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Expertise

International Trade, Forex & Customs

Team 2 / 5
Vitaly Dianov
Vitaly Dianov
Partner, PhD (Law)
Lena Belozerova
Lena Belozerova
Counsel
For many years running, our International Trade, Forex and Customs Practice has been one of the most successful in the market, rightfully holding leading positions in Russian and international legal rankings.

Our team has comprehensive practical experience in supporting complex full-scale projects on customs law, foreign trade and currency regulation matters, both in the course of clients' day-to-day business operations and in protecting their interests in disputes at pre-trial and judicial stages. One of the key and currently most demanded areas of the team’s specialization is representation of clients' interests in disputes with customs authorities. The Practice is also one of the few Russian teams with extensive experience in anti-dumping investigations and supporting related projects, backed by in-depth expertise in this area.

Our services

International Trade
  • Application of the Eurasian Economic Union’s (EEU) Common Customs Tariff and the Commodity Classification for Foreign Trade (TN VED), international treaties and agreements relating to the EEU, Resolutions of the Customs Union Commission and Eurasian Economic Commission’s Board, Common Non-tariff Regulations within the EEU, and Common Customs and Tariff
    Regulations within individual EEU member states
  • Advice on goods classification under the EEU's Commodity Classification for Foreign Trade, preparation of documentation for preliminary decisions on goods classification
  • Customs valuation / deferred customs valuation
  • Advice on including licence fees and other payments in the customs value of imported goods
Customs regulation, legal protection in foreign economic activities
  • Customs registration of goods
  • Obtaining customs preferences
  • Challenging unlawful decisions, actions (inaction) by customs authorities
  • Challenging decisions on goods classification / introduction of amendments into goods declarations / adjustment of customs value
Currency regulation
  • Advice on the currency legislation of the Russian Federation
  • Protection of the rights and legitimate interests of clients in cases of administrative offences in the currency legislation of the Russian Federation
  • Due diligence / legal audit of risks related to currency legislation in corporate / M&A transactions
Anti-dumping and safeguard investigations
  • Advising clients on anti-dumping and safeguard investigations
  • Representing applicants (domestic industries) in anti-dumping and safeguard investigations, including investigations conducted within the powers of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC)
  • Representing foreign manufacturers and importers subject to anti-dumping or safeguard investigations, including investigations conducted within the powers of the EEC
  • Representing other participants in anti-dumping and safeguard investigations, including investigations conducted within the powers of the EEC

Awards & Rankings

Band 1
Kommersant 2026
Ranked in Band 1 in International Trade (Customs) and International Trade (Foreign Exchange Regulation) by Kommersant 2026
Band / Tier 2
Pravo-300 2025
Ranked Tier 2 in International Trade / Customs & Foreign Exchange Regulation (FX Regulation) and International Trade / Customs & Foreign Exchange Regulation (Customs Law) by Pravo-300 2025

Team

Vitaly
Dianov
Partner, PhD (Law)
Lena
Belozerova
Counsel
Vladislav
Safonov
Counsel

Projects & Clients

Fujikura Ltd.
Successfully represented Fujikura Ltd. in an anti-dumping investigation conducted in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) concerning single-mode optical fibre originating from the United States and Japan. We achieved a unique result at the time: the EEC terminated the investigation due to the absence of injury to the domestic industry and did not impose anti-dumping duties. The client retained the ability to import its products into the EAEU without restrictions.
International petrochemical company
Successfully represented an international petrochemical company before the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) in two anti-dumping investigations concerning high-density polyethylene, as well as polypropylene and propylene copolymers, initiated following applications by one of Russia’s largest industrial groups. Both investigations were terminated without the imposition of any anti-dumping measures on the importer.
Zapsibneftekhim (SIBUR)
Successfully represented the client in a court dispute with the customs authorities over customs value and licence fees. Even though we only participated in the case at the cassation appeal, we succeeded in having the judicial acts against the client overturned. The court took a decision in favour of the client and ruled that licence fees should not be included in the customs value of the imported goods.
One of the world's biggest pet food producers
We drafted and secured approval by the customs authorities for a deferred customs value determination system allowing the client to confirm the customs value upon completion of customs clearance of the imported goods by obtaining all the requisite information about the components of the customs value, including licence payments, without running the risk of breaking the law.

News & Insights

Press releases
ALUMNI Partners announces Vladislav Safonov joining the team of International Trade, Forex and Customs Practice as a Counsel
14.10
2024
Press releases
ALUMNI Partners is recognized in Kommersant’s ranking «M&A deals of the year»
29.09
2023
Press releases
ALUMNI Partners has advised Alticor on the process of liquidation of its Russian subsidiary
26.09
2023
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See Also

Antitrust & Competition
Banking & Finance
Bankruptcy & Restructuring
View All