Administrative & Regulatory Law · European Union
Keep Your Trade Moving With an Import / Export Law Specialist
A single prohibited shipment can carry serious penalties. We match you, free of charge, with a lawyer who handles licences, export controls, sanctions and conformity across Europe every day.
- 155+ legal services, 14 practice areas
- Lawyers across the EU & EEA
- No fee to get matched
No commitment. No hidden fees.
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Tell us about your situation and receive a free, confidential case review.
Who this is for
If you trade across borders, the permissions and restrictions are your responsibility
Import and export law covers the full set of rules that govern moving goods across the EU’s borders — the licences, permits, controls and documentation that determine what may be traded, to whom, and on what terms. It sits alongside, and is often confused with, customs law: while customs is about duties and procedures, import-export law is about the broader permissions and restrictions on trade itself. These include export controls on dual-use and military goods, import licensing, product conformity and CE marking, embargoes and trade sanctions, and the rules of the many free trade agreements the EU has concluded. Because the obligations change frequently and apply at both EU and national level, a business that trades internationally must navigate a shifting landscape where a single prohibited shipment can carry serious penalties. Specialist advice can confirm what your goods require, and keep your trade flows lawful and uninterrupted.
Why shipments get stopped
The rules change often.
What was lawful last month may not be today.
Export controls, sanctions and conformity requirements shift frequently, and a single overlooked requirement can stop a shipment or trigger liability after delivery.
Export controls on sensitive goods
Dual-use items, technology and military goods can require export licences, and the rules turn on fine technical distinctions. Shipping without the right authorisation can carry serious penalties, even when the goods seem ordinary.
Sanctions and restricted destinations
Trade embargoes and sanctions change frequently and can block transactions with certain countries, entities or individuals. A shipment that was lawful last month may be prohibited today.
Licences, certificates and conformity
Many goods need import licences, conformity assessment and CE marking, or documentation under specific trade agreements. Missing one requirement can stop a shipment at the border or trigger liability after delivery.
What you get
An import-export lawyer who keeps your trade lawful
We only match you with lawyers who handle trade controls, licences and conformity regularly in your product lines and destinations.
Trade compliance mapping
Your lawyer identifies the licences, controls, certifications and documentation your goods require for each destination, so your shipments clear without surprises or delays at the border.
Export control classification
Get support classifying goods and technology — especially dual-use items — and applying for the licences and authorisations they require before you ship them to each destination.
Sanctions screening & advice
Understand how sanctions and embargoes affect your customers, suppliers and transactions, and screen against the restrictions that apply to your trade and destinations before committing to any deal.
Border issues & enforcement
If a shipment is stopped, a licence is refused or an authority investigates, your lawyer manages the response and represents you through the procedure until it is resolved.
Coverage
Import-export lawyers across Europe
Trade controls are set at EU level but applied and enforced nationally, and the requirements depend on your goods and destinations. We match cases across the following countries and beyond:
Frequently asked
Import / export law — common questions
What is the difference between import-export law and customs law?
Customs law concerns the duties, classification, valuation and procedures for clearing goods. Import-export law concerns the broader permissions and restrictions on trade — export controls, import licences, sanctions, conformity and trade-agreement rules. The two overlap and often need to be considered together.
What are dual-use goods?
Dual-use goods are items, software and technology designed for civilian use but that could also be used for military purposes. Many require an export licence, and the rules are technical — classification can determine whether an export is lawful, so specialist advice is often needed.
Do I need an export licence for my products?
It depends on what the goods are, where they are going, and to whom. Most goods can be exported freely, but dual-use and military items, and shipments to sanctioned destinations or parties, may require a licence. The assessment is fact-specific and the rules change frequently.
How do trade sanctions affect my imports and exports?
Sanctions can prohibit or restrict trade with certain countries, entities or individuals, and they change frequently. A transaction that is lawful today can become prohibited tomorrow, so ongoing screening against the current restrictions is essential for any internationally active business.
What documentation do I need to import goods into the EU?
Requirements vary by product and origin, but commonly include a commercial invoice, transport documents, and — depending on the goods — import licences, conformity certificates, CE marking and preferential origin documents to claim reduced duties. The exact list depends on the specific goods and rules involved.
What happens if I ship goods that are prohibited?
The consequences can be serious, including seizure of the goods, fines and, in some cases, criminal liability. Because the rules are complex and change often, verifying the status of a shipment before it moves is almost always cheaper than dealing with the consequences after.
Free case review
Keep your trade lawful — and your shipments moving
Tell us about your goods and destinations and we’ll connect you with an import-export lawyer who knows your trade lanes — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.