Firms To Watch: International trade and customs

Estudio Bunge is best known for the depth of its expertise in the shipping and maritime law aspects of international trade. The practice is headed by Pedro Menéndez San Martín, a corporate and M&A lawyer with an extensive shipping and maritime industry network.
Tax boutique Rosso Alba & Rougès is a frequent destination for those seeking expertise in transfer pricing and associated matters when it comes to international trade and customs. Practice heads Cristian Rosso Alba and Juan Marcos Rougès are the key contacts.

International trade and customs in Argentina

Beccar Varela

National and international companies turn to Beccar Varela for support on all matters concerning trade and trade policy. The firm also advises sovereign governments, and provides a comprehensive service that covers the import, transit, and export of goods, international distribution agreements, international sale of goods, dispute settlement, trade remedies, market access, export control and trade sanctions, trade compliance, trade and sustainability, rules of origin and labelling, e-commerce and foreign exchange regulations. Work on high-profile antidumping investigations and advice on import regimes have been particularly busy areas for the practice during the last 12 months, with the team’s expertise also extending to the application and negotiation of bilateral and multilateral trade agreements, including under World Trade Organisation (WTO) and Southern Common Market (Mercosur) rules, among several others. Customs matters are handled too, including transfer pricing, goods valuations and the implementation of international customs tax structures, as well as representing clients in lawsuits and administrative claims. The practice is co-led by Guido Krolovetzky, a customs law expert with strong grounding in international trade law, and Augusto Vechio, who is sought out for his international trade law expertise and leads on high-stakes antidumping investigations. A capable cohort of senior associates lead the firm’s second line, with Camila Corvalán offering support on antitrust, competition, consumer defence, fair trade and international trade matters, while Agustín Perrino and Mariano Plaza focus on trade law and matters related to WTO and Mercosur rules.

Responsables de la pratique:

Augusto Vechio, Guido Krolovetzky


Les références

‘Personal service and excellent legal advice.’

‘Augusto Vechio is outstanding.’

Principaux clients

YKK


Albaugh


Eastman Chemical Argentina


M.K.S. Investments


Seb Do Brasil


Philip Morris International


Ledvance Argentina


MK BR


Grupo Lactalis


Dover Fuel Solutions


PGG Wrightson Seeds


Mercedes Benz


Cosan Lubricantes


Johnson Matthey


Hitachi Energy


Principaux dossiers


  • Represented YKK Argentina and YKK Brasil in an antidumping investigation initiated by the Argentine authority against the imports of zippers and chains, originating in Brazil, China, India, Indonesia and Peru.
  • Advised the French group Lactalis on matters related to trade and customs.
  • Defended Eastman Chemical against an infringement under Section 970 of the Customs Code on the grounds that certain imports related to the temporary importation regime had not been exported.

Bruchou & Funes de Rioja

Bruchou & Funes de Rioja‘s specialist team provides comprehensive assistance with import and export matters, advising clients on tariff classifications, customs valuations, licences, permits and quotas. The practice also handles anti-dumping and countervailing duty matters, as well as foreign import and export regimes and free trade agreements. Contentious matters are another busy area, with the team successfully representing clients before customs offices and in administrative and judicial proceedings. Clients also seek the firm out to conduct internal audits and advise on the strategic planning of foreign trade operations. María Laura Bacigalupo is a respected senior name on the roster, offering specialist insight into planning foreign trade operations. Andrea C. Callegari, who was recently promoted to the role of expert consultant, focuses on customs litigation and leads the second line. Senior associate Sebastián Lerner, an international logistics and export regimes expert, is another key name. Former practice head Eduardo Mallea departed the firm to serve as director general of the customs regulator in May 2024.

Les références

‘The team puts forward practical solutions for specific cases and avoids taking simple options that may be available now but do not offer sufficient legal security in long-term projects.’

‘The advice is of a high standard in terms of quality and efficiency.’

‘A highly qualified team with experience in the sector. Additionally, they show great commitment to the client. Immediate availability.’

Principaux clients

Molinos Río de la Plata


Petronas E&P Argentina


Vista Oil & Gas


SPI Energy (former Araucaria)


Glucovil Argentina


Cargill


Expro Argentina


Bunge Argentina


Compañía Agroindustrial La Oriental


NewSan


Halliburton Argentina


Genneia


MSU Energy


YPF


Molinos Agro


Minas Argentinas


Minera Andina del Sol (a Barrick Group company)


Barrick Exploraciones Argentina


Yamana Gold


Stracon International Argentina


Vestas Argentina


Equinor


Boston Scientific


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Cargill on various foreign trade matters involving exports and proceeds settling, import operations requiring special authorisations, the review of customs operating points and the readjustment of tax deposits.
  • Advising Bunge Argentina in several contentious proceedings involving assessments of export duties on goods and statistics fees.
  • Advising Petronas on the export of crude oil from Argentina to foreign markets through the Trans-Andean pipeline.

