The Bristol Group is a premier Washington, D.C. legal services and consulting firm specializing in complex international trade, customs, and related public policy and legislative matters. Antidumping (AD) and countervailing cases (CVD) are at the heart of our practice.
Our mission is to protect and preserve the U.S. manufacturing industry. We understand that manufacturing is more than producing goods. Manufacturing creates value for companies, workers, their families and communities. It directly underpins the industrial commons that fosters innovation and ingenuity for all industries, and in so doing creates the foundation for future growth and economic security. Most importantly, it allows our clients to succeed.
The Practice
Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Litigation
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For our clients, success in these cases results in special duties being imposed on specific imports. This “levels the playing field” and allows our clients to recover from harm caused by unfairly traded imports, earn a reasonable return, invest in their operations, and preserve jobs and manufacturing in the United States.
Legislative and Regulatory Affairs
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In this as in so many areas, the best approach often is not the most visible approach. With this in mind, we craft results-oriented, cost-effective strategies that recognize and emphasize the benefits of quiet diplomacy as well as assertive public action. The benefits of our approach have been demonstrated repeatedly for our clients.
Import/Export Controls and Sanctions Compliance
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Specifically, we can advise clients regarding:
· Customs Matters, including determining the correct classification, valuation, country of origin, and applicable duties and fees for imported merchandise; identifying and addressing potential evasion of AD/CVD orders; compliance with free trade agreements, trade preferences, and other duty-free programs; duty drawback and other mechanisms for reducing duties; and administrative processes;
· Import and Export Controls, which restrict, and in some instances require licenses for, imports and exports of certain goods, services, software, or technology (including releasing certain technology to foreign nationals);
· Economic Sanctions and Embargoes, which restrict transactions with certain countries, individuals, and entities for national security and foreign policy reasons;
· Anti-Boycott Regulations, which impose reporting requirements regarding, and in some instances prohibit, compliance with foreign boycotts in which the U.S. does not participate as well as certain forms of discrimination; and
· The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), which prohibits payments to foreign officials with the aim of influencing or inducing them or securing or maintaining business.
We can design and help clients implement customized compliance programs and training for personnel to prevent potential violations, screen potential parties to international transactions to determine whether they are subject to restrictions, and conduct due diligence reviews for potential mergers and acquisitions.
Violations of these laws and regulations may result in significant penalties. The U.S. government has prioritized enforcement and imposed record-breaking penalties in recent years.
In the unfortunate instance where a potential violation may have occurred, we can investigate the matter and provide advice regarding addressing a potential enforcement action and potential ways to mitigate penalties, which may include disclosure of an apparent violation
Adam H. Gordon,
Managing Partner
Jennifer M. Smith,
Partner
Matthew E. Renkey,
Senior Advisor
Our Record of Success
The Bristol Group has an exceptional record of successes for American manufacturers. We have represented nearly a dozen different U.S. industries in 28 antidumping and countervailing duty investigations and related proceedings, nearly all of which have results in successful outcomes for our clients. We have brought or defended over 72 appeals, again compiling a deep record of successful decisions.
As one example, for nearly 10 years we have represented the U.S. steel nail industry and its members. Since 2005, repeated waves of unfairly traded imports have injured the U.S. industry, forcing some producers out of the market entirely and requiring others to curtail operations and cut jobs. We have won eight different cases over nearly 10 years to combat imports first from China (2008), the United Arab Emirates (2012), and then Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan, Oman, and Vietnam (two cases) (all completed in 2015). Our work in these cases resulted in the imposition of special antidumping and countervailing duties ranging in amounts up to 324%, meaning that U.S. Customs and Border Protection collects $3.24 in additional duties for each $1 of steel nails brought in by importers.
Companies filing antidumping (AD) and/or countervailing duty (CVD) cases typically experience important benefits ever before the case is completed. Once a case is filed, pricing in the U.S. market typically improves and the domestic industry typically regains market share. These effects are expected and will not undermine your chances of overall success.
In addition to the cases we have successfully brought for the U.S. nail industry, The Bristol Group has represented industries as varies those producing decorative tissue and crepe paper, saccharin, carbon and alloy steel wire rod, stainless steel, preserved mushrooms, solar panels and business jet aircraft. For all of our clients in these and other industries, we have brought a consistent and deep commitment to addressing their needs and ensuring their long-term success.
Get in Touch
We can also be reached at (202) 991-2700.