Peter Quinter

Overview

Globally ranked U.S. Customs and international trade law counselor and advocate, Peter Quinter, represents individuals and companies involved in the wide variety of legal issues associated with international trade and transportation, including litigation before federal courts across Florida and before the U.S. Court of International Trade in New York. Peter is a Florida Bar Board Certified international law attorney.

Peter represents importers, exporters, customs brokers, international freight forwarders and other companies involved in a myriad of industry sectors and international supply chain matters, such as regulatory compliance and enforcement by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) including U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In addition, Peter’s practice includes skill in advising on U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-regulated products, such as food, dietary supplements and cosmetics, and involving detained or refused merchandise. He also advises on the submission of petitions for removal of FDA Import Alerts.

Moreover, Peter advises on legal issues involving licensing, investigations and penalties issued by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and the U.S. Department of State’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC). He advises clients on reducing penalties by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for hazardous materials or dangerous goods transported by air.

Peter is passionate about solving the difficult problems his clients face. A people person at heart, Peter personally cares about establishing and maintaining productive relationships of trust – some of which include decades-long relationships with clients, colleagues and federal representatives – and offering the potential to realize efficient resolution to even the most challenging trade conditions.

Prior to private practice, Peter served as legal counsel at the Southeast Regional Headquarters of the U.S. Customs Service (now known as U.S. Customs and Border Protection) in Miami, Florida. His responsibilities included providing legal advice and representation to management of customs on all matters involving the administration and enforcement of the customs and international trade laws. He advised on virtually all U.S. Customs activities undertaken by its enforcement, commercial operations, fines, penalties and forfeitures, and regulatory audit personnel. Peter also assisted the U.S. Department of Justice in civil and criminal prosecutions on various customs violations, including commercial fraud, trade embargoes and export controls.

Prior to joining Gunster, Peter was a partner in a major commercial law firm, and head of its U.S. Customs and International Trade Law practice.

Honors

  • Chambers USA
    • Nationwide: International Trade: Customs, 2012-24
    • Global: International Trade: Customs, 2020-24
  • The Best Lawyers in America
    • Admiralty and Maritime Law, 2025 
    • FDA Law, 2009-18, 2020-25
    • International Trade and Finance Law, 2023-25
  • Florida Super Lawyers, 2006-24
  • Florida Trend, "Legal Elite", 2004, 2006-08, 2011
    • "Florida 500: Florida's Most Influential Business Leaders", 2019-24
  • Who's Who Legal, Trade & Customs Global Leader, 2018-21
  • The International Who's Who of Trade & Customs Lawyers, 2013

News & Insights

Publications

  • "Tips for Dealing with US CBP and FDA Seafood Law Enforcement: IUU Fishing," SeafoodSource, March 24, 2023
  • "Op-Ed: Tips for Dealing with US CBP and FDA Seafood Law Enforcement: Forced Labor," SeafoodSource, March 23, 2023
  • "Op-Ed: Tips for Dealing with US CBP and FDA Seafood Law Enforcement: FDA Import Alerts," SeafoodSource, March 22, 2023
  • "The International Supply Chain: Is It Functioning Properly?," Daily Business Review, January 14, 2022; January 18, 2022 print edition
  • "Avoiding Freight Detention and Seizure," Inbound Logistics, July 2021
  • Co-author, "Navigating PPE Transactions During a Global Pandemic," International Law Quarterly, October 2020
  • Co-author, "Electronic Service on Chinese Companies and Individuals," International Law Quarterly, October 2020
  • "Business With Huawei: To Do, or Not To Do, That is The Question," International Business Times, March 2019
  • "Trump’s Trade War with China,” Industry Today, January 2019
  • "In My View, Nobody Wins a Trade War," Miami Herald, January 2019
  • “US-China Trade War Has No Winner, Additional Tariffs Hurt Both Sides,” International Business Times, January 2019
  • "Homeland Security and Data Privacy: A Primer on Customs' Global Entry Program," International Law Quarterly, June 2017
  • "Accustomed to Trade," Florida Trend, May 2017
  • "Homeland Security and Data Privacy: A Primer on Customs' Global Entry Program," Customs and International Trade Bar Association, Spring Issue 2017
  • “Favoring the Rule of Law,” Cuba Trade Magazine, January 2017

