The customs process is as complex as the laws that govern importing and exporting in the United States. Customs brokers and operators of bonded warehouses and foreign trade zones work in a heavily regulated industry and must abide by strict rules. When career-threatening accusations of violating regulations threaten their livelihood, our Los Angeles trade lawyers provide aggressive representation.
California and Washington Custom Broker Lawyers and Bonded Warehouse/Foreign Trade Zone Attorneys
At Stein Shostak Shostak Pollack & O'Hara, LLP, we have focused on customs and international trade law since 1933. We bring nine decades of legal experience and knowledge in the representation of service providers who help facilitate an important process, including:
- Customs brokers facilitate the entry or local delivery of cleared merchandise. They must abide by regulations found in the Code of Federal Regulations Title 19 (19 CFR). They must know requirements for each type of import to avoid delays that increase costs or seizure of the merchandise. While many brokers are based at inland ports to clear merchandise, most can be found at major airports and harbors.
- Bonded warehouse operators store and manufacture goods where duty payments are deferred until the goods are removed into customs territory. No duties are assessed if they are reshipped to foreign countries.
- Foreign trade zone operators facilitate the handling, storage, manufacturing and exhibiting of goods in enclosed areas. Domestic and foreign goods can be processed in foreign trade zones and imported at more favorable duty rates. Foreign merchandise can be exported, destroyed or sent to the designated customs territory, making it subject to duties. However, no duties are assessed if the products are reshipped to foreign points.
Contact Us
Stein Shostak Shostak Pollack & O'Hara, LLP, is well known and well respected among U.S. Customs officials and members of the international trade community. Our firm is headquartered in Los Angeles and maintains offices in San Diego, Washington, D.C., and Shanghai, P.R.C. To schedule an appointment, contact our Los Angeles office at 213-630-8888 or 800-250-1604. You can also e-mail to schedule an appointment.
