 1916Federal Aid Road Act of 1916First federal funding program for US highways
- 1916Federal Bills of Lading Act (Pomerene Act)US federal law on bills of lading in interstate trade
- 1916Shipping Act of 1916Created the US Shipping Board and regulated carriers
- 1920Merchant Marine Act of 1920 (Jones Act)US-built, US-crewed ships only between US ports
- 1925Air Mail Act of 1925 (Kelly Act)Let the Post Office contract airmail to private airlines
- 1926Railway Labor ActFederal labor law for railroads and airlines
- 1930Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act (Tariff Act of 1930)1930 tariff law still at the core of US customs law
- 1934Foreign-Trade Zones Act of 1934US law creating zones where import duty is deferred
- 1934Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act of 1934Law letting the President cut tariffs by agreement
- 1935Motor Carrier Act of 1935Brought interstate trucking under ICC regulation
- 1935National Labor Relations Act (NLRA)Federal law protecting private-sector union rights
- 1936Carriage of Goods by Sea Act (COGSA)US ocean cargo liability law with $500 package limit
- 1938Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938Federal minimum wage, overtime and child labor law
- 1938Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act)Core US law on food, drugs, devices and cosmetics
- 1938Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs)US safety rules for interstate trucks and drivers
- 1941Lend-Lease Act1941 law supplying Allied nations in World War II
- 1947Taft-Hartley Act1947 law adding union limits and strike injunctions
- 1956Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956Funded the US Interstate Highway System
- 1962Trade Expansion Act of 1962Kennedy-era trade law that contains Section 232
- 1970Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970Federal workplace safety law that created OSHA
- 1970OSHA General Duty ClauseOSHA catch-all duty to prevent recognized hazards
- 1970Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA)US law requiring child-resistant packaging
- 1970Postal Reorganization Act of 1970Replaced the Post Office Department with USPS
- 1971OSHA Materials Handling and Storage Standard (29 CFR 1910.176)OSHA rule on aisles, stacking and storage safety
- 1971OSHA Powered Industrial Trucks Standard (29 CFR 1910.178)Forklift safety and operator training rules
- 1972Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA)Law creating the CPSC and its recall powers
- 1974Trade Act of 1974US law behind Section 301, 201 and 122 tariffs
- 1975FTC Mail Order RuleFTC rule on shipping times, delays and refunds
- 1975Hazardous Materials Transportation ActUS law authorizing federal hazmat transport rules
- 1975Magnuson-Moss Warranty ActUS law on written consumer product warranties
- 1976Generalized System of Preferences (GSP)US duty-free program for poorer nations, lapsed 2020
- 1976International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)US rules controlling defense articles and services
- 1976Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976Funded Conrail and began loosening rail regulation
- 1977Air Cargo Deregulation Act of 1977Freed US domestic air cargo routes and rates
- 1979Export Administration Regulations (EAR)US rules controlling exports of dual-use items
- 1979Trade Agreements Act of 1979Law that implemented the Tokyo Round trade codes
- 1980Motor Carrier Act of 1980Deregulated US trucking rates and market entry
- 1980Staggers Rail Act of 1980Deregulated US freight railroad rates and contracts
- 1982Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982Set federal truck size and weight rules on highways
- 1983Hazard Communication (HazCom)OSHA rule on chemical labels, SDSs and training
- 1984Shipping Act of 1984US law regulating ocean carriers and NVOCCs
- 1986Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986Created the national commercial driver's license
- 1988WARN ActFederal 60-day notice rule for mass layoffs and closures
- 1992Quill Corp. v. North Dakota1992 case requiring physical presence for sales tax
- 1993Customs Modernization Act of 1993US law making importers responsible for reasonable care
- 1993Negotiated Rates Act of 1993Ended the trucking undercharge claims crisis
- 1994Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act of 1994Preempts state rules on trucking prices and routes
- 1994Trucking Industry Regulatory Reform Act of 1994Ended tariff filing for most negotiated truck rates
- 1995ICC Termination Act of 1995Abolished the ICC and created the STB
