Publications

Books, studies and research papers:

Why formalisation policies fail in Africa: Informality as a socially learned cognitive system, Horn Economic and Social Policy Institute, 7 May 2026.
Engineering State and Economic Warriors: A Manifesto for a 21th Century African Statecraft, Horn Economic and Social Policy Institute, 3 March 2026.
The Africa Integration Paradox: Progress, Challenges and Alternative Paths, Horn Economic and Social Policy Institute, January 2026
Connecting the Souths: Identifying Strategic Sectors for Africa-Latin America Trade, Industrial and Value Chain Cooperation, Horn Economic and Social Policy Institute, November 2025
The split personality of protectionism: Comparative analysis and policy recommendations for its application in emerging and industrialized economies, Horn Economic and Social Policy Institute, September 2025
Can coordinated border management unlock the AfCFTA's vision of a united and prosperous Africa?, Horn Economic and Social Policy Institute, July 2025
Unlocking Africa's potential: Combining the green and digital corridor approaches to revolutionize logistics, Horn Economic and Social Policy Institute, June 2025.
Beyond duty relief: revisiting the Simplified Trade Regime for enhanced formalization in Africa, Horn Economic and Social Policy Institute, June 2025
Quick wins and High gains for increasing economic integration in the Horn of Africa, Horn of Africa Initiative, April 2025
Seychelles National AfCFTA Implementation Strategy, December 2024
An analysis of preferential trade agreements in Somalia, May 2024
Non Tariff Barriers (NTBs) monitoring system in Africa: possible approaches for HoAI countries, HoAI Secretariat, c/o Ministry of Finance of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, 2023
Analysys of the institutional structure/coordination mechanism for trade and investment policies, HoAI Secretariat, c/o Ministry of Finance of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, 2023
Horn of Africa Regional Roadmap on Private Sector Engagement, HoAI Secretariat, c/o Ministry of Finance of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, 2023
Horn of Africa Regional Trade Facilitation Roadmap (), French version () HoAI Secretariat, National Treasury and of Economic Planning of Kenya, Nairobi
D. Desiderio, I. Alikhani, Trade Integration and Facilitation Reforms in the Horn of Africa and Way Forward, EU report, November 2020
( BOOK) The expansion of Italian companies abroad: tax, contractual and customs aspects, MAP Editions, Turin, November 2011 (various authors) - re-edition of: International Trade, customs, contractual and tax rules of July 2004 (see below)
( BOOK) D. Desiderio, E. Sbandi, "Authorised Economic Operator, the Italian and the international experience on customs auditing and security of trade", Giappichelli editions, 2010, pp. XII-200 (read review)
( BOOK) D. Desiderio, "Practical guide to the customs power of attorney and mandate", Giappichelli editions, 2010 (read review on "Italia Oggi"; review on Informazione.it)
( BOOK) D. Desiderio, M. Giffoni, "EU Customs legislation and new Customs Code", Giappichelli Editions 2009, pp. XIV-198 (read review on "Italia Oggi")
( BOOK) D. Desiderio, "Customs controls and economic competitiveness", Giappichelli Editions, 2008, pp. X-170 (read review on "Sistemi di Logistica", pages 38-39)
( BOOK) D. Desiderio, "VAT warehouses and other warehousing procedures in the EU", Giappichelli Editions 2008, pp. X-70
BOOK (Various Authors) "Campania International – Guide to the internationalization of companies: tools, customs and contractual rules and marketing strategies”, realised by the Italian Institute for Foreign Trade in collaboration with SPRINT Campania (October 2008);
( BOOK, Various Authors) "The expansion of Italian companies abroad", MAP Editions, October 2007
( BOOK, Various Authors) "International Trade: customs, contractual and tax rules", MAP Editions, July 2004
The impact of the customs representation on the EU’s competitiveness and security”, Confiad, 2007, Istanbul (Turkey) ( English Version)
"The road haulage sector in Serbia-Montenegro: a case study", Osservatorio Logistico Veneto, November 2005

Academic publications:

World Bank:

(with A. Huria), Smarter Rules Unlock Small-Scale Trade and Better Livelihoods across Kenya and Ethiopia, 1 April 2026

World Customs Journal (International Network of Customs Universities):

Reimagining Controls on Preferential Origin: Balancing Efficiency With Reduced Trader Costs, Vol. 20 Issue 1, April 2026
Data analysis techniques for enhancing the performance of Customs, Vol. 13/2, Sept. 2019
Thoughts on the 'first sale rule, (with Desiderio, F. J.), Vol 4/1, March 2010.

