Nicolò Cusimano

I am counsel in Bird & Bird's Tax Department and I work from our Milan office, where I focus on customs law and international trade matters.

I advise companies and financial operators on export control, international economic sanctions, customs law and supply chain regulation. My experience enables me to provide strategic and operational support on complex international trade compliance issues, helping clients navigate an ever-evolving geopolitical and regulatory landscape.

My professional background combines legal and operational experience. I have developed cross-functional expertise working at a leading international consulting firm and, subsequently, as Global Trade Control Manager for the Southern European entities of a US-listed public company operating in the aerospace sector. This background allows me to understand clients' needs from both a legal and operational perspective and to develop practical, integrated solutions.

I believe that an effective client relationship is built on ongoing dialogue, understanding of business specificities and the ability to translate complex regulatory requirements into actionable strategies. My goal is to create value through proactive advice, identifying opportunities and mitigating risks in the customs and international trade sphere.

I am a member of the International Chamber of Commerce's National Customs and Trade Facilitation Commission, and in 2025, I was appointed President of the Customs Commission at the Lombard Chamber of Tax Lawyers. I am the author of numerous publications in national and international legal journals, and I regularly speak and lecture at training initiatives focused on customs law and international trade.

• Advising numerous economic operators on the proceduralisation of control mechanisms to ensure compliance of their operations with trade compliance regulations governing international trade.
• Advising companies on the adoption of strategies to mitigate tariff and non-tariff impacts related to the import or export of their products, through the implementation of special customs regimes (such as inward processing) or the redefinition of sourcing strategies.
• Supporting companies in obtaining reliability certifications under customs regulations (including Authorised Economic Operator, AEO) and in other authorisation procedures, assisting operators in preparing for audits by control authorities.
• Providing legal assistance in disputes with customs authorities or other competent authorities in relation to regulations governing foreign trade.
• Conducting due diligence in the context of extraordinary transactions to assess legal and reputational risks related to violations of international economic sanctions and trade compliance regulations.