Admissions
- Washington, DC
- Georgia
- U.S. Court of International Trade
Education
- University of Virginia School of Law, J.D. (Order of the Coif), 2003
- Newcomb College of Tulane University, B.A., Economics and German (Summa Cum Laude), 1999
- Fulbright Scholarship, Mainz, Germany, 1999
Languages
- German
Overview
BJ Shannon has over two decades of experience advising clients on Customs and import regulatory matters, both in private practice and in-house. She understands that regulatory compliance is foundational to business success, and she takes time to understand each client’s business model and products, to ensure that her clients fully understand the legal frameworks governing their supply chains, and to deliver legal solutions that are practical and businessfocused.
Importers, customs brokers, and freight forwarders rely on BJ for guidance on Customs valuation, tariff classification, country of origin, free trade agreement qualification, and forced labor prohibitions. BJ represents clients in audits, disclosures, detentions, and penalty cases. She provides strategic guidance to clients on their day-to-day operations. She also works with clients to develop duty deferral and mitigation strategies as they navigate our evolving tariff landscape of Section 301, Section 232, and Section 122 tariffs, and BJ is helping clients preserve IEEPA refund rights.
Representative Experience
- Assisted importers after 2025 tariff changes with USMCA qualification of electrical components, home and commercial appliances, computerized monitoring equipment, apparel, and food, and provided guidance on sourcing changes and HTSUS 9802 opportunities for non-compliant products.
- Counseled an importer to the successful conclusion of a CBP review of U.S. content claims for IEEPA tariff exclusions.
- Represented an importer in a broadly scoped CBP audit that resulted in CBP’s approval of valuation methods and FTA claims.
- Represented importers before the apparel, electronics, and automotive CBP Centers of Excellence on UFLPA enforcement matters, and helped a textile importer persuade CBP to completely stop continued detention of shipments after successful non-applicability determination.
- Conducted multi-year forced labor supply chain vetting for an apparel company, interfacing directly with vendors to obtain certifications and sample sourcing documents.
- Successfully challenged tariff classifications and FTA qualifications via 1520(d) claims and protests, including successful requests to set aside further review denials.
- Obtained commercial availability (“short supply”) determinations under NAFTA and CAFTA.
- Obtained numerous binding rulings on tariff classification, origin, and NAFTA/USMCA, CAFTA, and CBPTA eligibility of imported textiles, surgical products, machinery, hand tools, and food products.
- Advised clients on CPSC testing and certification requirements for imported consumer products, on FTC requirements for U.S. content claims, and on other government agency (including EPA, DOT, ATF, and FDA) actions against import shipments.
- Supported clients on internal compliance reviews, provided strategic guidance on prior disclosure options, and prepared and submitted disclosures where appropriate.
- Drafted or revised compliance policy documents and certifications, and conducted transactional due diligence on international trade issues.
- Provided tailored compliance trainings for legal and trade professionals and frequent presentations on current topics for trade associations.
Practice Focus
- U.S. Customs
- Free Trade Agreements
- Trade Remedies
- Forced Labor and Supply Chains
- Risk Management and Compliance Programs
- Trade Litigation
Professional Affiliations/Recognition & Awards
- Licensed customs broker (2007)
Publications & Speaking
- Food and Ag Trade Policy Update, American Agricultural Law Association, 46th Annual Agricultural Law Educational Symposium, Scottsdale, AZ., November 5-7, 2025.
- First Sale Valuation, Distilled Spirits Counsel of the United States, Washington, DC, July 29, 2025.
- How International Politics and Trade Impact the Produce Marketplace, International Fresh Produce Association’s Town Hall, Washington, DC, September 26, 2022.
- Customs Developments and the New Administration, Customs and International Trade Bar Association, Washington, DC, February 17, 2021.
- Customs Procedures for Imports with CAFTA-DR Preferential Treatment, VESTEX, Apparel Sourcing Show, Guatemala City, October 16, 2014.
- U.S. Product Safety Landscape, American Apparel Producers Network, Tariffs, Trade and Textiles in the Americas, Washington, DC, October 23, 2012.
- Trends In International Trade, Network Association of Uniform Manufacturers and Distributors, Back to the Future, Las Vegas, NV, March 9-12, 2012.
- CAFTA-DR Short Supply, VESTEX, Apparel Sourcing Show, Guatemala City, May 21, 2008.