Foreign trade and international logistics
Maritime, port, customs and airport law
We advise shipowners, port operators, importers, exporters and freight forwarders in maritime, customs and airport operations between Brazil, Portugal and Paraguay.
When to seek advice
Situations that usually prompt this work
- 01
Goods held at customs
Importers and exporters with cargo held due to document discrepancies, disputed tariff classification or suspicion of irregularity.
- 02
Damage, delay or loss of sea cargo
Shippers and consignees who need to establish liability and seek compensation for damage occurring during transport.
- 03
Contractual dispute between shipowner, charterer and port operator
Parties to charter, maritime agency or port operation contracts in disagreement over obligations and liabilities.
- 04
Regularizing a foreign trade operation
Companies that need to structure customs authorization, special regimes and document compliance to import or export safely.
- 05
Customs sanctions and administrative penalties
Companies fined by customs authorities that need to assess administrative defense and potential judicial recourse.
- 06
Structuring an international logistics operation
Companies planning a new logistics route involving ports or airports in more than one country that need appropriate contracts and regulatory compliance.
How we work
What the firm does
- 01
Diagnosis of the operation and regulatory risk
Analysis of the foreign trade, transport or logistics operation to identify applicable customs, port and airport requirements.
- 02
Defense in customs detentions and penalties
Preparation of administrative defense and, where necessary, judicial action to release goods and challenge penalties.
- 03
Charter, agency and port operation contracts
Drafting and review of contracts between shipowners, charterers, port operators and freight forwarders.
- 04
Determination of liability for damage and incidents
Handling of liability determination proceedings for damage, delay or loss of sea or air cargo.
- 05
Structuring special customs authorizations and regimes
Advisory on obtaining authorization from customs authorities and qualifying for special import and export regimes.
- 06
Regulatory support for port and airport operators
Guidance on regulatory requirements applicable to operators, terminals and agents working in ports and airports.
Expected outcomes
Legal objectives of the work
Objectives pursued with technique and diligence. No result is guaranteed: decisions by authorities and administrative bodies are outside the firm's control.
- 01
Regular release of detained goods
The goal is to reduce detention time through technical defense and timely document regularization.
- 02
Liability for damage duly determined
We seek to identify the responsible party and enable appropriate compensation under the applicable contracts and rules.
- 03
Foreign trade operation in compliance
We work to reduce the company's exposure to future penalties through proper authorization and documentation.
Method
How the work progresses
- 01
Diagnosis
Assessment of the operation, transport documentation and applicable customs, port or airport requirements.
- 02
Strategy
Definition of the most suitable defense, regularization or contractual negotiation approach for the case.
- 03
Implementation
Filing of defense, negotiation with the counterparty or structuring of the necessary regulatory compliance.
- 04
Follow-up
Monitoring of the process through to cargo release, final decision or contract performance, with support for subsequent operations.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions
How long does it take to release cargo held at customs?
It depends on the nature of the detention, the completeness of the documentation and the authority involved; it is not possible to estimate a timeframe without analyzing the specific case.
Who is liable for damage to cargo during maritime transport?
Liability depends on the transport contract, the moment the damage occurred and the applicable rules; the determination is made case by case.
Do you work on operations involving all three countries at once?
Yes, we structure logistics and contractual operations that simultaneously involve Brazil, Portugal and Paraguay, coordinating the requirements of each jurisdiction.
Is it possible to file an administrative appeal against a customs penalty?
Generally an administrative defense pathway exists before any judicial discussion; deadlines and requirements vary by authority and must be checked immediately after the penalty is issued.
By jurisdiction
How this practice unfolds in each country
Related areas
Continue through connected practices
Informational content only, not a legal opinion. Rules, requirements and documents vary according to the specific case and may change; any decision requires an individual, up-to-date analysis.
International decisions call for legal clarity.
Start with the initial assessment or speak directly with the firm.
Confidential service · Brazil · Portugal · Paraguay