San Francisco Customs Attorney
San Francisco customs attorney for Bay Area importers — CAPE/IEEPA tariff refunds, CBP penalty defense, classification, seizures, and CIT litigation.
Updated October 22, 2026. A customs attorney San Francisco importers hire defends Bay Area businesses in disputes with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and recovers overpaid tariffs. Trembach Law is the customs lawyer San Francisco companies call for CAPE or IEEPA refund declaration filing, CBP penalty defense, HTS tariff classification, customs seizure release, UFLPA forced-labor detention defense, and Court of International Trade litigation. Attorney Anatolii Trembach holds California Bar #349304, an LL.M. from USC Gould School of Law, with a Business Law Certificate, and admission to the U.S. Court of International Trade. The firm serves importers at the Port of San Francisco (CBP Port 2809), Port of Oakland (CBP Port 2811), San Francisco International Airport (CBP Port 2801), and across the Bay Area, Silicon Valley, Wine Country, and all of Northern California. Free same-day phone consultation: (818) 514-7680.
When To Hire a Customs Attorney in San Francisco
You should hire a customs attorney San Francisco whenever CBP issues a CF-28 Request for Information, a CF-29 Notice of Action, a pre-penalty notice under 19 U.S.C. § 1592, a CBP Form 4609 or 4607 seizure or detention notice, a UFLPA forced-labor hold, or a Focused Assessment audit notification — or whenever you need to recover IEEPA, Section 301, or Section 232 tariff overpayments. As the CBP attorney San Francisco importers rely on, Trembach Law works alongside your existing customs broker — we do not replace your broker. As the customs attorney near me San Francisco importers can reach in minutes, we provide same-day phone consultation and remote representation across the entire Bay Area. Call (818) 514-7680.
CAPE or IEEPA Refund Declaration Attorney San Francisco — Recover Your Tariffs
The CAPE refund declaration attorney San Francisco importers need helps recover IEEPA duties paid between February 4, 2025 and February 20, 2026, after the Supreme Court held in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump that IEEPA does not authorize tariffs. As an IEEPA tariff refund attorney San Francisco and Bay Area tariff refund recovery law firm, Trembach Law works two parallel pathways: (1) CAPE Phase 1 filing through the CBP CAPE portal (IEEPARefunds.cbp.dhs.gov, opened April 20, 2026 per CBP CSMS #68340863) for unliquidated entries and entries within 80 days of liquidation, submitted through the ACE portal with ACH bank enrollment under 19 C.F.R. Part 24; and (2) customs protests under 19 U.S.C. § 1514 within 180 days of liquidation for liquidated entries. The 180-day protest deadline is absolute and cannot be extended. For entries beyond the 180-day window, our Court of International Trade attorney San Francisco files protective claims under 28 U.S.C. § 1581(i) to preserve refund rights. CBP has put IEEPA duties collected at an estimated $166 billion. Call (818) 514-7680 for a free refund eligibility review.
Section 122 Sunset, Section 232 & Section 301 Tariff Attorney San Francisco
As a Section 122 tariff sunset attorney San Francisco, Trembach Law counsels Bay Area importers on the global 10 percent Section 122 import surcharge that terminated on July 24, 2026 under the 150-day statutory cap in 19 U.S.C. § 2132(a), and on the contingency in which the Federal Circuit affirms the May 7, 2026 Court of International Trade ruling that the tariff exceeded the President's authority. As a Section 232 tariff attorney San Francisco, we handle the 50 percent national-security tariffs on steel, aluminum, and copper derivative articles under HTSUS Chapters 72, 73, 74, and 76, with particular focus on Silicon Valley hardware, server, and data-center component imports. As a Section 301 tariff attorney San Francisco, we file exclusion petitions and pursue HTS reclassification and country-of-origin restructuring to reduce China tariff exposure on semiconductors, networking equipment, consumer electronics, and other Bay Area technology imports. Call (818) 514-7680.
What happened to the Section 122 surcharge, and where does the court challenge stand?
