Firms To Watch: International trade (IT&C)

Gálvez, Risso, Zegarra & Asociados' international trade and customs practice is led by name partner Carlos Zegarra; the team’s broad offering sees it advising on valuation, tariff classification, operational regimes and benefit matters, among others.

International trade (IT&C) in Peru

Estudio Echecopar member firm of Baker McKenzie International

The international commerce and trade team at Estudio Echecopar member firm of Baker McKenzie International advises top domestic and international companies and trade associations on the gamut of trade issues and is able to leverage support from its large global network in relation to cross-border matters. Advising on both contentious and non-contentious issues, the team is well versed in finding alternative remedies to trade barriers and complex operations, economic sanctions and trade embargos, customs issues, international trade agreements and World Trade Organisation (WTO) matters. Luis Alonso Garcia heads the practice with over 25 years of experience and, as former vice minister of Foreign Trade, is a key practitioner for trade matters in the Peruvian market. Gonzalo Bernal focuses on foreign trade and customs and is noted for both advisory work and litigation, and principal associate Walter Robles Gonzales is also recommended. Since publication, García has left to establish his own firm - effective as of February 2024.

Practice head(s):

Luis Alonso García


Testimonials

The customs and tax area is very good and we are satisfied with the way in which they handle the delegated cases.’

‘They keep us informed with newsletters about regulatory changes and practical advice on the impact of those changes.’

‘They are very clear about tax and customs regulations and present us with appropriate strategies that have a positive impact on the business.’

Key clients

Sociedad Nacional de Industrias


Asociación Peruana de Agroindustriales del Azúcar y Derivados – APAAD


Cámara de Comercio de Lima – Sub comité de importadores de alimentos


LATAM Airlines


Agrofino Foods


IBM del Perú


Homecenters Peruanos


Financiera OH!


ITN


CENCOSUD


Work highlights


  • Permanently advising APAAD regarding current policymaking and trends related to agribusiness.
  • Advised the Lima Chamber of Commerce – subcommittee of food importers on a dispute with INDECOPI relating to mandatory health warnings on imported products.
  • Advised the National Society of Industries on a dsipute relating to the labelling of genetically modified organisms (GMO) in imported food and beverages.

Rodrigo, Elías & Medrano Abogados

Led by Julio Guadalupe, the international trade and customs team at Rodrigo, Elías & Medrano Abogados balances a broad practice, covering a range of customs planning and international trade operation matters, with a focus on the mining, oil and gas, power, technology, telecoms and automotive sectors. On the contentious side, it handles customs claims and appeals before the local authorities, including the National Institute for the Defence of Competition and Intellectual Property (INDECOPI) and the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (MINCETUR). Guadalupe acts for high-profile multinational companies and is deputy chair of the Logistics and Customs Committee at the Lima Chamber of Commerce. At the associate level, strong support is provided by senior Juan Acuña, who is a name to note for customs and indirect tax planning and litigation before the Tax Court, and Joan Tello, who is recommended for administrative procedures.

Practice head(s):

Julio Guadalupe


Testimonials

‘They maintain close contact with the client and have a high sense of urgency. They care about knowing the client as well as their processes and business and this facilitates the analysis and advice.’

‘Quality of service. Efficiency. Timeliness. Close contact with the client. I highlight Julio Guadalupe’s work in foreign trade and customs. Outstanding.’

Key clients

Compañia Goodyear del Peru


Volvo Peru


GRUPO SCHARFF


Omnilife Peru


Hudbay Perú


Southern Peru Copper Corporation Sucursal del Peru


Grupo Fierro


Tecnológica De Alimentos – Tasa


Minera Chinalco Peru


Quimica Suiza


Qsi Peru


Compañía Minera Antamina


Cofaco Industries


Operaciones Arcos Dorados De Peru


Abb


Entel Peru


San Fernando


Gloria


Kallpa Generacion


Master Foods Peru Sociedad Comercial De Responsabilidad Limitada


El Pedregal


Trading Fashion Line


Kuehne + Nagel


Schneider Electric Peru


Bunge North America


Bunge Latin America


Bunge Perú


Imk Maderas


Compañia Molinera Del Centro


Aris Industrial


Tcl International Peru


Anglo American Quellaveco


Immunotec Peru


Southern Textile Network


Fosforera Peruana


Corporación Lindley


Marcobre


Minsur


Microsoft Peru


Kimberly Clark Peru


Latam Airlines Peru


Toyota Del Peru


Britt Peru


Consorcio De Productores De Fruta


Pan American Silver


Minera Shouxin Peru


Solgas S.A.