- 1998Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998 (OSRA)Allowed confidential ocean service contracts
- 2000African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA)US duty-free access for eligible sub-Saharan goods
- 200224-Hour RuleUS rule to file ocean cargo data before foreign loading
- 2002Bioterrorism Act of 2002Law creating FDA food registration and prior notice
- 2002Trade Act of 2002US law mandating advance electronic cargo data
- 2006Postal Accountability and Enhancement ActSplit USPS products into market-dominant and competitive
- 2006SAFE Port Act of 2006Port security law behind C-TPAT and the ISF rule
- 2008Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA)2008 law on children's product testing and certificates
- 2010Dodd-Frank Section 1502SEC conflict minerals disclosure for listed companies
- 2010PACT ActUS law limiting remote sales of tobacco and vapes
- 2011Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)2011 law shifting FDA food safety to prevention
- 2012MAP-212012 US transportation law that ordered ELDs
- 2013Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA)US law on serialized, interoperable drug tracing
- 2015ELD MandateRequires electronic logging devices for truck drivers
- 2015Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP)FDA rule making food importers verify foreign suppliers
- 2016Enforce and Protect Act (EAPA)CBP process to investigate antidumping duty evasion
- 2016FAA Part 107FAA rules for commercial drones under 55 pounds
- 2016Sanitary Transportation RuleFDA rule for safe transport of human and animal food
- 2016Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 20162016 customs law that raised US de minimis to $800
- 2018Section 201 Safeguard TariffsTemporary US tariffs on import surges, used on solar
- 2018Section 232 TariffsNational-security tariffs on metals, autos and more
- 2018South Dakota v. WayfairSupreme Court case allowing economic nexus for sales tax
- 2019FAA Part 135 Drone Delivery CertificationAir carrier certification used for US drone delivery
- 2022FSMA Food Traceability RuleFDA traceability records rule for high-risk foods
- 2022INFORM Consumers ActUS law making marketplaces verify high-volume sellers
- 2022Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA)2022 law adding FDA registration rules for cosmetics
- 2022Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 (OSRA 2022)2022 US law curbing ocean carrier fees and practices
- 2022Postal Service Reform Act of 20222022 USPS reform that ended retiree health prefunding
- 2022Reese's LawUS safety rules for button and coin cell batteries
- 2023OSHA Warehousing National Emphasis ProgramOSHA program targeting warehouses for inspection
- 2024FMC Demurrage and Detention Billing RuleFMC rules on how demurrage and detention is billed
- 2025CPSC eFilingMandatory electronic filing of safety certificates
- 2025USTR Port Fees on Chinese-Built ShipsSection 301 fees on China-linked vessels at US ports
US state20 laws
- 1906Uniform Warehouse Receipts ActUnited States · Early uniform state law on warehouse receipts
- 1952UCC Article 7United States · Uniform state law on warehouse receipts and bills
- 1986California Proposition 65California · California warning law for listed chemicals
- 1989Toxics in Packaging LawsUnited States (19 states) · State limits on heavy metals and PFAS in packaging
- 2018Marketplace Facilitator LawUnited States · State laws making marketplaces collect sales tax
- 2019California AB5California · California ABC test for independent contractor status
- 2021California AB 701 Warehouse Quota LawCalifornia · Limits and disclosure for warehouse productivity quotas
- 2021California SB 343California · California truth in recycling labels law
- 2021Maine Packaging EPR LawMaine · First US state packaging EPR law, enacted 2021
- 2021Oregon Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization ActOregon · Oregon packaging EPR law, first to collect fees
- 2021Warehouse Indirect Source RuleCalifornia (South Coast Air Basin) · Southern California emissions points rule for warehouses
- 2021Warehouse Worker Protection ActUnited States (multiple states) · State laws regulating warehouse productivity quotas
- 2022California SB 54California · California EPR law for packaging and plastic foodware
- 2022Colorado Packaging EPR LawColorado · Colorado producer-funded recycling program for packaging
- 2022New York Warehouse Worker Protection ActNew York · New York quota disclosure and injury reduction law
- 2023California Climate Disclosure LawsCalifornia · California laws on emissions and climate risk reporting
