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.

May 30, 2023
Canada Proposes New Rule for Determining Value for Duty
May 30, 2023
U.S. Moves to Increase Trade with Taiwan and Kenya
May 24, 2023
CBP Issues Flurry of Forced Labor Guidance
May 24, 2023
Senate Committee Brainstorms Avenues to Combat Forced Labor
May 24, 2023
Group Expands on Details of Forced Labor in China
May 19, 2023
Single EU Customs Data Hub Proposed
May 16, 2023
Proposed Modification AD/CVD Regulations
May 15, 2023
Some in Senate Losing Patience with China
May 8, 2023
Transshipment Scheme Leads to Arrest and Indictment
May 8, 2023
USCBP, Guatemala, & Colombia Mutual Recognition Arrangement
Apr. 28, 2023
Customs Claims De Minimis is Not a ‘Loophole'
Apr. 24, 2023
Customs Makes Clear that Clearing UFLPA Detained Products Is Very (Very) Difficult
Apr. 21, 2023
Expansion of UFLPA's Entity List on the Horizon
Apr. 10, 2023
UFLPA Best Business Practices
Apr. 10, 2023
U.S. – Japan Critical Mineral Agreement
Mar. 30, 2023
March's New Crop of Russian Tariffs
Mar. 29, 2023
Forced and Child Labor Developments in Canada
Mar. 27, 2023
U.S. Side of the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade
Mar. 24, 2023
Custom's Increasing Expectations in Forced Labor Compliance
Mar. 23, 2023
U.S. Customs & Border Protection's ("CBP") Forced Labor Expo in a Few Words
Mar. 10, 2023
Aluminum* Has Its Day in the (Compliance) Sun
Feb. 24, 2023
The CHIPS Act and a Long-term Vision for America's Technological Leadership
Feb. 24, 2023
U.S. Announces Additional Russian Sanctions, Controls, and Tariffs
Feb. 24, 2023
Customs Publishes Guidance for Navigating Forced Labor Compliance
Feb. 17, 2023
Mexico Stands in Solidarity with Canada and the United States in the Fight Against Forced Labor in Supply Chains
Feb. 15, 2021
New Customs Broker Power Of Attorney Requirement Starts February 17
Feb. 9, 2023
CBP Drops Importer's Forced Labor Finding
Feb. 8, 2023
CAFC Wades Into Complex Intersection of Customs and Countervailing Duties
Jan. 30, 2023
Custom Duty Cheaters Beware of the False Claims Act
Jan. 30, 2023
The Forced Labor Wheel Spins to Aluminum
Jan. 27, 2023
Steel Duty Denials Get CIT Scrutiny
Jan. 27, 2023
UFLPA Region Alert Deployment
Jan. 24, 2023
Customs Clarifies Differences in "Use" for Drawback
Jan. 24, 2023
Scandalous Cups in Your Kitchen! Instant Brands' Glass Measuring Cups are Hit with a "Made in the USA" False Claim from the FTC
Jan. 17, 2023
Living in Interesting Times for Global Sourcing
Jan. 17, 2023
USMCA Panel Finds for Mexico and Canada in RVC Dispute
Jan. 12, 2023
Congress Steps Up UFLPA Pressure
Dec. 20, 2022
EU Reaches Deal to Bolster the Carbon Market
Dec. 20, 2022
WTO 232 Ruling Criticized by Washington
Dec. 20, 2022
USTR Renews Some Exclusions, Signaling 301 is Here to Stay
Dec. 13, 2022
Report Highlights Challenges to Auto Industry in Excluding Products from Xinjiang
Dec. 5, 2022
Possible New Entry Requirements to be Tested
Nov. 29, 2022
CTPAT Forced Labor Requirements Yield New Benefits
Nov. 29, 2022
China PNTR Removal Recommendation
Nov. 14, 2022
Customs Updates CTPAT Handbook
Nov. 4, 2022
Make Your Manifest Data Confidential (If You Want)
Nov. 1, 2022
Additional China Information Requirement in ACE Postponed
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
By: Lawrence M. Friedman
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