Tag: Peacock Tariff Consulting


  • The Hidden Tariff That Can Reach Triple Digits Anti-dumping and countervailing duties are calculated individually for each foreign producer and can range from single digits to several hundred percent. The retrospective nature means liability can change years after importation. How AD/CVD Duties Work The Department of Commerce determines dumping/subsidization and calculates rates. The ITC determines…

  • Origin Matters More Than You Think Country of origin affects duty rates, eligibility for preferential treatment, applicability of trade remedy duties, admissibility under import restrictions, and marking requirements. Getting origin wrong can raise suspicions of transshipment or evasion. Two Origin Frameworks Non-preferential origin uses the substantial transformation test. Preferential origin uses agreement-specific rules. A single…

  • The Key to Duty-Free North American Trade CUSMA offers preferential treatment, often zero duty, for qualifying goods. The certification can be in any format as long as it contains nine prescribed data elements. This flexibility creates a trap – businesses sometimes provide incomplete certifications or issue them without proper origin analysis. Understanding CUSMA Rules of…

  • Relief Is Available, But You Have to Ask Tariff exemptions, exclusions, and suspensions can eliminate additional tariff burdens entirely. They require applications prepared carefully, documented thoroughly, and filed within specific deadlines. Types of Tariff Exemptions Section 301 exclusions (USTR), Section 232 exclusions (BIS), Miscellaneous Tariff Bill provisions, and Generalized System of Preferences. Preparing a Strong…

  • The Surtax Storm Canada’s retaliatory surtaxes add substantial duty burdens to a wide range of U.S.-origin products entering Canada. Products that previously entered duty-free under CUSMA now carry surtax rates that fundamentally change the economics of the purchase. Understanding Canada’s Retaliatory Surtax Framework The surtax applies based on country of origin, not country of shipment.…

  • Tariffs as a Supply Chain Risk Factor When tariff rates can change by 25 percentage points in weeks, tariffs become a dynamic risk factor demanding the same attention as any other supply chain threat. Tariff risk is driven by identifiable political and economic forces that can be anticipated and managed. Identifying Your Tariff Risk Exposures…

  • Valuation Is the Foundation of Your Duty Calculation If classification determines the percentage rate, valuation determines the dollar amount to which that percentage is applied. Valuation errors affect every product at every duty rate and can be equally or more significant than classification errors. Understanding the Transaction Value Method The transaction value is the price…

  • A Powerful Tool Hiding in Plain Sight Foreign Trade Zones are designated areas where imported goods can be stored, assembled, manufactured, or processed without formal customs entry or duty payment until the goods enter U.S. commerce. Over 190 general-purpose zones exist, yet many importers have never evaluated whether FTZ operations could benefit their business. How…

  • A Bilateral Relationship Under Strain Retaliatory tariffs and surtaxes imposed by both governments have disrupted supply chains, increased costs, and created unprecedented planning uncertainty for businesses on both sides of the border. Understanding the Current Tariff Landscape U.S. actions include Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum, broader IEEPA tariffs, and reciprocal measures. Canada has…

  • The Most Important Name on the Customs Entry Every customs entry must identify an importer of record (IOR): the entity legally responsible for ensuring accuracy, paying duties, and meeting all regulatory requirements. Being the IOR is the assumption of significant legal and financial obligations. What the IOR Is Responsible For Accuracy of entry data, paying…