Terminales Portuarios Euroandinos Paita


Luz Del Sur


Multifoods


Avianca Holdings


Papelera Del Sur


Skechers Latina America


Skechers Peru


Alimentos Polar Peru


Honeywell Perú


Erickson Aviation Perú


Mars Incorporated


Braedt


APM Terminals Inland Services


Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia


Huawei Del Perú


CBC Peruana


Alicorp


TLC International Perú


Cela Cosmeticos Perú


Komatsu-Mitsui Maquinarias Peru


Pochteca Peru


Danper Trujillo


Equinox International


Marathon Casa De Deportes


Sistemas Oracle Del Peru


Asurion Peru


Sociedad Productora y Distribuidora


Lacoste Peru


Cencosud Peru


La Calera


Bechtel Chile


Gases Del Norte Del Peru


Trafigura Peru


Cirion Technologies Peru


Work highlights


  • Representing Compañia Goodyear Del Per in a judicial proceeding concerning whether royalty payments should be added to the customs value of the imported goods in accordance with WTO customs valuation rules.
  • Representing Danper Trujillo in an appeal before the Tax Court and the Peruvian Customs Authority regarding the rejection of the drawback reimbursements obtained by the company in 2015.
  • Provided legal advice to Anglo American Quellavec to structure its export operations considering various scenarios to deliver products to its foreign clients.

Hernández & Cía

Hernández & Cía is well known in the market for its knowledge of customs regime structures and customs procedures; it handles both contentious and non-contentious matters and represents large multinational clients in customs and tax litigation before the authorities. Other areas of focus include compliance, tariffs, international trade structures and international trade disputes. Practice head Leonardo Lopez is a veteran practitioner with considerable experience in tax, international trade and customs issues, and more specifically, assists clients with valuations, planning and tariffs matters. Senior associate Miguel Ángel Campos is registered as a customs broker and is a member of the Association of Certified Customs Agents of Peru (AATA); he offers clients niche expertise in maritime and port law, as well as customs planning and compliance. Paloma Velásquez Bolognesi is another key associate. Since publication, Campos has been promoted to principal associate - effective as of February 2024.

Practice head(s):

Leonardo López Espinoza


Testimonials

‘The team manages everything related to foreign trade, is fully trained and up to date with the law and advises us in a timely manner.’

‘I highlight the agility and disposition of Paloma Velásquez.’

‘The knowledge, kindness and willingness they have to manage our account.’

Key clients

Exsa


Backus


Distribuidora Puma


Grupo Falabella


Empresa Editora El Comercio


Grupo Sandoval


Forsac Peru


Dp World Group – Neptunia


Grupo Trafigura


Procter & Gamble Perú


Work highlights


  • Providing customs advice to Anglo American Quellaveco to optimise its operations.
  • Provided legal advice to Tramarsa in a judicial process against the Customs Administration.
  • Providing legal advice on international trade and customs valuation rules to Hasbro.

DS Casahierro Abogados

DS Casahierro Abogados acts for foreign and domestic importers, exporters and trade operators in international trade, logistics and customs matters and is particularly active in the agricultural, automotive, construction, energy and pharmaceutical sectors. Key areas of expertise include international sale of goods contracts, the enforcement of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), customs planning and WTO matters. Charles Castle leads the practice and is recommended for audit processes, administrative and judicial procedures, and international trade contracts, while senior associate Enrique Vargas handles the implementation of FTAs and the application of tax–customs benefits, customs valuation and tariff classification.

