Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using the website, services, tools, or any related materials provided by Meridian Tariff Group, LLC ("Company," "we," "us," or "our"), you ("Client," "you," or "your") agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to all of these Terms, you must not access or use our services. These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and the Company. We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time, and such modifications shall be effective immediately upon posting on this website. Your continued use of our services following any modification constitutes your acceptance of the modified Terms.

2. Description of Services

Meridian Tariff Group provides tariff auditing, reconciliation, refund estimation, and assistance with the preparation and filing of administrative protests with U.S. Customs and Border Protection ("CBP") related to tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act ("IEEPA"). Our services include, but are not limited to:

(a) Analysis and review of import entry data, including Entry Summary forms (CBP Form 7501), Automated Commercial Environment ("ACE") reports, and customs broker documentation; (b) Identification and classification of tariff line items subject to IEEPA-related duties as distinguished from duties imposed under other legal authorities such as Section 232, Section 301, or standard Most Favored Nation ("MFN") rates; (c) Estimation of potential refund amounts through our proprietary calculation tools, including the IEEPA Refund Calculator available on this website; (d) Preparation and filing of CBP protests pursuant to 19 U.S.C. § 1514 and related regulatory provisions; and (e) General consulting and advisory services related to tariff recovery strategies.

3. Not Legal Advice

The services provided by Meridian Tariff Group do not constitute legal advice, and the Company is not a law firm. Nothing on this website or in any communication from the Company should be construed as legal, tax, or financial advice. Our services are consultative and administrative in nature. We assist with the preparation and filing of CBP protests and related documentation, but we do not represent clients in any legal proceeding, administrative hearing, or before any court of law, including the U.S. Court of International Trade ("CIT").

We strongly recommend that all clients consult with a licensed attorney specializing in international trade law, customs law, or a licensed customs broker before making any decisions regarding tariff protests, litigation, or refund claims. The legal landscape surrounding IEEPA tariff refunds is evolving, and the Company makes no guarantees regarding the outcome of any protest, claim, or refund request.

4. Refund Calculator Disclaimer

The IEEPA Refund Calculator available on this website is provided as a free informational tool for estimation purposes only. All calculations are performed entirely within your web browser; no data is transmitted to or stored on our servers. While we endeavor to maintain accurate and up-to-date tariff rate reference data, the Calculator's output constitutes an estimate only and should not be relied upon as a definitive determination of refund eligibility or amount.

The accuracy of the Calculator's output depends on the completeness and accuracy of the data you provide. The Company disclaims all liability for any errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in the Calculator's output, including but not limited to incorrect tariff classifications, rate calculations, or refund estimates. The Calculator does not account for all possible variables that may affect a refund determination, including but not limited to pending regulatory changes, CBP administrative decisions, or judicial rulings.

5. Client Obligations

You agree to provide accurate, complete, and timely information necessary for the performance of our services. You represent and warrant that you have the legal authority to share any import data, entry summaries, or customs documentation with the Company, and that such sharing does not violate any contractual obligation, law, or regulation. You acknowledge that incomplete, inaccurate, or untimely information may adversely affect the quality of our services and the outcome of any protest or refund claim. The Company shall not be liable for any adverse outcome resulting from your failure to provide accurate and complete information.

6. Fees and Payment

Our fee structure is contingency-based, meaning fees are calculated as a percentage of the actual refund recovered on your behalf. The specific fee percentage and payment terms will be set forth in a separate written engagement agreement executed by both parties prior to the commencement of services. No fees are owed unless and until a refund is successfully recovered. The Company reserves the right to modify its fee structure at any time, provided that any changes shall not apply retroactively to existing engagement agreements. Any additional costs, such as filing fees, third-party service charges, or expedited processing fees, will be disclosed and agreed upon in writing before they are incurred.

7. Confidentiality

The Company acknowledges that all client data, including but not limited to import records, entry summaries, financial information, trade data, and business strategies, constitutes confidential information ("Confidential Information"). We agree to maintain the confidentiality of all Confidential Information and to use such information solely for the purpose of performing the services described herein. We shall not disclose Confidential Information to any third party without your prior written consent, except as required by law, regulation, or valid legal process. Our confidentiality obligations survive the termination of any engagement agreement.