- 2023Minnesota Warehouse Distribution Worker Safety ActMinnesota · Minnesota warehouse quota and injury-rate law
- 2023Washington Warehouse Worker Quota Law (HB 1762)Washington · Washington law on warehouse quotas and safety
- 2024Cal/OSHA Indoor Heat Illness Prevention StandardCalifornia · California heat rule for indoor workplaces
- 2024Oregon Warehouse Worker Quota Law (HB 4127)Oregon · Oregon law requiring written warehouse quotas
EU27 laws
- 1957Treaty of Rome1957 treaty founding the EEC and its customs union
- 1970EU Tachograph RegulationEU law requiring tachographs in goods vehicles
- 1985Schengen AgreementSchengen Area · European pact abolishing internal border checks
- 2003EU RoHS DirectiveEU limits on hazardous substances in electronics
- 2003EU WEEE DirectiveEU take-back and recycling rules for electronics
- 2006EU REACH RegulationEU chemicals registration and restriction law
- 2006EU Repeal of the Liner Conference Block ExemptionEnded EU antitrust immunity for liner conferences
- 2011EU Consumer Rights DirectiveEU rules on online sales, withdrawal rights and delivery
- 2011EU Falsified Medicines DirectiveEU anti-counterfeit rules for prescription medicines
- 2013Union Customs Code (UCC)EU's core customs law for imports, exports and transit
- 2016General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)EU data protection law covering customer data
- 2019EU Market Surveillance RegulationEU rule requiring an EU-based responsible operator
- 2020EU Mobility Package IEU rules on driver rest, cabotage and posted drivers
- 2021EU VAT E-Commerce Package2021 EU VAT rules for online sales and imports
- 2021Import Control System 2 (ICS2)EU advance cargo security filing system
- 2022EU Digital Services Act (DSA)EU rules for online platforms and marketplaces
- 2023Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)EU carbon charge on imports of steel, aluminium and more
- 2023EU Batteries RegulationEU lifecycle rules for batteries, design to recycling
- 2023EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)EU ban on products linked to deforestation
- 2023EU General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR)Safety, labeling, and EU contact rules for products
- 2023EU Machinery RegulationEU safety rules for machinery, applying from 2027
- 2024Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD)EU directive on corporate human rights due diligence
- 2024Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR)EU product sustainability rules and unsold goods ban
- 2024EU ETS Extended to ShippingEU carbon allowances required for ship emissions
- 2024EU Forced Labour RegulationEU ban on products made with forced labour
- 2025EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)EU-wide rules on packaging design, waste and EPR
- 2025FuelEU MaritimeEU limit on greenhouse gas intensity of ship fuel
UK8 laws
- 1651Navigation ActsEngland · English laws reserving colonial trade for English ships
- 1846Repeal of the Corn Laws1846 UK repeal of grain tariffs that began free trade
- 1876Merchant Shipping Act 1876UK law that made the Plimsoll load line compulsory
- 2015UK Modern Slavery Act 2015UK law requiring slavery statements from large firms
- 2021UK Low-Value Import VAT RulesUK rules taxing imports up to £135 at point of sale
- 2022UK Plastic Packaging TaxUK tax on plastic packaging under 30% recycled content
- 2023UK Packaging EPRUK producer fees for household packaging waste
- 2023Windsor FrameworkNorthern Ireland · UK-EU deal on goods moving from GB to Northern Ireland
International44 laws
- 1842Treaty of NankingChina, United Kingdom · Opium War treaty that opened China's treaty ports
- 1860Cobden-Chevalier TreatyUnited Kingdom, France · 1860 Anglo-French treaty that cut tariffs and spread MFN
- 1890Bern Convention on the Carriage of Goods by Rail (CIM)Europe, North Africa and the Middle East · Treaty on rail freight contracts and liability
- 1890York-Antwerp RulesWorldwide · International rules for adjusting general average
- 1914First SOLAS ConventionWorldwide · First ship safety treaty, adopted after the Titanic
- 1924Hague RulesWorldwide · 1924 treaty on ocean carrier bill of lading liability
- 1929Warsaw ConventionWorldwide · First treaty on airline liability for cargo
- 1936Incoterms 1936Worldwide · First ICC edition of standard trade delivery terms
- 1944Chicago ConventionWorldwide · Founding treaty of ICAO and international aviation
- 1947General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)Worldwide · Postwar treaty that set most-favored-nation tariff rules
