232 Steel and Aluminum Tariffs and 301 China Investigation: Updated 8/13/18
Up to date information regarding the 232 Steel and Aluminum Tariffs and 301 China Investigation including important links and highlights.
Section 232 Investigation
Trump orders investigation into steel imports: On April 20, 2017, President Trump announced that the Commerce Department, initiated an investigation under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, to determine “the effects of steel imports on national security”. Under Section 232, and other related statutes, the President has broad powers to impose trade [...]
NAFTA Renegotiation Update
The U.S. Trade Representative released objectives for NAFTA renegotiations, which begin August 16th. The document states that the U.S. hopes to remove barriers to American exports by eliminating “unfair subsidies, market-distorting practices by state-owned enterprises, and burdensome restrictions of intellectual property.” The U.S. also seeks to “modernize” the 1994 agreement for the 21st century. A [...]
Advanced Topics in Customs Compliance Conference
Our firm would like to invite you to the Advanced Topics in Customs Compliance Conference being held September 20-22, 2017 in Houston, Texas. The conference covers both basic and advanced topics in import and export compliance. In addition, the Conference has been approved for CCS and CES credits via the NCBFFA, and will provide for [...]
Increased Scrutiny of AD/CVD, Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights, and Prosecution of Trade Violations
President Trump recently signed an Executive Order titled “Establishing Enhanced Collection and Enforcement of Antidumping and Countervailing Duties and Violations of Trade and Customs Laws.” The Executive Order contains limited specific details, but provides an indication that relevant regulations are likely to be modified and that increased enforcement is imminent. First, the Order calls on [...]
Is Merchandise Classified by Use or by Name?
CBP (and the Court of International Trade) regularly distinguishes between provisions in the HTSUS which are controlled by use (“use” provisions) and those that are controlled by name (“eo nomine” provisions). In Irwin Industrial Tool Company v. United States, the Court of International Trade illustrated this common issue. In Irwin, the importer entered various hand [...]
Trump Notifies Congress of his Intent to Renegotiate NAFTA
United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer notified Congress that President Trump intends to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The notification informs Congress that negotiations will begin as soon as practicable, but no earlier than 90 days from the date of the notice (May 18, 2017). You can read the notification here. Although [...]
The Risks of a Proposed Expansion of ADD & CVD Orders to Pipe Rack Modules
The Risks of a Proposed Expansion of ADD & CVD Orders to Pipe Rack Modules Importers of pipe rack modules from China may soon have to pay ADDs & CVDs applicable to Chinese origin pipe. On April 6, 2017, the International Trade Association (ITA) posted on its web site a scope ruling request filed by [...]
Should the Customs Brokerage Function Ever be Moved In-House?
From time to time companies importing ask us whether it is advisable to move their customs brokerage function in-house for the purpose of filing its own entries to save some money. Our answer is always “NO, don’t do it.” One Importer’s Nightmare One of our clients to be, a Southwest based importer, hired a customs [...]
Protest Filer’s Guide
Givens & Johnston’s Protest Filers’ Guide assists importers with challenging various Customs determinations on the entry of merchandise (e.g., tariff classification, NAFTA, value, etc.). This Guide is intended only for educational purposes, and does not constitute legal advice. Please take a moment to send us the information on the form below and [...]