International Trade & Customs

Kramer International Law advises clients worldwide on all aspects of US, Canadian, and UK international trade and customs law.

For a detailed article on international trade & customs in the US, please click here.

For a detailed article on international trade & customs in Canada, please click here.

For a detailed article on international trade & customs in the UK, please click here.

We advise on laws governing the import and export of goods, including classification and quotas, customs valuation, country-of-origin issues, applications for the repayment or remission of duties, waiver or mitigation of penalties, appeals against customs decisions, duty suspension, innovative customs management, and duty reduction initiatives.

We further advise on customs challenges caused by government intervention and market regulations globally. Our services further include: marking and labeling; tariff preferences; drawback; import bonding; and foreign trade zone issues.

The legal landscape governing international trade and customs is becoming more dynamic and complex. At Kramer International Law, we assist clients in navigating the associated challenges to maximize cross-border trade opportunities.

We advise on all areas of international trade, including World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, tariffs, subsidy control, regulatory barriers to trade, supply chain risks, trade remedies, export controls, sanctions, international regulatory due diligence, and investment structuring.

International trade involves applying domestic laws to international trade and enforcing international trade law based on treaties.

At Kramer International Law, we provide guidance on international trade laws concerning the movement of goods, services, and technology across borders.

In a volatile international trade climate, businesses need to understand the means at their disposal—domestic laws, trade agreements, trade negotiations and dispute settlement—to open new markets, maintain access to existing opportunities and plan for the challenges of increasing global competition.

We assist domestic and international clients in identifying and deploying the right tools to achieve their market access objectives. Our clients benefit from our significant legal knowledge and strategic insight.

We are uniquely positioned to practice international trade & customs law from the perspective of US, Canadian, and UK law.

We advise both domestic companies operating internationally and foreign companies on relevant international trade regulations and compliance requirements.

Kramer International Law provides guidance on the implications of applicable foreign laws for domestic and international transactions.

We advise on customs, economic sanctions, export controls, trade remedies, government procurement, and anti-corruption.

With a client-focused, pragmatic approach, our team assists businesses in managing risk, maximizing compliance, and achieving commercial objectives internationally.

International trade rules are not only complex but also subject to differing interpretations and often lead to disputes.

Most global trade is governed by WTO framework agreements that regulate trade between WTO members based on the “most favored nation” principle and establish the ground rules for “WTO-plus” bilateral and regional free-trade agreements (FTAs). Beneath these agreements lie a wide range of national (and sometimes regional) laws and regulations, including tariff and service concession schedules, customs laws, and import/export rules. Understanding and complying with these rules can be challenging for businesses, but it is essential for their success in import and export activities, providing goods and services across borders, and protecting investments in new markets.

We provide advice across all sectors and in both contentious and non-contentious situations.

We not only understand the legal complexities of international trade and customs law — we also appreciate the commercial and political implications. Our comprehensive approach enables us to develop tailored solutions that address your specific needs.

Whether you're dealing with a trade dispute, navigating sanctions, or seeking guidance on major international agreements, you can rely on us to help you succeed in the ever-evolving world of international trade.

Trade and Investment Agreements

We advise on interpreting and applying international trade and investment agreements to advance and safeguard our clients’ interests.

We help clients understand how these agreements can facilitate their business expansion into international markets.

We assist clients in leveraging countries’ commitments under trade and investment agreements to protect and enhance their investments domestically and internationally.

We also offer strategic advice on trade and investment agreements to help companies facing discriminatory or harmful regulatory measures.

We help companies and organizations worldwide enforce international trade rules, including those from WTO agreements, regional free trade agreements like USMCA / CUSMA (formerly NAFTA), and other US, Canadian, and UK free-trade agreements, along with investment treaties.

We assist corporate clients in overcoming market access barriers or unfair competition conditions in foreign markets by developing strategies to leverage WTO, free trade agreements, and investment treaty rules.

Our work includes analysis of potential disputes for clients seeking ways to improve their market access in accordance with the provisions of international agreements. We work with corporations and governments to develop dispute resolution strategies under international agreements and domestic legislation.

We further advise on means to secure market access under relevant dispute settlement processes.

We also advise clients on structuring transactions and investments in accordance with the rules under the WTO as well as US, Canadian, and UK free trade agreements and bilateral investment treaties.

Export Controls

Export control laws can pose substantial challenges and represent compliance risks for businesses. These controls can be quite extensive, covering direct and indirect transfers of goods, software, technology and services as well as re-exports in furtherance of foreign policy goals and issues of national security. Violations of export control laws can result in both civil and criminal penalties.

At Kramer International Law, we advise on the complex export control laws of the US, Canada and the UK so that your business is in full compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements.

Sanctions

We counsel on requirements for import or export of “dual-use” items (which have legitimate civilian uses but also potential military application) as well as “defense articles and services” under applicable laws of the US, Canada, and the UK.

