Los Angeles CBP Audit Defense

Los Angeles CBP Audit Defense - International trade, tariff & customs attorneys. CBP defense. Call (818) 514-7680.

International Trade & Customs Law Services

Comprehensive customs and tariff defense for California importers at the Port of Los Angeles, Port of Long Beach, and all U.S. ports of entry. Services include CBP audit defense, tariff classification, customs valuation, Section 301/232/IEEPA tariff strategy, UFLPA forced labor compliance, duty drawback recovery, and Court of International Trade litigation.

Current Tariff Landscape

With effective tariff rates at historic highs, California businesses need experienced trade counsel. We handle Section 301 China tariffs, Section 232 steel/aluminum tariffs, IEEPA tariff refund claims, and reciprocal tariff compliance.

Free consultation for importers: (818) 514-7680.

Filed Court of International Trade Actions

Trembach Law Firm is not only admitted to the U.S. Court of International Trade — it has filed 3 complaints there. The actions are docketed at the Court of International Trade as 26-02506, 26-02846, 26-04095. Anatolii Trembach is admitted to practice before the Court of International Trade and is licensed in California, State Bar #349304, verifiable at apps.calbar.ca.gov.

This matters for IEEPA refunds specifically. The Court of International Trade has ordered CBP to reliquidate and refund on plaintiffs’ entries, and CBP’s CAPE Phase 3 for finally liquidated entries is likewise available only to importers who are plaintiffs at the Court. An importer who never filed has no confirmed, self-executing mechanism. Choosing counsel who has actually filed at that court, rather than counsel who only describes the process, is therefore a practical question and not a marketing one.

Jurisdiction over these actions rests on 28 U.S.C. § 1581, and the window to sue runs under 28 U.S.C. § 2636(i). No particular outcome is promised or guaranteed.

Fees, Costs and Case Results

Representation in these matters is offered on a contingency basis covering attorney fees only: there is no attorney fee unless we recover, and clients remain responsible for case costs, such as court filing and service fees. The specific terms that apply to a matter are set out in the written fee agreement for that matter.

Where this site refers to a verdict, settlement or court order, that result was dependent on the facts of that case, and results will differ if based on different facts. Past results do not predict or guarantee the outcome of any other matter, and no particular outcome is promised or guaranteed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a CBP Focused Assessment audit?

A CBP Focused Assessment (FA) is an intensive audit program where U.S. Customs and Border Protection examines your company's import compliance across multiple areas including valuation, classification, country of origin, and other trade programs. FAs typically last 12-24 months and can result in significant penalty assessments if violations are found. Our Los Angeles CBP audit defense attorneys guide you through every phase of the FA process.

How long does a CBP audit defense case typically take?

Focused Assessments typically last 12-24 months from initiation to conclusion. Quick Response Audits are shorter, usually 90-180 days. The timeline depends on the complexity of your import operations, the number of product lines reviewed, and the responsiveness of both parties. Our Los Angeles CBP audit defense team works to expedite the process while ensuring thorough, accurate responses.

What are the potential penalties in a CBP audit?

CBP audit penalties can range from thousands to millions of dollars depending on the violations discovered. Under 19 USC § 1592, penalties for negligence are equal to the loss of duties (or if no loss, the domestic value of the merchandise). Grossly negligent violations carry penalties up to 4x the loss of duties, and fraudulent violations can result in penalties equal to the domestic value of the merchandise. Our Los Angeles attorneys work to minimize or eliminate penalties through strategic defense and mitigation.

Should I file a Prior Disclosure before or during a CBP audit?

If you discover violations before CBP initiates an audit, filing a Prior Disclosure can cap your maximum penalty at the interest on lost duties - a fraction of what you'd face in an audit. However, once CBP has "commenced" an investigation, Prior Disclosure protection may not be available. Our Los Angeles CBP audit defense attorneys evaluate whether Prior Disclosure is strategically beneficial in your situation and can prepare comprehensive disclosure packages.

What documents does CBP typically request in an audit?

CBP commonly requests: commercial invoices, packing lists, entry documentation, purchase orders, payment records, manufacturer certifications, country of origin documentation, related party transaction records, transfer pricing studies, classification analyses, and internal compliance procedures. Our Los Angeles CBP audit defense team helps you organize, review, and produce these documents in a manner that protects your interests while satisfying CBP's requirements.

Contact Trembach Law Firm

Trembach Law Firm, APC

27001 Agoura Road, Suite 350, Calabasas, CA 91301

Phone: (818) 514-7680

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