Customs With customs lawyers across the country, Baker Hostetler can represent clients in any type of customs dispute. Our Customs practice covers tariff classification, customs valuation, country of origin issues, internal compliance programs and education, audits and other matters. We represent importers at U.S. Customs and Border Protection headquarters and at numerous ports throughout the United States in connection with various investigations, protests, seizures, liquidated damages claims, customs audits and other civil and criminal enforcement matters. We assist our clients in structuring import transactions to minimize duties and costs. We also provide day-to-day advice on all areas of customs law, in such diverse industries as petrochemical, automotive, steel, telecommunications, electronics and customs brokers.
We also have extensive experience in the creation and operation of foreign trade zones and subzones and we regularly represent clients before the Foreign Trade Zones Board and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. We also assist our clients with day-to-day zone operation issues, including merchandise valuation, inventory control requirements, marking, audits and compliance system developments.
We excel at integrated customs solutions by combining guidance on export, re-export and deemed export controls into a single solution for private and public sector global market leaders. Our work includes investigative proceedings before the Department of Commerce, the International Trade Commission, the Court of International Trade, the U.S. Customs Service, Customs Headquarters in Washington, D.C., and at all ports throughout the United States.
In addition, we have represented numerous companies in audits by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and in investigations, both civil and criminal. Our attorneys provide day-to-day advice to industries affected by customs law, including energy companies, electronics companies, automobile manufacturers, steel producers and importers, textile producers and traders, as well as customs brokers and sureties.
Export Controls and Economic Sanctions
Our attorneys have significant experience with U.S. export control laws and regulations and related compliance issues, including all export licensing issues regarding both military and commercial or “dual-use” items, as well as defense industry articles and armaments. Our day-to-day advice to clients ranges from classification requests, commodity jurisdiction requests and export licenses, to advocacy with relevant agencies on policy issues. We represent clients in enforcement actions by the Bureau of Industry and Security, the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, the Office of Foreign Assets Controls, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and others. We have conducted in-house and global webcast export compliance training for numerous companies. We also have created and helped implement effective and realistic compliance processes that fit our clients' business structures and needs.
We advise and assist companies with the anti-boycott regulations, including compliance with both the Commerce Department and Internal Revenue Service laws and regulations pertaining to unsanctioned foreign boycotts. We also regularly counsel companies on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other international corruption laws that are particularly critical for companies doing business internationally. Finally, we have conducted numerous, in-depth internal audits for companies regarding compliance with the export control laws.