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Robert Stang

Bob focuses his practice on customs and international trade law. He brings 30 years of experience to a wide range of issues that affect inbound and outbound goods, including tariff classification, valuation, country of origin marking matters, free trade agreements, and special trade programs. He also has extensive customs compliance experience and regularly assists importers facing U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) audits, penalties, seizures, redelivery notices and other agency enforcement activities. Bob works with importers and exporters proactively to achieve cost savings and structure programs that meet CBP "reasonable care" requirements. He also handles supply chain security issues, including Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) enrollment, verification and annual reviews.

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On September 14, 2016, the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) launched a new web page to engage American manufacturers who may benefit from the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB). The MTB supports manufacturers by eliminating or reducing import duties on hundreds of materials and products that are not produced domestically, cutting production costs and enhancing global competitiveness.

The American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act of 2016 (PL 114–159) established a new process for submitting MTB petitions, which traditionally required Members of Congress to introduce bills. Under the new system, likely beneficiaries will submit petitions directly to the USITC within a 60-day period, beginning October 14, 2016. Anticipated revenue loss for each product must be less than $500,000 per year.

 On June 24, the Senate approved the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015, granting President Obama trade promotion authority, or TPA. The passage of this “fast-track” authority enables the President to leverage greater support during the upcoming negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) by guaranteeing that the trade agreement to be finalized by the 12-nation pact will be sent to Congress for approval without permitting lawmakers to amend the treaty.

The Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB) process provides importers relief from duties on an item-by-item basis, up to $500,000 annually. On April 16, 2015, Senators Rob Portman (R-OH), Claire McCaskill (D-MO) and Pat Toomey (R-PA) introduced bipartisan legislation proposing to reform the MTB process. Many companies consider the new legislation a much overdue step that assists…

On April 16, several pieces of key legislation were introduced that set the stage for a Bipartisan, Bicameral International Trade Package.  Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) along with Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI) introduced long-awaited trade legislation to reauthorize Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) and renew several trade preference and liberalization programs.  TPA expired in 2007 and is necessary for the Obama Administration to move forward and conclude the Trans-Pacific Partnership and Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership negotiations.

The U.S. Departments of Treasury and Commerce today announced new regulations intended to significantly loosen the embargo imposed against Cuba in 1963.  The changes to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (CACR), administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), administered by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), will go into effect on January 16, 2015, when the rules are published in the Federal Register.  The new rules are part of the implementation of the Obama Administration’s policy shift concerning Cuba, which was announced by President Obama on December 17, 2014.

The International Supply Chain Going Into 2014 seminar is focused on international trade transactions. After one afternoon of targeted training with Husch Blackwell, MIQ Logistics and JPMorgan Chase, participants will have a better understanding of the following issues that affect businesses like yours every day:

  • Overview of the Supply Chain
  • Payment and Banking Issues
  • Review

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On Aug 5, 2013, the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) opened its draft Rules of the China Food and Drug Administration Legislation Procedure (the “Draft”) for public comment. The CFDA provided one month (August 5-September 5) to submit opinions on the new rules in the Draft. The Draft states the purposes of the new Rules are to regulate legislative procedures, guarantee the quality of legislation, and improve the efficiency of the legislation.