International Trade Compliance News Articles

News Articles

A Harried Hong Kong Make for Import/Export Uncertainty

Megan Mohler August 5, 2020

On July 14, 2020, President Trump issued an executive order (EO) that stripped Hong Kong of its different and preferential treatment from mainland People’s Republic of China (PRC or China). In accordance with the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration, the city of Hong Kong’s sovereignty was handed over to mainland China from the U.K. in 1997, but as an autonomous city with a largely separate legal and economic system from mainland China.

When a Few Bad Apples Create Havoc in the Orchard

Bob Brewer August 5, 2020

To a certain extent, it goes without saying that the pandemic has certainly opened the door for PPE opportunity, and at the same time, obviously, those who would choose to simply try and take advantage of the situation. I’m not talking about price gouging, although that has certainly happened (as always) in abundance.

USMCA –Key Changes to NAFTA and Preparing for Implementation

Adrienne Braumiller June 15, 2020

The United-States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (“USMCA”) is currently slated to take effect beginning on July 1, 2020. A review of the text of the USMCA reveals that USMCA retains many elements of the North American Trade Agreement (“NAFTA”), while displacing others with new or enhanced rules.

COVID-19 and the Impact on the Asian Apparel Industry

Bob Brewer June 15, 2020

At the time of this writing, it’s not exactly another day in paradise, over 103,000 Americans are no longer with us, there are an estimated 1,500,000 confirmed U.S. cases of the coronavirus, and I am also ballparking at 40,000,000+ unemployment claims filed at the time of this writing, because just two weeks ago it was at 36,500,000.

Chemicals and the USMCA, It’s Not Just How You Mix It to Get a Reaction (or not) From CBP

Bonnie Kersch June 15, 2020

The USMCA is about to kick into full force on July 1st. Is your chemical company ready? Overall, if you’ve been issuing NAFTA certificates in the past and are already familiar with that process, you might be surprised to find that the USMCA process might allow for more of your goods to qualify than NAFTA did

usmca alternative staging regime rta automotive producers

Obtaining a USMCA Alternative Staging Regime (RTA) for automotive producers in Mexico

Brenda Cordova June 15, 2020

USMCA (T-MEC as it is formally called in Mexico) will enter into force on July 1, 2020. At least this is what the government of the Party members, the United States, Mexico and Canada have announced. In this case, operations occurring after this date will no longer be covered by NAFTA as this treaty will be terminated and consequently replaced by the USMCA.

Are You Gonna Sign That Thing? Getting Certified Under USMCA

Bruce Leeds June 15, 2020

One of the major changes to come out of this trade agreement is elimination of the NAFTA Certificate of Origin. Instead, the USMCA replaces the Certificate of Origin with a certification. In this regard, the USMCA will more closely resemble other free trade agreements, such as the Korean and Australian, which also utilize a certification.

small business university export controls

Small Business Enterprises, Universities & Export Controls; Focusing on the practical and operational aspects in order to win contracts

Christos Linardakis June 15, 2020

Last month, we presented a webinar on University Export Controls and received an overwhelming positive response on an area of compliance that is sometimes overlooked, especially when it comes to the collaboration between a school, the private sector, and the government.

Recent CBP Entry Summary Guidance for Pipe Spools from Multiple Countries of Origin – Shapes of Things to Come?

Paul Fudacz June 15, 2020

On March 24, 2020, U.S. Customs and Border Protection published Cargo Systems Messaging Service # 42133823 “Entry Summary Guidance for Pipe Spools from Multiple Countries of Origin” (the Message). The Message provided:

Solving Trade Problems Under the New USMCA

James Holbein June 15, 2020

This article outlines the various mechanisms available to companies that encounter problems with the implementation and operation of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) that officially replaces NAFTA on July 1, 2020. While the new agreement provides many of the same mechanisms as NAFTA, there have been significant changes.

