December 2025

New AD/CVD Case Filed on Fresh Winter Strawberries from Mexico
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New AD/CVD Case Filed on Fresh Winter Strawberries from Mexico
AD/CVD, U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC)

New AD/CVD Case Filed on Fresh Winter Strawberries from Mexico

A new antidumping and countervailing duty action has been filed on Fresh Winter Strawberries from Mexico. The allegation is that imports from Mexico are being unfairly subsidized and are being dumped.

Full list of producers here.

Full list of importers here.

Background on AD Investigations

Antidumping duty (“AD”) investigations are brought jointly by the U.S. International Trade Commission (“USITC”) and the U.S. Department of Commerce (“Commerce”). AD investigations are triggered when a domestic industry alleges that it has been injured by competing imports of particular goods from specific countries being sold at less than a fair value. The domestic industry initiating the investigation is known as the petitioner while the foreign industry participating in the investigation is known as the respondent.

Scope of the Investigation

The merchandise covered by these investigations is fresh and chilled winter strawberries harvested or entered during the period October 1 through March 31.

The products subject to the investigations are currently classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) under subheading 0810.10.4040 and 0810.10.4080.

Full scope here.

Next Steps

The Commerce Department will determine whether to initiate the investigations within 20 days. The USITC will reach a preliminary determination of material injury or threat of material injury within 45 days.

As with any proceeding, participation is very important to protect your rights. We urge anyone who imports […]

By Jennifer Diaz|2025-12-31T13:28:55-05:00December 31, 2025|AD/CVD, U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC)|0 Comments

Diaz Trade Law Celebrates 10 Years

2025 marks TEN YEARS of helping businesses navigate the complexities of customs and trade law. We would not be here without our amazing clients, partners, and community. We ended the year with a gathering of friends, family, clients, and partners to celebrate our 10 year anniversary.

DTL has grown year after year: a women-owned law firm, a growing team, and an incredible client base. Along the way we’ve earned meaningful wins, milestones, recognition, and awards—but what matters most is the consistency behind it. The kind of compounding progress that only happens when you show up relentlessly and deliver.

We’ve built a stellar team and we’re intentional about how we grow—high standards, high accountability, and a real commitment to work-life balance.

We can’t wait to see what the next 10 years bring!

By Jennifer Diaz|2026-02-09T20:48:28-05:00December 30, 2025|news|0 Comments

Import Compliance & Training Programs
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Import Compliance & Training Programs
Bloomberg, Bloomberg Import

Import Compliance & Training Programs

Editor’s Note: Creating a strong import compliance plan and training program for employees is one of the best investments an importer can make. Compliance plans and training help avoid customs violations before they occur and can also act as a mitigating factor in the case of a future violation.

In the U.S., individuals and businesses generally don’t need a permit, license, or pre-approval to begin importing products into the country. Many mistake the ease of importing to mean there is no liability or obligation on the part of the importer, when in fact the opposite is true.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection expects importers to exercise “reasonable care” when entering goods into the United States. That means every importer, regardless of size, is legally responsible for ensuring the accuracy of their import declarations, from product classification to valuation, country of origin, and proper recordkeeping.

A formal import compliance plan provides the foundation and structure a company needs to meet the reasonable care standard, reduce risk, and respond effectively if an issue arises.

Without a compliance plan, importers often face common pitfalls, including:

Misclassification of goods
Undervaluation
Inadequate recordkeeping
Overreliance on customs brokers

CBP has made clear that exercising reasonable care requires importers to take […]

By Jennifer Diaz|2025-12-24T10:35:40-05:00December 24, 2025|Bloomberg, Bloomberg Import|0 Comments

Importer End-of-Year Checklist: How to Strengthen Compliance and Prepare for the Year Ahead
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Importer End-of-Year Checklist: How to Strengthen Compliance and Prepare for the Year Ahead
Best Practices, Import, International Trade, Pre-compliance, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

Importer End-of-Year Checklist: How to Strengthen Compliance and Prepare for the Year Ahead

For U.S. importers, the end of the year is a critical moment to evaluate compliance, correct issues, and prepare for the year ahead. With tariff changes, supply chain uncertainty, and an increased focus on enforcement, importers who take a proactive approach now will start the new year strong. Here’s a practical checklist for your year-end review.

1. Review Import Data for Accuracy

Begin with a thorough audit of your import data. Confirm that HTS classifications are correct and current, declared values accurately reflect your transactions, and country-of-origin determinations are well documented. Small mistakes can lead to large penalties.

2. Reassess Tariffs and Duty Exposure

Year-end is the ideal time to evaluate whether you are paying unnecessary duties and explore your options for tariff mitigation strategies. Consider what exclusions have changed, whether tariff engineering may reduce costs, or whether sourcing strategies should be updated. Many importers discover duty-saving opportunities simply by reassessing their tariff positions annually.

3. Strengthen Forced Labor Compliance

With UFLPA enforcement intensifying, importers must confirm that supplier information, ownership structures, and supply chain documentation are up to date. Now is the time to verify traceability records, refresh internal training, and assess whether high-risk suppliers require additional review.

4. Update Written Compliance Procedures

If your compliance manual or SOPs haven’t been updated this year, they’re likely outdated. Written processes should reflect current regulations, product updates, tariff changes, and internal workflow adjustments. CBP expects importers to document their […]

By Jennifer Diaz|2025-12-22T09:00:19-05:00December 22, 2025|Best Practices, Import, International Trade, Pre-compliance, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)|0 Comments

2025: Year in Review
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2025: Year in Review
news

2025: Year in Review

As we wrap up this extraordinary year, we want to take a moment to thank you for your trust, collaboration, and support. This year was marked by significant milestones and meaningful accomplishments, including saving our clients MILLIONS of dollars.

We look forward to working with you in 2026!