EPA v. CARIBBEAN CONNECTION IMPORT/EXPORT

Case summary

EPA RECOMMENDATION FOR DENIAL: 10/02/2026 EPA Recommendation for Denial of Entry #9UA-0355434 Imported by Caribbean Connection Import/Export, for Violations of the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act Docket No. AIM-04-2026-8801 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is recommending that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) deny entry of items containing or intended for use with hydrofluorocarbons (Subject Items) in Entry # 9UA-0355434, imported by Caribbean Connection Import/Export (Importer). Upon review of this entry, EPA has determined that the Importer has violated the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act (AIM Act) and the regulations promulgated thereunder. This letter provides a summary of the applicable law and details EPA?s determination and recommendation. Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are highly potent greenhouse gases. The AIM Act authorizes EPA to regulate HFCs by: (1) phasing down production and consumption; (2) maximizing reclamation and minimizing releases from equipment; and (3) facilitating the transition to next-generation technologies through sector-based restrictions. The EPA regulations at 40 C.F.R. Part 84, Subpart B (Technology Transitions Rule) implement the AIM Act requirement to facilitate the transition to next-generation technologies. The regulations classify products using HFCs into sectors and subsectors and establish deadlines for the transition to lower global warming potential (GWP) HFCs on a sector and subsector basis. See 40 C.F.R. 84.54. Any product, specified component, or system within the refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pump sector manufactured or imported after the transition deadline must also have a permanent label with the information specified by the rule by the applicable transition deadline. 40 C.F.R. 84.54(f). Specified components that are intended for use with either a regulated substance3 or with a blend containing a regulated substance that exceeds the applicable GWP limit or HFC restriction for the applicable subsector(s) under 40 C.F.R. 84.54(c) must have a label stating: For servicing existing equipment only in additional to the other required labeling elements. 40 C.F.R. 84.58(b). Specified components in the context of the refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pump sector are condensing units, condensers, compressors, evaporator units, and evaporators. 40 C.F.R. 84.52. Specified components that are not labeled in accordance with the requirements of the Technology Transitions Rule may not be imported. 40 C.F.R. 84.54(f). Information on the covered sectors and subsectors, their associated compliance dates, and applicable GWP limits may be found on EPA's website at: https://www.epa.gov/climate-hfcs-reduction/technology-transitions-hfc-restrictions-sector. The EPA has determined that the Subject Items are specified components covered by the Technology Transitions Rule. The Subject Items are not labeled in accordance with the requirements of 40 C.F.R. 84.58. By importing the Subject Items without the appropriate labeling, the Importer has violated the Technology Transitions regulations at 40 C.F.R. 84.54(f). EPA accordingly recommends that CBP deny entry of the Subject Items.

Defendants (1)

• CARIBBEAN CONNECTION IMPORT/EXPORTNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• CARIBBEAN CONNECTION IMPORT/EXPORT (IMPORTER)

  10049 NW 89TH AVE BAY 15, MEDLEY, FL, 33178

Statutes cited

• AIM PART84 — Phasedown of Hydrofluorocarbons

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• CARIBBEAN CONNECTION IMPORT/EXPORTentered 2026-10-02

  Primary law: AIM

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2026-10-02Final Order Issued
• 2026-10-02Enforcement Action Closed
• 2026-10-06Enforcement Action Data Entered