Imports

Classification
Proper tariff classification requires a detailed legal analysis and thorough knowledge of the international Harmonized Tariff System (HTS) In the U.S., knowledge of the HTSUS, Customs rulings and practices, as well as court decisions is essential to effective and practical strategies. Barnes/Richardson draws on more than ten decades of experience in classification to identify the classification resulting in the lowest legally correct rate.

Valuation
Importers must ensure that the correct method of valuation is applied to their merchandise and that all required elements are included in the value reported to the customs authorities. Barnes/Richardson brings to bear unparalleled expertise on issues of valuation including working with importers to implement systems to identify and report assists (e.g., tooling and engineering expenses), establishing first sale for entry, and defending valuation in audits.

Customs Legal Compliance Programs
The burden of compliance with the laws and regulations administered by the Customs and Border Protection falls upon importers who must discharge this responsibility with reasonable care. That means establishing practical business systems and procedures that ensure importers meet Customs expectations of informed compliance. Barnes/Richardson designs and assists in the implementation of legal compliance programs specifically tailored to the needs of individual clients, including internal compliance reviews, the preparation of comprehensive manuals, training and other services designed to ensure and document the exercise of reasonable care. More below . . . .

Trade Agreements and Duty Reduction
Successive rounds of GATT/WTO negotiations and free trade agreement negotiations such as those leading to the USMCA have presented opportunities for those importers and domestic industries that are alert to the developments in these negotiations and that present their views effectively.

The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Free Trade Agreement, other similar agreements and programs such as the Generalized System of Preferences, AGOA, and duty drawback give importers opportunities to reduce the duties and fees owed on shipments to the United States and have created new avenues for U.S.-based importers to take advantage of economic opportunities for suppliers and factories in worldwide. We provide expert support in developing duty-reduction programs, including the completion of Certificates of Origin and the development of systems for communicating technically detailed FTA requirements to suppliers and customers. We also help with FTA verifications, GSP audits, the operation of Foreign Trade Zones, duty drawback, and other duty reduction opportunities.

Investigation & Audits
Formal investigations conducted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or other enforcement agencies and audits conducted by Customs can result in significant additional duty liability and the assessment of substantial penalties. Barnes/Richardson provides guidance and representation throughout the course of investigations and audits seeking to eliminate exposure to additional duty or penalty liability. More below . . . .

Cargo Security
The security of your supply chain is an important area of focus for Customs & Border Protection. To avoid delays in the release of merchandise as well as to gain access to benefits from Customs, importers may wish to participate in the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism, or C-TPAT. Barnes/Richardson lawyers help importers and foreign manufacturers apply for and retain C-TPAT membership from the implementation and application process through to, if necessary, responding to security incidents.

Binational Panel Reviews
The USMCA and its predecessor, the NAFTA, established unique dispute resolution procedures for international trade disputes in which the parties present their cases to a panel of decision-makers made up of both foreign and U.S. nationals. Barnes/Richardson lawyers pioneered the conduct of NAFTA binational panel reviews and can represented interested parties before USMCA panels.

