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.

Dec. 5, 2024
China Retaliates Against U.S. Export Controls by Blocking Crucial Minerals
Nov. 26, 2024
President-Elect Threatens Tariffs on Canada, Mexico, China
Nov. 22, 2024
EU Forced Labor Regulation Advancing
Nov. 22, 2024
Significant Additions to UFLPA List
Nov. 20, 2024
History Offers Some Clues Regarding Export Controls Under the Next Administration
Nov. 18, 2024
Joint Action Targets "Third Party Enablers" Supporting Russia's Military Industrial Base
Nov. 15, 2024
Update on Recently Published BIS Cases – "Don't Let This Happen to You"
Nov. 14, 2024
U.S. and Indonesia to Expand Trade Relations with Critical Minerals Talks
Nov. 11, 2024
Pentagon Plans to Nearshore Supply Chains
Oct. 31, 2024
USITC Negative Final Determination On Aluminum Extrusion Imports
Oct. 30, 2024
EU Springs Forward with Countervailing Duties on Chinese EV Batteries
Oct. 28, 2024
Tangential Participant Liability Under the EAR
Oct. 24, 2024
Common & Commercial Interpretation Leads to 25% Section 301 Duty
Oct. 22, 2024
BIS Issues New Rule and Proposed Rule to Amend U.S. Space-Related Controls
Oct. 16, 2024
U.S. Legislators Call on USMCA Partners to Mirror UFLPA
Oct. 15, 2024
Nonprofit Report Links Pharmaceuticals to Forced Labor
Oct. 11, 2024
EU Follows Suit with Duties Against Chinese EVs
Oct. 4, 2024
BIS Imposes Penalty for Back-Dated Document
Oct. 4, 2024
Tri-Seal Enforcement Event Insights
Sep. 27, 2024
East Coast and Gulf Coast Port Strikes Impact Supply Chains
Sep. 23, 2024
Proposed Rule to Prohibit Vehicle Connectivity Systems from China and Russia
Sep. 20, 2024
Multilateralism Increases Odds of Catching Export Violations
Sep. 19, 2024
C-TPAT Members Get FTZ Benefit for Forced Labor Detentions
Sep. 17, 2024
White House Pursues De Minimis Crackdown
Sep. 13, 2024
Revised 301 Tariff Coverage and Start Date Finalized
Sep. 11, 2024
Illegal Tile Import Leads to Prison Time
Sep. 6, 2024
AD/CVD Petitions Filed Against Against Corrosion-Resistant Steel Imports
Sep. 5, 2024
Customs Reminds Importers that Most UFLPA Seizures Aren't Shipped from China
Aug. 30, 2024
New Wave of Sanctions Against Russia
Aug. 29, 2024
Canada And U.S. Eye-To-Eye on Chinese Tariffs
Aug. 23, 2024
Critical Mineral Access Shapes U.S. Trade Plans
Aug. 22, 2024
CFIUS Touts Enforcement Capabilities with $60 million Penalty
Aug. 16, 2024
U.S. – Canada Rail Disruption Appears Likely
Aug. 15, 2024
New E.U. Due Diligence Requirements Offers Insight For U.S. Importers
Aug. 14, 2024
Diversification Away from China Varies by Industry
Aug. 8, 2024
Supply Chain Summit Coming to D.C. This Fall
Aug. 7, 2024
BIS Expands Controls on Exports of Foreign Produced Items to Iran
Aug. 5, 2024
Section 301 Tariffs Increase Delayed
Aug. 5, 2024
Expanded End -User and End-Use Based Export Controls
Jul. 23, 2024
Importers Required to Certify that Malaysian and Vietnamese Goods Don't Come From China
Jul. 23, 2024
OFAC's Extended Statue of Limitations
Jul. 22, 2024
Three Years in Prison for Export Violations for Hong Kong Man
Jul. 11, 2024
PVC, Aluminum, and Seafood New Target Sectors for Forced Labor
Jul. 10, 2024
Mexico and the US Have a Meeting of the Minds on Steel and Aluminum Transshipment
Jul. 9, 2024
Alleged Victim of Forced Labor in Chinese Prison Sues American Company for Damages
Jul. 8, 2024
BIS Publishes Report on Export Violations
Jul. 1, 2024
Supreme Court Overturns Chevron, Does it Impact Trade Cases?
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