Customs & Import Trade

Miller & Chevalier’s Customs and Import Trade practice helps companies navigate the maze of import-related requirements enforced by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and customs administrations worldwide.  Our team includes a former Chief Counsel of CBP and several former CBP Headquarters attorneys, and our clients span a broad range of industries. 
 

• Compliance Counseling. We offer practical advice on the full range of import-related matters spanning from the "nuts and bolts" (including tariff classification, valuation, country-of-origin marking and preference program-eligibility determinations) to developing industry-leading compliance programs.  Leveraging our network of proven trade professionals in key markets around the globe, we are able to advise our clients on foreign customs matters, if the need arises.
• Customs Enforcement. We defend companies in customs enforcement proceedings, including civil and criminal penalty actions, import/export seizures, free trade agreement verifications and audits.  When a company independently discovers an error in its import transactions, we advise and assist in evaluating the matter and in preparing voluntary (prior) disclosures to CBP and the U.S. Department of Commerce, greatly reducing, or eliminating, monetary penalties for violations.
• Audits. When a client is targeted for an audit – such as a Focused Assessment or Qe Audit – we assist both by managing the audit process and by developing compliance resources that mitigate the clients’ risk of non-compliance with the customs laws.
• Duty-Saving Programs. We counsel clients on how to minimize the cost of importing merchandise by utilizing duty-savings programs, including free trade agreements, duty drawback, foreign trade zones (FTZs), the "First Sale" rule in customs valuation and temporary duty-suspension legislation.
• Anti-Dumping (AD) and Countervailing Duty (CVD) Orders. We handle a variety of issues relating to the imposition and enforcement of AD/CVD orders, including evaluating scope issues, requesting scope rulings, determining proper cash deposit rates and managing any related enforcement actions.
• Customs Litigation. As duty rates have declined and litigation costs have increased, we often counsel clients not to litigate classification and value issues.  However, when litigation has been a reasonable option, our team has a track record of success before the Court of International Trade and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in litigating import-related disputes.
• Voluntary Partnership Programs. We help companies prepare for membership and comply with the eligibility requirements of voluntary partnership programs with CBP such as the Importer Self-Assessment (ISA) program, the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT), the Trusted Trader Program and the Centers of Excellence and Expertise (CEEs).