Lawyer for Rules of Origin and Preferential Trade Law
Maximise Your Customs Benefits – Experts in Origin and Preferential Trade at Your Side
Are you fully leveraging the advantages of preferential and free trade agreements for your business success?
As a business owner, you understand the importance of efficient logistics and customs processes for your competitiveness. The correct application of origin and preferential trade regulations can make a significant difference. By making use of customs reliefs under agreements such as CETA, JEFTA and many others, you can:
- Reduce costs: Lower duty rates mean direct savings that boost your bottom line.
- Gain a competitive edge: Reduced customs costs allow you to adjust prices and expand your market share.
- Optimise your supply chains: More efficient customs clearance accelerates delivery times and improves reliability.
Without careful implementation of origin and preference rules, you risk:
- Unnecessary customs expenses: Overpaid duties that cut into your profit margins.
- Delays in your supply chain: Incorrect or incomplete origin declarations can cause customs delays.
- Legal risks: Lack of knowledge about non-preferential origin rules may lead to penalties and reputational damage—especially in connection with anti-dumping duties, countervailing measures or embargoes.
Our Expertise – Your Advantage:
Our law firm, specialised in rules of origin and preferential trade law, supports you in unlocking the full potential of customs benefits. Our services include:
- Tailored legal advice: Analysis of your supply chains and identification of customs relief opportunities.
- Review of processing requirements under preferential rules and conditions for issuing proof of origin such as movement certificates (EUR.1) or invoice declarations.
- Process optimisation: Development of efficient procedures for determining non-preferential origin (through sufficient processing) and for preparing certificates of origin.
- Problem solving: Expert assistance with customs audits and legal matters relating to origin and preferential rules, including supplier declarations.
Your contact person
Lawyer Inés Jakob
& Certified Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser
Get in touch for a no-obligation initial consultation:
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We welcome your enquiry and are happy to assist!
- When is a product considered “preferential” – and how can your business benefit?
A product is deemed “preferential” if it meets specific origin rules defined in a free trade or preferential agreement—for example, by being wholly obtained in a partner country or through sufficient processing of non-originating materials.
The benefit: Preferential goods may qualify for reduced or zero tariffs when imported into partner countries. This can significantly lower your costs and enhance your competitiveness.
We assess the applicable requirements for your products and assist with the application or issuance of the correct proof of origin (e.g. EUR.1 certificate or invoice declaration).
- What are the risks of incorrect origin declarations or faulty preferential proofs?
Incorrect or misleading origin or preference declarations can have serious consequences: in addition to back duties and interest on arrears, companies may face fines, clawbacks, or even criminal investigations. Your company’s customs compliance status may be jeopardised, putting existing customs authorisations at risk.
Furthermore, buyers may claim damages if the agreed origin of goods proves to be incorrect—potentially constituting a defect under the sales contract.
Our law firm ensures that your origin and preference declarations are legally compliant and audit-proof—from supplier declarations to customs inspections.
- How does your law firm support the use of preferential agreements like CETA or JEFTA?
We analyse your supply chains to determine whether your products meet the requirements for preferential customs treatment. This includes a detailed assessment of the specific provisions under the relevant agreement (e.g. CETA, JEFTA, EU–Vietnam, and others).
We then assist in the accurate preparation and documentation of origin declarations, supplier declarations, and applications for certificates of origin. In addition, we help optimise your internal procedures to ensure that you benefit from preferential agreements in a legally compliant and efficient manner over the long term.
