A substantial part of our practice is in the trade compliance arena. We have assisted many companies in the evaluation, development, or enhancement of import compliance programs. We have conducted internal reviews and investigations of potentially non-compliant activity, recommended disclosures when appropriate, and devised remedial measures as warranted. When customs authorities launch formal audits, we are prepared to assist our clients in those proceedings. In the event that transactions become the subject of enforcement activity, we are adept at representing our clients' interests at every stage of such proceedings, from administrative to judicial fora.
Sidley’s Customs practice has been at the forefront of recent trends in the expansion of the missions of customs authorities, most specifically supply chain security and import safety. We have served as private sector representatives to the WCO in its development and implementation of the SAFE Framework initiative for global trade security, including the development of authorized economic operator (AEO) programs. On behalf of trade association clients and companies in affected industries, we have worked with the U.S. administration and Congress on the increasingly important issue of import safety.
