California Customs Attorney

Nakachi Eckhardt and Jacobson, P.C. is a California-based law firm focused exclusively on U.S. customs and international trade law. As a California customs attorney, our team serves importers, manufacturers, freight forwarders, and logistics companies operating through California's major ports and airports. Whether you need a California customs lawyer for a compliance matter, a penalty defense, or a seizure at a California port of entry, our attorneys bring decades of focused experience to every engagement.

Customs and Import Compliance in California

U.S. customs law is a federal practice area, but the practical realities of importing through California make local knowledge essential. California is home to some of the largest and busiest ports of entry in the United States, including the Port of Oakland, Port of Long Beach, Port of Los Angeles, and major air cargo facilities at LAX, SFO, OAK, and ONT. Our attorneys advise California importers on tariff classification, customs valuation, country of origin, and compliance with special duty programs including Section 301 and Section 232 tariff rates. Proper compliance planning helps California businesses avoid costly penalties and delays at these high-volume ports.

CBP Audits, Penalties, and Seizures in California

California importers face a wide range of CBP enforcement actions, from routine audits and requests for information to formal penalty proceedings, prior disclosure reviews, and outright seizures of merchandise at California seaports and airports. As a California customs attorney, we defend importers facing CBP penalties, seizures, and investigations arising from entries made through California ports. Our team has extensive experience navigating these matters to protect our clients' goods, finances, and trade privileges.

Responding to CBP Notices and Audits

When CBP issues a CF-28 Request for Information, a CF-29 Notice of Action, or initiates a focused assessment or compliance review, timely and accurate responses are critical. Our attorneys regularly assist California importers in responding to these CBP forms and audit requests, working closely with CBP field offices across Northern and Southern California. For example, an apparel importer in Los Angeles receiving a CF-28 questioning tariff classification needs counsel who understands both the legal framework and the practical dynamics at the LA/Long Beach port complex. We provide that combination of legal depth and local familiarity.

Customs Seizure and Forfeiture Defense in California

When goods are seized by CBP at a California port, the stakes are immediate and the deadlines are strict. Our firm handles petitions for relief, supplemental petitions, offers in compromise, and negotiations with CBP following seizures at the ports of Long Beach, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Oakland, as well as at LAX, SFO, and OAK. As a California customs seizure attorney, we work to recover seized merchandise and minimize financial exposure, guiding importers through every stage of the forfeiture process.

California Ports and CBP Field Offices We Serve

With offices in San Francisco and Los Angeles, our attorneys regularly appear before CBP field offices and ports throughout California. In Northern California, we work with the San Francisco Customhouse and CBP's Center of Excellence and Expertise for Textiles and Apparel, the Port of Oakland, San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Oakland International Airport (OAK), and San Jose International Airport (SJC). In Southern California, we handle matters at the Port of Long Beach, Port of Los Angeles, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), and Ontario International Airport (ONT). Although customs law is federal, having a California-based customs attorney who regularly appears before these ports and field offices offers practical advantages in responsiveness, familiarity with local CBP personnel, and proximity to your operations.

Industries We Represent in California

California is a gateway for a wide range of imported goods, and our practice reflects that diversity. We regularly represent California apparel and footwear brands importing through Los Angeles/Long Beach and Bay Area ports in customs classification, valuation, and enforcement matters. Our clients also include technology hardware companies, consumer electronics importers, manufacturers sourcing raw materials, and logistics providers. Whatever your industry, if your goods move through a California port of entry, we have the customs law experience to protect your supply chain.

Why Work With a California-Based Customs Firm

Unlike larger generalist practices that treat customs work as one of many practice areas, Nakachi Eckhardt and Jacobson focuses exclusively on U.S. customs and international trade law. With offices in both San Francisco and Los Angeles, we combine deep subject-matter expertise with a California presence that few firms can match. Our attorneys bring decades of combined experience handling hundreds of CBP matters, with particular depth in Asia-Pacific trade. We maintain the responsiveness and personal attention of a focused practice while delivering the legal sophistication that complex customs matters demand.

Schedule a Consultation With a California Customs Attorney

If you are a California importer or business facing a customs compliance issue, CBP audit, penalty, or seizure at a California port of entry, schedule a consultation with a California customs attorney at Nakachi Eckhardt and Jacobson. We respond quickly and understand the urgency that CBP deadlines demand. Whether you need immediate assistance with a seizure notice or proactive guidance on import compliance, contact our offices in San Francisco or Los Angeles to discuss your matter.