Global Trade and Customs Journal

The Revised Kyoto Convention’s Commitment to Proportionate Customs Penalties as a Safeguard for Economic Operators, Volume 21, Issue 3/4 (2026) pp. 179 – 183.

International Journal of African Studies (IJAFRS), Cape Town, South Africa

Informal solutions to formal barriers: Re-evaluating intra-African trade through the lens of the shadow economy, Vol. 5, Issue 2, December 2025.
Deconstructing the linearity assumption: towards a non-linear theory of African economic integration, Vol. 5, Issue 1, June 2025.

London School of Economics and Social Science blog (Africa at LSE):

Markets outgrowing states show the scale dilemma of African integration, 21 April 2026

The Journal of Customs and Trade (Korea Research Society for Customs, Seowon University):

“Port Community Systems, customs one-stop-shops and their possible combination with a Single Window system”, Vol. 3, No. 2, December 2011
“Risk management techniques and their use by Customs” (co-authored with R. Bergami), Vol. 3, No. 1, June 30, 2011, pp. 81-91.

Social Science Research Network (SSRN):

Connecting the Souths: Identifying Strategic Sectors for Africa-Latin America Trade, Industrial and Value Chain Cooperation, 27 October 2025 (co-authored with S. Galindo Cantor)
Balancing Regional And Global Value Chains: Strategic Pathways For Africa's Industrialization, 10 October 2025
African Integration Reimagined: From Continental-Level Aspirations to Regional-Level Realities, 24 September 2025 (co-authored with Eric Tevoedjre)
Reframing the AfCFTA's Theoretical Underpinnings under the Neoclassical Trade Theory Lens, July 2025
Africa's capitalist experiment: recipe for ruin or for redemption?, May 08, 2025
Beyond OSBPs: assessing the feasibility of a "no-stop" border approach in Africa, October 04, 2025
Deterritorialization of controls and smart borders, September 20, 2021.

Taxation and Customs law Monitor (Monitor Prawa Celnego i Podatkowego) - Polish scientific journal specializing in customs and tax law

The regulation of customs representation within the Union Customs Code, February 2016, ROK XXI n. 2
with Bergami, R., "Badanie czasu wydania (Time Release Study): narzędzie do poprawy efektywności procedury odprawy celnej" (Time Release Studies: a tool to improve the efficiency of the customs clearance process"), April 2010, Rok XV NR 4 (177)/2010 KWIECIEŃ 2010
with Giffoni, M., "EU-Turkey, customs union or preferential regime?" "Turcja: unia celna czy reguły preferencyjne?", January 2010, Rok XV NR 1 (174)/2010 STYCZEŃ 2010, str. 5
with Giffoni M., "AEO status in the Modernized Community Customs Code" - "Zmiany w statusie AEO w Zmodernizowanym Wspólnotowym Kodeksie Celnym" (August 2009, ROK XIV NR 8),

Kwartalnik CELNY (Customs Quaterly, Polish quarterly journal focusing on issues related to customs law, taxation, logistics, and international trade):

With M. Giffoni, The new Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) status in the EU CUstoms Code, Nr 3 (9) Rok 2009, page 7

Nova Itinera (Italian Association of Magistrates' forensic journal):

The WTO Agreement on trade facilitation, Year VII, n. 1 -2018, p. 65
Customs representation and new EU Customs Code, Year II n. 1 - 2013

Guidelines:

Guidelines for Seychelles exporters for export of fish and fishery products to the EU market (2023)
Customs power of attorney-Guidelines, (2016)
Guidelines for the export of end-of-life tyres and tyre crumb (2010)
Customs value, guidelines for the drafting of the DV1 form (2009)
TIR Carnet guidelines ( Italian Council of Customs Brokers, 2008)
Guidelines to the AEO certification for customs brokers (2008)

Articles:

MHD Supply Chain Solutions (Intermedia Group, Australia):

With Roberto Bergami, "Time Release Studies: measuring customs clearance process times and delivery performance", July/August 2010, pages 74-75

Latinoamérica21:

Fragmented Integration in a Multipolar Trade Order: Latin America, Africa and the Search for Convergence, 16 May 2026
The Southern Axis: How Africa and Latin America Could Redefine Global Trade, 23 April 2026, Also available in Spanish and Portuguese.

