Clear answers to 27 of the most common U.S. Customs compliance questions. Learn about classification, AD/CVD duties, Section 301 tariffs, ISF filings, de minimis changes, ATA Carnets, UFLPA, CBP audits, bonds, duty drawback, and more.
Learn how to avoid costly U.S. Customs delays, penalties, and seizures. Our international trade lawyers share compliance tips, risk reducers, and a pre-shipment checklist.
In 2025, the DOJ’s Criminal Division elevated trade and customs fraud to a top enforcement priority. Learn what this means for importers, including real risks, whistleblower incentives, and how to protect your company now
Tariff Cheaters Beware: This Week’s $24 Million Wake-Up Call Earlier this week, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision in Island Industries v. Sigma Corp that delivers a clear warning to companies attempting to evade U.S. trade duties: your competitors are watching, and the consequences of cheating can be staggering. This case highlights
Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Petitions for L-Lysine from China Introduction On May 28, 2025, new antidumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) petitions were filed against imports of L-lysine from China. The petitions were filed by the Lysine Fair Trade Coalition and its individual members: Archer Daniels Midland Company, CJ Bio America, Inc., and Evonik Corporation.
Beyond the 30%: The Real China Tariffs RIGHT NOW Think the China tariff picture is a simple 30%? Think again. The reality for U.S. businesses navigating the complexities of importing reveals a far more expensive and tangled web of duties, often surging beyond 50% While the headlines tout a 30% flat rate as relief, this
How Willful Blindness and DDP Terms Can Trigger U.S. Customs Liability One of our international trade lawyers once had a client who claimed to have shifted its manufacturing operations from China to Vietnam. Given the growing scrutiny from U.S. Customs and the steep penalties for origin fraud, our attorney strongly urged the client to verify
Chinese Supplier Tariff Advice Leads to Customs Fraud and Jail Time This is part one of a two-part series on the growing legal risks U.S. companies face when importing from China. Today, we focus on a mistake we see far too often: U.S. companies taking tariff compliance advice from their Chinese suppliers. What may sound
The Hidden Risks of Unpaid Tariffs Under DDP Many U.S. companies assume that importing under Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) terms shields them from tariffs. It doesn’t. At our law firm, we’re seeing a sharp rise in cases where buyers thought their overseas seller would handle all duties—only to end up facing unexpected customs bills, seized
How to structure your international manufacturing agreements the right way can legally lower your U.S. tariff obligations—sometimes by millions. This post breaks down how to do it, what mistakes to avoid, and includes a step-by-step compliance checklist.
