International trade in Brazil

The dedicated and highly specialised international trade team at Demarest Advogados is ‘very business-oriented and client-focused‘. The team specialises in trade remedies, WTO cases and free trade negotiations, and has acted on behalf of the footwear, clothing, steel, food and chemicals industries. The team has also assisted Brazilian companies in trade remedies cases in the US, including those targeting the export of steel rubber and silicon metals. Practice head José Diaz has over 20 years in the market and an established track record in anti-dumping and related disputes. Other key individuals include Oswaldo De Moraes, who has advised on tax, international trade and customs matters for over 45 years, Camila Biral, Victor Lopes and Fernando Bueno, who made partner in January 2022.

Pinheiro Neto Advogados has a solid track record in representing companies and trade organisations in high-profile trade remedies investigations. This includes advising on sunset reviews, public interest proceedings and safeguards investigations, both for importers and exporters. The team is co-led by the highly experienced Mauro Berenholc and Renê Medrado, and works in conjunction with partners in the tax team such as Carlos Henrique Tranjan Bechara on customs issues. Advice on anti-dumping featured prominently on the team's workload in 2020; examples included its advice to clients on measures put in place on the imports of disposable syringes from China during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Azevedo Sette Advogados' international trade practice is 'extremely knowledgeable, efficient and composed of real team players'. It has established itself as a strong choice for advice on trade remedies and WTO law, trade sanctions and import/export controls. The firm has represented clients in significant matters involving trade partners such as the US, China, Canada, India and Australia, and also advises on domestic measures and investigations. Practice head Luiz Eduardo Salles is very well respected in the market and has represented Brazil before the WTO. He is backed by an experienced team of associates, including Ingrid Bandeira Santos and Lucas Bianchini, who represent a mix of exporters and domestic petitioners and importers.

Grinberg Cordovil Advogados (GCA) fields a team of highly dedicated lawyers with a strong focus on international trade remedies, especially anti-dumping investigations, as well as general trade compliance and consultancy work. The firm acts for several leading companies and trade associations, and regularly represents clients abroad, as was the case with Companhia Brasileira de Alumínio, which it assisted in a US investigation into dumping and subsidies on imports of aluminium sheets from Brazil. Leonor Cordovil and Ricardo Cassanova Motta are both leading figures in the area, representing clients from across a range of industries.

Magalhães e Dias - Advocacia is a specialised economic law boutique with a strong emphasis on international trade law and related regulatory and antitrust matters. The team handles a mix of litigation and consultancy work, including advice on anti-dumping investigations, public interest cases, tariff barriers and WTO agreements. It works with an impressive range of domestic and international clients, including household goods, appliance and raw material manufacturers. Gabriel Nogueira Dias is a leading choice for strategic judicial and administrative disputes, while Francisco Niclós Negrão is highly experienced in advising importers and exporters on anti-dumping procedures. Déborah Melo is a key contact at the associate level.

Mundie e Advogados fields an experienced team with over 20 years' experience in trade remedies investigations, including Brazilian anti-dumping cases and sunset reviews. As well as domestic clients, the practice has a good track record representing foreign importers from key trading partners, including China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Indonesia, South Africa and Mexico. In 2020, the firm was kept busy assisting in negotiations concerning tax exemptions to medical products in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. Key partners include Carol Monteiro de Carvalho and Andrea Weiss Balassiano, who have both established strong reputations in this area.

Veirano Advogados has a focused team led by highly experienced trade specialist Ana Teresa Caetano, who has an impressive track record in contentious and non-contentious WTO issues. This expertise extends across a range of industries, including auto parts, chemicals and petrochemicals, paper, electronics and tyre manufacturing. 2020 saw the firm handling several high-profile trade remedy cases and sunset reviews, including representing interested parties in proceedings linked to PP and PVC, phenol, float glass and tyres. Caetano is ably supported by key associates Marina Martes, Lucas Biasetton and Mariana Boralli.

TozziniFreire Advogados provides strategic international trade advice to its long-term clients, which include several key players in the auto parts, tyre and biotechnology industries, among others. Particular areas of expertise include supply chain issues and trade compliance. The firm was involved in several high-profile matters in 2020, including representing Greiner Bio-One in a sunset review of anti-dumping duties on the import of vacuum blood collecting tubes, which was of particular significance in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. Well-regarded practice head Vera Kanas has a good track record in WTO matters, having previously worked in the WTO's legal affairs department. Marcelo Calliari is also active in this space.