The 10 percent Section 122 surcharge applied to most imports from February 24, 2026 until it expired on July 24, 2026, at the statute's 150-day limit. The Court of International Trade held it unlawful on May 7, 2026, but relief reached only the plaintiffs, and the Federal Circuit stayed that ruling pending appeal.
| Date | What happened | Source |
|---|---|---|
| February 24, 2026 | 10 percent ad valorem surcharge begins on most goods entering through Oakland and SFO | Proclamation 11012 under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 |
| May 7, 2026 | A divided Court of International Trade panel holds the surcharge exceeded the President’s Section 122 authority, with relief limited to the importer plaintiffs and the State of Washington | State of Oregon v. Trump and consolidated cases (CIT) |
| May 12, 2026 | Administrative stay entered and the government’s appeals consolidated | U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit |
| June 11, 2026 | Stay pending appeal granted, finding at that preliminary stage that the government was likely to succeed; duties continue to be collected from the covered parties | U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit |
| July 24, 2026 | Surcharge expires at the 150-day limit; Congress did not extend it | 19 U.S.C. § 2132 |
Section 232 steel, aluminum, and copper tariffs: the 2026 changes Bay Area importers need to track
Bay Area importers face three 2026 Section 232 changes. Since April 6, steel, aluminum and copper duties apply to full customs value: 50 percent for articles made entirely or almost entirely of these metals, 25 percent for derivatives. Proclamation 11032 adjusted the annexes from June 8. Since September 14, ACE rejects copper cable entries missing smelt and cast countries.
CBP Penalty, Seizure & Prior Disclosure Defense — Customs Attorney San Francisco
As a CBP 1592 penalty attorney and customs penalty lawyer San Francisco, Trembach Law defends importers against penalties under 19 U.S.C. § 1592, which can reach the domestic value of the merchandise for fraud, and are capped at the lesser of that domestic value or four times the lawful duties, taxes and fees for gross negligence under § 1592(c)(2), or two times those duties for negligence under § 1592(c)(3). As a customs prior disclosure attorney San Francisco, we file disclosures under 19 U.S.C. § 1592(c)(4) before CBP opens a formal investigation, reducing exposure to interest on lost revenue only. As a customs seizure attorney San Francisco and customs fraud defense lawyer San Francisco, we file petitions for relief under 19 U.S.C. § 1618 and pursue emergency cargo release at Port of Oakland, Port of San Francisco, and San Francisco International Airport air cargo. As a CF-28 response attorney San Francisco and CF-29 penalty attorney San Francisco, we draft responses with HTS classification analysis, supplier specifications, and binding ruling citations within CBP's strict 30-day windows. As a customs audit attorney San Francisco, we defend Focused Assessments, Quick Response Audits, and audit surveys under 19 U.S.C. § 1509. Call (818) 514-7680.
How We Respond to a CBP Seizure Notice in San Francisco
We work a CBP seizure in five steps: file a CBP Form 5291 power of attorney on day 1; identify the seizure basis and the election-of-proceedings deadline by day 5; assemble the evidence package by day 20; file a petition for relief under 19 C.F.R. Part 171 by day 30; then negotiate release or evaluate court remedies.
HTS Classification, Customs Valuation, USMCA & UFLPA — Trade Compliance Attorney San Francisco
As an HTSUS tariff classification attorney San Francisco, Trembach Law defends HTS code determinations, files binding ruling requests under 19 C.F.R. Part 177 with CBP's National Commodity Specialist Division, and litigates classification disputes. As a customs valuation attorney San Francisco and country-of-origin attorney San Francisco, we apply transaction value, first sale for export, and substantial-transformation rules under 19 C.F.R. Part 134 to lawfully reduce dutiable customs value. As a USMCA compliance attorney San Francisco, we structure rules-of-origin qualification, Article 4.5 Labor Value Content, and certificate-of-origin verification for cross-border supply chains. As a UFLPA detention attorney San Francisco, we prepare clear-and-convincing evidence packages to release forced-labor holds, with particular focus on Xinjiang supply chain documentation for textiles, electronics, polysilicon, seafood, and PVC. As an AD/CVD antidumping attorney San Francisco, we handle scope rulings, new shipper reviews, EAPA circumvention investigations, and Commerce Department administrative reviews. As a duty drawback attorney San Francisco, we pursue recovery of up to 99 percent of duties paid on re-exported goods through manufacturing drawback, unused merchandise drawback, and rejected merchandise drawback under 19 U.S.C. § 1313. Call (818) 514-7680.
Port of San Francisco, Port of Oakland & SFO Air Cargo — Bay Area Customs Counsel
As a Port of San Francisco customs attorney, Trembach Law represents importers at CBP Port 2809 in finished goods, fine arts, wine and spirits, project cargo, and high-value technology imports. As a Port of Oakland customs attorney serving San Francisco importers, we handle the #1 U.S. agricultural export port and Northern California's primary containerized cargo gateway (CBP Port 2811) — covering AD/CVD-sensitive agricultural exports, wine exports, and inbound containerized cargo. As an SFO customs attorney and San Francisco International Airport customs lawyer (CBP Port 2801), we handle high-value air cargo entries for semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, biotech samples, fashion, and small-parcel ecommerce. As a Silicon Valley customs attorney serving San Francisco and the broader Bay Area, we represent semiconductor, fabless chip, cloud infrastructure, networking, biotech, fintech, and venture-backed importers. As an ecommerce customs attorney San Francisco and Amazon FBA customs attorney San Francisco, we advise on the elimination of the Section 321 de minimis exemption effective August 29, 2025, importer-of-record setup, and Shopify and direct-to-consumer compliance. As a wine import attorney San Francisco, we handle TTB FAA Act permits and customs treatment of Napa, Sonoma, and Mendocino imports and re-exports. Call (818) 514-7680.
