AARON APPLEBAUM is an experienced international trade and customs lawyer. Aaron focuses on advising companies on all aspects of U.S. customs law, including compliance counseling and planning, responding to government inquiries and enforcement actions, and customs-related litigation. Aaron frequently works with colleagues in other disciplines and offices to help clients navigate legal complexities across practices and borders. Aaron is a member of the firm’s Customs practice, one of the premier customs and trade policy practices in the United States, which has been awarded top band rankings in Chambers USA and Chambers Global for International Trade: Customs (USA – Nationwide) every year since 2008.
Aaron advises companies on substantive matters related to the importation of merchandise into the United States, including customs valuation, tariff classification, country of origin determinations and marking, free trade agreement and preference program qualification, and forced labor compliance and enforcement issues under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) and 19 U.S.C. §1307. His practice extends to advising on requirements administered by other agencies, including “Made in USA” claims under the Federal Trade Commission and government procurement origin determinations governed by the Buy American Act of 1933 and the Trade Agreements Act of 1979. He also provides customs and other regulatory advice in connection with mergers and acquisitions, duty drawback, antidumping/countervailing duty issues, and product-specific regulatory requirements enforced by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Aaron regularly conducts internal compliance reviews, prepares prior disclosures and compliance improvement plans, and represents clients in customs compliance audits, enforcement actions, and investigations. He assists clients in developing and implementing effective compliance programs to help ensure that reasonable care is exercised over import activities.
Aaron routinely conducts customs compliance trainings for clients and is a frequent speaker on international trade topics.
Aaron began his legal career at a multinational consumer electronics company, where he represented the company before customs authorities in various countries, performed regulatory compliance diligence on acquisition targets, and designed, implemented, and administered trade compliance programs.