San Bernardino Penalty Mitigation
San Bernardino Penalty Mitigation - Trembach Law Firm, California attorneys. Free consultation. Call (818) 514-7680.
Legal Services
San Bernardino Penalty Mitigation - Trembach Law Firm, California attorneys. Free consultation. Call (818) 514-7680.
Fees, Costs and Case Results
Where representation is offered on a contingency basis there is no attorney fee unless we recover, and the firm advances case costs — filing fees, expert witnesses and medical records — which are then repaid out of any recovery. If there is no recovery, you owe no attorney fee. 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 types of CBP penalties can you defend against in San Bernardino?
- Our San Bernardino customs penalty mitigation practice handles all types of CBP penalties including: classification violations (incorrect HTS codes), valuation errors (undervaluation or related party issues), country of origin violations, antidumping/countervailing duty evasion, Section 301 tariff misclassification, UFLPA forced labor violations, marking and labeling violations, and intellectual property infringement. We defend penalties assessed under 19 USC § 1592 (fraud/gross negligence/negligence) and 19 USC § 1595a (prohibited/restricted merchandise).
- How much are typical CBP customs penalties for San Bernardino importers?
- CBP penalty amounts vary based on the violation type and culpability level. For fraud violations under 19 USC § 1592, penalties can reach the domestic value of merchandise (potentially 100%+ of shipment value). For gross negligence, penalties range from 2-4 times the loss of duties. For negligence, penalties range from 1-2 times the duty loss. A $100,000 shipment with $25,000 in unpaid duties could face penalties of $25,000-$50,000 (negligence), $50,000-$100,000 (gross negligence), or up to $100,000+ (fraud). Our San Bernardino attorneys reduce these penalties by 75% or more.
- What is a CF-29 Pre-Penalty Notice and how do I respond?
- A CF-29 is CBP's Pre-Penalty Notice formally proposing a monetary penalty for customs violations. You have 30 days from the issue date to respond with a petition for relief or mitigation. Your response must address the legal elements of the violation, present mitigating factors, demonstrate compliance improvements, and propose a reduced penalty amount. Our San Bernardino attorneys prepare comprehensive CF-29 responses including legal memoranda, supporting documentation, and negotiation with CBP Fines, Penalties & Forfeitures officers. A strong response can reduce proposed penalties by 75-95%.
- Can customs penalties be reduced or eliminated?
- Yes, CBP penalties can often be substantially reduced or eliminated through strategic mitigation. Key mitigation factors include: filing prior disclosure before CBP discovers violations, demonstrating good faith compliance efforts, showing violations were inadvertent rather than intentional, implementing corrective measures and compliance programs, cooperation with CBP investigations, limited financial ability to pay, and lack of prior violations. Our San Bernardino penalty mitigation attorneys pursue penalty reductions under 19 USC 1592 through effective mitigation strategies.
- What happens if I ignore a CBP penalty notice?
- Ignoring CBP penalty notices (CF-28, CF-29, or penalty claim letters) has serious consequences. CBP will assess the full proposed penalty without mitigation, refer the debt to Treasury for collection, report the penalty to credit agencies damaging your business credit, place holds on future import shipments, revoke your customs bond making imports impossible, and potentially pursue legal action or seizure of assets. Additionally, failure to respond waives your right to petition or administrative appeal. Immediate response is critical - our San Bernardino office provides emergency penalty mitigation services.
Contact Trembach Law Firm
Trembach Law Firm, APC
27001 Agoura Road, Suite 350, Calabasas, CA 91301
Phone: (818) 514-7680
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