Brian Mulier

As co-head of our International Trade & Customs Group I have in-depth, long-standing experience in the full range of customs and trade related matters, sanctions regimes and the application of EU export controls. Whilst working across Europe I am based in The Hague.

With more than 20 years' experience advising on trade compliance matters, my practice focuses on EU export controls, economic sanctions, customs, free trade agreements, trade remedies and product and food regulation. In addition, I have extensive experience advising our multinational clients on EU customs compliance, customs classification, customs valuation, transfer pricing and rules of origin.

I also advise on the structuring and re-structuring of customs-efficient supply chains, including sourcing strategies and ways of optimising the use of free trade agreements, especially in the tech & comms and life sciences sectors.

I am particularly skilled in assisting companies to improve their competitiveness by implementing duty saving strategies and restructuring their distribution models and supply chains to make the best use of trade and customs laws.

I also assist our clients in understanding the implications of WTO rules and treaty and trade provisions for their business, to help improve competitiveness and financial performance. Besides providing advice, my practice includes also litigation.

I also have extensive experience of EU export controls and sanctions regulations including the interaction between EU and national laws and US rules. My experience includes both dual-use and military products and technologies.

As well as speaking on export controls and customs compliance at numerous professional and business courses, I am an instructor at the International Tax Academy of the International Bureau of Fiscal Documentation, where I teach courses on the Principles of Transfer Pricing (Customs Valuation) and the Taxation of Supply Chain Restructuring. Before joining the team here at Bird & Bird, I practised trade and customs law at a global law firm.

• Advising on the applicability and enforcement of export controls and trade sanctions in view of a cross-border asset purchase agreement and related software licensing agreement.
• Advising on the applicability of the UN and EU sanctions in view of the supply of services relating to the exploration of an oil and gas field that is jointly owned with an Iranian company.
• Representing a multinational US-based company in relation to the export controls classification of integrated circuits and semiconductors in the EU and subsequent export controls licensing in different EU Member States.
• Complex litigation (to the EUCJ) for the world's leading logistics services provider on the interpretation and application of the low value consignments relief for imported goods.
• Coordinating and managing a global project comprising customs valuation, customs origin and customs classification aspects, compliance and duty saving opportunities in view of the implementation of a transfer pricing system and corporate restructuring of a leading chemicals company.