• IMPORT COMPLIANCE & ADVISORY

  • Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) classification, customs valuation, and country of origin/marking.

  • Free Trade Agreements and USMCA - eligibility, documentation, and verification audits.

  • Binding ruling requests to provide certainty for future importations.

  • Customized importer procedures manuals and staff training.

  • Responses to CBP Requests for Information (CBP Form 28) and Notices of Action (CBP Form 29).

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• AUDITS, INTERNAL REVIEWS & PRIOR DISCLOSURES

  • Customs audits, including Focused Assessments, Quick Response Audits, and other CBP compliance reviews.

  • CTPAT Trade Compliance applications and ongoing support.

  • Internal compliance reviews and data sampling to identify and correct systemic issues.

  • Preparation and filing of prior disclosures to correct errors in prior importations and mitigate penalties.

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• PROTESTS, POST-ENTRY CORRECTIONS & REFUND STRATEGIES

  • Filing and pursuing protests (including Applications for Further Review) to challenge CBP decisions.

  • Instructions and legal arguments for completing post-summary corrections and post-entry amendments.

  • Duty recovery strategies related to trade remedies and special tariff programs (where applicable).

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• FP&F PENALTIES, LIQUIDATED DAMAGES & SEIZURES

  • Defense of FP&F penalty cases, including alleged false statements (negligence, gross negligence, or fraud under 19 U.S.C. § 1592).

  • Liquidated damages claims involving bonds, ISF filings, in-bond movements, FTZ or bonded warehouse obligations, and bonded carriers.

  • Seizures and forfeitures of cargo, vehicles, merchandise, and other property, including “introduction contrary to law” cases.

  • Mitigation petitions, supplemental petitions, and offers in compromise to reduce or resolve penalty and seizure exposure.

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• USMCA, TRADE REMEDIES & SPECIAL TARIFFS

  • USMCA origin determinations, certifications, and recordkeeping.

  • Assistance with USMCA verification audits and questionnaires.

  • Counseling on special tariffs and trade remedies (including IEEPA-based tariffs, Section 232/301-type measures, and similar programs).

  • Risk assessments and strategies to manage tariff exposure for U.S.-Mexico supply chains.

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• SUPPLY CHAIN SECURITY & CTPAT

  • CTPAT program support: applications, security profiles, written procedures, and risk assessments.

  • CTPAT manuals (procedures, incident response, training logs, seal controls, etc.).

  •  Preparation for validations and revalidations, including on-site visit readiness.

  • Appeals of CTPAT suspensions, removals, and denials after implementation of corrective actions.

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• BONDED FACILITIES, FTZ & SPECIAL CUSTOMS PROGRAMS

  • Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs), bonded warehouses, bonded carriers, and duty-free stores: applications, procedures manuals, and compliance training.

  • Defense of liquidated damage claims and other enforcement actions involving bonded operations.

  • In-bond shipments (IT, T&E, IE), Temporary Importation under Bond (TIB), and related compliance issues.

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• CUSTOMS BROKER COMPLIANCE & LICENSING

  • Defense of customs broker informed compliance warning letters, penalties, suspensions, and revocations.

  • Assistance with corporate license applications (including entity formation, bylaws, and compliance structure).

  • Change of license or permit qualifier and related regulatory filings.

  • Best practices setup for new customs broker operations (policies, supervision, and internal controls).

  •  Assistance with challenging unclear or erroneous customs broker exam questions and results.

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• EXPORT & AES COMPLIANCE

  • Determining commodity jurisdiction and classification for export controls (including EAR/ITAR referrals where needed).

  • Responsibilities of USPPI, FPPI, and authorized agents in routed vs. standard export transactions.

  • Defense of Foreign Trade Regulations (FTR) and AES-related penalties and seizures.

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• INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY & TRADE ENFORCEMENT

  • Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) strategy at the border, including recording trademarks and copyrights with CBP.

  • Seizures involving trademark, copyright, and patent violations.

  • Counseling on gray market, parallel imports, and enforcement trends at the border.

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• TRAINING, POLICIES & OUTSIDE TRADE COUNSEL

  • ​Customized in-house training for import, export, logistics, and compliance teams.

  • Development and updating of SOPs, compliance manuals, and internal checklists for brokers, importers, exporters, carriers, and warehouse operators.

  • Ongoing outside “trade compliance counsel” support for companies needing regular customs/trade guidance without a full-time in-house attorney.

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• BORDER PATROL CHECKPOINT SEIZURES & INNOCENT OWNERS 

  • Representation of innocent owners, drivers, and motor carriers whose trucks, trailers, and vehicles are seized at Border Patrol checkpoints and along the border. Services include:

    • Reviewing seizure notices and deadlines.

    • Preparing petitions and administrative claims.

    • Asserting innocent-owner defenses.

    • Seeking return of trucks, trailers, and personal vehicles.