Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Meridian Tariff Group, LLC ("Company," "we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting the privacy and security of the personal and business information entrusted to us by our clients and website visitors. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, disclose, store, and protect your information when you visit our website, use our tools (including the IEEPA Refund Calculator), or engage our consulting services. By accessing our website or using our services, you consent to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

We collect information that you voluntarily provide to us, including: (a) contact information such as your name, email address, company name, job title, and phone number submitted through our contact form or other communications; (b) import and trade data, including Entry Summary forms (CBP Form 7501), ACE reports, customs broker documentation, HTS codes, duty amounts, country of origin data, and other import-related records provided in connection with our consulting services; and (c) engagement and billing information necessary to establish and maintain a client relationship, including company registration details and payment information.

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect certain technical information, including: your IP address, browser type and version, operating system, referring URL, pages visited, time and date of your visit, and other standard web analytics data. We use privacy-respecting analytics tools to understand how visitors interact with our website so we can improve our services and user experience.

2.3 IEEPA Refund Calculator Data

The IEEPA Refund Calculator processes all uploaded data entirely within your web browser. No import data, file contents, tariff information, or calculation results are transmitted to our servers or any third-party servers. The Calculator operates using client-side JavaScript, and all data remains on your device at all times. We do not collect, store, or have access to any data you upload to or process through the Calculator.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes: (a) to provide, maintain, and improve our consulting services, including tariff auditing, refund estimation, and CBP protest preparation and filing; (b) to respond to your inquiries and communicate with you about our services; (c) to process and manage client engagements, including billing and payment processing; (d) to comply with applicable laws, regulations, and legal obligations, including CBP filing requirements; (e) to protect our rights, property, and safety, and the rights, property, and safety of our clients and others; (f) to analyze website usage and improve our website, tools, and services; and (g) to send you relevant updates about regulatory changes, filing deadlines, or other matters related to your engagement, with your consent where required by law.

4. Use of Artificial Intelligence Systems

As part of our service delivery, we utilize artificial intelligence ("AI") systems to process and analyze client import data. Our AI systems are used for data parsing, tariff code classification, refund calculation, and document preparation. We take the following measures to protect your data when processed by AI systems:

(a) We use enterprise-grade AI services with data processing agreements that prohibit the use of your data for model training or improvement; (b) Client data processed by AI systems is not retained by the AI service provider beyond the duration necessary to complete the processing task; (c) All AI-generated outputs are subject to human review and verification before any filing or submission; and (d) We maintain strict access controls to ensure that only authorized personnel can initiate AI processing of client data.

We regularly evaluate our AI service providers to ensure they maintain appropriate security standards and data protection practices. If we change AI service providers, we will ensure that the new provider meets equivalent or higher standards of data protection.

5. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal or business information to third parties. We may share your information only in the following limited circumstances:

(a) With CBP and Government Agencies: As necessary to file protests, claims, or other submissions on your behalf, and only with your authorization as set forth in the applicable engagement agreement. (b) With Service Providers: We may share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in delivering our services, including secure document storage providers, AI processing services, and payment processors. All service providers are bound by contractual obligations to protect the confidentiality and security of your information. (c) As Required by Law: We may disclose information when required by law, regulation, subpoena, court order, or other valid legal process. (d) Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or a portion of our assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to the same privacy protections described in this Policy. (e) With Your Consent: We may share your information with third parties when you have given us explicit consent to do so.

6. Data Security

We implement industry-standard administrative, technical, and physical security measures to protect your information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. These measures include: encryption of data in transit and at rest; secure, authenticated access to our client document portal; role-based access controls limiting data access to authorized personnel; regular security assessments and monitoring; and secure disposal of data that is no longer needed. While we strive to protect your information, no method of electronic transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security. In the event of a data breach that affects your personal information, we will notify you in accordance with applicable law.

7. Data Retention

We retain your information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, to comply with our legal obligations, to resolve disputes, and to enforce our agreements. For client engagement data, we generally retain records for a minimum of seven (7) years following the completion of an engagement, consistent with applicable regulatory requirements and statutes of limitation. Contact form submissions are retained for the duration of any resulting business relationship and for a reasonable period thereafter. You may request deletion of your personal information at any time, subject to our legal and regulatory retention obligations.

8. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses minimal, privacy-respecting analytics to understand visitor behavior and improve our services. We do not use third-party advertising cookies or cross-site tracking technologies. We may use essential cookies that are strictly necessary for the operation of our website, such as session management and security cookies. You can control cookie settings through your browser preferences. Disabling cookies may affect the functionality of certain features of our website.

9. Third-Party Links and Services

Our website may contain links to third-party websites or services, including our secure document upload portal. These third-party services have their own privacy policies, and we are not responsible for their privacy practices. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party services you access through our website. Our use of third-party services (such as secure file storage providers) is governed by our agreements with those providers, which include appropriate data protection provisions.

10. Your Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information, including:

(a) Right to Access: You may request a copy of the personal information we hold about you. (b) Right to Correction: You may request that we correct any inaccurate or incomplete personal information. (c) Right to Deletion: You may request that we delete your personal information, subject to our legal retention obligations. (d) Right to Portability: You may request that we provide your personal information in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format. (e) Right to Object: You may object to certain processing of your personal information. (f) Right to Opt Out: You may opt out of receiving marketing communications from us at any time.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information provided below. We will respond to your request within thirty (30) days or as required by applicable law.

11. California Privacy Rights (CCPA/CPRA)

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act ("CCPA") as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act ("CPRA"). These include the right to know what personal information we collect, use, and disclose; the right to request deletion of your personal information; the right to opt out of the sale or sharing of your personal information (we do not sell or share personal information as defined by the CCPA/CPRA); and the right to non-discrimination for exercising your privacy rights. To submit a verifiable consumer request, please contact us at the email address provided below.

12. International Data Transfers

Our services are primarily directed at businesses operating within the United States. If you access our website or provide information to us from outside the United States, your information may be transferred to and processed in the United States, where data protection laws may differ from those in your jurisdiction. By using our services, you consent to the transfer and processing of your information in the United States.

13. Children's Privacy

Our services are designed for business use and are not directed at individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected personal information from a child, we will take steps to delete such information promptly.

14. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technologies, legal requirements, or other factors. We will post the updated Privacy Policy on this page with a revised "Last Updated" date. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically. For material changes that significantly affect how we handle your personal information, we will make reasonable efforts to notify you, such as by posting a prominent notice on our website or sending you an email.

15. Contact Information

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at [email protected].

Meridian Tariff Group, LLC
Los Angeles, CA