Presentations

  • "Customs and Trade Law in Le Havre and Tampa," speaker, Université Le Havre Normandie: Security in International Maritime Exchanges Conference, October 2023
  • "U.S. Export Regulations Overview," speaker, Business Development Board of Martin County - Export University 101 at Indian River State College, September 2023
  • "Foreign Trade Regulations," speaker, TSA Export Compliance Forum, AIFBA, August 2023
  • "Trade Wars - Episode 1 - Forced Labor Strikes Back," moderator, TLA Annual Conference & CTLA Midyear Meeting, April 28, 2023
  • Tampa Bay Consular Corps Annual City of Tampa Mayor's Luncheon, keynote speaker, April 18, 2023
  • "Regulatory Update on FDA and U.S. Customs Requirements for Seafood Companies," moderator, Seafood Expo North America Conference, March 12, 2023
  • "Walking the Minefields of Embargoes and Sanctions," speaker, INTA's 2022 Leadership Meeting, November 18, 2022
  • "Changing Role of Customs and Trade Authorities in Europe and the Americas in Dealing with New Emerging Social Issues," speaker, American Bar Association: International Law Section Fall Conference in Madrid, September 14, 2022
  • "Cigar Compliance with TTB and CBP for Manufacturers and Importers," presenter, Premium Cigar Association, June 28, 2022
  • "Colonial Times to the Present: Protecting America's Supply Chains," moderator, Transportation Lawyers of America: Annual Meeting, May 14, 2022
  • "Industrial CRE and the International Supply Chain Connection," Spring Forum of Industrial Asset Management Council, May 3, 2022
  • "International Money Laundering Through the Precious Metals Market," iLaw 2022, Florida Bar International Law Section, April 1, 2022
  • "Trademark Violation Enforcement by CBP and HSI: Counterfeit or Gray Market Merchandise," Florida Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association, December 8, 2021
  • "Rocking the Boat: Should We Call a Lawyer When Our Cargo Ship Plugs the Suez Canal?," Transportation Law Institute, November 12, 2021
  • "CBP Detentions & Seizures of Imported Merchandise for Alleged Counterfeiting & International Supply Chain Disruptions," Automotive Body Parts Association Annual Meeting, September 23, 2021
  • "ACE: Responding to CF 28s and CF 29s," Global Trade Education Conference, July 27, 2021
  • "Decoupling from China 301 Tariffs, Exclusions, HMTX & Beyond,” Transportation Lawyers Association (TLA) Annual Conference & Canadian Transport Lawyers Association (CTLA), June 25, 2021
  • "Importing Tobacco Products,” Florida Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association Seminar, June 8, 2021
  • "FP+F: Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures," Florida Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association, Inc. Virtual Seminar, May 26, 2021
  • “PPE Transactions in a Pandemic: Achieving Compliance and Identifying Fraud," Florida Bar International Law Section, April 22, 2021
  • "Responding to CBP Forms 28 and 29," International Compliance Professionals Association (ICPA) Spring Conference, March 30, 2021
  • "How has COVID-19 Affected Seafood Imports?" Seafood Expo North America Reconnect Webinar, March 19, 2021
  • "Restoring Bilateral Trade Between Canada and Florida," GrayRobinson Webinar, March 11, 2021
  • "Leveraging the FMC," Florida Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association (FCBF) Webinar, January 27, 2021
  • "AES is No Laughing Matter: File EEI Timely and Accurately or Else," National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America, Inc. (NCBFAA), November 19, 2020
  • “Global Competitiveness: Fair Trade and Free Trade Agreements (FTAs),” The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Miami Export and CARES Act Business Centers, October 21, 2020
  • "Getting Back to Basics – CBP Ruling Requests and FMC Licensing," Atlanta International Forwarders and Brokers Association (AIFBA) Webinar, September 22, 2020
  • “Trade Disputes, Steel, Bags and Wine: how the US tariffs are impacting transatlantic trade,” European American Chamber of Commerce (EACC) Florida Chapter Webinar, September 16, 2020
  • Florida Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association (FCBF) July General Membership Meeting webinar, July 29. 2020
  • The Miami-Dade Beacon Council Banking & Finance and International Advisory Committees Meeting, July 8, 2020
  • "USMCA Trade Deal Webinar," June 30, 2020
  • "Trade: Bobbing, Ducking and Weaving: The Legal Impact of Trade Wars and Increasing Enforcement Measures on Global Supply Chains," American Bar Association International Law Section 2020 Virtual Annual Meeting, June 15, 2020
  • “EEI + Export Compliance,” Florida Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association (FCBF) Webinar, May 7, 2020
  • The Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance's International Action Team Meeting, April 24, 2020
  • Florida Bar International Law Section Monthly "Lunch and Learn" Series, Coral Gables, Florida, March 11, 2020
  • "Trump's Trade War With China," Florida Bar International Law Section's (ILS) Global Forum on International Law iLaw2020, Miami, Florida, February 28, 2020
  • "Update-Customs Regulatory Issues," 2020 Security Council & Anti-Money Laundering Meeting, International Precious Metals Institute, February 26, 2020
  • "Customs and Issues in U.S. Trade Practitioners' Roundtable," American Society of International Law (ASIL) 2020 International Economic Law Interest Group Biennial Conference, Coral Gables, Florida, February 15, 2020
  • "How to Handle CBP Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures, and Hot Topics in International Trade," Independent Freight Forwarders and Custom Brokers Association (IFFCBA) of Savannah, January 28, 2020
  • Customs Compliance Industry Exchange, Washington, D.C., November 21, 2019
  • CBP Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures, Florida Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association, Inc., Tampa, Florida, November 5, 2019
  • CBP Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures, Florida Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association, Inc., Miami, Florida, October 22, 2019
  • Seafood Importing Seminar, Florida Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association, Inc., Doral, Florida, October 16, 2019
  • "Voluntary Self-Disclosures on Exports, Prior Disclosures on Imports: What to Think About Prior to Filling," National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America, Inc. (NCBFAA) Global Trade Education Conference, July 29-30, 2019
  • “Money Laundering and Sanctions Compliance: Latest Developments," Managing Compliance Across Borders Program, June 26-28, 2019
  • "Broker Compliance Audits and Voluntary Self-Disclosures," Atlanta International Forwarders & Brokers Association June Luncheon, June 11, 2019
  • "U.S. Customs Regulations," Intrade Meeting, June 3, 2019
  • "Insights & Reflections on Today’s Trade Environment,” World Trade Month Kickoff Breakfast, May 1, 2019
  • "U.S. Government Policies Regarding Imported Seafood," Seafood Expo, Boston, Massachusetts, March 18, 2019
  • "Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT)," Florida Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association, Orlando, Florida, April 24, 2018
  • “Everything You Need to Know About Customs and Trade Enforcement,” Florida Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association Seminar, April 18, 2018
  • “South Florida Logistics and Trade Forum,” Doral Chamber of Commerce, October 31, 2017
  • "Legal Landscape in Cuba,” St. Thomas University School of Law’s Lunch and Learn, October 12, 2017
  • "Communicating with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Before the Crisis,” National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America’s (NCBFAA) Global Trade Educational Conference, Long Beach, California, August 8, 2017
  • “Regulations/EHS,” International Precious Metals Institute’s 41st Annual Conference, Orlando, Florida, June 10-13, 2017
  • “Redirecting Real Estate Investment,” CREW-Miami Luncheon, May 18, 2017
  • “The Future of the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT)," American Bar Association, April 5, 2017
  • "Cuba on the Balance: Change and the Path Forward,” 8th Annual Intellectual Property Law Symposium, March 30-31, 2017
  • “Federal Investigations/Audits,” International Law Section of The Florida Bar, iLaw2017, February 17, 2017
  • “Doing Business in Cuba – New Developments,” American Bar Association’s (ABA) Commission on Hispanic Legal Rights & Responsibilities Conference, February 3, 2017
  • Doing Business in Cuba," B2B Webinar, January 26, 2017

