The United States, being one of the world leaders in the global economy, is the ideal place to sell your products and services. However, regulations are constantly evolving and even just maintaining compliance can be a complicated feat. Let us assist in your transition into the U.S. market as your legal representative before the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Our educational programs and seminars are offered through our website and deliver the most updated information on customs and international trade law.
Customs, International Trade, and Transportation
Customs, International Trade
ACI Law Group has successfully handled a wide range of disputes and regulatory matters before U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Department of Commerce (DOC), and the Department of Justice (DOJ). Backed by over 20 years of experience and proven results, our attorneys provide hands-on representation and tailored legal strategies. We also take a proactive approach by analyzing business operations to mitigate global trade risks in advance—minimizing client losses and supporting stable growth in the U.S. market.
Experience and Achievements
- Provided over 1,000 consultations and strategies to import and export companies responding to changes in the Trump administration’s tariff policy.
- Responded to US Customs Service investigations and represented importers in voluntary tariff reporting.
- Provided customs policy advice as an advisory member to Korean government agencies.
- Successfully reduced $2,700,000 in US Customs fines imposed on importers.
- Responded to over 1,000 US Customs Form 28 and Form 29 cases and advised on origin-related issues.
- Proceeded with over 500 protests, resulting in reductions totaling tens of millions of dollars.
- Resolved and responded to US Customs detained cargo.
- Responded to US Customs on-site inspections and advised importers in response to customs complaints.
- Reduced 99.5% of US Customs fines imposed for transportation violations.
- Provided lectures and provided consulting services to businesses as an advisory member of KOTRA’s Customs and Trade Division.
- Former Chairman of the Korea-US Customs Trade Research Forum.
- Customs Division Advisory Member of the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea Past Positions
- Served as a Standing Member of the FTA Trade Council
Practice Areas
- U.S. Customs policy and tariff reduction advisory
- Response to US Customs Service (CBP) audits
- Customs valuation
- Product classification review and CBP response, and representation in ruling applications
- FTA origin verification advisory and CBP response
- Response to customs seizures and fines and petition processing
- Expedited resolution of detained cargo
- Response to Form 28/Form 29 and customs inspections
- CBP protest and prior disclosure representation
- Certification and licensing related to transportation and customs clearance, such as bonded carriers and CFS
- Review of import and export regulations and legal advice
- C-TPAT certification and verification support
- Advice and litigation regarding international trade disputes
Maritime, Transportation
The maritime and transportation sectors are legally complex, requiring a high level of expertise. ACI Law Group’s admiralty and maritime law team combines precise legal analysis with extensive experience, representing shipping lines, airlines, freight forwarders, and import/export companies. Over the years, we have consistently demonstrated outstanding results across a wide range of cases.
Experience and Achievements
- Successful cargo claims against shipping companies and airlines
- Won a lawsuit for cargo storage fees due to delayed transportation, recovering the full amount of the judgment
- Settled a $1,000,000+ claim involving shipping companies, carriers, shippers, brokers, and agents with a 1% settlement fee
- Defended cargo claims against logistics companies
- Defended a $270,000+ claim related to freight rates, successfully settled through mediation, and the case was withdrawn
- Successfully defended disputes between NVOCCs and freight forwarders and OBL-related disputes
- Attorney Kim, a member of the American Maritime Law Association and licensed as a California maritime lawyer
Educational Seminar
- Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Los Angeles
Seminar on Trump Administration Tariff Policies - Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) Headquarters
Practical Guide to Trump Administration Tariff Policies - Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) / KOTRA
Response Strategies to U.S. Tariff Policies - World-OKTA Los Angeles
Seminar on Tariff and Non-Tariff Barriers - National Assembly World Economy & Competitiveness Forum / World-OKTA Institute of International Trade Strategy
Seminar on Changing Trade Environment - KMI Center for Supply Chain & Maritime Logistics
Legal Disputes and Strategies for Korean Logistics Companies in the U.S. - World-OKTA Los Angeles
Trade Outlook Seminar - Korean Investors & Traders Association of California (KITA)
Seminar on Trade Regulations and Economic Outlook - Cambodia Chamber of Commerce (CCF)
Trade Expo & Seminar - Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Los Angeles / Korean American Customs and Trade Study Forum (KACTS)
Seminar on the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) - Korea Customs Service
Seminar on Rules of Origin and CBP Compliance - Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Los Angeles
Legal Issues Arising from LAX/LGB Port Congestion - Korean American Logistics Association (KALA)
Seminar on Cargo Claims and Limitation of Liability
Practice Areas
- Legal advice and litigation related to cargo claims, including those involving maritime, air, truck, rail, warehouse, and unloading.
- Resolving and recovering freight and transportation cost disputes.
- Drafting and reviewing transportation and warehousing contracts between carriers and shippers.
- Drafting and reviewing warehouse-related real estate contracts for logistics companies.
- Legal response to lien claims and cargo detention by carriers and warehousing companies.
- Compliance audits and response to violations of U.S. government regulations such as the FMC and DOT.
- M&A advisory services for logistics companies.
- Resolving vessel and cargo detention cases.
