Determining Country of Origin Under U.S. Legal Frameworks

This event qualifies for 1 CCS/CES Credit NCBFAA-NEI

Country of origin determinations under U.S. law are complex and often confusing. The recent addition of Section 301 tariffs and forced labor legislation has further complicated these analyses. As a result, everyday sourcing and supply chain decision-making may have far-reaching compliance, reputational, and/or cost implications.

Using case studies, this webinar will illustrate how country of origin determinations are made in practice, under a variety of U.S. legal frameworks. We will consider the compliance implications as well as cost-savings opportunities that relate to country of origin determinations.

Finally, we will cover key takeaways on this topic from the November 2024 U.S. election and what we can expect next when it comes to trade remedies and tariffs.

This webinar will cover the following topics:

Determining country of origin of a product under U.S. law
Substantial transformation versus tariff shift
Most-favored-nation treatment
Country of origin marking
Free trade agreements, spotlighting the USMCA
Section 301 origin determinations
Other trade remedies (antidumping duties and countervailing duties)
Forced labor legislation
Government procurement (“Buy American”)
Textile and apparel rules
Observing the rules and making sound business decisions
Tips for complying with “reasonable care” requirements
Duty mitigation techniques related to origin
Tariff avoidance versus tariff evasion
Election takeaways: What to expect next in tariffs and trade remedies

Who should attend?

Global trade compliance professionals
Import/export compliance personnel
Business planners
Tax and accounting department
Legal department
International purchasing and logistics managers
Customs brokers

There will be time for questions from webinar participants.

Speaker and Presenter Information

Sara Schoenfeld is a New York-based attorney with a focus on business law and international trade law at Kamerman, Uncyk, Soniker & Klein PC (KUSK Law). Prior to joining KUSK Law, Sara worked in the Ernst & Young LLP Global Trade practice advising U.S. and foreign multinational corporations regarding customs and international trade law, strategic planning, compliance and risk management, and controversy. Sara has supported clients across various industries such as consumer goods, e-commerce, textiles/apparel, pharmaceutical, industrial, and food/beverage.

Sara has been published in “Law360” (A Cue for Importers to Review Common Duty-Saving Methods) and coauthored many articles on customs valuation, origin, and more for Ernst & Young LLP’s TradeWatch quarterly newsletter. In 2020, Sara founded the Trade Impact Foundation, a nonprofit organization seeking to support ethical trade, and has served on the Board of the Organization for Women in International Trade (OWIT) NY Chapter for years.