San Francisco importer key numbers, with sources
| Item | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Port of Oakland container volume, calendar 2025 | 2,253,976 TEUs (imports 1,117,968; exports 1,136,009), down 0.4 percent from 2024 | Port of Oakland, year-end 2025 cargo release |
| Deemed liquidation | An entry not liquidated within 1 year of the date of entry is deemed liquidated as entered, unless liquidation was extended or suspended | 19 U.S.C. § 1504(a) |
| Interest on refunded duties | Refunds of excess deposits carry interest from the date of deposit to liquidation or reliquidation | 19 U.S.C. § 1505 |
| Suing after CBP denies a protest | Within 180 days after the date the denial notice is mailed | 28 U.S.C. § 2636(a) |
| Import record retention | 5 years from the date of entry for records that relate to an entry | 19 C.F.R. § 163.4 |
| Prior disclosure: negligent or grossly negligent violation | Penalty limited to interest on the unpaid duties, taxes, and fees, if the unpaid amount is tendered | 19 U.S.C. § 1592(c)(4) |
| Prior disclosure: fraud | Penalty limited to 100 percent of the lost duties, taxes, and fees (10 percent of dutiable value if duty assessment was not affected) | 19 U.S.C. § 1592(c)(4) |
| Time limit for a penalty suit under section 1592 | 5 years from the violation; for fraud, 5 years from the date the fraud was discovered | 19 U.S.C. § 1621 |
How to Choose a Customs Attorney in San Francisco
When choosing a customs attorney in San Francisco, look for relevant customs and trade experience, admission to the U.S. Court of International Trade, and clear fee terms. Trembach Law's attorney holds California Bar #349304, an LL.M. from USC Gould School of Law, with a Business Law Certificate, and U.S. Court of International Trade admission. As an import attorney San Francisco serving Amazon FBA sellers, Shopify and ecommerce brands, semiconductor and hardware companies, biotech importers, and first-time importers, we offer a free same-day consultation at (818) 514-7680. Visit https://trembachlaw.com/san-francisco-customs-attorney.
Frequently Asked Questions — Customs Attorney San Francisco 2026
- What does a customs attorney in San Francisco do?
- A customs attorney San Francisco represents importers, exporters, and customs brokers in CBP audits, Focused Assessments, cargo seizures, monetary penalty defense under 19 U.S.C. § 1592, prior disclosures under 19 U.S.C. § 1592(c)(4), tariff classification disputes (CF-28, CF-29, binding rulings), customs valuation issues, country-of-origin determinations, USMCA compliance, UFLPA forced-labor detention defense, AD/CVD scope and circumvention defense, CAPE or IEEPA tariff refund recovery, and Court of International Trade litigation. Trembach Law serves the Port of San Francisco (CBP Port 2809), Port of Oakland (CBP Port 2811), and SFO air cargo (CBP Port 2801). Call (818) 514-7680.
- Is a customs attorney different from a customs broker in San Francisco?
- Yes. A licensed customs broker under 19 C.F.R. Part 111 files entries and pays duties as a routine commercial service. A customs attorney San Francisco provides legal representation in disputes with CBP — penalty defense under 19 U.S.C. § 1592, protests under 19 U.S.C. § 1514, prior disclosures, audits, seizures, UFLPA detentions, and litigation at the U.S. Court of International Trade. You need a customs attorney whenever CBP issues a CF-28, CF-29, penalty, seizure, UFLPA detention, or audit notice. Call (818) 514-7680.
- Who is the best customs attorney near me in San Francisco for an IEEPA tariff refund?
- No attorney can be objectively ranked as the best. Look for relevant customs and trade experience, admission to the U.S. Court of International Trade, and clear fee terms. Anatolii Trembach (California Bar #349304, LL.M. from USC Gould School of Law, with a Business Law Certificate, U.S. Court of International Trade admitted) at Trembach Law handles IEEPA tariff refund matters through CAPE Phase 1 filing, CBP protest litigation under 19 U.S.C. § 1514, and Court of International Trade representation under 28 U.S.C. § 1581(i). Call (818) 514-7680 for a free eligibility assessment.
