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International Trade Expert Witnesses

Manufacturers, importers, and multinational corporations face litigation whenever a cross-border transaction, customs classification, or trade compliance decision is challenged as inconsistent with applicable trade law or contractual obligations. These disputes commonly involve customs classification and valuation disputes affecting import duties, contract disputes arising from global supply chain disruptions and cross-border sourcing arrangements, and trade compliance matters concerning export controls and free trade agreement requirements. Because international trade transactions are governed by an overlapping framework of customs law, export controls, and bilateral and multilateral trade agreements, the central issue in these cases is typically whether a party’s classification, compliance, or contractual conduct was consistent with the applicable trade law and regulatory framework. Resolving that question requires expertise spanning trade compliance, customs law, and global supply chain practice.

An international trade expert reviews customs documentation, trade compliance records, and applicable regulatory requirements to determine whether a classification, valuation, or compliance decision was consistent with governing trade law. That analysis often clarifies whether a party’s conduct reflected a reasonable application of complex and overlapping trade regulations, which is central to liability determinations in customs and compliance disputes. In supply chain and contract disputes, the expert’s understanding of global sourcing and trade practice supports causation and damages analysis by clarifying how a disruption or compliance failure affected the parties’ obligations. This same expertise strengthens litigation strategy by giving counsel a framework for challenging an opposing expert’s characterization of applicable trade requirements.

Because international trade disputes require fluency in customs law, export controls, and global supply chain practice, selecting an expert with direct trade compliance or international business experience is essential. The experts we can provide include international trade compliance specialists and scholars with experience at agencies such as the U.S. Department of Commerce and the International Trade Commission, as well as executives with multinational supply chain experience. Round Table Group has completed more than 75,000 expert searches for litigators, and we apply that experience to match counsel with international trade experts whose specific background fits the case. Let us help you find the right international trade expert for your case by calling us at (202) 908-4500.

Kinds of Cases We Work On

Round Table Group helps our clients find a wide variety of International Trade expert witnesses for cases like:

01

Customs Broker Misclassification Negligence Dispute

An importer sued its customs broker after a systemic tariff misclassification across more than two years of shipments triggered a customs audit and substantial back duties and penalties. We identified experts with experience in customs classification and the Harmonized Tariff Schedule, customs broker standards of care, and import compliance program design. The expert's review of the broker's classification worksheets found the codes used deviated from binding ruling precedent available at the time, supporting the importer's negligence claim.
02

Antidumping Duty Liability Allocation Dispute

A domestic importer and its overseas supplier disputed which party bore responsibility for a substantial sum in retroactive antidumping duties assessed after the imported product was reclassified into a covered scope category. We identified experts with experience in antidumping and countervailing duty law, scope ruling analysis, and international trade contract interpretation. The expert's opinion on customary risk allocation for scope-classification disputes in supply agreements supported the importer's indemnification claim against the supplier.
03

Export Control Compliance JV Dispute

Two joint venture partners in a cross-border manufacturing venture disputed liability after one partner's undisclosed dealings with a restricted foreign entity exposed the JV to export control enforcement risk and jeopardized a substantial contract. We identified experts with experience in export control compliance under the EAR and ITAR, restricted party screening practices, and international joint venture governance. The expert's audit of the partner's screening records established a pattern of bypassed compliance checks, supporting the non-breaching partner's claim for dissolution and damages.
04

Country-of-Origin Mislabeling Dispute

An importer sued its overseas manufacturer after discovering finished goods had been mislabeled with an incorrect country of origin to avoid tariffs, exposing the importer to substantial back duties and penalties upon discovery. We identified experts with experience in country-of-origin rules and substantial transformation analysis, customs compliance, and international manufacturing and sourcing practices. The expert's tracing of the product's manufacturing steps confirmed the true origin diverged from the labeling, supporting the importer's fraud and indemnification claims.
05

Free Trade Agreement Origin Certification Dispute

A buyer relying on preferential tariff treatment under a free trade agreement sued its supplier after a customs audit invalidated the supplier's origin certifications, resulting in the retroactive assessment of full duties on a significant volume of imports. We identified experts with experience in free trade agreement rules of origin, regional value content calculation, and customs origin verification procedures. The expert's recalculation of the regional value content found the goods fell short of the qualifying threshold, supporting the buyer's claim that the supplier's certifications were unsupportable.
06

