International Trade

International Trade

Today’s rapidly changing global economy often presents businesses with complex cross-border challenges, many of which stem from a lack of familiarity with national and international trade regulations, as well as their practical application on a day-to-day basis. At Hourani & Partners we analyze and apply the technical concepts as embedded in the law, while also taking into consideration the commercial and financial issues that may have an impact on the matter in hand. We pride ourselves on our trusted relationships with key government entities, legal forums, key stakeholders, alliance law firms and consulting firms in the region, while leveraging lobbying efforts and developing creative legal solutions to fit client needs.

We have successfully advised, represented and defended multi-national and large business clients across an array of sectors and industries on their global trade challenges in the region.

Our areas of advisory range from internal customs compliance reviews and audits to negotiating free trade agreements and representing clients before regulatory authorities in customs related disputes.

  • Internal Customs Compliance Reviews
  • Compliance Audits
  • Authorized Economic Operator
  • Customs Valuation and Transfer Pricing
  • HS Classification
  • Rules of Origin
  • Government and Public Sector Lobbying
  • Free Trade Agreements
  • Duty Exemptions
  • Supply Chain Design
  • Transport and Movement of Goods
  • High Value Assets (military, vessels, aircraft)

Representative International Trade matters include:

  • A major British multi-national company in relation to compliance with the new and technical laws and regulations concerning export of tobacco products from the UAE to other GCC countries (potential savings of millions of US dollars over a period of five years)
  • An UK multi-national FMCG client in connection with potential adverse action from the Saudi customs authority which included advising on customs duty exemptions based on the GCC and World Trade Organization rules of origin (ca. US$30 million)
  • An US multi-national conglomerate on overlapping matters involving highly technical and separate legal aspects of World Trade Organization and GCC treaty rules on customs valuation, as well as OECD and local UAE and KSA rules on tax and transfer pricing (ca. US$4 million)
  • A regional supply chain and distribution company in a litigation matter involving breach of contract for the purchase of goods from a UK and US sanctioned Russian enterprise (ca. US$20 million)
  • One of the world’s largest accounting firms in advising its client on the global trade and customs law regime of Saudi Arabia
  • Multi-national clients in two disputes at the General Secretariat Tax Committee against the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority in Saudi Arabia, in which our clients were successful on both counts (US$30 and US$20 million respectively)