Time to Revisit How We Define “Act of War” in Force Majeure Provisions

S George Alfonso June 15, 2020

On May 4th, 2020, the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) intelligence service issued an unclassified four page report which stated in part:

[DHS Intelligence Service] assess the Chinese Government [“Peoples Republic of China” (“PRC”)] intentionally concealed the severity of COVID-19 from the International community in early January while it stockpiled medical supplies by both increasing imports and decreasing exports,” the May 1 DHS report states. (emphasis added).[1]

COVID-19 Regulatory Changes Impacting Importers and Exporters

Devin Sefton June 15, 2020

The ongoing COVID-19 crisis has presented unique challenges for the U.S. supply chain, and for the U.S. economy as a whole. Front and center is the shortage of critical medical equipment and personal protective equipment (“PPE”), including ventilators, respirators, masks, gloves, swabs and other related equipment.

force majeure definition covid 19 coronavirus

Force Majeure and the Coronavirus [COVID-19]: Definitions Matter

S George Alfonso June 15, 2020

The month of March has brought a deluge of cancellations of international conferences, travel and severely affected markets around the world, all due to the spread of “COVID-19” – the newest strain of the “Coronavirus” which was first discovered last December in Wuhan, China.

USMCA Implementation, What’s Next?

Adrienne Braumiller April 1, 2020

The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) has officially been ratified by all three North American parties, now what? For one thing, the United States, Canada, and Mexico must develop uniform regulations with an effective date prior to, or on June 1, 2020 which is the official implementation date of the USMCA.

Time to Play Nice With China on Trade?

Bob Brewer April 1, 2020

I know, I know, some would say, “Are you kidding? They started this pandemic”? Yes, it did start in Wuhan, in China, but finger pointing at this time is not going to help either of us rebound from the economic impact that it has caused both countries.
Living in the current somewhat apocalyptic world, one would be justified in asking the proverbial question, “Why can’t we all just get along?”

Import Valuation

Bonnie Kersch April 1, 2020

Determining the appropriate value for merchandise that you import can be a tricky task. In general, you need to start by determining the basis of appraisement that is appropriate for your situation. I’ll list them below but note that you should try to use the first one.

Section 301 Updates: The Coronavirus

Brandon French April 1, 2020

The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has recently opened a comment period to address the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The USTR is inviting interested parties to submit a comment explaining whether a product currently covered by the Section 301 tariff action is needed for the medical and public health response against the virus.

Exporting Under the USMCA. No Problem – Right?

Bruce Leeds April 1, 2020

Your company exports to Canada and Mexico. So:

So long as you can produce a Certificate of Origin everything is taken care of
NAFTA and USMCA are import things, so if you are an exporter you have no concerns
The importers in Canada and Mexico are the only ones who have to deal with the requirements

How COVID-19 is Impacting U.S. Sanctions and Export Controls

Devin Sefton April 1, 2020

Since the emergence of COVID-19 in the U.S. beginning in February of 2020, there is general uncertainty over how the pandemic could affect the regulatory landscape, including regulations relating to U.S. sanctions and export controls. A review of the actions taken to date suggest that little has changed with respect to U.S. economic sanctions.

Using Section 301 Tariff Exclusions

James Holbein April 1, 2020

The window for filing a request for exclusions from the tariffs imposed by the Trump Administration on goods from China closed in late January. However, the process of granting exclusions is unfolding very slowly.

Employee Education in Compliance Training

Linnea Deeds November 8, 2023

Employee education supports organizational growth and development. Its benefits are generally well known, but how do you ensure that training, in any form, generates the outcomes and advances you desire? Measuring and benchmarking success can be especially difficult when creating customized training programs, which are often needed for international trade compliance topics.

This Is Your Brain

BCG November 6, 2023

What if you just discovered that you have been classifying products imported to the U.S. from Asia incorrectly for the past year…or more?

IMMEX

BCG November 6, 2023

Companies moving from Chinese to Mexican suppliers need to navigate IMMEX. Braumiller Law Group can help.

Prior Disclosure

BCG November 6, 2023

Prior disclosure and global trade compliance are critical. Braumiller Law Group can help.

Mexican Customs and Rules of Origin

BCG November 3, 2023

Mexican Customs is still implementing origin verifications proceedings against companies that NAFTA certificates of origin which are used to determine if goods comply with the NAFTA rules of origin. Origin verification is time consuming, burdensome and costly. Braumiller Law Group can help.

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