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Customs and International Trade

Customs law is now assuming growing strategic importance in the context of international trade. In a landscape marked by geopolitical tensions, rising tariffs, the imposition of economic sanctions, and increasing regulatory scrutiny by national and European authorities, the reorganisation of global supply chains has taken on heightened importance in the day-to-day operations of companies.

In this scenario, customs decisions within the framework of international trade relations no longer have a purely operational impact; they now directly influence operational costs, competitiveness, business continuity, and the management of regulatory and sanction-related risks.

Abreu Advogados positions itself as a strategic legal partner in this area, providing highly specialised advice at the intersection of customs law, indirect taxation, regulation, compliance, and litigation, with a technical, integrated, and client-focused approach.

Abreu provides specialised legal advice in customs law and international trade, including, among others, the following services:

Consulting
- General customs procedures and regimes
- Strategic planning for international trade operations (import and export)

Penalties
- Customs crimes and administrative offenses
- Preventive advisory services for risk mitigation

Licensing
- In the field of defense-related products
- In the area of dual-use goods

Litigation
- Administrative customs litigation
- Customs litigation

Due Diligence
- Audit of customs processes and procedures
- Identification of risks and opportunities

Compliance
- Market surveillance and product compliance
- Trade defense and unfair competitive practices (dumping and subsidies)

Environment and Sustainability
- Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
- Deforestation and forest degradation
Excise Duties
- Planning of operations relating to the production, sale, import and distribution of products subject to excise duties
- Obtaining licences and permits

Experience

Refund proceedings in the amount of 1.5 million euros resulting from the correction of the tariff classification assigned to the goods, obtained on behalf of a German multinational operating in the automotive sector.

Monitoring and handling of tariff suspension proceedings with the Portuguese Tax Authority (AT) and the European Commission, which led to the suspension of customs duties and resulted in savings of hundreds of thousands of euros.

Cancellation of customs duties totaling over 2 million euros due to the correction of the customs value of imported goods in favor of one of the leading groups in the sector.

Preparation and implementation of technical studies regarding the implementation of special customs regimes with their respective tax and customs advantages in the pharmaceutical sector.

Participation, as part of a partnership with one of the leading networks focused on customs law and international trade, in anti-dumping and subsidy investigations before the European Commission, representing domestic importers in the construction materials sector.

Conducting due diligence and audits related to process optimisation in the field of licensing and dual-use goods for the client.

Advising and assisting with the application to the Tax Authority for Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) status for the world’s largest operator in the sector.

Advising and assisting various electric bicycle manufacturers with the implementation of the special destination regime to avoid anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties.

Development and implementation of customs and tax planning to optimise customs procedures at a major company in its sector.

Preparation of a legal opinion regarding the application of the rules of origin under the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Agreement for one of the leading companies in the technical apparel sector.

Support for a leading entity in the Iberian food distribution sector in the implementation of a supply operation for goods subject to excise taxes.

Conducting a technical study to determine the tariff classification of goods imported by the largest Portuguese company in the distribution sector.

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