Eurasia Review:

Il Doganalista (bi-monthly Journal on international trade & customs of the Italian Council of Customs Brokers):

"On the difference between customs compliance and customs planning", n. 6 (November-December 2023)
"REX system and self-certification of origin within the EPAs of the EU”, n. 3 (May-June 2023)
“AfCFTA and customs and logistics opportunities in Africa”, n. 1 (January-February 2023)
"WTO tools for accessing trade statistics and measures", n. 4 (July-August 2022)
"Customs shopping and contradictions of the EU Customs Union", n. 3 (May-June 2022)
"Green lanes and delays at borders: the Polish eBT system", n.1 (January-February 2022)
“Union Single Window and port shopping in the EU: reality or utopia?”, n. 6 (Nov.-Dec. 2021)
“Towards a re-thinking of EU-Africa relations”, n. 5 (September-October 2021)
"ROSA: Rules of Origin Self-Assessment, one-stop-shop for rules of origin" (July-Aug. 2021)
"Smart borders", n. 3 (May-June 2021)
"African Union, AfCFTA Agreement", n. 2 (March-April 2021)
"The principle of proportionality of customs penalties", n. 6 (Nov.-Dec. 2020)
"Global Trade Helpdesk, a multi-language platform for trade information", n. 5 (Sept.-Oct. 2020)
"Royalties and customs value, a clarification from the Supreme Court", n. 4 (July-Aug. 2020)
"The trend of One Stop Border Posts in Africa", n. 2-3 (March-April, May-June 2020)
"The Customs Academy in the United Kingdom", n. 1 (January-February 2020)
"Customs representative, this unknown" and "Customs broker exam in the USA: a test projected for failure", n. 6 (November-December 2019)
"Customs: targeted action for achieving results", n. 4 (July-Aug. 2019)
"Rapid alert systems and enhanced controls in the EU", n. 2 (March-April 2019)
"From the Customs Agency, new guidelines on the preferential origin", n. 1 (Jan.-Feb. 2019)
"Taxud B2/031/2016: access to the AEO status" and "Trading across borders: the World Bank ranks Italy as the first in the world", n. 4 (July-August 2016)
"The reorganisation of customs regimes in the new Union Customs Code" e "WCO study on customs brokers", n. 3 (May-June 2016)
"Administrative penalties and customs brokers", n. 1 (January-February 2016)
"Trade Facilitation Agreement:the EU ratification", n.6 (November-December 2015)
"The concept of 'abuse of right' in the taxpayer's bill of rights", n. 5, (Sept.-Oct. 2015)
"Integrated border management", n. 4, (July-August 2015)
"Fast Corridors", n. 3, (May-June 2015)
"Standard of competence for customs representatives", n. 2, (March-April 2015)
"Local clearance procedure and direct representation", n. 1, (January-February 2015)
"Customs management: common rules and global trends", n. 6, (November-December 2014)
"Made in: the UE Parliament approves the rules", n. 4 (July-August 2014)
"Speeding up customs controls: fast clearance", n. 2, (March-April 2014)
"TFA: Trade Facilitation Agreement", n. 1, (January-February 2014)
"Japan: import requirements for agro-food products", n. 6 (November-December 2013)
"The payment of customs duties via wire transfer becomes a reality", n 5 (Sept.-Oct. 2013)
"Made in the world", n. 4 (July - August 2013)
"New trends in outsourcing customs services", n. 3 (May-June 2013)
"WCO: how to improve customs performances", n. 2 (March-April 2013)
"2013 - Doing Business in Italy", n. 6 (November-December 2012)
"Article 303 Italian Customs Act and origin of goods", n.5 (September-October 2012)
“Recast, consolidation and codification in the EU law”, and “Liberalisation of customs services: choice or opportunity?”, n. 4 (July-August 2012)
“Made in” and deceptive marks“, “From the European Parliament a study on the implementation of the New ‘modernized’ customs code”, n. 3 (May-June 2012)
"Italian Customs Code, article 303 - new text" and (with Giffoni, M.) "The Customs Code becomes the Union Code" n. 2 (March-April 2012)