Involvement

Professional Associations & Memberships

  • The Florida Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association, Board of Directors, 2022-present
  • Miami-Dade College Business School, Supply Chain Management Advisory Committee, 2018-present
  • Transportation Lawyers Association, 2016-present
    • Co-Chair
    • International Trade and Transportation Committee
  • Association of Former Customs Special Agents, Inc., South Florida Chapter, 2012-present
  • American Bar Association
    • Florida Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association, Inc., Board of Directors, 2005-09, 2021-present
    • International Law Section
      • Visitors Committee, Asia/Pacific Forum, Seoul, South Korea, 2023
      • Senior Advisor, Customs Law Committee, 2022-23
      • Co-Chair, Fall Conference, Madrid, Spain, 2022
      • International Organizations & Regulatory Practice Division, Division Chair, 2019-20
    • Customs Law Committee, Co-Chair, 2018-20
    • International Transportation Committee, Co-Chair, 2015-17
    • Florida Bar Liaison, 2013-14
    • Export Controls and Economic Sanctions Committee, Steering Group, 2013-14
    • Intellectual Property Law Section
      • International Trademark Treaties and Laws Committee
  • International Trademark Association
    • Trade Secrets Committee, 2024-25
    • Emerging Issues Committee, 2022-23
    • Enforcement Committee, 2016-17
  • The Florida Bar
    • International Law Section
      • Chair, 2014-15
      • Certification Committee, Chair, 2014-15
      • Executive Council, 1996-04, 2007-13
  • U.S. Court of International Trade, Judicial Conference Planning Committee, 2012
  • Fort Lauderdale Broward Alliance, International Committee, Chair, 2007-08
  • Customs and International Trade Bar Association

Civic & Community Service

  • Boca Raton Bicycle Club, Board of Directors, 2024

Education

  • American University, Washington College of Law, J.D., 1989
  • Cornell University, B.S., 1986

Admissions

  • Florida, 1989
    • Board Certified in International Law
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit
  • U.S. Court of International Trade
  • U.S. Supreme Court

News & Insights

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