LIVE educational webinars for horse importers and equestrian businesses
Stay informed. Protect your investments. Understand the rules.
Tariffs affecting horse imports are changing quickly, and the equestrian industry is starting to feel the impact. Horses and equestrian products entering the U.S. may face tariffs depending on how they are classified, where they come from, and how they are imported.
However, recent court rulings struck down certain tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) which may allow some importers to receive refunds!
Learn more >>
REGISTER below for the upcoming Trump Tariff Equestrian Webinars and get practical guidance from industry experts on navigating tariffs, imports, and REFUNDS.
Can't make it to the live webinar? No problem. Your webinar ticket includes a recording of the webinar.
NOT LEGAL ADVICE - We’re sharing education and practical planning tips—not legal advice. Tariff eligibility, refunds, and protest decisions depend on your exact entry facts and timing. For high-value transactions (or large volume import programs), talk with your licensed customs broker and a qualified trade attorney.
About Our Presenter
Alex Hess (Alexandra B. Hess), Partner, Cassidy Levy Kent — Customs & international trade attorney; former CBP Headquarters Branch Chief for Entry Process & Duty Refunds.
Alexandra B. Hess is a partner in Cassidy Levy Kent’s Washington, D.C. office. Her practice focuses on customs, international trade matters, and the representation of clients before U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Prior to joining Cassidy Levy Kent, Mrs. Hess served as a Branch Chief in the Entry Process and Duty Refunds Branch at U.S. Customs Headquarters in Washington, D.C., in the Office of Trade, Regulations and Rulings, Commercial and Trade Facilitation Division. This experience gave Mrs. Hess intricate insight into the import regulatory compliance strategies necessary to successfully navigate customs matters.
In addition to being a customs lawyer, Mrs. Hess is a lifetime horse owner, and she earned her USDF Bronze Medal in dressage on her Trakehner, named Labyrinth. For the last two decades she has volunteered for reputable horse rescues helping train horses for rehoming. In 2022, she founded Labyrinth Training Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides equine facilitated experiences in an environmentally sustainable way using rescued horses as a means to enable educational and personal growth opportunities for children and adults in the community. Helping those in the horse industry navigate tariff refunds perfectly melds her professional and personal passions!
About Our Expert Guests
Nicole Elsen, Import Operations, Horseflight
Nicole Elsen oversees all Horseflight's import flight operations. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Equine Science and minor in Business Marketing from Centenary University, where she was also a student athlete competing on both the lacrosse and Hunter/Jumper teams. Joining Horseflight as a part time agent at the airport in Miami in 2014, Nicole’s passion, knowledge, and eye for horse safety quickly became apparent and led to a full-time position in 2015. Nicole officially took over all of Horseflight’s import flight operations in 2017, where she provides clients with unparalleled customer service and attention.
Enzo Matranga, Vice President, Reliance Customs Brokerage
Enzo Matranga is the Vice President of Reliance Customs Brokerage. He began his journey in global trade at the young age of 20. He has over 36+ years’ experience specializing in global trade and logistics. He is knowledgeable with the harmonized tariff schedule and in all CBP’s participating government agencies, and is highly skilled with livestock and carnets. He is superior at navigating complex situations within US CBP rules and regulations. Enzo is Proficient in ACE and ABI systems and is dedicated to delivering timely service to ensure seamless operations. He prioritizes accuracy and compliance for all clientele. Reliance Customs Brokerage opened their doors back in 2005, making it 21+ years’ operating today. He and his experienced team continue to provide top tier service all around the world.
Trump Tariffs
Clear guidance for horse importers, equestrian businesses, and industry professionals navigating rapidly changing tariff rules
The rules around tariffs and international imports are changing quickly—and for the equestrian industry, the impact is real. Horses and equestrian products imported into the United States may now be subject to new tariffs depending on their classification, country of origin, and entry status. Because horses are classified under specific categories in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HS 0101), they can fall under broader trade policies that affect many imported goods.
For horse owners, trainers, breeders, and equestrian businesses, this means the cost and process of importing horses and equipment from Europe may look very different than it did even a year ago. At the same time, recent legal decisions affecting tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) may create opportunities for importers to recover duties that were previously paid.
To help the industry stay informed, we are hosting a series of live educational webinars focused on the real-world impact of Trump-era tariffs on horses and equestrian products imported into the United States.
These sessions are designed to break down complex trade policy into practical guidance for equestrians who regularly buy, sell, or import horses and equipment internationally. Led by Alex Hess, the webinars will explain how current tariff rules may affect horse imports, how customs classifications work, and what equestrian businesses should understand about potential refund opportunities.
ALERT: Recent court decisions have also created new uncertainty—and opportunity—for importers. The U.S. Court of International Trade has ordered U.S. Customs and Border Protection to refund duties collected under certain tariffs imposed using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), although the timing and process for those refunds are still being determined.
Because these policies continue to shift, it’s more important than ever for equestrians and equestrian businesses to stay informed, understand their options, and make strategic decisions when importing horses or products.
Our Trump Tariffs for Equestrians Webinar Series was created to provide clear, practical guidance for the equestrian community. Whether you are importing dressage horses, hunter/jumpers, eventers, racehorses, or equestrian products, these sessions will provide practical guidance on tariffs, import strategy, and potential refund opportunities.
FAQs
TRUMP TARIFFS AND HORSE IMPORTS WEBINAR -
Is this only for “sales horses,” or also for competition imports?
It’s for both. We’ll explain when temporary structures (like TIB) may apply and what CBP expects for eligible temporary entries.
Will I automatically get a refund if I paid IEEPA duties on my imported horse last year?
Not necessarily “automatically.” A CIT order directs CBP to liquidate/reliquidate certain entries without IEEPA duties, but timing depends on whether the entry is unliquidated, liquidated-but-not-final, or already final.
What should I bring (or ask my broker for) before the webinar?
Your Form 7501 (or entry summary printout), entry number, liquidation status, and any Chapter 99 codes used on your entry. We’ll show you where these live and why they matter.
TRUMP TARIFFS AND EQUESTRIAN BUSINESSES -
Do I need to be a “big importer” for this to matter?
No. Even smaller importers can see meaningful cost swings when a broad surcharge applies during a defined window.
If I paid IEEPA duties on my imported goods last year, can I get them back?
Possibly. The Supreme Court held IEEPA doesn’t authorize tariffs, and the CIT issued an order directing liquidation/reliquidation without IEEPA duties for many entries—your next step depends on entry status and timing.
What’s the easiest “first step” after this webinar?
Ask your broker for a packet: Form 7501, entry number, liquidation status, and the Chapter 99 codes used—then compare against the official CBP guidance we’ll link on the page.
About Our Title Sponsor
Horseflight is a global equine transport company dedicated to supporting the safe and seamless movement of horses worldwide. Working closely with owners, trainers, agents, and equestrian businesses, their team understands the nuances and challenges that come with international horse sales.
As Title Sponsor of this initiative, Horseflight is excited to help bring greater clarity to a complex and often misunderstood area of the industry. By supporting accessible, expert-led education around tariffs, imports, and potential refund opportunities, they are helping empower the equestrian community with the knowledge needed to navigate these decisions more confidently.
Horseflight believes that when owners and professionals have a clearer understanding of the process, it benefits not only individual decisions, but the strength and transparency of the industry as a whole. Their involvement reflects a shared commitment to education, collaboration, and supporting the long-term success of the equestrian community. Visit the Horseflight website to learn more.