Practice head(s):

Charles Castle; Enrique Vargas


Testimonials

‘In my opinion, the services provided by the International Trade, Logistics and Customs area of ​​DS Casahierro Abogados are first class.’

‘The level of specialisation and experience of its lawyers allows for practical solutions to complex legal issues.’

‘Speed and quality of the responses is good.’

Key clients

Maersk Line Perú


Topy Top


Gloria


C.H. Robinson worldwide Perú


QSI Perú


Trading Fashion Line


Quicornac


Automotores Gildemeister – Perú


Maquinaria Nacional Perú


Motor Mundo


KPMG Argentina


APM Terminals Inland Services


Andritz Hydro Group


AGP Group


Naviera Transoceánica


Multimpex


Bertling – Transgas Tankers


Transgas Tankers


Petrolera Transoceánica


Corporación Aceros Arequipa


Menta Perú


Packaging Products del Perú


Grupo Kiyan


Seacorp Perú


Transgas Shipping Lines


P&E Soluciones Industriales


Citikold del Perú


Swissgas del Ecuador


ADM Andina Perú


SLI Aduanas


CLAdirect Perú


Telefónica Cybersecurity & Cloud Tech Peru


Concretos Supermix


Racionalización Empresarial


Mareauto Peru


Ceragon Networks Perú


García & Bodan Attorneys & Counselors at Law


React Latin America


PC Moda


Seafoodia Peru


A. Montenegro y CIA


Alitecno


Aplex Trading


Cafetalera Amazónica


Bausa


RAAD


Global Aduana


Caoba Inmobiliaria


Landmark Holdings


Grupo Capital Pacífico


Asociación Colegio Casuarinas


Truckslogic International Holding


Trupal


Marinasol


NHOA Americas


Topsa Perú


Colvias


Laboratorios Lansier


Landmark Holdings


Vínculos Agrícolas


Andes Textiles Perú


Fall Creek Perú


Luis García Miró


Luis Murdoch


Yacht Club Peruano


Kalpataru Power Transmission


Industrias Criogénicas del Perú


Work highlights


  • Advised Ceragon Networks Perú on an administrative proceeding in which the matter under discussion was tax collection by customs.
  • Providing legal sponsorship to QSI Perú in a judicial proceeding, which concluded with a preliminary ruling that the collection alleged by customs is illegal.
  • Providing legal sponsorship to Topsa Perú in an administrative proceeding in which the matter under discussion is tax collection by customs.

Garcia-Godos & Lindley-Russo

Boutique trade law firm Garcia-Godos & Lindley-Russo covers all aspects of international trade and border controls, with particular expertise in WTO matters and logistics issues. It acts for large foreign and domestic companies and trade organisations and has recently advised on a number of matters pertaining to the importation of foods and controlled goods, utilising its knowledge of trade facilitation, technical barriers to trade (TBT) and sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPM). Practice head Eduardo García-Godos is a well-known trade practitioner, with high-level knowledge of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement; he also assisted many companies and government clients in relation to restrictive measures around trade implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. Alfredo Lindley-Russo is noted for matters relating to market access barriers and is active in the food and beverage, cosmetics and healthcare sectors.

Practice head(s):

Eduardo García-Godos


Testimonials

‘Extensive experience in international trade and customs issues. The team knows international trade in a comprehensive way.’

‘Eduardo García-Godos responds in a timely and effective manner.’

Key clients

Development Bank of Latin America (CAF)


Promperú


Nathan Associates Inc


UNCTAD


Trade Facilitation Office Canadá


Helvetas Swiss Cooperation (SECO)


Nathan Associates Inc


Frigorífico La Nacional


Hudson Analitix


Work highlights


  • Advised the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF) on the identification of international trade facilitation gaps in Latin America.
  • Advised Hudson Analytix on the implementation of a $6m project to implement a Port Community System in the Callao Port of Peru.
  • Advised the Secretariat of the National Committee for Trade Facilitation (NTFC) on the adoption and implementation of a reform tracker tool designed by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).