Economic sanctions change regularly, posing compliance challenges. We advise clients on how to best carry on their businesses despite these challenges. Kramer International Law counsels on permissible and impermissible transactions, trade and financial transaction restrictions, licensing requirements, and enforcement. We assist businesses in developing and putting into practice compliance programs.

Trade Remedies, Customs, and Government Procurement

Trade remedies are measures taken in response to subsidies (countervailing duties), sales at less than fair value (antidumping), and import surges (safeguards). Our law firm assists those seeking trade remedies as well as those seeking to defend against their imposition.

We provide advice on a wide range of customs issues arising in international business dealings. This includes advising on classification, valuation and origin, administrative procedures, enforcement actions, and audits.

Kramer International Law advises on the sale of goods and services to government entities, including procurement, bidding, regulatory compliance, and contract performance. We also provide advice on issues arising from termination or debarment.

We advise and support clients with administrative and legal challenges to the actions of US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), the UK Border Force (UKBF), and His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), aiming for resolution at the agency level whenever possible.

We also represent clients in judicial proceedings, including appeals before the US Court of International Trade (CIT) and Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) in the US, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) and Federal Court of Appeal in Canada, and the Magistrates’ Court in the UK.

To help simplify complexity and prevent enforcement actions, we develop compliance plans, create WTO-aligned policies and business strategies, conduct compliance audits, deliver compliance and ethics training, and assist clients through investigations and prosecutions.

Moreover, our International Trade & Customs practice drafts and reviews international commercial agreements, such as sales contracts and purchase orders, and ensures the correct application of INCOTERMS® and other international sales provisions.

In cases where a client becomes the subject of an agency investigation, we offer guidance throughout all phases of the investigation. We may submit “prior disclosures” to customs authorities, negotiate for reduced penalties, and petition for the remission of forfeited goods.

Overcoming Domestic Barriers to Trade

At Kramer International Law, we identify domestic regulations — such as technical regulations, standards, and other measures that create trade barriers — and develop strategies to reduce or eliminate these obstacles.

The rules are complicated, but they are essential for anyone who imports or is planning to import goods into or exports or is planning to export goods out of the jurisdictions we serve.

International Business Development

We advise clients on how to reduce or remove barriers to overseas markets, helping them navigate administrative, political, and legal challenges. We assist clients in avoiding discriminatory treatment for their goods and services abroad by overcoming technical and licensing restrictions.

We strive to collaborate effectively with our clients as a team to identify issues and develop sophisticated strategies to achieve overseas business objectives.

In a global economy, changes to trade laws or investment regulations can either create significant opportunities or harm industries. You can’t afford to be passive in safeguarding your interests.

We help clients in all areas of trade compliance, including:

· Everyday transactional advice.

· Permit applications.

· Investigations.

· Litigation.

The growth and future survival of many businesses may significantly depend on their ability to engage in international trade within an increasingly globalized environment. There are numerous risks involved in doing business and investing abroad. The rules and regulations that businesses and investors must follow in foreign countries vary greatly. Compliance with these rules is crucial – failure to do so can result in costly challenges. A successful international business or investment venture requires excellent planning and proactive, strategic thinking.

Kramer International Law can help your organisation achieve its operational and strategic goals, whether you are starting a domestic business, expanding an existing corporation, or considering entering a new international market. Our global network of strategic allies enables us to assist our clients in addressing all their domestic and international business and investment needs, including legal, operational, financial, and business strategy considerations.

We understand how the global network of trade and investment agreements has helped to progressively open new opportunities for trade and investment around the world. While creating a more inviting and secure environment for trading and investing abroad, these agreements have also added more layers of complexity to the challenge of navigating the international business and investment landscape.

Knowing which agreements, regulations, rules, and policies apply to your business or investment, and anticipating their potential impact on your bottom line, is vital for a successful venture.

By taking a proactive approach, we help our clients structure their affairs to benefit from and leverage relevant domestic and international agreements, improving their bottom line and avoiding potentially costly issues in the future. We have the expertise to ensure our clients stay compliant with both domestic and international obligations. From basic corporate needs to strategic market entry or foreign investment projects, Kramer International Law provides the tools you need to succeed on a national or international level.

Investment Policy and International Trade Agreements

International trade is governed by a web of multilateral, regional, and bilateral agreements which are aimed at liberalizing global trade and commerce. The large volume and ever-changing nature of these rules have created a complex body of regulations, procedures, requirements, exceptions, exemptions, and conflicting interpretations – all of which can critically contribute to a business’s bottom line. For firms involved in international business and/or investment, understanding how to leverage these rules is an essential element in determining your success. We monitor, analyze, and provide strategic advice on a wide range of international instruments.

Whether you are dealing with trade barriers affecting your products, unfair competitive practices, or unclear and non-transparent government measures, or simply want to understand how the international rules apply in your case, we can assist.