"Customs regime 42 at risk of VAT evasion", n. 1 (January-February 2012)
"Customs brokers USA-EU, same profession, different horizons" and "Customs declarations, doganali, annulment", n. 5 (September-October 2011)
"Commercial documents and development of traffics flows", n. 4 (July-August 2011)
"Europe says yes to traceability" and (with Giffoni, M.) "New comitology rules" , n. 4 (May-June 2011)
"Import VAT collection within the centralised clearance scheme" (with M. Giffoni) and "Goods manufactured abroad", n. 2 (March-April 2011)
"No-objection Sanitary Certificate and Veterinary Common Entry Document: user's manual" and "New Italian 'made in' regulation on food products on the EU's testing ground", n. 1 (January- February 2011)
"Development of logistics and recovery of traffic flows", n. 6 (November- December 2010)
"The incertitudes of the 'made in Italy'", n. 5 (September - October 2010)
"Barcode technology and customs administrations", n. 4 (July - Aug. 2010)
"End-of-life tyres and tyre crumb", n. 3 (May -June 2010)
"The thousands faces of the 'Made in Italy'" and (with R. Bergami, "Time Release Studies for the efficiency of the clearing process", n. 2 (March - April 2010)
"Lisbon Treaty: what are the changes for Customs?", n. 1 (January-February 2010)
"Inversion of route in the 'Made in' rules", n. 6 (November-December 2009)
"'Made in Italy' rules frozen", n. 5 (September-October 2009)
"New provisions against counterfaiting", n. 4 (July/August 2009)
(with Giffoni, M.), "Dichiarazioni in materia di transito e di esportazioni" and "14° Forum UN/CEFACT", n. 3 (May-June 2009)
"Ravvedimento operoso, aboliti alcuni adempimenti tributari", n. 2 (May/Apr. 2009)
"Certificati di origine preferenziali, a chi l'onere della prova?"; "Interpello Doganale" e (with Giffoni, M.) "Modifiche al regime di transito", n. 1 (January/February 2009)
"Autovalutazione dei dazi nel nuovo codice doganale", n. 12 (November/Decembre 2008)
"Made in", n. 11 (September/October 2008)
"La nuova regola americana del 10+2", n. 10 (July/August 2008)
"Zone franche e territori extra-doganali", n. 9 (May/June 2008)
(con F. Silanos) "Facilitazioni commerciali: uno strumento per lo sviluppo del commercio internazionale", n. 8 (Mar./Apr. 2008)
"Gli strumenti di collaborazione internazionale in campo doganale", n. 2 (Jan./Feb. 2008)
"L’origine ai fini doganali e commerciali", n. 5 (September/October 2007)
"I concetti di sportello unico ed interfaccia unica nel quadro della nuova strategia delle dogane elettroniche", n. 4 (July/Aug. 2007)
"Il Dumping e gli strumenti della politica commerciale comune europea", n. 1 (Jan./Feb. 2007)
"Nomenclature e Tariffe doganali a confronto", n. 6 (Nov./Dec. 2006)
"L’evoluzione dei controlli doganali: gestione dei rischi e controlli a posteriori", n. 5 (Sept./Oct. 2006)
"Contingenti Tariffari e loro metodi di gestione", n. 4 (July/August 2006)
"Clausole di spesa nel contratto di trasporto marittimo", n. 2 (March/April 2006)
"Container Security Iniziative: strategie di sicurezza USA ed UE a confronto", n. 1 (January/February 2006)
"L’accordo di consignment stock internazionale", n. 5 (September/October 2005)
"Tutela della proprietà intellettuale in Italia ed in Cina", n. 4 (July/August 2005)
"Spedizionieri doganali e nuova legge sulla privacy", n. 3 (May/June 2005)
"Analisi dei rischi in dogana: il modello dello Stairway svedese", e "I meccanismi di risoluzione delle controversie internazionali", n. 2 (March/April 2005)
"Il contratto di logistica", n. 6, (November/December 2004)
"Sostegno pubblico all’internazionalizzazione", n. 5 (September/October 2004)
"Joint Venture, una strategia vincente", n. 4 (July/August 2004)
"La professione di doganalista nel mondo", n. 3 (May/June 2004)