8. Use of Artificial Intelligence and Automation

You acknowledge and agree that the Company utilizes artificial intelligence ("AI") agents, automated systems, and machine learning technologies as part of its service delivery. These technologies are used to process and analyze import data, cross-reference tariff codes, calculate refund estimates, and assist in the preparation of CBP protest documentation.

While our AI systems are designed to enhance accuracy and efficiency, you acknowledge that AI-generated outputs are subject to human review and verification before any filing or submission is made on your behalf. The Company does not guarantee that AI-generated outputs are free from error. All AI-processed results are reviewed by qualified personnel before being finalized. By using our services, you consent to the processing of your data by our AI systems in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

9. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE COMPANY, ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, AND AFFILIATES SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOSS OF PROFITS, LOSS OF DATA, LOSS OF BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY, OR LOSS OF GOODWILL, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THESE TERMS OR THE USE OF OUR SERVICES, REGARDLESS OF THE THEORY OF LIABILITY.

The Company's total aggregate liability arising out of or related to these Terms or our services shall not exceed the total fees actually paid by you to the Company under the applicable engagement agreement during the twelve (12) months preceding the event giving rise to the claim.

The Company shall not be liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations due to circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to changes in law or regulation, government actions, CBP administrative decisions, court rulings, natural disasters, pandemics, or disruptions to technology infrastructure.

10. No Guarantee of Results

The Company makes no warranty, representation, or guarantee regarding the outcome of any CBP protest, refund claim, or recovery effort. The success of any protest or claim depends on numerous factors beyond the Company's control, including but not limited to CBP's administrative processes, the accuracy and completeness of underlying import data, changes in law or regulation, and government policy decisions. Past performance or estimated refund amounts are not indicative of future results. The legal and regulatory environment surrounding IEEPA tariff refunds is subject to change, and the government may contest, delay, or deny refund claims.

11. Intellectual Property

All content, materials, software, tools, methodologies, and intellectual property available on this website or used in the delivery of our services, including but not limited to the IEEPA Refund Calculator, AI agent systems, proprietary algorithms, trademarks, logos, and trade dress, are the exclusive property of Meridian Tariff Group, LLC and are protected by applicable intellectual property laws. You may not copy, reproduce, distribute, modify, create derivative works from, publicly display, or otherwise exploit any of our intellectual property without our prior written consent.

12. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Company, its officers, directors, employees, agents, and affiliates from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or related to: (a) your breach of these Terms; (b) your use of our services; (c) any inaccuracy or incompleteness in the data or information you provide to us; (d) your violation of any applicable law or regulation; or (e) any dispute between you and any third party, including but not limited to CBP, relating to the services provided hereunder.

13. Termination

Either party may terminate the engagement at any time upon written notice to the other party. In the event of termination, you shall remain responsible for any fees owed for services rendered prior to the effective date of termination, as set forth in the applicable engagement agreement. The Company shall return or destroy all Confidential Information in its possession within thirty (30) days of termination, except as required by law or regulation to retain. Sections 3, 4, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, and 15 of these Terms shall survive termination.

14. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without regard to its conflict of laws principles. Any dispute, controversy, or claim arising out of or relating to these Terms or the services provided hereunder shall first be submitted to good-faith mediation. If mediation fails to resolve the dispute within sixty (60) days, either party may submit the dispute to binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") in accordance with its Commercial Arbitration Rules.

The arbitration shall be conducted in Los Angeles County, California, before a single arbitrator. The arbitrator's decision shall be final and binding, and judgment upon the award may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction. Each party shall bear its own costs and attorneys' fees in connection with any arbitration, unless the arbitrator determines otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, either party may seek injunctive or equitable relief in any court of competent jurisdiction to protect its intellectual property rights or Confidential Information.

15. Miscellaneous

These Terms, together with any applicable engagement agreement and our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof. If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. The Company's failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision. You may not assign or transfer these Terms or any rights hereunder without the Company's prior written consent. The Company may assign these Terms without restriction. All notices required or permitted under these Terms shall be in writing and shall be deemed given when delivered by email to the address provided by the respective party.

16. Contact Information

If you have any questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us at [email protected].