Bär & Karrer with Customs Support Group on Zollimpex acquisition 

Bär & Karrer served as legal counsel to Customs Support Group, a company within the Castik Capital portfolio, in its recent acquisition of Zollimpex, a division of BKM Customs and Consulting (BKM). Zollimpex is a respected customs broker and consulting firm with operations in Switzerland. This strategic acquisition is a key component of Customs Support’s plan to reinforce its presence in Switzerland. 

Established in 1974 and under the ownership of BKM Customs and Consulting since 2019, Zollimpex plays a pivotal role in customs-related services, strategically located in both Switzerland and Germany. With 15 dedicated employees operating from five offices situated at border crossings in Pratteln (HQ), Rheinfelden, St. Louis, and Basel Weil autobahn (Germany and Switzerland), Zollimpex is renowned for being a comprehensive partner for customs matters. The company offers a wide range of import, export, and consulting services, aspiring to be a ‘one-stop shop’ for its clients in the Basel region and beyond. 

By integrating Zollimpex into its network, Customs Support strategically situates itself in central Swiss locations, further expanding its operational footprint across France, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland. This strategic move significantly enhances Customs Support’s service portfolio in Switzerland, providing clients with an extended suite of modern customs services, with a strong focus on efficiency, digitalization, and automation solutions. 

This acquisition perfectly aligns with Customs Support’s overarching buy-and-build strategy, primarily focused on international expansion within the customs services sector. The primary objective of this transaction is to deliver increased value to the existing client base of both Customs Support and Zollimpex. It aims to maintain the current skilled management and workforce while fostering continued growth for all stakeholders within both organizations. 

Bär & Karrer team was led by Christoph Neeracher and Philippe Seiler and further included Luzius Bill, Romina Lauper and Djawad Kleist (all M&A) as well as Raoul Stocker and Fabian Capt (both Tax).