Customs

Cohen & Grigsby’s Customs Group offers far-reaching expertise to help our clients manage their import business. We provide representation and advice on the full range of customs and civil and criminal investigatory matters. In addition, our Group includes a staff customs consultant to assist clients with unusual or emerging needs —a value-added resource that is characteristic of our “Culture of Performance.”

On a regular basis, our attorneys:

• Represent clients in responding to routine and investigatory inquiries by U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP)
• Assist clients in structuring import activities to comply with CBP laws while minimizing duties
• Review import procedures and develop a comprehensive customs import compliance manual and an internal compliance program tailored to clients’ specific importing requirements
• Conduct C-TPAT security reviews and develop C-TPAT security profiles shaped to client needs
• Consult with importers on special trade and customs programs including NAFTA, C-TPAT, bonded warehouses, TIB, application of Section 201 sanctions and quota/visa
• Advise importers on specific compliance issues including, where appropriate, submission of “prior disclosures”
• Prepare binding ruling requests
• Represent clients in seizure and liquidated damage proceedings
• Assist clients in resolving import issues at the port of entry
• Counsel importers on ADD/CVD requirements, textile visa/quota requirements, category specifications, classification and appraisement, compliance issues and shipping requirements
• Consult in all areas of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (GRIs, Chapters 1-99)
• Consult on the Customs Modernization Act, informed compliance and “reasonable care”
• Advise clients on civil and criminal violations in all areas of U.S. Customs law: commercial fraud (country of origin issues, ADD/CVD violations, counterfeiting, trademark and copyright infringements); export violations (Department of State and Department of Commerce license violations); smuggling and currency violations (money laundering, import and export of undeclared currency)
• Consult on all aspects of district/port operations, including inspectional, commercial operations and criminal investigations
• Assist clients in preparation for Focused Assessment Audits
• Advise clients on whether to export directly to foreign customers, use an intermediary sales representative or distributor, or establish a foreign branch, taking into account U.S. and foreign tax laws as well as applicable treaties
• Counsel clients on their obligations under U.S. Export Control Regulations and Foreign Assets Control Regulations and assist clients in developing internal export compliance programs
• Advise clients on specific programs, such as Overseas Private Investment Corporation financing and insurance, to stimulate U.S. exports