Print PDF Customs Laws and Import Compliance
Our attorneys counsel clients on many different matters concerning the importation of goods into the United States and the impact of U.S. import regulations on corporate operations and global supply chain activities. We regularly help clients to determine the proper Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) classification for imported items and the correct valuation and labeling of imported goods. Our practice in this area also includes counseling clients on duty drawback issues as well as the availability, requirements, and benefits of preferential duty programs such as the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and the Dominican Republic-Central American Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA). In addition, we advise clients on matters relating to the establishment and regulation of foreign trade zones (FTZ), temporary importations under bond (TIB), and bonded warehouse operations.
We assist our clients in designing and developing compliance and assessment programs, conducting customs audits and related internal investigations, and complying with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) record-keeping requirements. We also counsel clients embroiled in penalty proceedings, liquidated damage claims, seizure and forfeiture proceedings, requests for binding rulings, and administrative protests.
Our recent engagements in this area include the following matters:
- Representation of a U.S. manufacturer in matters involving the eligibility of an imported product for preferential duty treatment and its exclusion from the assessment of antidumping duties
- Representation of a U.S. distributor in connection with CBP’s detention of merchandise and a subsequent request for a ruling concerning the eligibility of the merchandise for admission under a special statutory provision
- Representation of a U.S. supplier to the automotive industry on matters involving the classification of imported merchandise
- Representation of a steel trading company in matters involving prior disclosures, the scope of antidumping orders, and the assessment of potential antidumping duties.
- Representation of a global apparel retailer in matters involving extensive customs and import-related issues, including the proper tariff classification of apparel items imported, valuation issues, guidance regarding preferential duty programs, and assistance with the drafting of training materials
- Representation of a global lozenge supplier in a matter before CBP regarding CBP and U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations as they apply to imported goods and merchandise subsequently seized by CBP
- Representation of a manufacturer of building products before CBP in a matter addressing the tariff classification of exterior siding products, aimed at minimizing the amount of duty imposed on these products as well as the potential liability resulting from the importation of these goods
