Internal Corporate Compliance Presentations
The Mooney Law Firm LLC presents internal corporate seminars on trade topics such as export controls compliance, customs broker compliance, importer compliance and self-assessment, and Federal Maritime Commission compliance. Seminars generally consist of a full-day presentation with reference material handouts but can be tailored to suit a company’s particular needs.
Export Controls
The Firm’s export controls seminars introduce corporate personnel to key export control laws, regulations and the administrative agencies that enforce them. Personnel will learn the importance of export control compliance, potential penalties for violations, and the details of recent enforcement actions. Topics include, but are not limited to, compliance with the Export Administration Regulations’ Ten Prohibitions, export screening, export recordkeeping, submission of electronic export information or shipper’s export declarations, the methodology of classifying merchandise and determining export license requirements, and the export license application process. Export controls seminars also address the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and export licensing of ITAR goods by the Department of State, as well as the various sanction and embargo regimes enforced by the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.
Export controls seminars promote a company-wide culture of compliance and help corporations clarify the role and duties of their export compliance officer and refine the content of their export control manual. Corporate training in export controls has been recognized by the Department of Commerce as a factor to be considered in determining whether to impose a penalty for export violations, and corporate personnel from management to low-level employees should have a working knowledge of the export control laws and regulations that impact their business.
Customs Broker Compliance
The Firm’s customs broker compliance seminars provide brokers and their staff with an overview of the regulations governing broker activities as well as recent developments in rulings and enforcement actions that affect their business. Topics include but are not limited to proper keeping and retention, the varying rules governing power of attorney procedures for corporations, partnerships and LLCs, client confidentiality, reasonable supervision and control, licensing and permit issues for corporations and partnerships and auditing proper handling of payments, fees and refunds.
Importer Compliance and Self-Assessment
Importers are assumed to have knowledge of and comply with all relevant Customs regulations, even if they rely on a licensed customs broker. Various factors affect whether an importer’s entries are correctly filed, including determination of the proper country of origin, method of appraisement, and eligibility for preferential duty treatment. Certain entries are subject to rules that require specialized compliance, such as warehouse entries and entries for transportation in bond. For goods imported and subsequently exported, or used to produce a U.S.-origin product that is subsequently exported, drawback of Customs duties paid may be possible, enabling an importer to obtain a 99% duty refund. Our seminars address these topics, among others. We assist importers conducting self-assessments and those that are or may be the subject of CBP audits.
Federal Maritime Commission Compliance
The Firm’s Federal Maritime Commission compliance seminars address the numerous FMC regulations applicable to ocean transportation intermediaries that govern their business, including, but not limited to, calculation of freight rates, rebates, forwarder-carrier agreements, proper documentation including bill of lading terms and conditions, recordkeeping, tariff publication, tariff adjustment, and FMC audits. Our seminars discuss common FMC penalties and how to avoid them as well as recent enforcement actions and trends.