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 2025! 

Table of Contents

Top 2024 Success Stories

Assisted Numerous Importers in Filing Prior Disclosures

  • Diaz Trade Law submitted numerous prior disclosures to CBP on behalf clients. CBP considered the admission of the false statements made at the time of entry as violations of Title 19, United States Code, Section 1592. However, Diaz Trade Law’s claim for prior disclosure treatment was successful and no further penalty was assessed by CBP.

 Binding Ruling Requests

  • An importer of sports equipment retained Diaz Trade Law to submit a binding ruling request to CBP. We drafted a persuasive binding ruling request and CBP agreed with our classification and issued a binding ruling reflecting the proposed HTS classification.
  • Diaz Trade Law requested a binding ruling on behalf of our client on a valuation-related inquiry. CBP agreed with our assessment and provided a binding ruling agreeing that transaction value was an acceptable formula and any adjustments to that value can be made via reconciliation.

 CPSC, EPA, and FDA Detention Assistance

  • The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) detained our client’s imported goods. CPSC found the goods to be violative and recommended Diaz Trade Law reviewed the case and received authorization from CBP to recondition the goods. CPSC released the goods saving our client from an unnecessary and costly seizure.
  • The EPA detained our client’s pesticides intended for export, requesting confirmation of compliance with EPA regulations. Diaz Trade Law promptly reviewed the entry documentation and product label and submitted a detailed letter to EPA, asserting the import label and the shipment complied with EPA regulations. Within less than a week, EPA reviewed our letter and changed the status of the entry to “May Proceed,” resulting in the release of the goods for exportation.
  • The EPA detained our client’s shipment, requesting confirmation of compliance with EPA regulations (specifically 40 CFR 152.30). The shipment consisted of pesticides intended solely for export. Diaz Trade Law promptly reviewed the entry documentation and submitted a detailed letter to EPA to clarify the shipment’s compliance with EPA regulations. Within less than a week, EPA reviewed our letter and changed the status of the entry to “May Proceed,” resulting in the release of the goods.
  • Our client’s flavored oral rehydration drinks were listed on FDA’s Import Alert List, subjecting all importations into the U.S. to Detention Without Physical Examination (DWPE). On October 27, Diaz Trade Law submitted a request for removal from the Import Alert List and on November 8, FDA responded agreeing with our request, removing our client’s product from the Import Alert List. Future importations are no longer subject to DWPE.

Successfully Assisted Numerous Importers in Various Seizure Cases

  • CBP seized our client’s high-value watches. Diaz Trade Law filed a successful Petition and CBP agreed to remit the forfeiture, securing the release of the property valued at $208,001!
  • Merchandise intended for export out of the U.S. was seized by U.S. Customs with an allegation that our client failed to obtain a BIS license which was required for exportation out of the U.S. Diaz Trade Law filed a successful Petition, confirming a BIS license was not in fact required for the subject export, and CBP agreed to release the seized merchandise with no penalties assessed.

Successfully Mitigated Penalty Actions

  • CBP assessed a penalty alleging a wood packing material violation. Diaz Trade Law filed a successful petition, and CBP ultimately mitigated the penalty from $59,862.00 to $1,795.86 (3% of the original penalty amount) – saving our client $58,066.14!
  • Diaz Trade Law scored a successful win for their client! CBP mitigated a penalty from $44,145.34 to $8,829.07 (20% of the original amount)!
  • Within one day of being retained to assist with penalties assessed in 2021, Diaz Trade Law was able to effectively communicate with CBP and get CBP to rescind a demand letter and instead provide the requested mitigation, lowering the penalty amounts from $28,388 to $1,000, an unprecedented result!
  • CBP mitigated a penalty from $16,438.00 down to $500 – saving our client $15,938.00!
  • CBP issued a penalty in the amount of $16,438 to our client alleging violations of Title 13 U.S.C. 305(b), 15 C.F.R. 30.71(b)(3), 30.26, 30.6, and 6.3(d). Diaz Trade Law submitted a successful petition, and CBP ultimately mitigated the penalty down to $1,000, saving our client $15,438.