- 1956CMR ConventionEurope and neighboring regions · Treaty on international road freight contracts
- 1956IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR)Worldwide · Airline manual for shipping dangerous goods by air
- 1956UN Model Regulations on the Transport of Dangerous GoodsWorldwide · UN template for dangerous goods rules in all modes
- 1957ADR AgreementEurope and neighboring regions · Treaty on carrying dangerous goods by road
- 1959TIR ConventionWorldwide · UN transit system for sealed trucks crossing borders
- 1965IMDG CodeWorldwide · IMO code for shipping dangerous goods by sea
- 1968Hague-Visby RulesWorldwide · Amended Hague Rules on ocean carrier liability
- 1972International Convention for Safe Containers (CSC)Worldwide · Treaty requiring safety approval of shipping containers
- 1973Kyoto Convention (Customs)Worldwide · 1973 treaty on simplifying customs procedures
- 1973MARPOL ConventionWorldwide · Main treaty on pollution from ships
- 1974Multi Fibre Arrangement (MFA)Worldwide · 1974 to 2004 quota system for textile and apparel trade
- 1978Hamburg RulesWorldwide · UN sea cargo convention with higher carrier liability
- 1980CISGWorldwide · UN treaty on international sale of goods contracts
- 1983Harmonized System ConventionWorldwide · Treaty behind the six-digit HS product codes
- 1989Canada-United States Free Trade AgreementUnited States, Canada · 1989 US-Canada trade pact later folded into NAFTA
- 1992ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA)Southeast Asia · ASEAN free trade area cutting intra-regional tariffs
- 1994North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)United States, Mexico, Canada · 1994 to 2020 North American trade pact replaced by USMCA
- 1994WTO Customs Valuation AgreementWorldwide · WTO rules on how customs value is calculated
- 1996Information Technology AgreementWorldwide · WTO deal eliminating tariffs on IT products
- 1999Montreal ConventionWorldwide · Treaty on airline liability for cargo and passengers
- 1999Revised Kyoto ConventionWorldwide · WCO blueprint for modern, simplified customs procedures
- 2002ISPM 15Worldwide · Global heat-treatment and stamp rule for wood pallets
- 2002ISPS CodeWorldwide · IMO security code for ships and port facilities
- 2005WCO SAFE Framework of StandardsWorldwide · WCO standards for supply chain security and AEO programs
- 2007UCP 600Worldwide · ICC rules governing documentary letters of credit
- 2008Rotterdam RulesWorldwide · UN door-to-door sea cargo treaty, not yet in force
- 2010Incoterms 2010Worldwide · ICC trade terms used from 2011 until 2020
- 2013WTO Trade Facilitation AgreementWorldwide · WTO treaty to speed up and simplify border clearance
- 2019U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement (USJTA)United States, Japan · Limited US-Japan pact on farm and industrial tariffs
- 2020IMO 2020Worldwide · Global 0.50% sulphur cap on marine fuel
- 2020Incoterms 2020Worldwide · Current ICC trade terms for buyer and seller duties
- 2020ISO 3691-4Worldwide · International safety standard for AGVs and AMRs
- 2020Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)Asia-Pacific · Asia-Pacific trade pact covering 15 economies
- 2020USMCAUnited States, Mexico, Canada · North American free trade pact that replaced NAFTA
Other13 laws
- 533Lex Rhodia de IactuByzantine Empire · Ancient rule of jettison behind general average
- 1494Consolato del MareCrown of Aragon (Mediterranean) · Medieval Mediterranean code of maritime law
- 1896NFPA 13United States · US standard for designing and installing fire sprinklers
- 1974ANSI MH16.1United States · US specification for steel storage rack design
- 1978ANSI/ITSDF B56.5United States · US safety standard for automatic guided vehicles
- 1986ANSI/RIA R15.06United States · US industrial robot safety standard based on ISO 10218
- 2000International Fire Code (IFC)United States · Model US fire code adopted by states and cities
- 2006IMMEX ProgramMexico · Mexican duty-free temporary import program for exporters
- 2016China Cross-Border E-Commerce Retail Import PolicyChina · China's tax rules for consumer imports via e-commerce
- 2019German Packaging Act (VerpackG)Germany · German packaging registration and recycling law
- 2020ANSI/RIA R15.08United States · US safety standard for industrial mobile robots
- 2021German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG)Germany · German law on supply chain human rights due diligence
- 2024CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM)Canada · Canada's digital system for import duties and payment