Advises clients on the Customs and Border Protection agency rules governing the classification of products, and assists in getting merchandise classified at the legal rate most favorable to the client.
Advises clients on the U.S. Customs rules governing valuation of merchandise, and assists in getting the lowest and most beneficial dutiable value assigned at the time of entry.
Counsels clients on compliance with country-of-origin marking requirements, and, when necessary, obtaining written Customs and Border Protection agency rulings.
Helps clients to make the most effective use of trade preference programs that provide for duty-free access to the U.S. market through such programs as: African Growth & Opportunity Act (AGOA), Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA), Caribbean Basin Initiative CBI), North American Free Trade Act (NAFTA), and Generalized System of Preferences (GSP). The firm provides on-going assessment of clients' compliance with the programs' rules of origin, and helps to structure sales transactions and manufacturing operations to take advantage of the regulatory requirements to minimize customs duties.
Assists clients to make the most effective use of the preference programs aimed at assisting those U.S. importers that qualify for such programs as American Goods Returned, American Goods Assembled Abroad, and importations for exhibition or non-profit use.
Counsels companies on such programs as Container Security Initiative (CSI), Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT), and the Importer Self Assessment Program (ISA).
Helps companies to navigate the controls the U.S. Government imposes over the export from the United States and movement of a wide range of goods and services, and assists clients to determine and respond to the level of control applied to their merchandise. Provides assistance in dealing with the trade embargoes enforced by OFAC, and with antiboycott compliance and penalty matters.
Advises clients of their obligations under the FCPA provisions regarding illegal payments to foreign officials, and helps them to structure FCPA-compliant operations.
Monitors the constantly changing requirements that regulate the movement of goods and services across national borders. Works with clients to shape or respond to emerging legislation that might negatively impact their business.
Works with clients to obtain financing for feasibility studies, projects, political risk insurance, and loan guarantees from such U.S. government agencies as Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im Bank), Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), and Trade Development Agency (TDA).