 Successfully Mitigated Liquidated Damages Claims 

  • CBP assessed two Liquidated Damages claims ($50k each) against our client. Diaz Trade Law filed a successful petition and CBP agreed to cancel the claims, saving our client $100,000!
  • Diaz Trade Law’s client received a Liquidated Damages claim in the amount of $100,000. Diaz Trade Law filed a petition with CBP discussing all relevant mitigating factors which CBP took into consideration and ultimately mitigated the claim down 90%, saving our client $90,000!
  • CBP issued a $50,000 Liquidated Damages claim against our client alleging violations of 19 CFR 142.12, 19 CFR 113.62(b), and 19 CFR 113.62(n)(1). Diaz Trade Law filed a Petition asserting that cancellation was warranted. After review, CBP determined that cancellation was warranted, and the case was successfully closed!
  • CBP assessed a Liquidated Damages claim against our client in the amount of $50,000. Our client attempted to seek mitigation from CBP by filing their own Petition, and then came to Diaz Trade Law for assistance in filing a supplemental petition when they were unsuccessful. After our successful supplemental petition, CBP mitigated the Liq Dam from $50,000.00 to $3,840.00 (about 8% of the original amount) – saving our client $46,160.00!
  • CBP assessed a Liquidated Damages claim against our client. Diaz Trade Law filed a successful petition and CBP agreed to cancel the claim!
  • CBP assessed a Liquidated Damages claim against our client. Diaz Trade Law filed a successful petition and CBP agreed to cancel the claim, saving our client $23,560.54.
  • CBP issued a $22,680 Liquidated Damages claim against our client alleging the failure to re-deliver FDA refused merchandise. Diaz Trade Law filed a successful Petition and CBP decided to mitigate the claim down to $226.80, (1% of the original claim amount)!
  • CBP issued a $10,000 Liquidated Damages claim against our client alleging violations of 19 CFR 19.12(d)(4)(ii), 113.63(a)(3), and 113.63(j)(3). Diaz Trade Law filed a Petition asserting that relief was warranted due to clerical errors and the client’s strong compliance history. After review, CBP agreed and reduced the claim down to $1,500, saving our client $8,500!
  • CBP Protection issued a $5,000 Liquidated Damages claim against our client alleging a late ISF (Importer Security Filing) in violation of 19 C.F.R. § 113.62(j). Diaz Trade Law successfully filed a Petition, and CBP granted mitigation, reducing the claim down to $1,000!

 Export Compliance and Enforcement Mitigation Assistance

  • A client requested assistance on reviewing a prospective export to Cuba. Diaz Trade Law reviewed the transaction and determined both a BIS license and OFAC specific license were necessary. We filed an export license application via SNAP-R with the Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”), as well as a specific license application with the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”). Both BIS and OFAC issued their respective licenses authorizing our client to legally transaction business with Cuba.
  • A client wanted assistance ensuring it complied with U.S. laws when exporting certain items to Cuba and receiving payment for the same. Diaz Trade Law successfully assisted in performing the requisite export compliance analysis and submitted two BIS export license applications (which BIS validated) and an OFAC specific license request (requesting and receiving written confirmation from OFAC that the transaction was, in fact, compliant).

