REGERE AVOCATS

262 Boulevard Saint Germain 75007 Paris.

+ 33 (0)1 88 33 99 19

Located in Paris, Regere is a law firm specialized in customs litigation.

Law firm specialized in customs law

CONTACT US
01 88 33 99 19

Lawyer at the Paris Bar

RÉGINA LOPEZ RAMIREZ

Regere is a law firm specialized in customs law, assisting you in disputes with the Customs Administration.

An experienced customs lawyer supports you during customs inspections of your company and throughout the entire customs procedure.

The Regere law firm provides its expertise to help you develop a defense strategy from the earliest stages of the inspection, challenge procedural actions, and protect your interests.

Member of the Institute of Tax Advisory Lawyers (IACF)

Regina Lopez Avocat en droit douanier

Customs Law

Régina Lopez Ramirez has developed recognized expertise in national and EU customs litigation related to the international movement of goods and capital. She places this expertise at the service of economic operators and individuals involved in customs procedures, whether for the recovery of duties and taxes or for the prosecution of customs offenses.

The specific challenges of customs litigation—where the risks of customs penalties, joint liability, and criminal prosecution are significant—require the development of a legal strategy from the very beginning of a customs audit or investigation.

Her team handles complex customs cases for customs operators, transport and logistics providers, and international trade actors.

She advises, assists, and represents economic operators during customs procedures, before civil and criminal courts, and before the Court of Justice of the European Union. She also provides them with the tools to secure a satisfactory amicable settlement with the Customs Administration

Customs Litigation

Litigation Related to the Recovery of Evaded Customs Duties and Taxes

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Regere assists you:

  • during customs audits, inspections, seizures, and hearings conducted by customs authorities
  • in the exercise of adversarial proceedings: right to be heard, filing objections
  • in applications for the release of seized goods
  • in disputes over payment notices and recovery notices, as well as in requests for suspension of payment and exemption from guarantees
  • in applications for Binding Origin Information (BOI), Binding Tariff Information (BTI), and tax ruling requests
  • in requests for amicable settlements.


Customs Criminal Litigation

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Any customs irregularity constitutes a customs offence that may lead to prosecution.

Regere assists you:

  • during informal interviews or police custody
  • in applications for the return of seized cash
  • during customs or judicial investigations
  • in the event of the opening of a judicial inquiry
  • before the courts
« The specific challenges of customs litigation require the development of a strategy from the very outset of the audit or investigation phase.»

RÉGINA LOPEZ RAMIREZ

Customs Audits: Why Seek Legal Assistance from the Very Start of the Inspection?

In practice, it is not uncommon for cases to reach me at an advanced stage of the customs procedure—sometimes after several months or even years.

Often, it is only when a company receives the audit or investigation report, the preliminary tax notice, or worse, a recovery notice, that it decides to consult a lawyer experienced in customs litigation.

However, waiting until this critical stage to build a defense strategy can be a costly mistake.

While late intervention still allows for a certain degree of maneuvering, getting involved from the very first steps of the customs audit significantly improves the handling of the case.

Here’s why:

Assess the Stakes and Inform You

A customs audit is rarely insignificant. It can involve substantial amounts, severe financial penalties, and even criminal consequences for the company.

Engaging a lawyer with solid expertise in customs litigation from the initial exchanges with customs authorities gives you a clear understanding of what is at stake, the potential risks, and the available strategies.

Understanding what customs officers are looking to verify, and the potential grounds for reassessment, allows you to better anticipate what comes next.

Anticipate and Mitigate Risks

During an audit, nothing is left to chance. Customs authorities will examine your operations, documents, and procedures in detail. A specialized lawyer can immediately identify red flags and potential weaknesses.

They can:

  • Advise on which documents to prepare and how to explain them;
  • Identify areas that may raise concerns or be subject to challenge by customs;
  • Prepare detailed explanations and supporting documents from the outset;
  • Attend interviews and ensure your rights are fully respected.

This proactive approach reduces the likelihood of unjustified or excessive reassessments and lays the groundwork for any future challenge.

In short, anticipating the customs administration’s concerns reduces the risk of reassessment and litigation.

Strategic Support During the Audit

Audit phases are decisive. They often shape the outcome of the case.

The customs authority has broad powers to access documentation, question company officers, and inspect premises.

An experienced lawyer can guide you and safeguard your interests at every step of the process.

This guidance can make the difference between a heavy reassessment and a favorable resolution.

Reducing Litigation Risks

Finally, early involvement helps defuse potential disputes.

From the audit phase onward, a lawyer can:

  • Provide precise and well-founded explanations;
  • Challenge issues raised before they become formal reassessments;
  • Negotiate penalties and interest.

In short, by involving the Regere law firm and its experienced team from the beginning of a customs audit, you secure a strategic, structured, and effective defense—one that limits financial and legal risks and positions you as an active participant in your defense.

BUT REGERE IS ALSO

BUSINESS LAW

The firm handles commercial litigation, supporting its clients in the management and resolution of disputes relating to contractual liability, breach of contract, debt recovery, wrongful termination of business relationships, or shareholder disputes.

Backed by proven expertise in legal proceedings, the firm prioritizes a close relationship with its clients, ensuring a responsive and constant presence at every stage of the process. The firm deploys rigorous strategies to protect the financial and commercial interests of its clients, while assisting you, when appropriate, in negotiating amicable settlements to preserve business relationships and minimize economic risks.

INHERITANCE LAW

The firm assists heirs facing deadlocks in estate settlements resulting from family conflicts, disagreements over the distribution of assets, or the inaction of one or more heirs. In these sensitive situations, the firm implements effective legal strategies, such as requesting the appointment of an estate administrator when the management of the succession is hindered or compromised.

The firm can also step in to facilitate communications with the notary or a designated administrator, ensuring that the heirs’ interests are protected and the procedures are expedited.

Relying on in-depth expertise in inheritance law and litigation, the firm offers tailored support, combining strategy, negotiation, and legal action to break the deadlock and achieve a swift and fair resolution of the estate.

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