- Overview
Bowmans delivers a comprehensive, end-to-end, cross-border trade law service that provides strategic advice across multiple African jurisdictions.
We help clients to ensure goods are moved from origin to market with minimal friction. Our differentiator is our deep regulatory relationships, sector-specific knowledge, and track record across the full value chain.
Our one-stop-shop for all aspects of trade helps clients with every step from establishing a presence in different jurisdictions to drafting commercial and sale contracts and handling disputes. This ability is enabled by our on-the-ground presence in key African jurisdictions and trade hubs, which gives us unmatched regional insight and access to key decision-makers.
We provide practical, tailored advice assisting clients to navigate shifting trade rules and tax regimes, defend against trade measures, and unlock access to new markets by optimising free trade agreements and regional economic communities.
We help clients with every aspect of the logistics chain and provide a comprehensive advisory service that competitors often cannot.
Specialist Services
- Incorporation
- Regulatory licensing
- Customs and other tax registration
- Trade finance structuring
- Defending against anti-dumping and countervailing duty measures
- Representing clients in tariff, valuation, and origin disputes against SARS
- Appearing before bodies such as the WTO and ITAC
- Making representations to and/ or engaging with national authorities (eg ITAC) and regional economic communities (eg EAC, SACU, SADC)
- Advising on international trade regulations/ agreements (eg AfCFTA, other free trade/ multilateral trade agreements)
- Licensing and registrations (eg customs, excise)
- Sale of goods agreements
- Payment mechanisms and instruments
- Repo transactions
- Security structures
- Warehousing, stockpile, logistics hubs and container depots
- Terminal throughput agreements and regulations
- Offtake agreements
- Freight forwarding and customs clearing
- Carriage of goods (road, rail, shipping, air)
- Marine, aviation and trade insurance
- Managing disputes throughout the supply chain
- Sanctions screening
- Export licensing
- Movement of restricted, prohibited and dual-use goods
- Agriculture (SPS barriers)
- Mining and Energy (export controls, critical minerals)
- Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare (licensing)
- Domestic litigation and AFSA arbitration
- International arbitration before the ICC, LCIA, SIAC, HKIAC, LMAA and under various commodity trade associations such as the London Metal Exchange (LME), the Grain and Feed Trade Association (GAFTA), the Federation of Oils, Seeds and Fats Associations (FOSFA), the Sugar Association of London (SAL) and the Refined Sugar Association of London (RSA)
- Policy advocacy and dispute defence
- Engaging with key decision-makers and government bodies
- Trade remedies such as anti-dumping and safeguards
- Navigating complex regulatory environments and geopolitical pressures
Related Expertise
Chambers and Partners
What sets the team apart is its awareness, respect and practical experience of the local cultures in the various jurisdictions.
The lawyers are very proactive in providing solutions and appropriate drafting in relation to complex issues.
Legal 500
The highly-regarded practice at Bowmans is well-versed in handling a wide range of complex tax matters, with noted strength in tax litigation and the tax aspects of international trade.
Bowmans ‘has a deep understanding of local regulatory nuances as well as good awareness of international developments'.
They are a very well-oiled litigation machine.
The ‘responsive’ team has an excellent reputation for advising on a broad spectrum of shipping, aviation, and transport matters.