CBP 28/29/Protest Assistance

  • CBP issued a Notice of Action (CBP Form 29) confirming the origin of our client’s jewelry under the Jordan Free Trade Agreement (JOFTA). Diaz Trade Law successfully assisted our client in securing a positive determination from CBP that the jewelry qualifies as an originating good under Chapter 71.
  • CBP sent our client a Notice of Action (CBP Form 29) to verify the origin of our client’s imported goods and eligibility of the Chile Free Trade Agreement (CLFTA). Diaz Trade Law submitted a response providing the CLFTA eligibility and origin, and CBP agreed – resulting in a closeout and liquidation of the entry as entered.
  • CBP sent our client a bill claiming antidumping and countervailing duties (AD/CVD) were owed on our client’s imported Chinese goods. Diaz Trade Law filed a successful protest asserting the goods were in fact excluded from the AD/CVD scope and no duties were in fact owed. CBP agreed with our protest – saving our client thousands!
  • Diaz Trade Law successfully filed a protest with CBP on behalf of our client asserting that countervailing duties (CVD) had been improperly collected based on a final determination by the Department of Commerce of a 0% subsidy rate for the imported goods and should be refunded to our client. CBP agreed to refund the total amount of $52,280.28 in CVD paid!
  • Diaz Trade Law successfully assisted our client in filing a Protest with CBP alleging the correct facts and rationale as to why entries were filed as Type 1 (consumption) and not Type 3 (AD/CVD). CBP approved our protest saving our client from paying any improperly rate advanced AD/CVD!
  • CBP rate advanced our clients entries claiming that AD/CVD were owed and sent our client a bill. Diaz Trade Law filed a successful protest and, upon further review, CBP agreed that AD/CVD was not applicable and cancelled the bill at issue – saving our client thousands!
  • Our client received a bill from CBP rate advancing an entry alleging antidumping and countervailing duties (AD/CVD), and Section 301 duties applied to the entry. Diaz Trade Law successfully assisted out client in filing a Protest with CBP alleging the correct facts and rationale as to why the AD/CVD and Section 301 were correctly omitted from the original entry. CBP agreed with our protest cancelling the bill at issue, saving our client over $175,000!

 Antidumping and Countervailing Duty (AD/CVD)

  • Diaz Trade Law filed a Scope Ruling on behalf of our client and the DOC agreed with our request and found our clients product was rightfully outside of the AD/CVD Scope.
  • Diaz Trade Law requested a scope ruling for our client’s crushed glass surface products. The U.S. Department of Commerce confirmed our client’s products did not fall within the scope of the AD/CVD order.
  • Diaz Trade Law’s client imported approximately 30 entries which CBP rejected, claiming they were subject to antidumping and countervailing (AD/CVD) duties and should have entered under “entry type 3” not entry type 1. The shipments’ total value exceeded $2 million. We argued that CBP wrongfully rejected the entries and they were rightfully type 1 (not subject to AD/CVD duties).  After reviewing our arguments, CBP agreed that AD/CVD duties are not applicable, and rescinded its rejection of the entries, reverting them back to entry type 1, and saving our client hundreds of thousands of dollars.
  • Diaz Trade Law’s client imported 3 entries which CBP rejected, claiming they were subject to antidumping and countervailing (AD/CVD) duties and should have entered under “entry type 3” not entry type 1. While the shipments’ total value was only about $45,000, the total assessed AD/CVD duties were over $300,000. We argued that CBP wrongfully rejected the entries and they were rightfully type 1 (not subject to AD/CVD duties). After reviewing our arguments, CBP agreed that AD/CVD duties are not applicable, and rescinded its rejection of the entries, reverting them back to entry type 1, and saving our client hundreds of thousands of dollars.

 Court Challenges

  • In a significant victory, our firm successfully challenged the United States Department of Commerce’s final scope ruling on composite tile, leading to a remand by the United States Court of International Trade. The DOC scope ruling was found to be unsupported by substantial evidence and not in accordance with the law.

