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Understanding the General Rules of Interpretation (GRIs) in HTS Classification

The GRIs are the legal foundation of every HTSUS classification decision, requiring importers to work through six hierarchical rules in sequence rather than defaulting to duty outcomes or product names. Skipping steps, ignoring legal notes, or misidentifying essential character are the most common errors — and none are defensible in a CBP audit.

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What HTSUS Codes Are and Why They Matter

HTSUS codes determine duty rates, trade program eligibility, and regulatory obligations for every U.S. import. Misclassification creates financial and enforcement exposure that falls on the importer of record — not the customs broker — making classification accuracy a core legal responsibility rather than an administrative function.

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What Schedule B Numbers Are and Why They Matter

Schedule B numbers are mandatory for U.S. export EEI filings and are the legal responsibility of the exporter, not the freight forwarder. Understanding how they differ from HTS codes and where misclassification risk concentrates is foundational to a compliant export program.

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U.S. Overhauls Section 232 Tariffs for Steel, Aluminum, and Copper Products

The April 2026 Presidential Proclamation restructures Section 232 tariffs on steel, aluminum, and copper from a metal-content to a full customs value framework, with tiered rates from 10% to 50% based on composition and sourcing. Exclusion requests have been eliminated.

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The Importance of Annual Export Compliance Training

Export regulations evolve continuously – and employees who don't keep pace create compliance exposure regardless of how sound the written program is. This guide covers why annual training matters, what effective programs must include, how to tailor content by role, and how documented training affects enforcement outcomes.

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EEI Filings to Canada: When They Are Required and How to Stay Compliant

Most exports to Canada are exempt from EEI filing requirements – but controlled items, ITAR-regulated exports, and licensed goods are not. This guide covers when the Canada exemption applies, what triggers a mandatory AES filing, and the compliance practices that prevent costly mistakes on routine shipments.

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Export Control Reform: Modernizing U.S. Export Regulations

Export Control Reform shifted less sensitive military items from ITAR's Munitions List to the Commerce Control List – creating more licensing flexibility while tightening focus on truly critical technologies. This guide covers the USML-to-CCL migration, 600 series classifications, licensing implications, and what reform means for ongoing compliance obligations.

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Export Compliance Successor Liability in Mergers and Acquisitions

Under U.S. export control law, acquiring companies inherit the compliance violations of their targets – including pre-closing violations they had no knowledge of. This guide covers successor liability risk, due diligence requirements, voluntary disclosure strategy, and post-acquisition integration obligations.

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Trusted Third Parties in the DECCS Portal: Roles, Responsibilities, and Compliance

DECCS Trusted Third Parties allow companies to delegate complex ITAR filings to outside experts — but delegation doesn't shift liability. This guide covers TTP authorization, access controls, identity verification, data segregation, and the internal oversight practices that keep the arrangement defensible.

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Manufacturing License Agreements (MLAs) Under ITAR: How They Work

Under ITAR, authorizing a foreign entity to manufacture U.S. defense articles requires a Manufacturing License Agreement approved by DDTC. This guide covers MLA scope requirements, technical data controls, party vetting, retransfer restrictions, recordkeeping obligations, and the compliance framework required to sustain authorization.

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How Technical Assistance Agreements (TAA) Under the ITAR Work

Under ITAR, sharing technical data or providing defense services to foreign persons without authorization – even in routine collaboration – can constitute an unauthorized export. This guide covers how Technical Assistance Agreements work, what they must contain, and the compliance controls required to keep them effective.

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Destination Control Statements in Export Control Compliance

Destination Control Statements communicate export restrictions throughout the transaction chain and reinforce anti-diversion obligations after goods leave U.S. territory. This guide covers when they're required, what language is mandatory, where they must appear, and the common errors that create compliance exposure.

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Recordkeeping Under ITAR and EAR in Export Control Compliance

Under ITAR and EAR, recordkeeping failures are violations in their own right — even when the underlying export was lawful. This guide covers retention periods, required record types, electronic storage requirements, and the documentation practices that protect organizations when regulators come looking.

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