Customs Compliance

Importers are legally required to use “reasonable care” in their importing activities. Practically speaking, this requires that importers commit significant resources and take steps to ensure that they have trained employees who can interpret the legal requirements applicable to the company’s imports. Maintaining appropriate training and compliance is a continuous business process.

Many companies understand that it is important to ensure that tariff classifications are accurate, all elements of value are properly reported, country of origin is properly determined and reported, and claims for special programs like the US-Mexico-Canada Free Trade Agreement (“USMCA”) or Generalized System of Preferences (“GSP”) are supported. Most companies also understand that they are required to keep documents to support their claims in these (and perhaps other) areas. Despite their best efforts, these companies sometimes require assistance to design, document, and defend their business processes.

The attorneys at Barnes, Richardson & Colburn have substantial experience in conducting compliance audits and implementing customs compliance programs. Our audits are focused and designed to minimize business disruption. We design compliance programs meant to provide the highest level of compliance and reliability while respecting the company’s current processes. We regard these programs as being the best practical solution to continuing to do business while ensuring the required level of Customs compliance.

Contact any attorney at Barnes, Richardson & Colburn to explore whether you are complying with the Customs laws, and how to maximize your compliance with practical, business-oriented practices and procedures.

Mar. 20, 2026
CBP Ruling Clarifies Customs Business, Addresses AI
Mar. 16, 2026
USTR Initiates Forced Labor Section 301 Investigation
Mar. 12, 2026
Here Come the Section 301 Investigations
Mar. 12, 2026
CBP Updates Court on IEEPA Refund Process and Technology
Mar. 11, 2026
AD/CVD Petitions Announced on Lithium Battery Chemicals from China
Mar. 10, 2026
Bills Introduced in House and Senate to Restrict Non-Resident Importers
Mar. 9, 2026
States Challenge Section 122 Tariffs
Mar. 6, 2026
Customs Proposes IEEPA Refund Process to Court
Mar. 4, 2026
CIT Orders Refunds; Appeal Likely
Mar. 2, 2026
IEEPA Case Expedited to CIT for Relief
Feb. 27, 2026
New AD/CVD Petitions on Truck Bed Covers from China
Feb. 27, 2026
"Trade Deals" Under Reciprocal Tariff Framework Have Uncertain (and Maybe Varying) Futures
Feb. 27, 2026
Battle of 122 Tariffs: Is it 10 or 15%?
Feb. 27, 2026
Wither De Minimis After the Supreme Court IEEPA Decision?
Feb. 23, 2026
President to Increase Global Tariff Under Sec. 122 to 15%
Feb. 23, 2026
What's the Medium Term for U.S. Tariffs?
Feb. 19, 2026
Importers Beware: AD/CVD Scope is More Than Just the Scope Language
Feb. 11, 2026
Legislation Introduced to End First Sale
Feb. 10, 2026
United States & Bangladesh Agreement on Reciprocal Trade
Feb. 9, 2026
U.S. and India Announce Interim Trade Deal
Feb. 6, 2026
Secondary Tariffs Threatened on Countries Selling Oil to Cuba
Feb. 6, 2026
U.S. Finalizes Terms on Trade Agreement with Argentina
Feb. 3, 2026
Answering Dumping Questionnaires Just Got Harder
Feb. 2, 2026
Apparent India/U.S. IEEPA Duty Deal Reached
Feb. 1, 2026
El Salvador and Guatemala Get IEEPA Deals
Jan. 30, 2026
Importer Challenges Legality of Section 232 Steel/Aluminum Content "Guidance"
Jan. 29, 2026
CIT Relies on Merriam-Webster to Classify Crypto Mining Cards as Parts and Accessories
Jan. 26, 2026
BIS and Customs Funding Appropriations: Where We Are and What's It All Mean
Jan. 26, 2026
Trump Threatens to Increase Korean Tariffs to 25%
Jan. 20, 2026
Trump Threatens Europeans With More Tariffs Over Greenland
Jan. 15, 2026
Taiwan Said to Have Trade Deal with United States
Jan. 15, 2026
New 25% Tariff Imposed on Certain Semiconductor Imports
Jan. 15, 2026
Negotiations Chosen Over Tariffs for Critical Minerals, For Now
Jan. 10, 2026
CAFC Upholds Use of Domestic Sales for Transaction Value
Jan. 5, 2026
Upholstered Wooden Products, Kitchen Cabinets, and Vanities Tariff Hike Delayed
Jan. 5, 2026
CBP Mandates Electronic Refunds Effective February 6