Diritto 24 of "Il Sole 24 Ore" (Italian economic newspaper)

Customs representation deregulated in Europe, 21 June 2013

Sistemi di Logistica

"Customs one-stop-shop and governance' doganale" (with De Mari, G.), N. 5, December 2016, pp. 10-11
"How important are Customs for the competitiveness of a country?", N. 1, March 2011, pp. 38-39

Trade with Italy (Italy-America Chamber of Commerce Journal)

D. Desiderio, F. J. Desiderio: “Will the ‘first sale rule’ survive?” Trade with Italy, Spring Luncheon Edition 2010, Year XII, Vol 32.
D. Desiderio, F. J. Desiderio: "Italian government amends legislation on the protection of the 'Made in Italy' marking", Year XI, Vol 31, Special edition Gala 2009

On Medium (www.medium.com)

Political risk as a deterrent to industrialization of Africa, 11 May 2021
‘Bad trade’ and risks of stifling local production in Africa, 3 May 2021

www.scint.it

La strategia UE per l’allargamento: i Programmi di Twinning
Il ruolo della Islamic law
Le Joint Ventures
La crescita del regionalismo in ambito Mediterraneo
Riforma del sistema pubblico di sostegno all’internazionalizzazione

www.lapraticaforense.it

Il riconoscimento delle sentenze italiane all’estero
Il ruolo delle Regioni nel processo di internazionalizzazione del sistema produttivo italiano

www.dirittosuweb.com

Sistemi giuridici di common, civil ed islamic law a confronto
Evoluzione del diritto consuetudinario in Africa e sistema dualistico di giustizia
Le tecniche di redazione del contratto internazionale nei grandi sistemi giuridici
Finanza e fisco negli ordinamenti islamici
I concetti di soft law e lex mercatoria nel diritto del commercio internazionale

Altalex

Domande di rinvio pregiudiziale: nuove indicazioni dalla Corte di Giustizia UE (16.12.2009)
Anti-suit injunctions contrarie al diritto comunitario (10.04.2009)
Le “anti-suit injunctions” nel common law (26.02.2009)
Armonizzazione a livello comunitario della disciplina relativa ai crediti alimentari: modificato il Regolamento (CE) n. 44/2001 (19.02.2009)
Il contratto di Consigment stock internazionale (28.02.2006)
Il problema della legge applicabile al contratto internazionale (01.09.2005)
La giurisdizione dei Tribunali religiosi islamici (10.05.2005)
L’interpretazione dei contratti: un parallelismo con i sistemi di common law (08.04.2005)
La gestione delle controversie derivanti dai contratti internazionali (04.02.2005)
I concetti di 'soft law' e di 'lex mercatoria' nel diritto del commercio internazionale (26.01.2005)
Finanza e fisco nei Paesi ad ordinamento islamico (29.11.2004)
Evoluzione del diritto consuetudinario in Africa e sistema dualistico di giustizia (15.09.2004)

