Los Angeles Port Customs Attorney
Los Angeles Port Customs Attorney - 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
- Why choose a Los Angeles tariff lawyer for customs matters?
- A Los Angeles-based tariff lawyer offers direct access to Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach, the two busiest container ports in the Western Hemisphere. Our LA location enables rapid response to CBP detentions, seizures, and cargo holds. We provide sophisticated international trade expertise with immediate port access for urgent customs matters.
- What tariff and customs services do you offer in Los Angeles?
- Serving Los Angeles and Southern California, we provide comprehensive tariff and customs services including: tariff classification and HTS code optimization, CBP audit defense, customs penalty mitigation, Section 301 tariff strategies, UFLPA forced labor compliance, duty drawback claims, antidumping/countervailing duty defense, customs broker representation, and trade compliance program development.
- How close is your LA office to the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach?
- Our Los Angeles location provides excellent access to both Port of Los Angeles (approximately 20-30 minutes via I-110) and Port of Long Beach (approximately 25-35 minutes via I-710). This proximity allows us to respond rapidly to CBP detentions, attend cargo examinations, and meet with customs officials when necessary.
- What industries do you serve from your Los Angeles office?
- From our Los Angeles headquarters, we represent importers and exporters across all industries including technology/electronics, entertainment/media production equipment, apparel/textiles, food/agriculture, automotive parts, consumer goods, furniture/home goods, and e-commerce businesses.
- Can you help with emergency CBP seizures at LA/Long Beach ports?
- Yes. When CBP seizes or detains your cargo at Port of LA or Long Beach, we prioritize emergency response. We can typically respond to urgent seizure notices, detention orders, or UFLPA holds within hours. Call our direct line at (818) 514-7680 for immediate assistance.
- How can a Los Angeles customs attorney help with Trump tariffs 2025-2026?
- Our Los Angeles customs attorneys help importers navigate the 2025-2026 Trump administration tariffs including Section 301 China tariffs (up to 100%), Section 232 steel and aluminum duties (25-50%), and the landmark Supreme Court decision in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump. On February 20, 2026, the Supreme Court held that IEEPA does not authorize those tariffs. President Trump immediately invoked Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, raising the rate to the maximum 15% on February 21 — these Section 122 tariffs took effect on February 24, 2026. We now help importers file IEEPA tariff refund claims, comply with the new 15% Section 122 tariff framework, pursue customs protests for tariff overpayments, and restructure supply chains as the administration pursues accelerated Section 301 and Section 232 investigations.
- What is the cost of hiring a tariff lawyer in Los Angeles?
- Our Los Angeles tariff lawyer services include free initial consultations. We offer flat-fee pricing for common services like customs protests, binding ruling requests, and prior disclosures. Complex matters such as CBP audits, UFLPA detentions, and trade litigation are billed at transparent hourly rates.
- Do you handle Section 301 China tariff cases in Los Angeles?
- Yes, Section 301 tariff cases are a core practice area for our Los Angeles office. We help LA importers with tariff exclusion analysis, substantial transformation strategies, HTS reclassification to avoid List 1-4 tariffs, and refund claims for overpaid duties.
- What is the difference between a tariff lawyer and customs broker?
- Customs brokers handle routine import paperwork and entry filing. Tariff lawyers provide legal representation for disputes, audits, penalties, and complex classification issues. When CBP challenges your entries, assesses penalties, or seizes cargo, you need a tariff lawyer. We work alongside your broker to protect your interests.
- How much can I save with tariff classification optimization?
- Proper HTS classification can save LA importers 5-25% on duty costs. For a company importing $10M annually, even a 5% reduction saves $500,000 per year. We analyze your products, identify classification opportunities, and file binding ruling requests to lock in favorable rates.
- What does a tariff lawyer do?
- A tariff lawyer represents importers and exporters in disputes with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This includes defending tariff classification challenges, negotiating penalty reductions under 19 USC 1592, responding to CBP audits (Focused Assessments), filing customs protests, obtaining binding rulings on HTS codes, and litigating trade disputes before the U.S. Court of International Trade. In Los Angeles, tariff lawyers also handle UFLPA forced labor detentions and Section 301/232 tariff strategies.
- How do I reduce CBP penalties for customs violations?
- CBP penalty reduction strategies include filing a prior disclosure under 19 USC 1592(c)(4) before CBP discovers the violation, demonstrating reasonable care compliance measures, submitting a petition for mitigation to reduce assessed penalties, and negotiating with CBP Fines, Penalties and Forfeitures (FP&F) offices. An experienced Los Angeles tariff lawyer evaluates your culpability level, prepares documentation, and pursues the most effective mitigation approach.
Contact Trembach Law Firm
Trembach Law Firm, APC
27001 Agoura Road, Suite 350, Calabasas, CA 91301
Phone: (818) 514-7680
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