Customs, Imports & Trade Remedies

Featured Publication:

Strategies to Minimize Tariff Costs Under the Trump Administration [Alert]

Heather Marx, Thomas Wallrich, Kristi Zentner discuss key strategies for companies to minimize tariffs and duties now as a business cost or production input.

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We advise domestic and international clients on strategies for foreign-based manufacture, importation, and distribution of goods. We also advise clients on how to incorporate and safeguard against anti-competitive trade barriers, regulatory systems, and trade remedies, both internationally and domestically.

The professionals in Cozen O’Connor’s Customs, Imports & Trade Remedies Practice represent businesses in matters before U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the International Trade Administration, and the U.S. Trade Representative. Cozen O’Connor’s customs, imports, and trade remedies lawyers also represent the interests of clients before the U.S. District Courts, the U.S. Court of International Trade, and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

Tariffs, Customs & International Trade

Customs and international trade matters warrant the same type of planning as other significant financial transactions, as careful attention on the front end can help clients avoid unanticipated duty expenses and generate significant duty savings. Our attorneys regularly counsel importers regarding all aspects of compliance with an increasingly complex regulatory regime that include, but are not limited to, matters regarding:

  • Classification
  • Valuation
  • Country of origin and marking requirements
  • USMCA and other trade agreements
  • Prior disclosures
  • Protests and appeals
  • Penalty cases
  • Focused assessments
  • Responses to Requests for Information and Notices of Action
  • Advisory opinions
  • Foreign Trade Zone creation and maintenance
  • Duty drawback programs
  • Customs audits
  • U.S. Customs entry compliance protocols

International Manufacturing, Importation & Distribution

The changing face of the manufacturing industry in the United States poses new financial, operational, and regulatory challenges to manufacturers. Cozen O'Connor provides comprehensive advice to manufacturing clients on the development, production, and distribution of their products. We understand the unique risks and challenges to this industry, and we provide strategic counsel to support, enhance, and advance our clients’ business objectives. Our group assists clients with matters such as manufacturing and supply agreements, distribution agreements, compliance issues involving government and regulatory agencies, warranties, sales contracts, pricing, intellectual property protection, and compliance.

Trade Remedies, Injury Proceedings & Trade Litigation

Importers and exporters continuously face the risk of potentially devastating consequences in the event of import surges, anti-dumping/countervailing duties, merchandise exclusions orders, and other restrictive trade measures. In order to help clients minimize the risks of these adverse consequences, our lawyers advocate client interests in the trade remedies arena before numerous government agencies. We represent foreign and domestic producers, exporters, and importers in connection with anti-dumping and countervailing duties and safeguards and we advise clients on the many risks and opportunities associated with the foreign manufacture of goods. We have successfully represented clients in anti-dumping and countervailing matters, scope determinations, and other administrative proceedings, as well as post-entry and post-liquidation protest denial appeals. We have obtained millions of dollars in duty refunds on behalf of our clients. 

Trade litigation is an important component to a business’ overall trade strategy, whether used as a preemptive measure to prevent immediate injury or as a last resort when all other options of dispute resolution or administrative remedies have failed. Our attorneys appear regularly before the ITC, the Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the U.S. Court of International Trade, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

In all matters we handle, we stress the importance of preventative planning and proactively work with our clients to create systems, internal controls, and compliance programs to minimize duties and avoid problems upon importation. At the same time, we are staunchly committed to challenging adverse determinations by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, other agencies regulating international trade, and the courts.

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Experience

Publications

Strategies to Minimize Tariff Costs Under the Trump Administration [Alert]

December 12, 2024

Heather Marx, Thomas Wallrich, Kristi Zentner discuss key strategies for companies to minimize tariffs and duties now as a business cost or production input.

State Department Proposes Amendment to ITAR, Aiming to Bolster AUKUS Partnership [Alert]

May 02, 2024

The U.S. State Department's proposed rule would reduce International Traffic and Arms Regulations (ITAR) licensing requirements for the transfer of defense articles or services between the U.S., Australia, and the U.K.

USTR Invites Comments in Four Year Review of Section 301 Duties [Alert]

October 19, 2022

USTR is seeking public comments relating to Section 301 duties on Chinese goods. The comment period will end on January 17, 2023.

Section 301 Petition Concerning Mexican Agricultural Products Filed [Alert]

September 15, 2022

On Sept. 8, Florida lawmakers filed a petition with USTR seeking relief for an alleged Mexican export targeting scheme.