Mar. 18, 2024
EAPA Final Rule Allows (Representatives of) Parties to Access Business Confidential Information
Mar. 8, 2024
Focus on Western Hemisphere and USMCA Expansion Sought in Americas Act
Mar. 4, 2024
Forced Labor Compliance Complexity Grows with North Koreans Involved, But Guidance May be Coming
Feb. 29, 2024
Senators Urge Executive Action on De Minimis Shipments
Feb. 29, 2024
Commerce to Investigate National Security Risk of Connected Vehicles
Feb. 16, 2024
Volkswagen High-End Vehicles Detained under Forced Labor Law
Feb. 15, 2024
First Bond Guidance in 33 Years Issued
Feb. 13, 2024
Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity Implemented
Feb. 12, 2024
The 2018 Trade War Has Been an Employment Failure
Feb. 9, 2024
New Export Control Know-Your-Customer (KYC) Requirements for IaaS Providers
Feb. 2, 2024
Court Clarifies What Qualifies as a "Basket Provision"
Feb. 1, 2024
Fine Makes Clear That the FTC is Serious About Made in USA
Jan. 30, 2024
Sheffield Issues Guide for the Solar or EV Battery Sectors
Jan. 26, 2024
Increased Controls of Exports Destined to Russia or Belarus
Jan. 24, 2024
Importer Avoids 7% Surprise on Agency Arrangement
Jan. 22, 2024
CIT Overturns AD/CVD Evasion Finding
Jan. 19, 2024
BIS's Fast-Track to Resolving Voluntary Self-Disclosure
Jan. 16, 2024
Drug Cartel Linked to $10.4 million Customs Fraud Penalty
Jan. 12, 2024
CBP Attempts to Improve the Entry Type 86 Test with Proposed Modification
Jan. 8, 2024
Customs Will Deactivate 232 Exclusions at 95%
Jan. 8, 2024
Customs Publicizes UFLPA Detention Addendum
Dec. 27, 2023
USTR Extends Section 301 Exclusions into the New Year
Dec. 19, 2023
US and EU Appear to Have Trade Truce Through March 2025
Dec. 19, 2023
House Select Committee Advocates Trade Changes with China
Dec. 14, 2023
A U.S.-Taiwan Free Trade Agreement is Very Unlikely
Dec. 11, 2023
Groups Advocate Blocking "De Minimis" Entries to stop Black-Market Entry of Deadly Drugs
Dec. 6, 2023
CBP Counts Down to Lift Off on UFLPA Portal
Dec. 5, 2023
Global Arrangement On Sustainable Steel And Aluminum Negotiations Failed, Maybe
Dec. 4, 2023
Customs Clarifies "Date of Entry" Meaning
Nov. 28, 2023
EPA Finalizes Regulations on PFAS Reporting, Including Reporting of Imported Articles that Contain PFAS Since 2011
Nov. 28, 2023
Key Senators Push to Keep China Tariffs
Nov. 10, 2023
Sheffield Hallam Forced Labor Expert Hired by DHS as Policy Adviser
Nov. 8, 2023
Focus on AGOA Renewal as GSP Appears to Languish
Nov. 3, 2023
Senators Pitch Americas Act as Win-Win, Win-Lose
Oct. 30, 2023
Senator Promoting Carbon Border Adjustment Tax
Oct. 26, 2023
U.S. Sets Forth Arctic Strategy With Significant New Trade Component
Oct. 25, 2023
Asiaway Automotive Components' Mexico Division Hit with Rapid Response Mechanism Review
Oct. 24, 2023
Commerce Continues to Issue Semiconductor Restrictions in Bid to Protect Supply Chains
Oct. 23, 2023
EU Forced Labor Regulation Advancing
Oct. 11, 2023
49 Entities Additions to BIS for Circumvention of Integrated Circuits to Russia
Oct. 10, 2023
Semiconductor Rule Finalized by Commerce
Oct. 5, 2023
New Trade Cases Filed for Aluminum Extrusions from 15 Countries, Promising Additional Complexity and Liability for More Importers
Oct. 4, 2023
Supreme Court Declines to Review Case Arguing Protest Timing
Oct. 3, 2023
European CO2 Reporting Requirement Program Cast
Sep 27, 2023
U.S. Companies in China are Feeling Pessimistic and are Acting on the Feeling
Sep. 25, 2023
The Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and a Government Shutdown: What Importers Can Possibly Expect
Sep. 19, 2023
COAC Recommendations for Customs
Jun. 2, 2023
BRC and Attorneys Ranked in 2023 Chambers Guide
April 13, 2020
Whitepaper on Importing Medical Devices
By: Brian F. Walsh
January 20, 2020
USMCA: An Overview
By: Lawrence M. Friedman
June 3, 2019
BRC Partner Alan Goggins Interviewed on Mexico Tariffs
March 18, 2019
Chicago Partner Lawrence M. Friedman to Speak on How to Prepare for and Conduct Your Import Internal Risk Assessment
March 29, 2019
ITCC Import Export Workshop: When You Disagree with Customs...
March 23, 2018
BRC Partner Brian Walsh To Speak on Protests, Prior Disclosures, Penalties, Redelivery Notices & Liquidated Damages
May 4, 2017
BRC Partner Lawrence Friedman to Speak at Upcoming PERT Event
March 16, 2017
Partner David Forgue Quoted in International Trade Today
March 3, 2017
Watch the Webinar: Consumer Products Safety and Customs Enforcement at the Border
By: Lawrence M. Friedman
March 3, 2017
Brian F. Walsh Addresses Trump Administration Trade Policies at the Meritas Asian Regional Meeting in Singapore
March 2, 2017
David G. Forgue to Participate in Georgetown International Trade Update
February 14, 2017
BRC, Joern Law Firm to Hold Joint Webinar on Consumer Product Safety Rules and Import Requirements
By: Lawrence M. Friedman
January 19, 2017
David Forgue to Speak on AD/CVD Evasion at International Trade Club of Chicago
February 10, 2015
From Moveable Type to Home Manufacturing in Five Easy Centuries: Some Trade Implications of 3D Printing
By: David G. Forgue
October 24, 2014
Forgue Speaks on Nearshoring, Reshoring, and Their Trade Compliance Challenges
October 24, 2014
Trek Leather and the Decline of Reasonable Care
By: Lawrence M. Friedman
September 4, 2014
