Great Lakes Customs Law is a specialized legal practice dedicated exclusively to customs and international trade law, serving as a trusted advocate and confidential advisor for importers navigating the complex U.S. regulatory landscape. With over 15 years of experience, the firm stands out for its focused expertise in penalty defense, tariff strategy, and currency seizures, particularly amid evolving trade policies and heightened enforcement.
The firm adopts a proactive and strategic approach, leveraging deep regulatory knowledge and established relationships with governmental agencies to achieve favorable outcomes for clients. It primarily represents importers, businesses involved in international trade, and individuals facing customs-related penalties or seizures, emphasizing responsiveness, clarity, and results-driven representation.
Services Offered
- Trump Tariff Strategy
- China Tariff Exclusions (Section 301)
- Duty Refund Protest
- Section 301 Penalty Defense & Mitigation
- Petitions & Supplemental Petitions
- 19 USC 1592 Penalties
- Drug Paraphernalia Penalties
- Export Violation Penalties (EAR)
- § 1433 and § 1436 Penalties
- Importer Security Filing (ISF) Penalty Mitigation
- Liquidated Damages
- Offer in Compromise of Claim by CBP
- Country of Origin & Verification
- Valuation Protests
- Prior Disclosures
- Rulings
- Failure to Declare
- AD/CVD Duties and Scope Rulings
- Currency Seizures
- Reporting Requirement & FinCen 105
- Failure to Report Cash/Money
- Bulk Cash Smuggling
- Cash Structuring
- Domestic Cash Seizures
- Responding to Custody Receipt
- Evidence Needed to Get Cash Back
- Election of Proceedings Form
- Administrative Petition
- CAFRA Seized Asset Claim Form
- Offer in Compromise to Settle
- Tariff Classification
- Valuation
- Country of Origin
- USMCA and Free Trade Agreements (FTAs)
- Import Compliance
The firm serves clients nationally with offices in Chicago and Detroit, and has successfully handled over 680 currency seizure cases, recovering more than $11 million for clients. It offers services in English and maintains a strong record of achieving mitigated penalties, successful protests, and favorable settlements in complex customs matters.