Dec. 23, 2025
U.S. Imposes Phased-In Duties on Certain Nicaraguan Imports
Dec. 23, 2025
USTR Publishes Semiconductor Section 301 Results
Dec. 22, 2025
Big Fines for (alleged) Duty Evaders
Dec. 17, 2025
U.S. Eases Tariffs for Switzerland and Liechtenstein While Trade Deal is Negotiated
Dec. 15, 2025
CIT Denies Injunction in IEEPA Litigation
December 15, 2025
Comments on Section 232 Content "Guidance"
Dec. 12, 2025
USTR Greer Says More Trade Deals are Coming, While U.S. Considers USMCA Review in 2026
Dec. 12, 2025
CAFC Rules Planning Calendar Classification Already Decided
Dec. 12, 2025
Customs Proposes Revoking Handicap Article Status From Ramps
Dec. 9, 2025
OFAC Imposes Large Russia Penalties as 2025 Comes to a Close
Dec. 5, 2025
BIS Steel & Aluminum Derivative Decision Pushed to 2026
Jan. 22, 2025
Webinar: What We Know After the Inauguration
Sep. 9, 2024
McPherson to Co-Moderate Export Enforcement Discussion
Jun. 2, 2023
BRC and Attorneys Ranked in 2023 Chambers Guide
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
January 22, 2018
BRC Partner David Forgue to Speak on Classification Processes
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 16, 2017
Partner David Forgue Quoted in International Trade Today
March 8, 2017
Barnes Partner Lawrence Friedman Quoted Regarding Tariff Engineering in Washington Post
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 30
David G. Forgue to Speak at Chicago Customs Broker and Freight Forwarder Association Seminar
April 27, 2015
Food Safety Modernization Act Update
April 27, 2015
Sandy Friedman provides update on Food Safety Law
March 23, 2015
Partner Larry Friedman's Workshop on Tariff Engineering at the International Compliance Professionals Association
By: Lawrence M. Friedman
February 20, 2015
Partner Larry Friedman Moderates Panel on the Role of Use in Tariff Classification
By: Lawrence M. Friedman
February 10, 2015
From Moveable Type to Home Manufacturing in Five Easy Centuries: Some Trade Implications of 3D Printing
By: David G. Forgue
December 16, 2014
Brian Walsh Honored by Chicago Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association
December 15, 2014
Helena Sullivan Presents to Fashion and Int'l Trade Committees of NYC Bar
November 21, 2014
Larry Friedman Presented Webinar for International Compliance Professionals Association
October 24, 2014
Trek Leather and the Decline of Reasonable Care
October 9, 2014
3D Printing: A Manufacturing Revolution and (Potential) Compliance Headache
September 4, 2014
Misrepresentation of Country of Origin Results in Recent False Claims Act Penalties
June 6, 2014
Larry Friedman Elected Vice President of CITBA
March 28, 2014
Larry Friedman Speaks at ICPA Conference
March 3, 2014
BRC Partner Quoted in Korean Orange Juice Investigation
Oct. 30, 2013
Barnes/Richardson Partner David Forgue Publishes Third Article on M&A Due Diligence
Oct. 30, 2013
Risk Mitigation in International Trade
September 20, 2013
Barnes/Richardson Partner Cortney O'Toole Morgan to Speak at ACI's U.S. Customs Compliance Boot Camp
August 23, 2013
Barnes/Richardson Attorneys Author Article on CBP's Centers of Excellence and Expertise (CEEs)
July 30, 2013
Barnes/Richardson Attorneys Co-Author ABA Year in Review Articles
May 28, 2013
Chambers Recognizes Barnes/Richardson Partners as Leading Lawyers
May 8, 2013
Barnes/Richardson Partner Quoted by International Trade Today
April 8, 2013
Barnes/Richardson Partner Quoted in Ria Novosti Article
February 5, 2013
Detentions, Exclusions, and Customs Protests
Dec. 12, 2012
Why Sound Due Diligence Is Crucial in Global Business
December 6, 2012
Barnes/Richardson Partner Moderates Panel on CIT Litigation Issues
July 26, 2012
Barnes/Richardson Attorneys Co-Author Customs Year in Review for ABA International Lawyer
Jun. 6, 2012
Firm Posts ITCC Presentation on Valuation
Apr. 9, 2012
Army Reservist Permitted to Sit for Customs Broker Exam
December 6, 2011
The Latest Lurking International Trade Liability
December 6, 2011
David Forgue on The Latest Lurking International Trade Liability
November 21, 2011
THE INTERNATIONAL LAWYER - Customs Law
October 27, 2011
CBP Changes Rules for Sampling and Offsetting in Prior Disclosures
Jun. 10, 2011
Challenging Customs Denial of Prior Disclosure