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INTERNATIONAL COMMERCE

International commerce covers a variety of legal issues, and petitions for import relief are among the most well known. We represent companies in the United States when they turn to the federal government for relief against unfair pricing ("dumping" and "countervailing duty" cases), increases in import volume (Section 201 cases) and infringement of U.S. intellectual property rights by imports (Section 337 cases).

Market access issues are also part of international trade. Thompson Coburn attorneys help clients arrange access to foreign markets through Section 301 proceedings, recommending appropriate use of U.S. government assistance programs, helping to develop strategies to deal with political and economic risks, and formulating defenses against adverse actions by foreign governments.

For importers, the key to being protected from criminal charges is understanding how foreign manufacturers and/or distributors attempt to circumvent U.S. federal laws and regulations. Importers may be liable if it is discovered that some component of their products came from a sanctioned country or was labeled with the incorrect "country of origin," or in the event that goods have passed through intermediate countries in an attempt to avoid payment of duties. Knowing the ways in which importers are vulnerable enables our attorneys to help them maintain the legal integrity of their goods.

Publications

International trade policy and compliance reflect holistic shift

What every shipper should know about OSRA 22

Uyghur Forced Labor legislation passes House & Senate

Don’t get sunk: 5 common misunderstandings when shipping cargo under government contracts

Cooperation and a commitment to a compliance program results in a DOJ non-prosecution agreement for SAP

OFAC initiates 45-day wind-down of Belarus General License 2

Growing U.S.-China tensions put companies in a bind

U.S. government response in China Section 301 Master Answer continues fight

U.S., EU, and UK ease trade tensions in Boeing-Airbus dispute and temporarily halt tariffs

USTR proposes duties in response to six countries’ Digital Services Tax

Additional due diligence may be required for many exports to China

Commerce Department formally suspends most export license exceptions for Hong Kong

U.S., China ease commercial air carrier tensions

Executive Order 13936, Hong Kong, and China Section 301 Duties

USMCA allows challenges to U.S. grants of authority given to persons of Mexico providing cross-border long-haul trucking services in the United States

Beware: It’s time to reevaluate your exports and deemed exports to Hong Kong

U.S. Releases guidance addressing sanctions evasion practices in maritime, energy and metal trading sectors

What importers need to know about postponed duty payments during COVID-19

Importing face masks and personal protective equipment during COVID-19

What the President’s executive order means for transactions involving the Government of Venezuela

What U.S. businesses need to know about new restrictions on Huawei and the ICT supply chain

Trade Compliance Handbook

Checklists of Foreign Countries Subject to Sanctions

NAFTA, tariffs and trade wars: Are you ready to do battle in Missouri?

Seven steps to avoid the new waves of Chinese tariffs on industrial goods

Section 232 tariffs on steel & aluminum

New law may significantly impact international trade

Summary and implications of proposed 'Counteracting Russian Hostilities Act of 2017'

Strategies for documenting vessel acquisition and financing transactions

In new litigation, Amazon takes a stronger stance on counterfeit products

Developments in aircraft and marine finance for 2016

Nevada case a reminder to foreign entities: Protect your due process rights when served

What U.S. companies need to know about their IP rights post-Brexit

U.K. now requires supply chain transparency on human trafficking risks

Doing business in California or the UK? You may be required to be a watchdog for human trafficking

Shippers, are you ready for SOLAS’ verified container weight mandate?

TPP accord faces uncertain future in Congress

New changes to U.S. design patent law

Final rules for international trade data highlight issues for routed export transaction

Export controls and forwarder due diligence

International trade compliance: 6 basic products questions a company should answer

BIS publishes proposed rule for export control reform

BIS releases final rule implementing STA license exception

TCLE

Understanding Country of Origin

Trade Issues in M&A

Terms of Sale, Routed Exports and Export Controls

Blog Posts

Did U.S. executive order signal trouble for EU citizen privacy rights?

What you need to know about the new EU-U.S. data transfer pact

New FDA rule places increased food safety responsibility on importers, foreign suppliers

Partner
New York

John draws on his more than 30 years of litigation experience to represent a wide variety of clients in federal and state trial and appellate courts.

John draws on his more than 30 years of litigation experience to represent ...

John Amato
Partner
Washington, D.C.

Tyler is an experienced international trade and regulatory attorney who provides comprehensive guidance to clients regarding the impact of federal law and regulations on ...

Tyler is an experienced international trade and regulatory attorney who pro...

Tyler Black
Partner
Washington, D.C.

Eileen is a successful negotiator and strategist who focuses on her clients' goals while keeping an eye on the big picture.

Eileen is a successful negotiator and strategist who focuses on her clients...

Eileen Brown
Associate
Washington, D.C.

Evelyn focuses on international trade and regulatory compliance to guide clients through federal law and regulations impacting domestic and international transactions.

Evelyn focuses on international trade and regulatory compliance to guide cl...

Evelyn Clark
Partner
Washington, D.C.

Warren Dean practices in the field of federal regulation of transportation services, both domestic and international.

Warren Dean practices in the field of federal regulation of transportation ...

Warren Dean, Jr.
Partner
Washington, D.C.

Matt's practice focuses on maritime and trade finance and related United States government guarantee programs.

Matt's practice focuses on maritime and trade finance and related United St...

Matthew Kaiser
Senior Counsel
Washington, D.C.

Margie's practice spans more than 30 years representing borrowers, lenders, lessors, and lessees in structuring, negotiating, and closing financing transactions, includin...

Margie's practice spans more than 30 years representing borrowers, lenders,...

Margie Krumholz
Partner
St. Louis

Rick advises companies and individuals on a variety of federal (domestic and international), state and local tax matters.

Rick advises companies and individuals on a variety of federal (domestic an...

Rick Lawton
Partner
New York

Steve represents financial institutions, businesses and constituencies in major commercial disputes, with a particular focus in lender liability cases, fraud-based invest...

Steve represents financial institutions, businesses and constituencies in m...

Steven Mandelsberg
Partner
Washington, D.C.

Sean helps his clients navigate the complex web of federal regulations that affect their transportation and export operations.

Sean helps his clients navigate the complex web of federal regulations that...

Sean McGowan
Partner
Washington, D.C.

Clients have consistently praised Emily for her "practical, common sense solutions" and "natural instincts" for deal flow.

Clients have consistently praised Emily for her "practical, common sense so...

Emily Wang Murphy
Partner
New York

Consistently recognized for his dynamic, passionate, and resolute approach, Zachary delivers practical, tactical, and experienced advice to a diverse clientele that inclu...

Consistently recognized for his dynamic, passionate, and resolute approach,...

Zachary Newman
Partner
Washington, D.C.

Robert counsels clients in all aspects of international transactions with a focus on the trade and shipment of goods.

Robert counsels clients in all aspects of international transactions with a...

Robert Shapiro
Partner
Chicago |
Los Angeles

Described by one client as a highly effective "legal quarterback," Kevin handles a wide range of transactional and governance matters for corporate clients and financial ...

Described by one client as a highly effective "legal quarterback," Kevin ha...

Kevin Young
Associate
Washington, D.C.

Yasmin is a dynamic and accomplished legal professional, bringing her knowledge to the forefront as an associate in the International Trade and Transportation, and Regula...

Yasmin is a dynamic and accomplished legal professional, bringing her knowl...

Yasmin Younis