Trade Litigation

Trade Litigation - 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 the U.S. Court of International Trade?

The U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) is a federal court with exclusive jurisdiction over civil actions arising from import transactions and federal trade laws. The CIT hears cases involving customs duty disputes, tariff classification challenges, AD/CVD determinations, customs penalties, and agency actions by CBP, Commerce, and USTR. Located in New York City, the CIT is the primary forum for challenging adverse CBP decisions including protests denials, penalty assessments, and classification rulings.

When should I file a case in the Court of International Trade?

You should consider CIT litigation when: (1) CBP denies your protest of classification, valuation, or penalty decisions, (2) Commerce issues unfavorable AD/CVD or scope rulings, (3) substantial duties are at stake making litigation economically viable, (4) you need judicial review of agency determinations, or (5) administrative remedies have been exhausted without success. CIT cases typically involve duty refunds exceeding $100,000, recurring classification issues affecting ongoing imports, or precedent-setting legal interpretations.

How long does Court of International Trade litigation take?

CIT litigation typically takes 18-36 months from filing to final judgment. The timeline includes: summons filing (within statutory deadlines), complaint and answer (2-3 months), discovery and expert reports (6-12 months), summary judgment briefing (3-6 months), and trial or decision (6-12 months). Complex cases involving technical classification issues or Commerce determinations may take longer. Appeals to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit add another 12-24 months.

What are the costs of trade litigation in federal court?

Trade litigation costs vary based on case complexity but typically range from $75,000 to $300,000+ for full CIT proceedings. Costs include attorney fees, expert witness fees (technical experts, economists), filing fees, deposition expenses, and trial preparation. Simple classification cases may cost $75,000-$150,000, while complex AD/CVD or scope litigation can exceed $500,000. However, successful CIT litigation can recover millions in duties paid under protest, making it economically viable for high-value disputes.

Can I recover attorney fees if I win my CIT case?

Under the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA), prevailing parties in CIT cases can recover attorney fees from the government if: (1) the government's position was not substantially justified, and (2) the party meets small business size standards. EAJA fee awards are capped at $125/hour (adjusted for inflation to ~$200/hour) and require separate motion within 30 days of final judgment.

Contact Trembach Law Firm

Trembach Law Firm, APC

27001 Agoura Road, Suite 350, Calabasas, CA 91301

Phone: (818) 514-7680

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