Advising 20th Century FOX on the structure of the customs value of imported films, in particular: should the royalty due for projection of movies in cinemas be included in the customs value of imported films?  As a result of a lengthy litigation, the customs authorities lost and effectively repaid all excessively collected duty to client.

Representing a major international FMCG & food manufacturer in a dispute with the customs over inclusion of royalty payable for use of a trade mark in the customs value of goods marked with the trade mark.  The case was won on the material grounds that the customs had failed to prove that payment of the royalty was a condition of sale of branded goods for export to Russia.  

Successful representation of a major USA chemical company and the world's leading tire manufacturer in disputes with the customs over classification of imported goods.

Representing the interests of a major Russian gas company in litigation with the customs authorities over correct determination of the customs value for sale of goods to an affiliated entity at below cost price. All court rulings were in favour of the company

Successful assistance to Shell in the course of its corporate reorganisation in Russia: the task was to ensure uninterrupted imports of various petroleum products to Russia in spite of a series of compliance issues related to the company’s organisational form.   

Advising a number of major companies, including Alcoa, Barilla, Guardian, and Mars, on importing equipment as an in-kind contribution to charter capital, providing legal support with respect to customs clearance of imported goods and assisting with preparation of the requisite documents for obtaining customs duty and VAT exemptions.

Full legal support for projects involving signing of investment agreements on supplies to the Russian Federation of vehicle parts for industrial assembly covered by the Russian legislation envisaging exemption from or reduced customs duties. The Agreements were signed between Mitsubishi Motors and Nissan Motor and the Ministry for Economic Development of the Russian Federation.

Representing a leading European food manufacturer before the customs and judicial bodies in its appeals against actions by the customs authorities in direct debiting of customs payments.

Advised Mars  on the customs and exchange aspects of determining customs value, gaining benefits on customs payments and classifying goods and obtaining a WCO goods classification opinion for the Company.

Extensive support for and structuring of investment by Mitsubishi Motors in a joint venture in Kaluga, including support in Kaluga, Russia, ensuring eligibility for the special importation regime applicable to foreign motor manufacturers.

Advising and representing the interests of major multinational agricultural equipment manufacturers within the framework of a special protection investigation conducted by the Ministry for Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation for the purpose of introducing special protective duties on grain combine harvesters imported into Russia.

Successful litigation by a subdivision of a leading multinational oil services company against customs authority decisions on classifying goods and upwardly assessing customs payments; the court ruling on this case constituted a precedent for many foreign trade companies importing similar goods.

Representing the interests of William Grant on matters relating to inclusion of its trade marks in the Customs Register of IP assets and liaising with the customs authorities in order to terminate imports of counterfeit goods.

Successful litigation in the interests of a number of major multinational companies from various  industries appealing against decisions and actions of state authorities: customs authority classifications of goods, decisions on levying customs payments and on imposing administrative liability.

Successful litigations challenging customs authority rulings on imposing administrative liability for violation of customs regulations. The customs authority rulings were declared unlawful and were consequently cancelled.

Representing a major pharmaceutical company before the Federal Service for Financial and Budgetary Supervision in the company’s appeal against rulings declaring it responsible for failure to return foreign currency profit. The decision was adopted in favour of our client.

Representing the interests of Castel Freres in issues relating to inclusion of its trade marks in the Customs Register of IP assets and liaising with the customs authorities in order to terminate imports of counterfeit goods.