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.

Apr. 29, 2025
Administration to Ease Auto and Parts Tariffs
Apr. 29, 2025
Latest Executive Order Limits Tariff Stacking
Apr. 24, 2025
De Minimis Ending for Goods of China (and Hong Kong)
Apr. 23, 2025
Section 232 Takes on Medium and Heavy-Duty Trucks
Apr. 17, 2025
Another Rapid Response Mechanism Request on the Books
Apr. 16, 2025
Trump Orders National Security Investigation for Critical Minerals
Apr. 10, 2025
EU to Pause Countermeasure Response for 90 Days
Apr. 9, 2025
EU and China Strike Back with Tariffs on U.S. Imports
Apr. 9, 2025
Trump Announces 90-Day Pause on Country-Specific Reciprocal Tariffs
Apr. 8, 2025
Customs Issues "Reciprocal Tariffs" Guidance
Apr. 8, 2025
White House Indicates China Will Face (at least) 104% Duties
Apr. 4, 2025
Tariff Subheading Guidance for ‘Reciprocal Tariffs' Published
Apr. 4, 2025
Global Response to U.S. ‘Reciprocal Tariffs'
Apr. 3, 2025
Correction and Exclusions for ‘Reciprocal Tariffs' Published
Apr. 2, 2025
Trump Announces 25% Tariff on Passenger Vehicles, Light Trucks, and Auto Parts
Apr. 2, 2025
Changes to De Minimis Duty Free Treatment for Good from China and Hong Kong
Apr. 2, 2025
Reciprocal Tariffs Announced
Mar. 27, 2025
President Trump Announces 25% on Autos and Light Trucks
Mar. 25, 2025
25% Tariffs on Countries that Import Venezuela Oil
Mar. 19, 2025
AD/CVD Petitions Filed for Corrugated Boxes from China and Vietnam
Mar. 13, 2025
Countries Around the World Strike Back at the Trump Administrations Increase in Tariffs
Mar. 11, 2025
U.S. Seeking Broad Trade Agreement with India
Mar. 11, 2025
As Tariffs Loom, Steel and Aluminum Rules Remain in Flux with Lost Exclusions and Increased Duties
Mar. 11, 2025
CBP Guidance on Duties on Imports of Steel and Steel Derivative Products
Mar. 11, 2025
CBP Guidance on Duties on Imports of Aluminum and Aluminum Derivative Products
Mar. 11, 2025
Canadian 50% Steel & Aluminum Tariff Reportedly Averted
Mar. 11, 2025
Steel & Aluminum Derivatives Tariffs Outside Chapters 73 & 76 Effective This Week
Mar. 10, 2025
USTR Announces 2025 Trade Agenda
Mar. 6, 2025
Tariff Exemptions on Mexican USMCA Imports Reported
Mar. 6, 2025
All USMCA Imports Reportedly Exempt from Tariffs
Mar. 6, 2025
USMCA Tariff Exemption Executive Orders Published
Mar. 5, 2025
Senators Revise Plan to Tie Duties to Carbon Emissions
Mar. 5, 2025
Tariffs on Autos Under USMCA from Canada or Mexico Reportedly Suspended One Month
Feb. 4, 2025
Steel and Aluminum: The Gifts That Keep on Giving
Mar. 3, 2025
Timber, Lumber, and Derivatives Get Their Own National Security Investigation
Mar. 3, 2025
Canada and Mexico Duties Deadlines Arrive with No Indications of Delay
Feb. 28, 2025
Trump Indicates Likely March 4, 2025 Duty Increases
Feb. 26, 2025
Updated Guidance on Additional Duties for Imports from China and Hong Kong
Feb. 26, 2025
Copper Gets Its Turn for National Security Treatment
Feb. 24, 2025
Indictments Handed Down in Export Scheme
Feb. 24, 2025
The Next Shoe to Drop? USTR Proposes Actions Against Chinese Ships
Feb. 18, 2025
Preliminary ITC AD/CVD Determinations on Erythritol
Feb. 13, 2025
Trump Announces Marching Order for "Reciprocal Tariffs"
Feb. 11, 2025
Important Changes to Steel and Aluminum Imports into the United States
Feb. 11, 2025
Details Regarding New Aluminum Tariffs
Feb. 7, 2025
Making Sense of the Trump Trade Agenda
Feb. 6, 2025
USTR Creates Supply Chain Uncertainty Related to Chinese-Origin Ships
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