Insights on Customs & Import Compliance

Around the globe, automakers, parts suppliers, and related industries are making long-term investments in electric vehicles (EV), EV batteries, charging stations, and associated technologies.

In light of the impact of high tariffs on EV inputs under Section 301 and Section 232 measures and the uncertainty of future trade actions, qualification under the US-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) Agreement is more important than ever to maintain a competitive advantage in this industry.

US importers should participate in the Task Force’s comment and hearing process to flag due diligence challenges and formulate the strategy to enforce the import prohibitions.

In this installment of the Five Questions, Five Answers podcast, Birgit Matthiesen and Leah Scarpelli highlight what businesses need to know about the rising tensions between Washington and Beijing.

In this video episode of Fashion Counsel, Arent Fox Fashion & Retail Leader Anthony Lupo speaks with Consumer Products and Fashion & Retail Partner Angela Santos to discuss how companies can reduce import duties and prevent costly import detentions due to forced labor found in their supply chai

An overhaul of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) will occur in early 2022 to align with the World Customs Organization (WCO) Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (HS) updates scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2022.

Birgit Matthiesen and David Hamill spoke on an Electric Mobility Canada (EMC) and Accelerate webinar.

In this installment of the Five Questions, Five Answers podcast, Director of North American Manufacturing Birgit Matthiesen, Partner Angela Santos, and Associate Christine Hintze discuss the impact of US Customs’ crackdown on forced labor in company supply chains.

In recent months, new and modified Department of Commerce regulations impacting antidumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) proceedings have taken effect.

In this installment of the Five Questions, Five Answers podcast, Director of North American Manufacturing Birgit Matthiesen explores the impact of the USMCA on the electric mobility sector with Antonio J. Rivera and James Kim.

On October 5, 2021, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced the Biden Administration’s highly-anticipated China trade policy.

On July 2, 2021, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service issued a Federal Register Notice announcing that additional plant and plant products (including certain wood-based essential oils, suitcases of wood, certain musical instruments, wood packing materials.

Sixty-nine Arent Fox LLP attorneys have been rated as leaders in their profession by The Best Lawyers in America 2022.

On July 30, 2021, a notice of proposed rulemaking was published in the Federal Register with changes to two regulations that have the potential to materially affect the supply chains of products where manufacturing in the United States does not rise to the level of “substantial transformation.”

Withhold release order was issued that will prohibit imports of products produced in whole or part from silica produced by Hoshine Silicon Industry Co., Ltd. and its subsidiaries. This company has been linked to the largest global solar producers.

USTR is soliciting comments and has scheduled hearings regarding the potential imposition of Section 301 tariffs of up to 25% in response to the Digital Services Tax adopted by Austria, India, Italy, Spain, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.

Arent Fox Partner Angela Santos will speak as part of the webinar “Customs and Import 101.”

First sale appraisement currently remains a legally viable duty savings avenue, including for transactions with vendors in NMEs.

CBP is leveraging the EAPA to target various industries based on a suspicion of evading AD/CVD duties by aggressively scrutinizing imports potentially covered by an AD/CVD order.

If passed, these bills will grant US Customs and Border Protection authority for a region-wide WRO enabling the agency to detain all products from XUAR.

Changes are afoot for key industry sectors with complicated global supply chains.

Companies in the fashion, luxury, and agricultural spaces should take action in response to the forced labor supply chain due diligence requirements.

If your company has paid Section 301 duties on products of China included in List 3 and List 4(a), there may still be an opportunity to file a suit to potentially recover duties paid.

Calls for Significant Changes To Federal Domestic Preference Policy, Waivers, and Buy American Eligibility

Just two weeks into CY 2021, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is expanding its enforcement efforts against forced labor in China.