Proper Classification of Your Imports and Exports

Why Should You Attend:

The Customs Modernization Act of 1993 assigns to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency and US importers joint responsibility for informed compliance with U.S. import laws. However, the responsibility of CBP is primarily to communicate to importers its requirements for the legal entry of goods into the United States. It is the responsibility of the importer to exercise ‘reasonable care’ by ensuring that these requirements are complied with and that CBP is provided with accurate and timely information about the imported goods.

This webinar will define the parameters set for reasonable care under these regulations and train participants on:

• Correctly classifying goods that enter the U.S.
• Determining whether or not duties have to be paid on the imported product
• Proper classification of goods exported from the U.S. using Schedule B
• Avoiding fines and other penalties for negligently or fraudulently providing the wrong information regarding imported products
• Licensing requirements

Areas Covered in the Webinar:

• How to understand and correctly use the HTSUS (Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States) and Schedule B.
• How do I properly classify my product for import into the U.S.?
• What can I learn from proper classification of my product?
• How do I determine if my product is eligible for preferential entry?
• How do I find the lowest rate at which my product can enter the U.S.?
• What do I do if I can’t figure out the proper classification?
• How do I properly classify my product for export from the U.S.?
• How do I exercise reasonable care when classifying my product?

Who Will Benefit:

• Customs or trade compliance personnel or officers
• Import or global trade directors or managers
• Chief compliance officers
• Logistics, distribution and transportation professionals
• Import supervisors
• Customs brokers
• Maritime carriers
• Freight forwarders
• Other stakeholders or positions related to the global supply chain

Instructor Profile:

Andrea Ewart is a customs and international trade attorney who works with companies to minimize the costs and delays associated with moving products and services across international borders. Prior to opening her own firm in 2003, Ms. Ewart worked with the Washington, D.C. office of the law firm of Holland & Knight LLP, where she counseled and represented clients on US customs law and enforcement, US export control laws, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), and African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) and Caribbean Basin Initiatives (CBI) preferential programs. She has successfully taken the US customs broker exam.

Ms. Ewart is an accomplished speaker and writer and applies her practical experience on trade to issues that affect businesses and their bottom line. Her workshops on the ‘Legal Do’s and Don’ts of Doing Business Internationally’ provide insightful and indispensable information, particularly for small businesses.

Ms. Ewart is admitted to the Washington D.C., Maryland, and the Florida Bars, and the US Supreme Court Bar. She is an active member of several professional organizations, and currently holds the position of executive vice president with the Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT).

Topic Background:

Among other responsibilities, U.S. importers are legally required to correctly classify goods that enter the United States. (19 U.S.C. 1484) Companies and individuals have been heavily fined, had their goods seized, or even faced imprisonment (individuals) for negligently or fraudulently providing the wrong information regarding imported products.

Furthermore, correct classification of imported products is essential to the company’s bottom line. Among other things, it determines whether or not duties have to be paid on the imported product, whether a license is required, and whether there are quotas that limit the amount that can be imported – all of which can make the difference to the importation costs and price at which the product is sold to the consumer. Proper classification is also essential when exporting from the United States using Schedule B.

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