Marval O’Farrell Mairal

Marval O’Farrell Mairal stands out for its track record and experience in complex trade investigations, import and export regulations, trade policy and forex controls. International trade is an area of particular strength, and the firm is a market leader in antidumping investigations. Customs law is also covered in depth, with international companies regularly turning to the practice for advice and support on business structuring and in complex litigation involving tariff code classifications, customs valuations and sanctions regimes. A team boasting vast customs and trade law experience is jointly led by Pablo Gayol, a market leader on antidumping law, and Juan Pablo Rothschild, an authority on customs law. The team further benefits from the expertise of impressive of counsel Patricia López Aufranc, a reference on antidumping with close to four decades of industry experience, and of counsel Horacio García Prieto, a veteran in tax and customs law. Senior associate Juan Martín Sanz (who focuses on customs and litigation) leads the second line.

Responsables de la pratique:

Pablo Gayol; Juan Pablo Rothschild


Les références

‘The team combines deep technical knowledge of the law with an understanding of the practical needs of clients. Juan Pablo Rothschild is outstanding.’

‘The accessibility of Juan Pablo Rothschild, and the clarity of his entire team, is something that gives us great peace of mind.’

‘Deep understanding of trade and customs law and the political environment that shapes it.’

Principaux clients

Volkswagen


Formicolor


Compañía Mega


Oroplata


Globenet Cabos Submarinos


Sales de Jujuy


Cofco


Seaboard


Principaux dossiers


  • Represented Roca Sanitarios Brasil and Roca Argentina in the antidumping sunset review of Brazilian sanitary fittings.
  • Providing advice to Sales de Jujuy on the import of goods, exports collection, and foreign exchange regulations.
  • Providing advice to Topper Argentina on the export of goods, exports collection, and foreign exchange regulations, in a very complex regulatory framework.

Baker McKenzie

Baker McKenzie provides a multinational client base with advice on preferential trade arrangements, duty relief programmes and customs compliance. The firm also represents clients before the Argentinean customs authorities, tax regulators and courts to obtain licences and permits; submit customs ruling requests; defend or appeal administrative procedures and provisional seizures; and help protect business interests during audits. The practice prides itself on working closely with other departments within the firm, most notably in the areas of public law, criminal law, and forex regulations, where there is significant overlap with international trade matters. The practice is led by Esteban Rópolo, who has been practicing international trade and customs law for more than 20 years, including a spell with the Foreign Trade Commission, where he led on dumping and anti-subsidy duties investigations. Associate Victoria Acevedo Freixas focuses on import and export matters, restrictions, licences and certifications, customs valuations, and dumping matters.

Responsables de la pratique:

Esteban Rópolo


Les références

‘Esteban Rópolo’s technical knowledge, experience, agility and sense of urgency stand out.’

‘The team’s responsiveness and knowledge makes everything flow much faster.’

‘The firm is a strategic partner that understands the extremely complex context in Argentina. They give their advice in a clear way and always offer an assertive recommendation.’

Principaux clients

Honeywell


Colgate Palmolive


Procter & Gamble


T.D. Williamson


Industrias Lear de Argentina


Embecta


Yamaha Motor


Rio Tinto International


HP Argentina


Groupe Seb Argentina


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising HP Argentina on general customs matters.
  • Advised Procter & Gamble on general customs matters and litigation.
  • Advising Embecta on customs issues related to its launch in Argentina.

Pérez Alati, Grondona, Benites & Arntsen

Pérez Alati, Grondona, Benites & Arntsen is best known for representing high-profile companies in all their contentious customs matters, representing clients before the Argentine customs authorities, the tax court of appeals, and the federal courts, including Argentina’s Supreme Court of Justice. The design and implementation of legal strategies related to customs duties claims is another busy area, with the practice also called on to assist with dumping investigations, forex and public policy regulation. Export finance and the trade and customs aspects of transactions are also covered. Experienced tax lawyer Manuel Benites focuses on international trade, customs law and customs litigation, and co-leads the practice alongside Andrés Galíndez, whose areas of expertise include contentious tax and customs work, as well as various trade law matters. Counsel Germán Martín Quirán assists on antidumping investigations, export and import duties assessments, and customs valuation matters.

Responsables de la pratique:

Manuel Benites; Andrés Galíndez


Les références

‘Andrés Galíndez communicates with clarity.’

‘The team is always available to advise on all the necessary aspects of an issue.’

‘The lawyers are always very well prepared and knowledgeable.’

Principaux clients

Louis Dreyfus Argentina


The Dow Chemical Company


Raizen Argentina


Pirelli


Inditex/Zara Argentina


Honda Motor de Argentina


Molinos Rio de la Plata


Miquel y Costas & Miquel


Glenmark Generics


Quimetal Industrial


Black Bamboo Enterprises


Principaux dossiers


  • Obtained a significant judgment in favour of LDC Argentina in connection with a multimillion-dollar dispute with the national government related to the application of export taxes.
  • Successfully advised Quimetal Industrial in its challenge to anti-dumping regulations and duties.
  • Advised Zara Argentina on several tax assessments adjusting the customs value of imported goods.

