CBP 101 Archives - Customs & International Trade Law Firm

When Regulatory Failures Become Federal Crimes

Cecilia — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 12:54:13 +0000

Customs law and criminal law intersect more often than many importers realize. While most customs violations begin as civil matters, they can quickly escalate into criminal investigations when willful violations or fraud is suspected. Agencies like U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Department of Justice (DOJ) work together to identify patterns of evasion, false statements, and schemes designed to avoid duties or import restrictions.

This webinar takes a deep dive into the intersection of customs enforcement and criminal law through the lens of a real-world tobacco-related case study. Tobacco imports are subject to some of the most complex, highly regulated, and heavily enforced rules in international trade.

Presenters discuss:

Overview of tobacco import regulations and why the product category carries heightened enforcement risk
How CBP identifies irregularities and the roles of key agencies in enforcement actions
The escalation pathway from civil customs violations to criminal investigations
Common compliance failures in tobacco imports and how importers can avoid them
Strategies for mitigating exposure
Practical lessons learned for importers and trade professionals handling high-risk commodities

Presenters:

Jennifer Diaz, President, Diaz Trade Law
Rick Quinn, Of Counsel, Diaz Trade Law

Who should attend?

Importers
Manufacturers
Customs Brokers
Regulatory Affairs Professionals
In-house Legal Counsel
Product Development Managers
Others interested in FDA

Forced Labor – Practical Tips to Secure Your Supply Chain and Comply with Regulatory Requirements

Cecilia — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 19:59:28 +0000

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the only U.S. government agency, and one of the few in the world, with the legal authority to take enforcement action against goods produced with forced labor to prevent entry into domestic commerce.

Forced labor remains a priority issue for CBP and the agency remains committed to identifying products made using forced labor and preventing them from entering the U.S. All importers should have robust processes in place to both know and secure their supply chains and ensure they are meeting all regulatory requirements.

In this webinar, presenters discuss:
– What goods are being targeted under U.S. forced labor laws?
– The importance of pre-detention due diligence for importers
– The connection between AD/CVD cases and forced labor investigations
– How to properly audit your supply chain
– The CBP investigative process
– How to secure a release from a Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act detention or the revocation of a Withhold Release Order

Presenters:
– Jennifer Diaz, President, Diaz Trade Law
– Dana Watts, Of Counsel, Diaz Trade Law

Who Should Attend?
– Importers
– Manufacturers
– Customs Brokers
– Regulatory Affairs Professionals
– In-house Legal Counsel
– Product Development Managers

Importing 101: A Crash Course in CBP Compliance and Best Practices

Cecilia — Thu, 29 May 2025 20:53:24 +0000

If you import merchandise into the U.S., you may not realize, but, you are the responsible party!

In this presentation, our speakers will discuss how to comply with U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) vast laws and regulations and provide a comprehensive overview of the latest trade policy updates. By the end of the event, you will know and understand the importance of tariff classification (including what duty/tariff applies), customs valuation, country of origin marking, intellectual property rights and free trade agreements.

You will also learn basic customs concepts and terms like CBP Form 7501, request for information (CBP 28), notice of action (CBP 29). protests, detention/seizure cases, liquidated damage claims, penalties/fines, prior disclosures, and the FP&F process. Additionally, you will learn the top 10 tips when importing to ensure compliance. This training will provide valuable assistance to all importers, customs brokers, and all trade professionals.

Session Highlights:

Update on recent trade policy changes – tariffs, de minimis
Importance of CBP Rulings for Classification, Valuation and Country of Origin
Cost Savings practices like utilizing Free Trade Agreements
Importance of protecting intellectual property rights
Basic customs concepts and terms
Top tips to proactively work with your Customs Broker
What to do if you encounter a CBP detention and/or seizure case
Learn when to submit a prior disclosure to CBP
Top 10 tips when importing to ensure compliance
Learn key best practices and hear real-life case studies
Learn what to do, and more importantly, what NOT to do, and what the consequences are for non-compliance

Who Should Attend?

Importers
Customs Brokers
Regulatory Affairs Professionals
In-house Legal Counsel
Product Development Managers

ELIGIBLE FOR 3 CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS for CCS/MCS, LCB credit type(s).

Navigating CBP Regulations: Essential Practices for Import Success

Cecilia — Fri, 24 May 2024 17:12:22 +0000

If you import merchandise into the U.S., you may not realize, but, you are the responsible party!

In this presentation, our speakers will discuss how to comply with U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) vast laws and regulations. By the end of the event, you will know and understand the importance of tariff classification, customs valuation, country of origin marking, intellectual property rights and free trade agreements.

You will also learn basic customs concepts and terms like CBP Form 7501, protests, seizure cases, liquidated damage claims, penalties/fines, prior disclosures, and the FP&F process. Additionally, you will learn the top 10 tips when importing to ensure compliance. This event will provide valuable assistance to all importers, customs brokers, and all trade professionals.

