Partner Government Agencies

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Customs is charged with ensuring that United States laws and regulations administered by other agencies are applied properly to imports. There are more than 30 partner government agencies whose laws and regulations apply to imports. These include the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and many more. It is crucial to be prepared for Partner Government Agency requirements and, when necessary, to address any compliance issues promptly and properly. Barnes, Richardson & Colburn attorneys can help you avoid Partner Government Agency problems and address them if they arise.

Feb. 11, 2026: Legislation Introduced to End First Sale
Feb. 10, 2026: United States & Bangladesh Agreement on Reciprocal Trade
Feb. 9, 2026: U.S. and India Announce Interim Trade Deal
Feb. 6, 2026: Secondary Tariffs Threatened on Countries Selling Oil to Cuba
Feb. 6, 2026: U.S. Finalizes Terms on Trade Agreement with Argentina
Feb. 3, 2026: Answering Dumping Questionnaires Just Got Harder
Feb. 2, 2026: Apparent India/U.S. IEEPA Duty Deal Reached
Feb. 1, 2026: El Salvador and Guatemala Get IEEPA Deals
Jan. 26, 2026: BIS and Customs Funding Appropriations: Where We Are and What's It All Mean
Jan. 26, 2026: Trump Threatens to Increase Korean Tariffs to 25%
Jan. 20, 2026: Trump Threatens Europeans With More Tariffs Over Greenland
Jan. 15, 2026: Negotiations Chosen Over Tariffs for Critical Minerals, For Now
Jan. 15, 2026: New 25% Tariff Imposed on Certain Semiconductor Imports
Jan. 15, 2026: Taiwan Said to Have Trade Deal with United States
Jan. 10, 2026: CAFC Upholds Use of Domestic Sales for Transaction Value
Jan. 5, 2026: Upholstered Wooden Products, Kitchen Cabinets, and Vanities Tariff Hike Delayed
Jan. 5, 2026: CBP Mandates Electronic Refunds Effective February 6
Dec. 23, 2025: U.S. Imposes Phased-In Duties on Certain Nicaraguan Imports
Dec. 23, 2025: USTR Publishes Semiconductor Section 301 Results
Dec. 22, 2025: Big Fines for (alleged) Duty Evaders
Dec. 17, 2025: U.S. Eases Tariffs for Switzerland and Liechtenstein While Trade Deal is Negotiated
Dec. 12, 2025: USTR Greer Says More Trade Deals are Coming, While U.S. Considers USMCA Review in 2026
Dec. 12, 2025: CAFC Rules Planning Calendar Classification Already Decided
Dec. 12, 2025: Customs Proposes Revoking Handicap Article Status From Ramps
Dec. 9, 2025: OFAC Imposes Large Russia Penalties as 2025 Comes to a Close
Dec. 5, 2025: BIS Steel & Aluminum Derivative Decision Pushed to 2026
Nov. 17, 2025: Reciprocal Tariff Exemptions Expanded
Nov. 14, 2025: Switzerland Announces 15% Tariff Deal with the United States
Nov. 11, 2025: China Suspends & Delays Rare Earth Export Restrictions
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

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
June 3, 2019: BRC Partner Alan Goggins Interviewed on Mexico Tariffs
May 4, 2017: BRC Partner Lawrence Friedman to Speak at Upcoming PERT Event
March 3, 2017: Watch the Webinar: Consumer Products Safety and Customs Enforcement at the Border
By: Lawrence M. Friedman
February 14, 2017: BRC, Joern Law Firm to Hold Joint Webinar on Consumer Product Safety Rules and Import Requirements
By: Lawrence M. Friedman
April 27, 2015: Food Safety Modernization Act Update
April 27, 2015: Sandy Friedman provides update on Food Safety Law
July 18, 2014: BRC Advises on Ivory, Other Restricted Materials for Musical Instruments
April 01, 2014: BRC Partner David Forgue Speaks at ITCC Workshop
November 05, 2013: Barnes/Richardson Secures Unanimous Dismissal by ITC
August 23, 2013: Barnes/Richardson Attorneys Author Article on CBP's Centers of Excellence and Expertise (CEEs)
February 11, 2013: Barnes/Richardson Client Receives De Minimis Margin in Diamond Sawblades Case
February 5, 2013: Detentions, Exclusions, and Customs Protests
By: Lawrence M. Friedman
January 29, 2013: Barnes/Richardson Attorneys Publish Article on New Conflict-Minerals Regulations
November 29, 2012: New Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Resource Guide Provides Useful Guidance
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
July 26, 2012: Barnes/Richardson Attorneys Co-Author Customs Year in Review for ABA International Lawyer
February 4, 2011: COMPLIANCE UPDATE: New Immigration Form I-129 Requires Certification of Deemed Export Compliance for H, L and O Petitions for Nonimmigrant Foreign Workers
January 6, 2011: FTC Focuses on Products Making Health Claims, Increases Cooperation with FDA
January 4, 2011: FTZ Board Proposes Significant Revisions to Foreign Trade Zones Regulations
January 9, 2009: Increased Penalties for Violations of Census' Foreign Trade Regulations Begins Feb. 1
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 24, 2008: DoD Issues Interim Rule and Request for Comments Concerning Additional Requirements for Contracts Involving Export-Controlled Items
June 5, 2008: EXPORT ALERT: Census Issues Final Rule Mandating Electronic Filing
May 30, 2008: CBP Plans C-TPAT Changes in Response to GAO Critique
April 7, 2008: The Reasonable Care Standard: Has Customs Raised the Bar?
April 1, 2008: Related-Party Pricing
January 22, 2008: Cosmetics, Drugs and Labels
October 2, 2007: Brand Owners Can Prevent Increasingly Costly Offshore Counterfeit Activities
July 13, 2007: Strategies for Dealing with Counterfeiting
September 29, 2004: Training Employees To Handle Hazmat
June 24, 2004: Bioterrorism Penalties and Mitigation
January 2003: Customs Publishes Treasury Decision On New Binding Ruling Procedures
January 1, 2003: Visas Available For Qualified International Traders and Investors

Sample Daily Report
Sandra Friedman Interview with JOC
Real Concern About Fakes
Lacey Act Letter
CBP Reminds Import Community of Responsibility to Resolve ABI-Census Errors
Lacey Act Declaration Implementation Schedule
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
WTO Proposal for Trade Liberalization in Environmental Goods
2008 Washington Trade and Customs Developments
ABA Customs Law Article
Customs Reauthorization Bill
CBP Announces Intent to Distribute Byrd Amendment Funds for FY 2010; Certifications due by August 2, 2010

Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
Bioterrorism Act of 2002 (FDA)
EPA Vehicle Imports
Importing Food (FDA)
Importing Medical Devices (FDA)
U.S. Bureau of Customs & Border Protection
US Steel Licensing
Recent ITC Petitions and Complaints
U.S. Dep't of Commerce, Import Administration
U.S. Int'l Trade Commission
Bureau of Industry and Security
Office of Foreign Assets Control