International Trade
Leader
International Trade
Director
Hazardous Materials Compliance
The transportation of hazardous materials (“HAZMAT”) often has international trade implications.
Clark Hill has a successful track record representing automotive, aviation and transit companies, parts suppliers (e.g., airbags, explosives, propellants, lithium batteries), oilfield service companies, and metals and chemicals manufacturers. For example, we had long counseled airbag inflator manufacturer Daicel Corporation in all aspects of its hazardous materials transportation compliance.
We regularly advise domestic and international clients on matters involving:
- Requirements of U.S. agencies, including the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Federal Railroad Administration, Federal Aviation Administration, and United States Coast Guard
- International laws and standards, including the International Civil Aviation Organization, International Air Transport Association, and International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code
- Mitigation of penalties
- Compliance programs
- Classification questions
Experience
Represented a U.S. distributor of chemicals for criminal violations of the provisions of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
Represented a Chinese producer of citric acid in an investigation under the U.S. antidumping and countervailing duty laws
Represented an Iraqi architectural and construction firm in its negotiations with the U.S. Army Corps. of Engineers related to Iraqi reconstruction and development initiatives
Represent a U.S. durable goods producer / importer / exporter in a foreign criminal and parliamentary investigation of sales of goods to a foreign government-backed entity
Wall off” advice to a German corporation employing U.S. Persons abroad in its dealings with embargoed-nation customers
Represent a U.S. producer of household goods in the drafting, lobbying and enactment of federal legislation designed to obtain reduced-duty treatment
Represent a U.S. importer/retailer in claims for the refund of duties under the drawback law
Represent two European-based automobile importer / distributors in audits of customs duty liability
Represented a class of claimants regarding currency seized under bulk cash smuggling provisions of the U.S.A. Patriot Act
Represented a computer components importer in parallel criminal and civil proceedings for avoiding customs duties and filing false customs entries of computer components from Singapore
Represented an importer of chemicals from Europe in parallel civil and criminal investigations of allegations of violations of the country of origin marking rules
Represented a foreign producer of medical devices and its CEO in an allegation of importation of allegedly mismarked and misbranded medical devices under both the Tariff Act and the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetics Act
A U.S. citizen in connection with the importation of smuggled artifacts from looted Iraqi museums
Represented two U.S. automotive importer/distributors in claims for refunds under the customs value code based upon post entry downward adjustments to their transfer prices
Represented a Taiwanese producer of fashion ribbons in an investigation under the U.S. antidumping laws
Represented a U.S. importer of medical waste bags to determine whether its goods were within the scope of an antidumping duty order on polyethylene retail carrier bags from the People’s Republic of China
