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.

Nov. 5, 2025
White House Caps China IEEPA Fentanyl and Reciprocal Tariffs at 10%
Nov. 4, 2025
U.S. and China Strike Trade Deal — Export Controls Front and Center
Oct. 30, 2025
U.S.-Korea Trade Deal Details Released
Oct. 28, 2025
Japan in Critical Minerals Agreement with U.S.
Oct. 27, 2025
Trump Terminates Talks on Trade with Canada
Oct. 27, 2025
USTR Confirms Trade Frameworks with Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam (so far)
Oct. 21, 2025
USTR Considers 301 Tariffs and Suspended CAFTA-DR Benefits for Nicaragua
Oct. 17, 2025
Trump Imposes Heavy Truck and Bus 232 Starting November 1
Oct. 16, 2025
Cassidy Pitches Carbon Tax as IEEPA Replacement
Oct. 9, 2025
Changes to Steel and Aluminum Duties are in the Wind
Oct. 7, 2025
Trump Announces New 25% Tariff on All Medium and Heavy-Duty Trucks
Oct. 6, 2025
BIS Expends Entity List with Entity 50 Percent Rule
Sep. 30, 2025
232 Duties on Wood Products to be Implemented October 14
Sep. 25, 2025
U.S. Updates Tariff to Reflect EU Framework Agreement
Sep. 25, 2025
Up is Down and Bread is Pasta
Sep. 25, 2025
Commerce Launches 232 Investigations into Medical Supplies, Robotics, and Industrial Machinery
Sep. 24, 2025
CIT Vacates Forced Labor Determination as "Arbitrary and Capricious"
Sep. 24, 2025
CIT Affirms Classification of Fish Oil
Sep. 24, 2025
Withhold Release Order Issued for Giant Bicycles, Parts, and Accessories
Sep. 22, 2025
CBP Determines New Origin for Brake Hoses
Sep. 16, 2025
Steel and Aluminum Derivatives Open for *More* Additions (Somehow)
Sep. 16, 2025
USTR Opens Comments for 2026 USMCA Review
Sep. 16, 2025
Commerce Issues Interim Auto Parts 232 Inclusion Process Information
Sep. 15, 2025
Implementing Some Tariff-Related Elements of the U.S.-Japan Agreement
Sep. 12, 2025
U.S. Tariff Focus in the Limelight of Mounting Russia Sanctions Debate
Sep. 8, 2025
Another Friday Surprise: Reciprocal Tariff Coverage Modified
Sep. 5, 2025
U.S. Seeks Expedited Writ of Certiorari from SCOTUS on IEEPA Tariffs Case
Sep. 5, 2025
500% Tariffs & Other Sanctions Looming on Russia And Its Trading Partners
Sep. 5, 2025
U.S.–Japan Trade Deal Clarified to 15% Inclusive, Retroactive Tariff
Sep. 5, 2025
Mexico Considering Increasing Non-FTA Tariffs
Sep. 2, 2025
BIS Ending Validated End User (VEU) Program
Aug. 29, 2025
Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit Rules Against IEEPA Tariffs
Aug. 21, 2025
US and EU confirm Trade Framework in Joint Statement
Aug. 19, 2025
High-Priority Sectors Added to UFLPA Enforcement
Aug. 18, 2025
CBP Touts (Some) Dumping Evasion Wins
Aug. 15, 2025
New AD/CVD Petitions on High Purity Dissolving Pulp from Brazil and Norway
Aug. 15, 2025
Commerce Adds 407 (!) HTS Codes to 232 Derivative Annexes Starting Monday
Aug. 14, 2025
U.S. Eyes Content Percentage for "Transshipment" Enforcement
Aug. 11, 2025
Trump Extends China Tariffs by 90 Days
Aug. 11, 2025
Creatively Ambiguous Japan Deal has Unstacked 15% Baseline
Aug. 8, 2025
Indications of Steel and Aluminum Quotas for EU in Trade Deal
Aug. 6, 2025
Additional 25% Tariffs on Indian Imports Announced
Aug. 1, 2025
New Round of Global Tariffs: A Round Up
Jul. 31, 2025
Copper 232 Coverage Issued Through Customs
Jul. 30, 2025
Gird Your Wires: Copper Tariffs Coming August 1st
Jul. 30, 2025
Brazil Gets Its Own IEEPA Tariffs
Jul. 30, 2025
De Minimis Window to Close August 29
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