Misrepresentation of Country of Origin Results in Recent False Claims Act Penalties
July 18, 2014
BRC Advises on Ivory, Other Restricted Materials for Musical Instruments
May 23, 2014
BRC Partners Selected to Chambers Guide 2014
April 23, 2014
Article by Larry Friedman Discussing Tariff Engineering
April 23, 2014
Tariff Engineering: Value-Added Compliance
April 23, 2014
Larry Friedman and Christine Martinez Article on 2012 CIT Cases
April 01, 2014
BRC Partner David Forgue Speaks at ITCC Workshop
March 28, 2014
Larry Friedman Speaks at ICPA Conference
November 06, 2013
BRC Partners to Speak at Upcoming ITCC Workshop
September 20, 2013
Barnes/Richardson Partner Cortney O'Toole Morgan to Speak at ACI's U.S. Customs Compliance Boot Camp
May 8, 2013
Barnes/Richardson Partner Quoted by International Trade Today
February 5, 2013
Detentions, Exclusions, and Customs Protests
January 29, 2013
Barnes/Richardson Attorneys Publish Article on New Conflict-Minerals Regulations
Dec. 14, 2012
Barnes/Richardson Partners Author Article on Trade Law and Due Diligence
September 28, 2012
Food SafetyModernization Act Registration Requirements Begin October 1, 2012 for All Food Facilities
Sept. 25, 2012
Report: Conflict Minerals and the Supply Chain
September 10, 2012
Barnes/Richardson Partner to Speak at Upcoming Trade and Transportation Events
August 27, 2012
Barnes/Richardson Economist Quoted on Citrus Industry Developments
Jun. 6, 2012
Firm Posts ITCC Presentation on Valuation
March 2, 2012
Alan Goggins Publishes Article on Transfer Pricing in 2012 Tax Stringer
December 6, 2011
The Latest Lurking International Trade Liability
December 6, 2011
David Forgue on The Latest Lurking International Trade Liability
October 27, 2011
CBP Changes Rules for Sampling and Offsetting in Prior Disclosures
Aug. 10, 2011
Barnes/Richardson Publishes White Paper on ENFORCE Act
August 10, 2011
ENFORCE Act White Paper
Jun. 10, 2011
Challenging Customs Denial of Prior Disclosure
January 4, 2011
FTZ Board Proposes Significant Revisions to Foreign Trade Zones Regulations
Apr. 22, 2009
Penalties & Prior Disclosures
September 26, 2008
Customs Changes Approach to Determining Substantial Transformation for Purposes of Country of Origin Declaration
September 16, 2008
The New Lacey Act Requirements and their Practical Application
July 8, 2008
Recent Customs Rulings Focus on Correct Identification of Producer for Purpose of
June 8, 2008
CIT Decision Finds Importer Negligent For Failing To Exercise Reasonable Care By Not Following Advice
May 30, 2008
First Sale Appraisement in the EU: Alive and Well
May 30, 2008
CBP Plans C-TPAT Changes in Response to GAO Critique
May 5, 2008
Canada Adopts NAFTA Disassembly Rule
April 7, 2008
The Reasonable Care Standard: Has Customs Raised the Bar?
April 1, 2008
Related-Party Pricing
February 4, 2008
The Importance of Copyrighting Products' Packaging
February 1, 2008
Avoiding Problems in Prior Disclosures
January 22, 2008
Cosmetics, Drugs and Labels
January 14, 2008
The Role of Trade in the 2008 Elections
October 12, 2007
NAFTA Certificates of Origin: Supporting Document Requirement
October 12, 2007
Counteract Counterfeits
October 2, 2007
Brand Owners Can Prevent Increasingly Costly Offshore Counterfeit Activities
July 13, 2007
Strategies for Dealing with Counterfeiting
July 13, 2007
CBP Commissioners Speak on Cargo Security
May 15, 2007
Related Party Pricing - CBP v. IRS
May 1, 2007
Reducing Customs Duties: Strategies for Importers
March 3, 2007
Customs Quick Response Audits: How an Importer Can be Prepared
August 1, 2006
Section 337 Cases on the Rise
July 19, 2006
The Customs and Trade Facilitation Reauthorization Act
June 28, 2006
Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism: What you Need to Know and What to Expect
April 26, 2006
New C-TPAT Standards for Highway and Sea Carriers
November 18, 2004
Substitution of Petroleum Derivative and Drawback of MPF
September 29, 2004
Training Employees To Handle Hazmat
September 29, 2004
Mergers, Acquisitions And Due Diligence In International Trade
August 15, 2004
Painting is Painting, Finally
June 24, 2004
Bioterrorism Penalties and Mitigation
May 1, 2004
"Who's Who" in Customs and International Trade Law
March 10, 2004
The U.S.-Singapore Free-Trade Agreement
March 2, 2004
Conducting a Legal Compliance Review for Import and Export Activity in the Context of a Potential Merger or Acquisition
January 27, 2004
Judicial Review of Classification Cases
October 2003
Securing the Supply Chain
August 2003
Cargo Security -- The Legal Perspective
August 21, 2003
Yes, We Have No Bananas
May 2003
Cargo Security and U.S. Customs
January 1, 2003
US Customs & International Trade Law: A Brief Orientation
January 1, 2003
Reasonable Care and Liability for Marking Duties under Section 592
January 1, 2003
Haggar impact uncertain
January 1, 2003
Establishing a Customs Compliance Program
January 1, 2003
Customs Year in Review: 1999
January 1, 2003
Customs Revises Mitigation Guidelines
January 1, 2003
Business and Legal Strategies for Dealing with Grey Market Imports*
January 1, 2003
Best Practices for Importers' Relationships to their Customs Brokers/Freight Forwarders
January 1, 2003
1996 Developments in Customs and Trade Law
January 2003
Customs Publishes Treasury Decision On New Binding Ruling Procedures
April 3, 2002
BR&C Comments on FDA Proposal