Managing Supply Chain Consequences Of Russian Sanctions

April 13, 2022

Heather Marx and Kristi Zentner contributed an article to Law360 discussing how President Joe Biden has issued executive orders restricting trade with Russia and has revoked Russia's permanent normal trade relations.

USTR Annual Report to Congress on China’s Compliance with WTO: Request for Public Comments [Alert]

August 23, 2021

T. Wallrich, H. Marx, and K. Zentner discuss the USTR’s Trade Policy Staff Committee soliciting public commentary regarding China’s compliance with its obligations to the WTO.

COVID Lessons Learned: Supply Chains Post-Pandemic [Industry Today]

June 07, 2021

Heather Marx and Kristi Zentner published an article in Industry Today discussing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global supply chain.

“Made in USA” Labeling Could be Costly for Businesses [Alert]

March 18, 2021

Joel Nesset and Tom Wallrich discuss the consent order issued by the FTC in Chemence, Inc.

New U.S. Ban on Chinese Cotton Suppliers Adds Stress to Fashion Industry’s Weakened Supply Chain [Alert]

September 21, 2020

Danielle Garno, Heather Marx, and Samuel Mogensen discuss U.S. Customs and Border Protection five WROs banning cotton, apparel, and other goods that were produced with state-sponsored forced labor in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

Events & Seminars

Past Events

Types of Contracts and Anatomy of a Contract

November 18, 2024 - Minneapolis, MN 

Contracts A To Z: Basics of a Contract

August 22, 2024 - Webinar

ESG In The International Trade And Supply Chain

March 21, 2024 - Washington, D.C.

59th Annual Inter-American Bar Association Conference

December 01, 2023 - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Mexican Labor and USMCA’s Rapid Response Mechanism

October 20, 2023 - Cleveland, OH

Labor Rights and the USMCA

September 20, 2023 - Mexico City, Mexico

2021 Trade Year in Review

November 11, 2021 - Webinar

12th Annual In-House Counsel Conference

July 28, 2020 - Philadelphia, PA

In The News

How I Made Office Managing Partner: 'Put Yourself in the Right Position to Take Advantage of Opportunities as They Arise,' Says Heather Marx of Cozen O'Connor

August 21, 2024

Heather Marx was featured in a Law.com article discussing her role as the vice chair office managing partner for the firm’s Minneapolis office.

10 Questions with Heather Marx

November 14, 2023

Heather Marx was featured in a Hennepin Lawyer article discussing her practice, the unique challenges women face in the legal profession, and the advice she will never forget.

2023 Top Women in Law: Heather Marx

November 10, 2023

Heather Marx was featured in a Minnesota Lawyer Magazine spotlight, discussing her career as an attorney.

Former USTR Senior Associate General Counsel Micah S. Myers Joins Cozen O’Connor

September 07, 2022

Micah S. Myers, former senior associate general counsel at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), has joined its growing Washington, D.C. office as a member.

More Than 205 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch By The Best Lawyers In America

August 19, 2021

Best Lawyers selected 210 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 23 of the firm’s nationwide offices for inclusion in the 2022 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

Watch: Will Biden’s Task Force Bring Manufacturing Back to the U.S.?

July 14, 2021

Kristi Zentner and Heather Marx were featured in SupplyChainBrain discussing how the recommendations of Biden’s supply chain task force might lead to real progress toward the return of domestic manufacturing of critical supplies.

Tips for Expediting the Supply Chain Backlog

May 25, 2021

Heather Marx was featured in an article published by EPS News discussing how there are certain measures businesses can take to streamline the processing of shipments by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Cozen O’Connor’s Heather Marx named to The American Lawyer’s 2021 Midwest Trailblazers list

April 20, 2021

Heather Marx, a member of Cozen O’Connor’s Commercial Litigation practice and vice-chair of the firm’s Trade Remedies practice, has been named to The American Lawyer’s 2021 inaugural list of Midwest Trailblazers.

Contacts

Thomas G. Wallrich

Member

twallrich@cozen.com

(612) 260-9002

People

Awards

More Than 205 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch By The Best Lawyers In America

August 19, 2021

Best Lawyers selected 210 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 23 of the firm’s nationwide offices for inclusion in the 2022 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

Cozen O’Connor’s Heather Marx named to The American Lawyer’s 2021 Midwest Trailblazers list

April 20, 2021

Heather Marx, a member of Cozen O’Connor’s Commercial Litigation practice and vice-chair of the firm’s Trade Remedies practice, has been named to The American Lawyer’s 2021 inaugural list of Midwest Trailblazers.

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