Interviews/they talk about us

/ /

Middle-East crisis and impact on Africa, interview to Danilo Desiderio on Sputnik Africa, 1th April 2026
The African Free Trade Area is on, what is lacking is trust among States, Il Messagero (Italy), 27 May 2025
Participation to the Djibouti Investment Forum 2025, 5-8 April 2025
Security, integration concern top agenda during Horn Initiative conference, The Reporter, Ethiopia, 22 February 2025
AfCFTA: meeting training needs to align standards and practice, Africa e Affari, November 2024
AfCFTA and Mattei plan take central stage at EIMA, Botswana Agribusiness, 11 november 2024
Africa and the Piano Mattei in the spotlight at EIMA International, Farmers' review Africa, 4 November 2024
Seychelles prepares AfCFTA implementation strategy with experts' input, African Press, 18 September 2024
Seychelles discusses AfCFTA implementation strategy, Seychelles Nation, 18 September 2024
Service economy key for economic growth, The Financial Gazette, Zimbabwe, December 2023
Roasted Reality: Ethiopia’s coffee faces crux with upcoming EU regulation, endangering livelihoods of millions of farmers, The Addis Standard, April 2024
Somali port infrastructure unravels tremendous potential as piracy saga ends, Ports & Harbours, December 2023
Training on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) starts in Kinshasa, 2 October 2023
Participation to the International Single Window Conference, Djibouti, 25-26 September 2023
HoA: navigating the trade and investment landscape in the Horn of Africa: a comprehensive review, The Africans Time, Addis Ababa, August 2023
Africa, the dual competition between Pechino and Dubai for the ports in the continent, interview for 'Il Sole 24 Ore', 11 April 2023
Lubumbashi: des agents de la DGDA formés sur les innovations de la ZLECAF pour l'amélioration du climat des affaires, 12 Mars 2023
DGDA, le prochain round prévu du 06 au 10 mars prochain à Lumumbashi de la formation des formateurs, Africanews, 27 Feb. 2023
New exporter-based certification to ease exports of Seychelles products to EU, Seychelles Nation, 9 February 2023
Customs: Seychelles to introduce REX for exports to EU in July, Seychelles News Agency, 7 Feb. 2023
South Sudan set to be integrated into the Horn of Africa Initiative, Burundi Times, Sept. 10, 2022
EPA project launches training to bolster awareness on the benefits of Seychelles' trade agreement with the EU, Seychelles Nation, 21 March 2022
LAPSSET key in Africa's integration agenda, March 2022
Customs Data Analysis, Creamer Media's Engineering News, September 2021
Kenya, love at first sight, Irpinitaly, December 2019
East Africa Community: the new economic engine of Africa (L'Indro)
Dual Customs, interview with Danilo Desiderio, by Ornella Rota (Culturalismi)
European customs representatives: professionals at the service of international trade flows, Porto & Diporto, Oct. 2015
Vers une réglementation douanière aux Comores, Al-Fajr, 7 November 2014
The 'Made in' is law, interview for Vivere in Armonia, San Paolo Group, 23 Marzo 2010
Technical workshop on the Ukranian market, CasertaNews, 27 May 2008
Italian businessmen interested in making "Made in Italy island" in Ukraine, 26.06.2008 (Ukraine government web portal)

Presentations to workshops & Podcasts

Participation to the LATAM-Africa International Business & Experience Forum, Bogotà (Colombia), 2 October 2025
Presentation to the workshop Unlocking African markets: customs and transport strategies, Cámara de Comercio Latino-Africana (Bogotà, Colombia), 26 June 2025.
Participation to the Djibouti Investment Forum 2025, 6-8 April 2025.
Workshop on Seychelles AfCFTA national implementation strategy, 17 December 2024
PODCAST: Italian Trade Agency: AfCFTA Common Market and Italy's contribution, 17 April 2024
Participation at the Djibouti Single Window Conference, Djibouti 25-26 September
Presentation to the workshop of the Italian Council of Customs Brokers in Naples on Customs controls and litigation, 15 September 2016
Presentation to the Master on Customs Law and Excises of the University La Sapienza, Rome. 6 February 2016
Presentation to the workshop of the Italian Council of Customs Brokers on Customs controls vs. administrative and jurisdictional remedies, Rome, 6 October 2012
Presentation to the workshop on Assessment of customs and border procedures at the Seme-Kraké e Noepé-Akanu OSBPs, Lomé (Togo), dicembre 2019
Presentation to the workshop of the Italian Council of Customs Brokers on the Procura doganale, 22 September 2011
Presentation to the workshop at the Chamber of Commerce of Benevento (IT) on International contracts as a gateway to the Russian market, 21 July 2008
Presentation to the workshop at the Chamber of Commerce of Salerno (IT) on International contracts as a gateway to the Russian market, 2 October 2008
Presentation to the workshop of the Italian Council of Customs Brokers in Cagliari (IT) on Development of quality standards in customs services and role of codes of conduct in the EU’s vision, 26 September 2008. Read review on "Porto & Diporto".
Presentation to the worksshop of the Italian Council of Customs Brokers in Como (IT) on the new EU Modernized Customs Code: opportunities and critical aspects, May 2008. Read review on La Provincia, Como.
Presentation to the workshop of the Italian Ministry of International Trade on the strategies of simplification of international trade (February 2008). Read review on 'Il Doganalista'.