Section 301 Tariff Exclusion Contract Dispute

An importer and its supplier disputed a supply agreement's price adjustment clause after a Section 301 tariff exclusion the parties had priced the contract around expired and was not renewed, raising landed costs by roughly 15 percent. We identified experts with experience in Section 301 tariff exclusion practices, trade remedy proceedings, and import cost modeling. The expert's analysis of the exclusion's regulatory history and renewal likelihood at the time of contracting supported the importer's position that the risk had been allocated to the supplier.
07

Sanctions Screening Failure Dispute

A trading company sued its international freight and logistics partner after a shipment was routed through a sanctioned intermediary despite screening obligations in their services agreement, triggering regulatory scrutiny and the loss of a major customer relationship. We identified experts with experience in OFAC sanctions compliance, restricted party and denied-party screening systems, and international logistics compliance practices. The expert's review of the logistics partner's screening logs found the sanctioned entity had been missed due to an outdated watchlist, supporting the trading company's breach of contract claim.
08

Forced Labor Supply Chain Detention Dispute

An apparel importer sued its overseas supplier after U.S. customs detained a substantial volume of goods under a forced labor import enforcement action, alleging the supplier had misrepresented its supply chain traceability. We identified experts with experience in forced labor supply chain due diligence, customs detention and admissibility procedures, and international sourcing compliance. The expert's review of the supplier's traceability documentation found gaps inconsistent with its contractual representations, supporting the importer's indemnification claim.
09

Transfer Pricing and Customs Valuation Conflict Dispute

Two affiliates of a multinational manufacturing group disputed how intercompany transfer prices should be reconciled with customs valuation after a customs audit found the declared import values had understated duty liability by a meaningful sum. We identified experts with experience in customs valuation methodology, transfer pricing analysis, and intercompany trade compliance. The expert's reconciliation of the transfer pricing study against the customs valuation method identified the source of the discrepancy, supporting a revised intercompany cost-sharing arrangement.
10

Incoterms Risk Allocation Shipping Dispute

A buyer and seller in an international commodities sale disputed which party bore the loss after a substantial shipment was damaged in transit, disagreeing over when risk of loss had transferred under the contract's Incoterms designation. We identified experts with experience in Incoterms and international shipping practices, marine cargo risk allocation, and international sale of goods contracts. The expert's analysis of the bill of lading and delivery documentation confirmed risk had passed to the buyer before the damage occurred, defeating the buyer's claim against the seller.

Here are a few of our favorite International Trade Expert Witnesses:

Pennsylvania International Trade Expert #16805

I have 8 years of experience and specialize in the field of applied microeconomics, with specific knowledge of U.S. trade policy and the steel industry. I have published on such topics as U.S. trade policy, the steel industry and trade retaliation.

 

California International Trade, Antitrust Expert #17582

I have 11 years of experience in the field of economics, with specific knowledge of macroeconomics, international economics and managerial economics. I have published on such topics as international trade and development, political economy and economic growth.

 

South Carolina Development, International Trade Expert #19274

I have 25 years of experience, and specialize in the field of economics with specific knowledge in the area of African economies. I have published on such topics as international development and international trade.

 

California International Trade, Reserves Expert #19621

I have 3 years of experience in the field of economics, with specific knowledge of international economics, macroeconomics and economic issues in emerging markets. I have published on such topics as international reserves and fiscal policy in developing countries, the study of China’s deflation, and relevant policy selection—policy on foreign investment.

 

Oklahoma International Trade Expert #20153

I have 20 years of experience and specialize in the field of business, with specific knowledge of economics, international trade and applied econometrics. I have published on such topics as income convergence, economic impacts and international trade.

 

Your Case Deserves The Best International Trade Expert Witnesses

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The right expert witnesses and consulting experts can make your case. That’s why we have spent so many hours over the past quarter century making sure our clients have just the right expert team — whether one expert or many, early-stage advice or expert reports and testimony. Across over 50,000 expert search assignments, we have honed a unique, customized approach to identifying, analyzing and connecting with expert talent so you can focus on winning your case.

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Ohio International Trade Expert #20715

I have 25 years of experience, and specialize in the field of marketing international business, with specific knowledge of strategy and growth. I have published on such topics as marketing and international business, trade and globalization.

