International Trade

This is where we can provide significant support. Agorax is hallmarked by its unique expertise in the field of international commercial law. We advise and litigate across all areas of international commercial law, with a specific focus on export controls, sanctions regulations and customs law. Our practice covers the full spectrum of international trade law – from practical compliance issues and routine licence applications to the most complex and sensitive matters, such as borderline cases in dual-use classification and technology transfer, and high-stakes enforcement investigations involving criminal liability risks for directors. Drawing on our unique position and experience, we provide strategic advice on international transactions, ensuring full compliance with both national and international trade regulations.

We draft contracts and policy documents relating to compliance with international trade law and help companies of all sizes to navigate the complex regulatory landscape of cross-border trade. We also assist clients with complex customs issues and the use of free trade agreements, ensuring compliance with regulations governing dual-use goods, software and technology. We conduct due diligence proceedings in mergers and acquisitions and handle logistics and transport matters. Where necessary, we provide companies with appropriate training and education.

Through our pragmatic and goal-oriented approach, we help our clients focus on their growth, whilst we handle the complex procedures involved in complying with international trade law. We believe that the best results stem from a long-term partnership, in which we act as a trusted sparring partner, proactively contributing ideas to address our clients’ challenges and ambitions.

Together with our litigation practice, we are able to represent and defend our clients to the highest standard should legal disputes arise. All in all, Agorax offers a full spectrum of legal services under one roof.

Our areas of expertise include:

• The export of dual-use goods, military goods, software, technology and technical assistance.
• Export control classifications, classification issues and classification requests.
• Export licences, general authorisations and licensing procedures with national and international authorities.
• Customs law, preferential origin, tariff classification and free trade agreements.
• Legal issues at the intersection of export control, transport and international logistics.
• Assistance in administrative, civil and criminal enforcement proceedings.
• Voluntary disclosures to Dutch and foreign authorities.
• The design, assessment and implementation of trade compliance programmes (ICPs).
• Export control and due diligence in relation to mergers, acquisitions, investments and joint ventures.
• Advice on knowledge security, intangible technology transfers and the application of catch-all provisions.

Experience

A selection of cases in which our team has been involved:

• Assisting one of the world’s largest suppliers to the automotive industry with the export control classification of its entire product portfolio and advising on the legal implications.
• Successfully defending a company specialising in the processing of steel and non-ferrous metals in a customs dispute concerning the preferential origin of goods.
• Conducting an export control and knowledge security analysis for a university to assess the risks relating to export control and strategic technology.
• Export control classification of advanced semiconductor technology and manufacturing equipment, including advice on licensing requirements and export restrictions.
• Assisting a Dutch cybersecurity company with the classification of its products as cyber-surveillance items and advising on the applicable export control obligations.
• Successfully advised a listed multinational on the implementation of an Internal Compliance Programme (ICP) approved by the competent authorities and on obtaining global export licences following the classification of its products as dual-use goods.
• Advising a Dutch deep-tech company on the customs and export control classification of innovative technology and the application of the catch-all provisions.