About ROCK TRADE LAW LLC
Rock Trade Law LLC is a licensed customs broker and trade law firm based in Chicago, Illinois, operating under filer code 8QQ. Led by attorney Eric R. Rock, the firm focuses on customs and international trade law, offering sophisticated import compliance services alongside legal representation. Located at 134 N. LaSalle Street in the heart of Chicago's legal district, Rock Trade Law serves importers who need both customs brokerage expertise and attorney-level guidance on complex trade matters—including duty drawback claims, tariff classification, CBP enforcement, and Section 301 tariff strategy.
Rock Trade Law LLC occupies a distinctive position in the customs brokerage landscape: it is both a CBP-licensed customs broker (filer code 8QQ) and a trade law firm, headquartered at 134 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 1800, in Chicago, Illinois. This dual capacity allows the firm to serve importers who face not only routine entry requirements but also legally complex trade challenges that demand attorney-level analysis.
Eric R. Rock, the firm's principal attorney and licensed customs broker, concentrates his practice exclusively on U.S. customs and international trade law. That focused expertise is reflected in the firm's service offerings, which extend well beyond standard customs entry preparation. Rock Trade Law has publicly expanded its duty drawback services—including manufacturing drawback and unused merchandise drawback—helping importers recover duties paid on goods that are subsequently exported or destroyed. Duty drawback is one of the more technically demanding areas of customs practice, requiring precise recordkeeping, HTS code matching, and timely CBP filings.
The firm also handles vessel repair entries, a specialized CBP entry type that applies when U.S.-flagged vessels undergo repairs or modifications in foreign ports. This is a niche area that few brokers pursue, and its inclusion in Rock Trade Law's portfolio signals depth in CBP entry types beyond standard commercial imports.
For importers navigating the importer of record requirements, ISF 10+2 filing obligations, continuous customs bond or single entry bond decisions, and the formal vs. informal entry threshold, Rock Trade Law offers guidance grounded in both regulatory knowledge and legal experience. The firm is also positioned to assist clients dealing with Section 301 tariff challenges and partner government agency requirements from agencies such as FDA, USDA, and EPA.
Chicago's O'Hare International Airport and the city's rail infrastructure make it a significant inland port of entry for goods arriving from Asia, Europe, and across North America. Importers in the Chicago metro area and throughout the Midwest dealing with electronics, machinery and equipment, consumer goods, and manufactured products regularly require reliable customs broker support. Rock Trade Law's combined brokerage and legal capabilities make it particularly well-suited for importers managing high-value shipments, CBP audits, penalty proceedings, or complex classification disputes involving 10-digit HTS codes and Schedule B numbers.
Importers seeking a customs broker in Chicago who can also provide legal counsel on trade compliance, drawback programs, and tariff engineering will find Rock Trade Law LLC a rare and well-qualified resource.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does Rock Trade Law LLC handle duty drawback claims, and what types do they cover?
Yes. Rock Trade Law has expanded its duty drawback services and handles both manufacturing drawback and unused merchandise drawback, helping importers recover duties on goods that are exported or destroyed after importation.
Is Rock Trade Law LLC a law firm, a customs broker, or both?
Both. Rock Trade Law LLC is a CBP-licensed customs broker (filer code 8QQ) and a trade law firm led by attorney Eric R. Rock. This allows them to handle routine customs entries as well as legally complex matters like Section 301 tariff disputes, CBP penalty proceedings, and classification litigation.
What is a vessel repair entry and does Rock Trade Law assist with those?
A vessel repair entry is required when a U.S.-flagged vessel undergoes repairs or alterations in a foreign port. CBP requires declaration and potential duty payment on those costs. Rock Trade Law has noted experience handling vessel repair entries, making them one of the few Chicago brokers offering this niche service.
Can Rock Trade Law LLC help with ISF 10+2 filings and importer of record compliance?
Yes. The firm assists importers with ISF 10+2 filings, importer of record setup, bond procurement (continuous and single entry), and overall CBP entry compliance to ensure shipments clear without delay or penalty.