Publications & Articles

  • Clock Ticking: Potential Government Shutdown on the Horizon, December 2024
  • CPSC Approves Final Rule to Implement eFiling for Certificates of Compliance, December 2024
  • Trade News: New AD/CVD Case Filed on Active Anode Material from China, December 2024
  • Trade News: New AD/CVD Case Filed on Erythritol from China, December 2024
  • USTR Announces Section 301 Investigation into Nicaragua’s Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Labor Rights, Human Rights, and the Rule of Law, December 2024
  • Case Update: Investigation of Aluminum Extrusions from China, Colombia, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam, December 2024
  • CPSC’s Upcoming eFiling Requirement: What You Need to Know, November 2024
  • ITC Terminates AD/CVD Investigation of Aluminum Extrusions from China, Colombia, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam, November 2024
  • What Happened This Month in International Trade – November, November 2024
  • Trade News: AD/CVD Petition Filed Against Sol Gel Alumina-Based Ceramic Abrasive Grains from China, November 2024
  • CPSC Issues New Safety Standards for Aquatic Toys, November 2024
  • BIS Releases New Edition of “Don’t Let This Happen to You”, November 2024
  • Navigating Tariff Increases: Strategies to Minimize Tariff Costs Under the Trump Administration, November 2024
  • CBP Issues Guidance on Melt and Pour Requirements for Steel Articles, November 2024
  • Census Proposes Changes to Foreign Trade Regulations Filing Requirements, November 2024
  • ICYMI: USTR Opens Exclusion Process for Domestic Manufacturing Machinery, October 2024
  • Reminder: Listing of OTC Monograph Drug Products No Longer Certifiable through Old Categories in the FDA’s Listing System, October 2024
  • BIS Issues Guidance to Financial Institutions on Best Practices for Compliance with the Export Administration Regulations, October 2024
  • ICYMI: G7 Issues Guidance on Preventing Evasion of Export Controls and Sanctions Imposed on Russia, October 2024
  • Bloomberg Law, CBP Recordkeeping Requirements – Retention, the (a)(1)(A) List, and More, September 2024
  • BIS Issues Final Rule on VSD Policies and Penalty Guidelines, September 2024
  • FDA’s Proposed New National Drug Code – What You Need to Know, September 2024
  • USTR Finalizes Action on 301 Tariffs, September 2024
  • BIS Issues New Guidelines for Preparing Export License Applications Involving Foreign Persons (Deemed Exports/Reexports), September 2024
  • ICYMI: State Department Reaches $200M Settlement with RTX Corporation for Export Violations, September 2024
  • Reminder: New Section 232 Duties on Certain Steel and Aluminum Products from Mexico, September 2024
  • Trade News: New AD/CVD Petition Filed Against Certain Corrosion Resistant Steel Products from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Netherlands, South Africa, Taiwan, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam, September 2024
  • CPSC to Begin Voluntary Stage of eFiling, August 2024
  • 7 Tips for Filing a Prior Disclosure with CBP, August 2024
  • ICYMI: Court of International Trade Tells Commerce to Verify Exporter’s Nonuse of China’s EBCP, August 2024
  • S. Department of Treasury Publishes New Website Clarifying CFIUS Penalties and Other Enforcement Actions, August 2024
  • The Fine Line Between Transshipment and Substantial Transformation, July 2024
  • Trade News: New Petition Filed Against Tungsten Shot from China, July 2024
  • DHS Announces New High Priority Sectors for UFLPA Enforcement, July 2024
  • ICYMI: Supreme Court Overturns Landmark Chevron Case, July 2024
  • ICYMI: BIS Updates Boycott Requester List, July 2024
  • Trade News: New Petition Filed Against Low Speed Personal Transportation Vehicles from China, June 2024
  • ICYMI: Congress Doubles the Statute of Limitations for Sanctions Violations, June 2024
  • Trade News: New AD/CVD Case Filed on Brake Drums from China and Turkey, June 2024
  • MoCRA Enforcement is Right Around the Corner! Are You Ready?, June 2024
  • Cuba Policy Shift: Administration Eases Restrictions on Small Businesses, May 2024
  • Trade News: New Antidumping Case Filed Against Disposable Aluminum Containers, Pans and Trays from China, May 2024
  • White House Announces Further Section 301 Tariff Hikes on Chinese Goods, May 2024
  • ICYMI: Trade News – New Petition Filed Against Tile Manufacturers from India, April 2024
  • Trade News: New Petition Filed Against Solar Cells and Modules from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, April 2024
  • Organizations Urge State Department to Stop Avocado Imports Linked to Deforestation, April 2024
  • Trade News: New Petition Filed on Alkyl Phosphate Esters from China, April 2024
  • From Chaos to Compliance: A Guide for Importers, April 2019
  • The Arena of EAPA: Transshipping, Pencils, and Evading Duties, April 2024
  • FDA Unveils Searchable Tobacco Products Database to Bolster Compliance and Transparency, April 2024
  • UFLPA Enforcement Update, March 2024
  • Breaking Trade News: New AD and CVD Petition Filed on 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid from China and India, March 2024
  • Ford Motor Company Settles Claims Relating to Under-Valued Vehicles for $365M, March 2024
  • Clothing Wholesaler Executive Avoids Paying Millions in Duties – Sentenced to 4 Years in Prison, March 2024
  • ICYMI: Commerce, Treasury, and Justice Issue Compliance Note on Obligations of Foreign-Based Persons to Comply with U.S. Export Laws, March 2024
  • Updates to CBP’s Global Business Identifier Test, February 2024
  • Know Your Supply Chain: Forced Labor, February 2024
  • Breaking Trade News: New AD and CVD Petition Filed on Paper Plates from China, Vietnam and Thailand, January 2024
  • Government Shutdown Avoided Again, January 2024
  • Upcoming Deadline to File Comments: USTRs Section 301 China Tariff Exclusions Proceeding, January 2024
  • Trade News: New Petition Filed on Glass Wine Bottles from China, Mexico and Chile, January 2024
  • Bloomberg Law, BIS Regulatory Updates: 2023 Significant Changes, January 2024