- Can a San Francisco customs lawyer help small importers, Amazon FBA sellers, and Silicon Valley startups?
- Yes. Trembach Law is the customs lawyer for small importers, Amazon FBA sellers, Shopify and ecommerce brands, Silicon Valley semiconductor and hardware companies, biotech importers, fashion and apparel companies, wine importers, and first-time importers across San Francisco, San Mateo, Marin, Alameda, and Contra Costa counties — including those affected by the elimination of the Section 321 de minimis exemption on August 29, 2025. We handle importer-of-record setup, HTS classification, country-of-origin restructuring, and CBP penalty defense. Call (818) 514-7680.
- How much does a customs attorney cost in San Francisco?
- Trembach Law offers a free initial consultation. Typical flat fees for the customs attorney San Francisco practice: CAPE Phase 1 preparation ($1,500 to $3,500), customs protests under 19 U.S.C. § 1514 ($2,500 to $7,500), binding ruling requests under 19 C.F.R. Part 177 ($3,500 to $10,000), prior disclosures under 19 U.S.C. § 1592(c)(4) ($5,000 to $15,000), and CF-28 or CF-29 responses ($1,500 to $5,000). Qualifying IEEPA tariff refund recovery is handled on contingency with no upfront fee. Complex CBP audits, UFLPA detention defense, and Court of International Trade litigation are billed at transparent hourly rates. Call (818) 514-7680.
- Which California ports does a San Francisco customs attorney handle?
- Trembach Law represents Bay Area and Northern California importers at the Port of San Francisco (CBP Port 2809), Port of Oakland (CBP Port 2811), San Francisco International Airport air cargo (CBP Port 2801), Port of Stockton, and through cross-regional Court of International Trade jurisdiction at all other U.S. ports, including Los Angeles (2704), Long Beach (2709), and San Diego (2501). Call (818) 514-7680.
San Francisco Customs Attorney — Related Services & Locations
- California Customs Attorney — Statewide trade and customs practice hub
- Tariff Classification Attorney San Francisco — HTS code disputes, binding ruling requests, CBP classification defense
- CBP Audit Defense Attorney San Francisco — Focused Assessment and Quick Response Audit response
- Customs Valuation Attorney San Francisco — First sale, transaction value, and royalty / assist valuation
- Country of Origin Attorney San Francisco — Substantial transformation and marking compliance
- CF-28 & CF-29 Notice Attorney San Francisco — Strategic responses to CBP classification inquiries and penalty notices
- Duty Drawback Attorney San Francisco — Manufacturing, unused, and rejected merchandise drawback recovery
- Supreme Court IEEPA Tariff Refund — Learning Resources v. Trump and CAPE refund recovery
- Section 301 / 232 / 122 Tariff Attorney San Francisco — Retaliatory tariff defense and exclusion petitions
- Trade Compliance Attorney San Francisco 2026 — Import compliance programs and reasonable care documentation
- Los Angeles Tariff Lawyer — Port of Los Angeles customs attorney (CBP Port 2704)
- San Diego Customs Lawyer — Port of San Diego customs attorney (CBP Port 2501)
- Port of Oakland Customs Attorney — CBP Port 2811, the #1 U.S. agricultural export port
- All International Trade & Customs Practice Areas
- Free Consultation — Trembach Law Firm — (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 files its own IEEPA refund complaints there under 28 U.S.C. § 1581(i), with new complaints filed as importers sign. CBP deployed CAPE Phase 3 — which covers finally liquidated entries for plaintiffs holding a court reliquidation order — on October 6, 2026. As of October 28, 2026 the firm is counsel in 35 actions at the Court of International Trade, docket numbers 1:26-cv-04095, 1:26-cv-04154, 1:26-cv-04156, 1:26-cv-04164, 1:26-cv-04185, 1:26-cv-04248, 1:26-cv-04271, 1:26-cv-04277, 1:26-cv-04300, 1:26-cv-04327, 1:26-cv-04328, 1:26-cv-04335, 1:26-cv-04342, 26-04390, 26-04392, 26-04393, 26-04394, 26-04395, 26-04396, 26-04418, 26-04421, 26-04488, 26-04556, 26-04559, 26-04563, 26-04568, 26-04569, 26-04616, 26-04617, 26-04618, 26-04643, 26-04668, 26-04745, 26-04766, 26-04797 (list and verification: Court of International Trade filings). 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.
Contact Trembach Law Firm
Trembach Law Firm, APC
27001 Agoura Road, Suite 350, Calabasas, CA 91301
Phone: (818) 514-7680
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