Session Highlights:

Importance of CBP Rulings for Classification, Valuation and Country of Origin
Cost Savings practices like utilizing Free Trade Agreements
Importance of protecting intellectual property rights
Basic customs concepts and terms
Top tips to proactively work with your Customs Broker
What to do if you encounter a CBP detention and/or seizure case
Learn when to submit a prior disclosure to CBP
Top 10 tips when importing to ensure compliance
Learn key best practices and hear real life case studies
Learn what to do, and more importantly, what NOT to do, and what the consequences are for non-compliance

Who Should Attend?

Importers
Customs Brokers
Regulatory Affairs Professionals
In-house Legal Counsel
Product Development Managers

False Claims Act Webinar

Jennifer Diaz — Fri, 10 May 2024 19:55:36 +0000

The False Claims Act (FCA) prohibits knowingly making false claims to the government, including agencies like Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Provisions of the FCA allow private parties to act as whistleblowers and bring federal qui tam lawsuits on behalf of the government.

This webinar will cover:

Whistleblower provisions of the FCA & the investigation process
How companies can use the FCA to stop unlawful evasion by competitors
Qui tam lawsuit process
Reverse false claims
Damages & criminal liability

Keeping Your BOL Data Confidential – A Lesson on Manifest Confidentiality

Jennifer Diaz — Fri, 09 Dec 2022 20:32:37 +0000

Are you giving your competitors access to all information listed in your Bill of Lading? Do you know? If you’re not part of CBP’s manifest confidentiality program, you should be! Why provide your competitors the advantages needed to gain control over your market? Want to know how your competitors know who your manufacturer is, when your importing, and where your importing into and more? This 30 minute webinar will provide an overview of why you need to keep your manifest information confidential and how we can help.

In this webinar you will learn:

How do your competitors know your secrets?
The websites that publish your trade information
How to keep your importing data private
How often you have to renew
CBP’s new portal
A summary of how and when to submit a manifest confidentiality request
The benefits and advantages of submitting a manifest confidentiality request

Who should attend:

Importers
Customs Brokers
Regulatory Affairs Professionals
In-house Legal Counsel
Product Development Managers
Others trade members

Basics on Tariff Classification (Including 2022 Update)

Jennifer Diaz — Fri, 13 May 2022 14:05:24 +0000

This webinar will provide insights into the complicated classification process. The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the U.S. (HTSUS) can be difficult to navigate, and importers often either don’t even know what it HTSUS is, or strictly rely on customs brokers for this number, not realizing it is an importers responsibility and liability should be HTSUS be incorrect. Now, especially, with 301 duties in place, ensuring you have the right HTSUS is more important than ever.

In This Webinar You Will Learn:
– Fundamentals in classification
– HTSUS structure
– Importance of GRI’s / Explanatory Notes / Chapter Notes
– HTSUS 2022 changes
– Classification Checklist (attendees will receive this checklist and a helpful article on classification)
– Importance and significance of CBP Rulings for classification
– Top 10 tips when importing to ensure compliance
– Learn key best practices and hear real life case studies
– Learn what to do, and more importantly, what NOT to do, and what the consequences are for non-compliance under 19 USC 1592

Presenters:
– Jennifer Diaz

Who should attend:
– Importers
– Customs Brokers
– Regulatory Affairs Professionals
– In-house Legal Counsel
– Product Development Managers
– Others interested in Importing

Eligible for 1 CCS/MCS/CES/MES NEI Credit
– Input your NCBFAA NEI ID number at the time of registration to receive credit.

Introduction to Importing

Jennifer Diaz — Wed, 05 May 2021 17:25:11 +0000

This one-hour webinar describes the importer’s role as the responsible party for an import transaction. Our speakers will discuss how to comply with U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) vast laws and regulations. By the end of the webinar you will know and understand the importance of tariff classification, customs valuation, country of origin marking, intellectual property rights and free trade agreements.

You will also learn basic customs concepts and terms like CBP Form 7501, protests, seizure cases, liquidated damage claims, penalties/fines, prior disclosures, and the FP&F process. Additionally, you will learn the top 10 tips when importing to ensure compliance. This webinar will provide valuable assistance to all importers, customs brokers, and all trade professionals.

In This Webinar You Will Learn:
– Importance of CBP Rulings for Classification, Valuation and Country of Origin.
– Cost Savings Practices Like Utilizing Free Trade Agreements.
– Importance of Protecting Intellectual Property Rights.
– Basic Customs Concepts and Terms.
– Top Tips to Proactively Work with Your Customs Broker.
– What to Do if you Encounter a CBP Detention and/or Seizure Case Learn when to Submit a Prior Disclosure to CBP Top 10 Tips when Importing to Ensure Compliance.
– Learn Key Best Practices and Hear Real Life Case Studies.
– Learn What to Do, and More Importantly, What NOT to Do, and What the Consequences are for Non-Compliance.

Presenters:
– Jennifer Diaz
– Denise Calle
– Donald Woods

Who Should Attend:
– Importers
– Customs Brokers
– Regulatory Affairs Professionals
– In-House Legal Counsel
– Product Development Managers
– Others Trade Members

Eligible for 1 CCS/MCS NEI Credit
– Input your NCBFAA NEI ID number at the time of registration to receive credit.