Ms. Finkelstein specializes in U.S. Customs consultation, including Title 18 and Title 19 of U.S. Customs laws regarding imports and exports on both civil and criminal matters. 

Education

• M.A. (Administration of Justice), University of Pittsburgh, 1996
• B.S. (Psychology), University of Pittsburgh, 1984

Representative Matters

• Consult on the Customs Modernization Act, informed compliance and “reasonable care” standards
• Conduct importation process reviews and develop Customs Manuals tailored to the client’s specific needs
• Consult with importers on classification, valuation and country-of-origin issues
• Consult with importers on special trade and customs programs including NAFTA, C-TPAT, bonded warehouses, TIB, application of Section 201 sanctions, anti-dumping/countervailing duty issues, quota/visa, etc.
• Consult with importers on specific compliance issues including, where appropriate, submission of “Prior Disclosures”
• Prepare binding ruling requests
• Represent clients in seizure, detention, and liquidated damage proceedings
• Assist clients in resolving import issues at the port of entry
• Participant in Compliance Assessment Team Audit and consulted on Focus Assessment audit process
• Consult on Customs commercial operations/inspectional operational issues at the district, port and headquarters levels
• Consult in all areas of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (GRIs, Chapters 1-99)
• Consult on the Customs Modernization Act, informed compliance and “reasonable care”
• Conducted civil and criminal investigations in all areas of U.S. Customs law: commercial fraud, export violations, smuggling and currency violations

Seminars & Speeches

• Sixth Annual Customs/Export Control Update, Cohen & Grigsby seminar, Pittsburgh, PA (April 24, 2007)
• Fifth Annual Customs/Export Control Update - Important Issues You Need to Know, Cohen & Grigsby seminar, Pittsburgh, PA (April 26, 2006)
• Fourth Annual Customs Update - Important Issues You Need to Know, Cohen & Grigsby seminar, Pittsburgh, PA (April 19, 2005)
• Third Annual Customs Update - Important Issues You Need to Know, Cohen & Grigsby seminar, Pittsburgh, PA (May 18, 2004)
• Second Annual Customs Update - Importing and Exporting - How to Deal with Customs’ Increased Scrutiny, Cohen & Grigsby seminar, Pittsburgh, PA (May 7, 2003)
• Importing and Exporting – What You Need to Know, Cohen & Grigsby seminar, Pittsburgh, PA (April 11, 2002)

Publications

• Co-author, Taking Corrective Action Prior to Custom Audit Activity, A Cost & Risk Winning Approach, Cohen & Grigsby Review (Winter 2008)
• Co-author, Section 201 Proceedings Announcement by President Bush, Cohen & Grigsby Review (Spring 2002)
• Co-author, NAFTA Advanced Rulings, Cohen & Grigsby Review (Summer 2002)
• Co-author, Reasonable Care:  What Importers Must Know to Comply with the Reasonable Care Standards, Cohen & Grigsby Review (Winter 2001)
  

Prior Experience

• Import Specialist, Special Agent, U.S. Customs Service, 1987-2001
• Import Specialist Training
• Criminal Investigator Training
• U.S. Customs Special Agent Training
• Specialized Commercial Fraud Training
• National Special Agent Recruiter Training