Willson International Ltd. would like to bring to your attention critical development in US Customs enforcement that may significantly impact your import operations.
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has substantially increased its scrutiny of entries subject to Trade Remedies, including, but not limited to, Section 301, 232, and 201 duties. This renewed focus is aggressive and far-reaching, with CBP closely examining origin claims, product classifications, exclusions, and valuation to identify any inconsistencies or errors.
Importantly, we are seeing clear indications that mitigation in cases of non-compliance is becoming far less likely. CBP is treating misstatements and unsupported claims with heightened seriousness, and penalties are being enforced more readily.
We cannot overstate the importance of reviewing your import practices. Importers are expected to exercise reasonable care in all declarations. That includes ensuring:
- Accurate country of origin reporting
- Proper application of exclusions
- Correct HTS classification
- Full documentation to support every claim including Certificates or Origin and Bills of Materials where applicable
We strongly urge all importers to conduct internal audits and review any reliance on 3rd party data or suppliers. Now is the time to take corrective action, not after an enforcement notice arrives.
Please do not hesitate to contact our US regulatory team if you have any questions or need guidance. Taking action now may prevent costly penalties and disruptions later.