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.
The First Sale Doctrine Checklist: Six Phases for Successful Tariff Reduction Our recent blog post, The First Sale Doctrine: A Strategic Tool for Reducing Tariffs—But Only If You Do It Right, generated a lot of questions. Many companies, eager to explore potential tariff savings, reached out asking for more granular detail on how to implement
The First Sale Doctrine: A Tool for Reducing Tariffs—But Only If Done Right What if we told you that some of your competitors are paying less in tariffs than you are—completely legally—simply because they understand one underutilized customs rule that most importers have never heard of? While small businesses struggle under crushing tariff burdens that
2025 China Tariffs: Vietnam Pact Triggers New Era of Transshipment Crackdowns On July 2, 2025 (today), President Trump announced a new trade pact with Vietnam that sends a bold message. It is targeting any country—Vietnam included—that integrates Chinese components into its supply chain, however marginally. This development aligns with the broader trends we’ve been describing
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
New Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Petitions Filed for Hardwood Plywood Imports Introduction On May 22, 2025, new antidumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) petitions were filed against imports of hardwood and decorative plywood (“plywood”) from China, Indonesia, and Vietnam. The petition was filed by the Coalition for Fair Trade in Hardwood Plywood. This is a
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.
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