 

Treaties, International Trade Expert #23022

I have 28 years of experience, and specialize in the field of tax and trade with specific knowledge in the areas of international tax, estate planning and trade in services. I have published on such topics as tax, international trade and estate planning.

 

Kentucky International Trade Expert #24901

I have 10 years of experience and specialize in the field of industrial organization and international trade, with specific knowledge of antitrust, multinational enterprise and intellectual property rights. I have published on such topics as foreign direct investment, antitrust laws and economic development.

 

International Trade Expert #25461

I have 5 years of experience, and specialize in the field of economics with specific knowledge in the areas of international trade, economic development and applied microeconomics. I have published on such topics as international trade, labor migration and foreign direct investment.

 

Maryland International Trade, Money Expert #26922

I have 30 years of experience in the field of economics, with specific knowledge of energy, trade and banking. I have published on such topics as US energy security, foreign direct investment and US-Latin American trade flows.

 

Pennsylvania International Trade Expert #29803

I have 34 years of experience, and specialize in the field of international trade with specific knowledge in the areas of trade policy, deregulation and policy implementation. I have published on such topics as international trade policy, international trade theory and policy distortion costs. I address private and public forums, including government policy makers and the business community. (See cv)

 

Nebraska International Trade Expert #33038

I have 30 years of experience in the field of agricultural economics, with specific knowledge in the areas of international trade, development in Africa, and agricultural policy analysis. I have published on such topics as the impact of agricultural policies in wealthy countries on farmers in developing countries, trade, and the environment and international trade agreements.

 

Illinois International Trade Expert #33928

I have 40 years of experience in the field of financial markets with specific knowledge of derivatives, international trade, and United States and Japan business relations. I have published on such topics as speculation in the derivatives markets, commodity prices and international trade. I have testified on futures market performance, technological change in futures markets and futures market regulation.

 

Oklahoma International Trade Expert #36387

I have 28 years of experience in the field of agricultural economics, with specific knowledge in the areas of international trade, export market promotion, and local foods. I have published on such topics as market development and gaining competitiveness, local foods and farmers’ markets, export market promotion, and demand analysis.

 

Florida International Trade Expert #39007

I have 16 years of experience and specialize in the field of international trade with specific knowledge in the areas of customs and border protection, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT). I have published on such topics as C-TPAT, international security and TSA.

 

Pennsylvania International Trade, Antitrust Expert #48712

I have 25 years of experience, and specialize in the field of regulation with specific knowledge in the areas of antitrust, international trade and telecommunications. I have published on such topics as antitrust federalism and the history of insurance regulation. I have testified on legal issues involving the petroleum pipeline industry. I assisted the Federal Communications Commission in drafting implementing regulations for the Telecommunication Act of 1996 and assisted the Jamaican Government in establishing an international trade regulatory body.

 

Put Our International Trade Expert Network to Work for You

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Our huge network of experts – eminent university professors and practitioners who have achieved renown as thought leaders in their fields – combined with unparalleled research capabilities puts the experts you need at your disposal when and where you need them.

If you’re a litigator or general counsel, we want to put this network to work for you and your clients. Let us know how we can help by calling us at (202) 908-4500 or filling out the form on this page. We’re so confident you’ll love what we do that unless you retain an expert we present there’s no charge!

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Questions Attorneys Ask About International Trade Expert Witnesses:

An international trade expert is typically needed when a customs classification or valuation dispute, a contract dispute stemming from a global supply chain disruption, or a trade compliance matter turns on whether a party’s conduct was consistent with applicable customs, export control, or trade agreement requirements. Counsel often retains the expert once trade compliance and customs documentation are available so the analysis can inform liability strategy.
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Spend your time working with your experts, not searching for them! We're here to de-stress the process of having a great expert witness team so that it’s easy to have the right experts every time. We'll conduct a quick but thorough search and deliver a roster of top candidates for you to review. There's no charge for the custom search — you pay only the hourly rate if you retain one of our experts.

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International Trade Workshops

A few of the courses and workshops led by our International Trade experts:

  • Fiscal Policy, Monetary Policy, Trade & Foreign Exchange: How Do Their Relationships Impact My Business?
  • How Countries Evolve: Predicting Dynamics of Emerging Markets
  • International Finance: A Macroeconomic Overview
  • The Prospects for European Banking Union
  • Understanding the Global Economy

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Antitrust
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Pricing
Technology
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