The COVID-19 Pandemic and Imports: How Companies Can Effectively Move Goods In a Changing Environment

During these difficult times global businesses must streamline and protect their supply chain operations, manage new sourcing, navigate border issues, keep abreast of rapidly changing regulations, and deal with contract disputes. Importers and other businesses in the supply chain who take key steps now may mitigate potential losses while ensuring compliant and efficient supply chains. Topics to be discussed include:

 

• How have recent U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) staffing and operational changes impacted importers? 
• Update on CBP’s COVID-19 response and enforcement trends.  
• Impact of foreign, federal, state and local orders on the supply chain and addressing remote working challenges.  
• Force Majeure provisions -- handling common contract disputes between importers, suppliers, carriers, and other parties.  
• Importing Personal Protective Equipment and other goods essential for the COVID-19 response.  
• How can importers reduce tariffs and obtain duty refunds – Section 301 tariff exclusions, Foreign Trade Zones and duty drawback.  

Join Crowell & Moring attorneys for a discussion of best practices for global businesses to manage supply chains and cross border transactions during the COVID Pandemic.