International Business Law
Business relations no longer stop at national borders. Whether it involves exports, imports, joint ventures, cross-border contracts, or disputes between foreign partners, international business law has become an essential tool to secure your operations.
Whitefield assists companies, investors, and international groups in negotiating, drafting, and managing their commercial relationships beyond French territory.
What is international business law?
International business law encompasses all legal rules applicable to economic operations involving multiple countries. It includes:
- International contract law
- International trade law (sales, transport, customs)
- International corporate law
- International tax law
- Global competition and distribution law
- Foreign investment regulations
- Cross-border dispute resolution
Our services aim to legally secure your international operations while helping you anticipate contractual, tax, and regulatory risks linked to the internationalization of your business.
When should you seek legal support in international business law?
Whitefield intervenes in many situations related to international trade:
- Setting up subsidiaries or branches abroad
- Drafting and negotiating international contracts (distribution, franchise, sale, service agreements)
- Managing commercial disputes between partners in different countries
- Assistance with import-export operations
- Compliance with international regulations (sanctions, embargoes, customs requirements)
- Foreign direct investment (FDI) into France or by French companies abroad
- Structuring of joint ventures and transnational agreements
- International group structuring and global tax optimization
What are the legal issues in importing goods into France?
Importing goods or services into France involves several legal and regulatory components:
- Customs regulations: tariff classification, customs duties, import VAT, customs clearance procedures
- Product compliance: EU standards (CE marking), certifications, sanitary or phytosanitary checks
- Logistics contracts: appropriate Incoterms (FOB, CIF, DDP…), transport insurance, carrier liability
- Sanctions and embargo compliance: verification of embargoed countries or restricted entities
Whitefield assists you with customs declarations, negotiating transport contracts, and securing regulatory compliance for your goods.
What are the key points when exporting from France?
Exporting your products or services internationally requires:
- Market study and local compliance: analysis of technical standards, language requirements, labelling
- Choice of Incoterms and tax optimization: allocation of costs and risks, VAT exemptions, export procedures
- Export controls: export licenses (dual-use goods, sensitive equipment)
- International payment management: payment guarantees (letters of credit, credit insurance), anti-money laundering compliance
We develop tailor-made procedures and ensure that your export operations are smooth and compliant, from dispatch in France to delivery abroad.
What rules apply to international contracts?
In an international contract, several elements must be carefully defined:
- Governing law: French law, partner's law, or neutral law (e.g. Swiss or English law)
- Jurisdiction clause: competent court or international arbitration
- Contract language: which version prevails in case of dispute
- Liability and guarantees: delivery, payment, compliance, repairs
- Force majeure and hardship: dealing with disruptions (sanctions, health crises, political instability)
Whitefield assists in drafting tailored, balanced, and protective contracts, in line with industry standards.
How to manage international business disputes?
Disputes between partners in different countries require a strategic approach:
- Review of dispute resolution clauses
- Analysis of competent jurisdiction or international arbitration routes
- Application of international conventions (e.g. Vienna Convention on the International Sale of Goods)
- Enforcement of foreign or arbitral decisions in France or abroad
Our firm assists you in amicable resolution, litigation or arbitration proceedings, and cross-border enforcement of judgments or arbitral awards.
How does global competition law apply?
Global competition law regulates business behaviour across borders to ensure fair competition in international markets.
With the growing number of competition authorities (European Commission, U.S. Federal Trade Commission, UK CMA, etc.) and increasing harmonization via multilateral agreements, businesses must navigate divergent legal frameworks.
Whitefield supports you in:
- Identifying risks of non-compliance with various antitrust laws
- Implementing compliance programs tailored to each jurisdiction
- Assisting with cross-border mergers & acquisitions from a competition law perspective
- Preparing and defending your case before foreign authorities during investigations or sanction procedures
Thanks to our expertise in French, European, and international law, we help you anticipate regulatory changes and structure your operations to stay competitive across global markets.
Why work with Whitefield in international business law?
Whitefield offers high-level, responsive expertise in handling cross-border operations. Our approach is pragmatic and tailored to the business challenges of our clients—whether they are exporting SMEs, international groups, investment funds, or globally oriented start-ups.
- Practical and business-oriented legal advice
- Support in negotiations and legal structuring of your operations
- Ongoing compliance monitoring with local and international regulations
- Strategic guidance in cross-border disputes
- Knowledge of foreign legal systems through a network of international partners
- Multilingual team (English, Spanish, Arabic…) for seamless communication in global matters
Contact Whitefield
Secure your international operations, anticipate cross-border risks, and turn your international projects into a growth engine that is legally sound and well-structured.