The firm provides both pre- and post-importation counsel to its clients regarding the laws and regulations enforced by U.S. Customs & Border Protection. Some of the services we provide are:
Product review in order to determine correct classification, valuation, country of origin and country of origin markings of imported goods;
Preparation of requests for binding ruling letters covering merchandise classification, valuation, country of origin, etc.;
Import transaction review, counsel and structuring in order to minimize duty liability;
Responding to Customs' Requests for Information, Notices of Action, Notices to Redeliver and Notices of Seizure;
Preparation of Protests contesting unfavorable Customs' decisions;
Preparation of Petitions for Relief in response to Seizure, Penalty and Liquidated Damages notices;
Conducting Customs and C-TPAT compliance assessments;
Developing and assisting in implementation of tailored corporate Customs & C-TPAT compliance manuals and programs;
Representing and advising clients during Customs regulatory audits;
Preparation of applications for customs broker licenses and/or permits (national and district);
Responding to customs broker penalty actions;
Recording of registered trademarks and copyrights with Customs; and
Advising and assisting clients in setting-up new import businesses.
International Trade
Trade remedies, such as antidumping, countervailing duties and safeguard actions, provide substantial protection to U.S. industries that face unfair competition from abroad. Conversely, the implementation and annual review of such remedies normally adds substantial risk and cost to import transactions which are deemed to be subject to the assessment of antidumping and countervailing duties.
Our firm advises both domestic industries and importers with respect to how their merchandise may be affected by such trade remedies. When necessary, our attorneys also represent client interests before the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration and the U.S. International Trade Commission in various antidumping and countervailing duty proceedings.
Export Control
As a result of the 9/11 attacks and the ongoing global war on terrorism, the federal government has significantly increased its scrutiny of certain classes of merchandise intended for export from the United States. Accordingly, U.S. exporters have been required to adapt their business practices in order to satisfy the ever-changing export controls, sanctions, embargoes and anti-terrorism restrictions enforced by the Bureau of Industry & Security, Department of Defense and Office of Foreign Assets Control.
Our firm assists the export community by reviewing corporate business practices and proposed transactions in order to confirm compliance, obtain necessary export licenses and address enforcement issues.
Federal Regulatory Compliance
Certain classes of imported merchandise (i.e., alcohol, foods, drugs, medical devices, children's products, etc.) are often required to satisfy laws and regulations enforced by other federal agencies. Due to the diversity and complexity of said requirements, we are frequently asked to provide pre-importation counsel regarding the regulatory requirements for a given product, thereby minimizing the risk of detention and/or seizure of merchandise, or the assessment of monetary penalties for violation of any such requirements. The firm also represents importers in enforcement actions taken by the following agencies:
Food & Drug Administration;
Federal Trade Commission;
Consumer Products Safety Commission;
U.S. Department of Agriculture; and
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Commercial Matters
Our attorneys advise and represent clients with respect to a myriad of trade-related commercial services. The firm assists clients in reviewing, structuring, preparing and negotiating domestic and international agency, distribution, licensing, sales and purchase agreements. In addition, the firm assists clients in securing and maintaining federal copyright, trademark and servicemark protection of their intellectual property.
Litigation
The firm's attorneys have represented clients before various state and federal courts in both domestic and international litigation related to commercial transactions and the movement of goods in international trade.