I. Customs Regulations
We support our clients in ensuring compliance with customs regulations and assistance in the development and implementation of customs strategies. These areas include:
Tariff Classification and tariff policies;
Customs Valuation: definition of methods, handling of dutiable assists and royalties, management of transfer pricing adjustments;
Determination of Origin: preferential and non-preferential;
Free Trade Agreements: assessment of the benefits of regional and multilateral trade agreements and practical implementation on supply chains;
Customs certifications (AEO) and Special Customs Procedures: customs warehousing, inward processing;
Green Taxes and Excise Duties: assistance in identifying tax mitigation mechanisms and setting indirect taxes and excise suspension procedures.
We help our clients comply with economic sanctions and export control laws in France and the EU. Our experience and network also allows us to assist in the management of risks associated with sanctions regimes and export control regulations adopted with the US, the UK, Singapore, China and other jurisdictions:
Risk Analysis & Mapping: assistance in analysing and mapping risks pertaining to economic sanctions and export control regulations on dual-use and military items and technologies;
Transaction Screening & Third-Party Assessment: identification and assessment of suspicious transactions and counterparties;
Internal Investigations: conduct of investigations in case of suspected sanctions or export control violations;
Assistance in the Drafting and Implementation of Compliance Programs (ICP);
Classification of Dual-Use and Military Items and Technologies;
Licensing & Authorisations: help in obtaining export licenses and derogations to prohibitions;
Assistance for security clearance formalities (France, EU and NATO) ;
Representation of Interests: advocacy before French regulatory authorities, such as Direction Générale du Trésor, Service des Biens Double-Usage and Direction Générale de l’Armement, and the European Commission.
We also assist clients with Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) screening undertakings and notification procedures to French and EU authorities.
III. Economic and Trade Defence
We provide end-to-end assistance to help our clients navigate and use trade defence and economic protection measures at national and European levels. Our services include the definition of trade defence strategies, the preparation of complaints and the representation during investigations:
Assistance in strategic planning for anti-dumping, anti-subsidy, and safeguard cases;
Monitoring of trade flows and economic indicators to determine the most effective trade defence instrument;
Consortiums & Data Sharing: facilitation of negotiations for protection of information sharing between competitors;
Drafting of complaints and interactions with national authorities;
Representation during EU Commission investigations (questionnaires, on-site verifications, written submissions, hearings);
Economic Protection Tools: provision of advice and practice assistance on foreign subsidy controls (FSR), access to foreign public procurement (IPI), anti-coercion measures, quotas, and tariff contingents.
IV. Product compliance & market access
We advise our clients on European Union market access and products’ regulatory requirements, taking into account sector-specific considerations and recent green trade developments in the EU legal framework:
Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM): assessment of CBAM impact, support in collecting and verifying carbon emissions data related to production, and ensuring compliance with EU reporting processes;
Ethical Supply Chain Standards – EUDR and Forced Labor: risk analysis and mapping, development of internal policies, setting-up traceability and control mechanisms;
Product Standards and Labelling Requirements: support in meeting conformity with labelling requirements, CE marking and sectoral-specific standards (e.g. REACH, RoHS, sectoral directives, etc,.), help in management of customs seizures and product withdrawals.
V. Trade Controls & Customs Litigation
Our team offers recognised expertise in managing complex trade controls and customs disputes involving French and EU authorities. We provide end-to-end support — from administrative assistance and audits to judicial defense:
Customs Proceedings and Audits: assistance during audits, reassessments, and investigations, through all procedural steps, and strategic handling of cross-border cooperation, searches, and seizures;
Cross-border EU investigations : representation in high-stakes customs matters involving multiple EU Member States, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO);
Trade Controls Investigations: assistance during audits and investigations pertaining to export control and economic sanctions suspected violations;
Assistance in Navigating Blocking Statutes: assisting companies involved in cross-border investigations managing blocking statutes restricting sharing of information;
Judicial Representation: Defense before civil, criminal, administrative, and financial courts in trade controls and customs-related disputes;
EU Litigation: Active representation before the General Court and the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in both direct actions and preliminary rulings.