Imports

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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.

Apr. 30, 2025: CBP Clarifies: In-Transit Tariff Exemption Applies Only to Vessel Shipments
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. 18, 2025: Proposed Section 301 Investigation On America's Fishing Industry
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. 14, 2025: Steel and Aluminum Derivative Annexes
Feb. 13, 2025: Trump Announces Marching Order for "Reciprocal Tariffs"
Feb. 11, 2025: Important Changes to Steel and Aluminum Imports into the United States

View Archive

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
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
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

Presentation on Right to Make Entry and Customs Business By: Lawrence M. Friedman
Brian Walsh Presentation for the International Trade Club of Chicago on Customs Valuation By: Brian F. Walsh
BRC Guide of Technical Corrections to 19 CFR 102.21
NAFTA CO
Andean Pact CO
Carribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act CO
Customs Bond
Duty Allowance Request
Power of Attorney
Protest Form
US Goods Returned Declaration
Final C-TPAT Security Criteria
Sample Daily Report
GSP Guidebook (February 2007)
H.R. 1830 - Andean Trade Preferences Extension
U.S. Preferential Trade Agreements and Programs Synopsis
Trade Deals Going South
Broker Penalty Limits in Question
Feeling Festive
Sandra Friedman Interview with JOC
CBP Memo to Field on PEA Test Modifications
PEA Coversheet
Barnes/Richardson Trade Remedies List of Cases
Importer Self Assessment (ISA) Program Overview
Transfer Pricing - Customs v. IRS
Real Concern About Fakes
WTCC-China Business Forum
Lacey Act Letter
Import Compliance Seminar
CBP Reminds Import Community of Responsibility to Resolve ABI-Census Errors
Census Warnings and Census Rejection -- Amended to Correct the Attached ABI-CENSUS Reject Sheet to Include Additional Error Messages
ITCC Import Workshop Series Seminar
Lacey Act Declaration Implementation Schedule
CBP Memo on System Changes for US-Australia FTA
US-Australia FTA Implementation Information
US-Bahrain FTA Final Rule
US-Bahrain FTA Interim Rule
Customs Bulletin on Returned Containers with Chemical Residue
Guidance on MPF and Duty Preference Programs
CBP Notice Delaying HQ H026715
Alan Goggins Article on Related Party Pricing
Customs Retracts Warning E-Mail
A Guide for Reviewing and Completing NAFTA Certificates of Origin By: Lawrence M. Friedman

African Growth and Opportunities Act
Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
Bioterrorism Act of 2002 (FDA)
EPA Vehicle Imports
Foreign Trade Zones Board
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States
Importing Food (FDA)
Importing Medical Devices (FDA)
Senate Finance Committee
Treasury Financial Management
U.S. Border Wait Times
U.S. Bureau of Customs & Border Protection
U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means
US Steel Licensing
World Customs Organization