International Trade & Cross-Border Business

The U.S.-Mexico border region has held great appeal to manufacturers wishing to capitalize on the NAFTA free trade agreement by developing twin-plant “maquiladora” facilities or shelter operations. Since taking effect in 1994, companies large and small, local and multi-national, have turned to the international trade attorneys at ScottHulse PC for assistance in navigating the complexities of doing business in a rapidly growing and ever-changing cross-border marketplace. We seek to not only be a trusted partner to our clients, but also a contributor to the success of their operations. Our location along with U.S.-Mexico border gives us tremendous insight and experience with not only U.S.-Mexico matters, but also in matters involving other countries around the world, including as China and European countries.

Our clients rely on our attorneys to provide insight and counsel on the following:

International business transactions, both inbound and outbound
International compliance issues for imports and exports
International trade strategies, taking into account international trade laws and treaties
Cross-border disputes, including international litigation, mediation and arbitration, and international tax issues

Select Representations:

Counsel to Seller of multinational electronics manufacturing company with operations in the U.S. and in Mexico (maquiladora) in a multi-million dollar cross-border merger and acquisition (M&A) transaction.
Counsel to U.S. subsidiary of one of the largest electronics companies in the world in the establishment of logistics operations in Texas and Mexico
Counsel to a U.S. company in the formation of a company in Mexico for the sale of oil lubricants to businesses throughout Mexico
Counsel to a U.S. company in the formation of a company in Mexico for the sale of medical equipment in Mexico
Counsel to a U.S. company in the establishment of maquiladora (manufacturing) operations in Texas and Mexico
Counsel to many U.S. companies in shelter agreements and contract manufacturing agreements to allow the U.S. company to do business in Mexico without establishing direct operations (permanent establishment) in Mexico
Counsel to restaurant franchisor from Mexico in establishing and selling restaurants franchises throughout the United States
Counsel to large packaging/pallet business from Mexico in the formation of a company in and the establishment of operations in Texas
Counsel to a U.S. company in the acquisition of manufacturing plants in Mexico with financing obtained from U.S. lenders.
Counsel to Buyer in the acquisition of several multi-million dollar manufacturing, packaging and logistics businesses with operations in the U.S. and Mexico (maquiladora operations).
Counsel to Seller in a $71.1 million dollar sale of its business with operations in the U.S. and maquiladora operations in Mexico.
Counsel to Seller in a $16 million dollar sale of its packaging business with operations in the U.S. and maquiladora operations in Mexico.
Counsel to several Mexican transportation companies on international tax matters, tax treaty questions, compliance issues with U.S. taxing authorities, and legal issues arising from transactions with U.S.-based related parties.
Counsel to clients having interests in a Cypriot shipping enterprise on international tax matters and U.S. tax compliance issues.
Successfully obtained reductions with respect to Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA) withholding on multi-million dollar dispositions of U.S. real property by foreign nationals and corporations from Panama and Mexico.
Counsel to foreign clients on choice-of-entity and tax issues for inbound U.S. investments, and organizes their business entities in Texas and other states.
Counsel to a U.S. Company on the acquisition of foreign aircrafts and aircraft component’s and the import into, and export from, the United States of such aircraft.
Counsel to several companies from Mexico on the establishment of a restaurant in the United States.

Practice Areas