Brons & Salas

Brons & Salas advises clients on the impact of foreign exchange regulations on import and export operations and the payment of financial and trade liabilities abroad. The team also handles work related to special customs regulations, import and export restrictions, licences, certifications and customs valuation, as well as dumping and subsidy rules, rules of origin, and free trade zones. Contentious matters are covered too, with the practice representing clients in administrative and judicial proceedings. The practice is led by Alejandro Vidal, who covers customs, foreign exchange, and tax work. Senior associate Daniela Todeschi focuses on customs and tax matters. Former practice head Lorena Bartomioli has left the firm to take up a role as legal advisor to the President of the National Fiscal Court.

Responsables de la pratique:

Alejandro Vidal


Les références

‘The team supports clients’ needs and has in-depth knowledge of the key issues.’

‘Empathy and ease of communication are the hallmarks this team. They are always available and explain complex legal concepts in a clear way. There is a tremendous drive to resolve issues quickly.’

Principaux clients

Flowserve


Tupperware Brands


Rayovac


AstraZeneca


San Antonio Internacional


MWM International


Halliburton


Kantar Ibope


Sun Chemical Ink


Kimberly Clark


Grupo Peñaflor


Principaux dossiers


  • Provided Rayovac with daily advice on customs matters, licensing and forex regulations.
  • Advised Tupperware Brands on customs matters, licensing and forex regulations.
  • Providing Flowserve with daily advice on customs matters, licensing and forex regulations.

Krause Abogados

International trade and customs is a key area of focus for boutique firm Krause Abogados, which is well known for its expertise in international trade treaties, including the WTO and Mercosur frameworks. Other areas covered by the practice include company registrations, licensing, and representation before local and national authorities on regulatory matters. The firm is particularly well known for its work on anti-dumping matters and advice on the import of used capital assets. Maximiliano Krause is a veteran customs and trade lawyer with decades of experience. Former partner Agustina Andreoli has left the firm.

Responsables de la pratique:

Maximiliano Krause


O'Farrell

O'Farrell handles work spanning import and export regimes, tariff classification, customs valuation, free trade zones, and in-factory and in-country customs, as well as international transit of goods, and staggered shipping. Investment treaties, including Mercosur and ALADI agreements, are also covered, with advice on foreign exchange regulations another active line of work. The firm is also called on to support and represent clients in trade and customs disputes at both judicial and administrative level. The practice is led by accomplished customs and trade expert Gustavo Enrique Müller, who covers international trade, customs law, anti-dumping and regulatory issues. Associate Nadia Antonini advises companies on customs and administrative procedures.

Responsables de la pratique:

Gustavo Enrique Müller


Les références

‘Excellent service, provided with high professional quality and good communication with the client. The O’Farrell team and Gustavo Müller are always available and have detailed market knowledge.’

‘Gustavo Müller is completely available to his clients, and the ratio between the price and quality of service is exceptional. He offers great quality in his services without neglecting the client relationship.’

Principaux clients

Ford Argentina


Transener


YPF Energía Eléctrica


Louisiana Pacific Chile


ENAEX


AWS


Principaux dossiers


  • Provided advice to, and defence of, Ford Argentina on a range of customs matters, including customs valuations, and imports and exports to and from Mercosur jurisdictions.
  • Advised Cia de Transporte de Energía Eléctrica en Alta Tensión on customs matters and the tax benefits of renewable energy imports.
  • Advised Merz on customs matters related to the retention of merchandise with National Administration of Medicines, Food and Medical Technology (ANMAT) certifications.

Tanoira Cassagne Abogados

Tanoira Cassagne Abogados is frequently called on for advice on the application of bilateral or multilateral trade treaties, within both Mercosur and the WTO. Dumping investigations have been a particularly active area, with the team also handling matters related to extra zonal external duties, obtaining import licences, and registering companies in order to obtain permits for the import and export of products. The team also covers contentious matters, including active litigation against government measures that have impacted goods imports. Bernardo Cassagne, who is well versed in the regulation of domestic trade, co-leads the team with Francisco Rondoletti, who covers matters related to competition, consumer protection, and the regulation of domestic and international trade.

Responsables de la pratique:

Bernardo Cassagne; Francisco Rondoletti


Les références

‘The team is responsive, understands the needs of businesses and delivers good customer service.’

‘Francisco Rondoletti stands out for his close relationships with clients, and the speed and assertiveness of his responses.’

Principaux clients

Philips Argentina (Versuni)


Einhell Argentina


Nexa Resources


Avery Dennison


Bayer Argentina


Coca-Cola


Bridgestone


Fondital


Schindler (China) Elevator


Schindler Argentina


Principaux dossiers


  • Represented Philips Domestic Appliances (currently Versuni) in a dumping investigation initiated by the Argentinean government on the imports of home electrical devices from Brazil.
  • Represented manufacturer Einhell in a dumping investigation opened by Argentinean authorities looking into the imports of vacuums from China.
  • Representing Versuni in the sunset review of antidumping duties imposed in 2018 against the imports of home electrical devices from China.