Richard Lee

Richard Lee holds an active CBP broker license (filer code 8VQ) and operates out of Rancho Dominguez, California — a logistics-dense community situated between the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro and the inland distribution hubs of the South Bay. This geographic positioning makes his brokerage practice a practical resource for importers who regularly move cargo through Southern California's gateway ports, which handle enormous volumes of goods arriving from Asia, including electronics, consumer goods, textiles, apparel, and machinery.

For importers new to the process, understanding CBP entry types can be daunting. Richard Lee assists clients in determining whether their shipment qualifies for informal entry — typically goods valued under $2,500 — or requires a formal entry with full HTS classification, duties assessment, and an importer of record declaration. Proper 10-digit HTS code classification is critical to determining the correct duty rate and flagging any applicable trade remedies, including Section 301 tariffs on goods of Chinese origin.

Importer Security Filing, commonly called ISF 10+2, must be submitted to CBP at least 24 hours before a vessel departs a foreign port bound for the United States. Failure to file on time can result in liquidated damages and cargo holds. Richard Lee helps importers meet this compliance obligation and avoid costly delays at the port.

For shipments valued at or under $800, the Section 321 de minimis threshold may allow duty-free entry — a consideration that has grown increasingly relevant for e-commerce importers. Richard Lee can advise on whether your shipments qualify and how to structure entries accordingly.

Bonding is another key area of customs compliance. Importers must decide between a single entry bond, which covers one shipment, and a continuous customs bond, which provides year-round coverage for all entries. For importers with regular shipping activity, a continuous bond is typically the more cost-effective choice.

Richard Lee also maintains familiarity with partner government agency (PGA) requirements — the additional oversight that agencies like the FDA, USDA, EPA, and CPSC impose on certain categories of goods entering the United States. Goods subject to PGA review require proper documentation and advance planning to avoid holds.

For importers in the greater Los Angeles basin — from Long Beach and Carson to Compton and beyond — Richard Lee provides licensed, locally grounded customs brokerage services backed by CBP authorization.