 Customized Training Programs & Webinars

  • North Miami, FL, Beth Moshe Congregation, Moderator, Beyond the Call: Challenges & Triumphs of Search and Rescue, December 18, 2024.
  • North Miami, FL, Beth Moshe Congregation, Moderator, We Will Dance Again Screening | Let’s Do Something Q&A, November 14, 2024.
  • Fort Lauderdale, FL, FITCE, “Importing into the U.S.,” October 23, 2024.
  • Webinar, FCBF, “Customs Bonds & Compliance Trending Topics,” October 16, 2024.
  • Aventura, FL, FLN Chapter Speaker – AD/CVD & CBP Undervaluation Primer, September 27, 2024
  • Webinar, FCBF, Moderator, “Learn to Navigate the Modernized ACE Portal and Reports Like a Pro,” September 25, 2024
  • Webinar, MSI, Navigating Global Markets: Tax, Trade, and Investment Strategies, September 19, 2024
  • Miami, FL, Food and Beverage Show, “Top 10 Tips When Importing Food into the U.S.,” September 17, 2024
  • Webinar, FCBF, Moderator, “How to Be a Profit Hero Via Duty Drawback & Currency Optimization”, August 7, 2024
  • Chicago, IL, GTEC, “CBP Forms 28/29s, Post Summary Corrections & Prior Disclosures”, July 30, 2024
  • Webinar, Content Enablers, Expert Tactics for Handling CBP Form 28s, 29s, and Prior Disclosures, July 18, 2024
  • FIU, Disruptive Technology Strike Force: Southern Florida Outreach, “Building A Trade Compliance Program,” June 27, 2024
  • Webinar, FCBF, “Transforming Trade Compliance: From Ai Basics to AI-Powered Efficiency,” June 26, 2024
  • Webinar, The Global Chamber, “Trade Data for the Caribbean Market,” June 25, 2024
  • Live Training, Navigating CBP Regulations – Essential Practices for Import Success, May 23, 2024
  • Webinar, False Claims Act, May 9, 2024
  • Webinar, Global Chamber, SBPI Services, Inc. Event: Import Export Forum (Global Chamber), April 25, 2024
  • Webinar, FCBF, FMC, Leveraging AI in Small Business, April 24, 2024
  • Webinar, Global Chamber, Virtual League of Opportunities, “Hot Topics in Customs and Trade,” April 19, 2024
  • Webinar, Mondaq, Hot Topics in Trade, March 12, 2024
  • Webinar, FCBF, How to Digitize your Operations and Deliver a Connected Customer Experience, March 6, 2024
  • Webinar, MedMarc, Best Practice to Navigate FDA Enforcement Actions, February 14, 2024
  • Houston, TX, Deleon Trade Conference, IPR: Leveraging CBP as Part of your Brand Protection Plan and the E-allegation Process, February 9, 2024
  • Tampa Bay, FL, FCBF, Navigating 2024: CBP, CPSC, and PGA Trends You Can’t Miss, January 31, 2024
  • Diaz Trade Law Webinar, Getting MoCRA Compliant, January 24, 2024

Awards

  • 2025, Diaz Trade Law Ranked in 2nd Edition of the Chambers Florida Spotlight Guide 2025 for International Trade
  • 2012-2025, AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
  • 2016-2024, Super Lawyers List, “Top International Attorney”
  • 2024, Nominee, St. Thomas Legal Luminaries

Diaz Trade Law values you and appreciates your trust in us to be your Customs and International Trade Law Expert!