On 17 April 2025, Vietnam’s Department of Customs under the Ministry of Finance hosted a consultation meeting in Hanoi to gather feedback on proposed legal reforms related to on-the-spot import-export regulations. The session was chaired by Mr. Au Anh Tuan, Deputy Director of the Department of Customs.
EuroCham was represented by Mr. Minh Nguyen, Vice Chairman in charge of External Relations. Also in attendance were representatives from the Customs Department, the Korean Chamber of Commerce, business associations, and international enterprises such as CANON and TOYOTA.
The discussion focused on three key regulatory issues:
1. Definition of On-the-Spot Import and Export
EuroCham supports the direction of the proposed amendments and encourages the Customs Department to further simplify key definitions. Clearer language, especially around the definition of on-the-spot import and export, will help ensure better compliance and implementation across sectors.
2. Retroactive Application of Regulations
To resolve legal overlaps and inconsistencies, EuroCham recommends the inclusion of transactional clauses. They would improve legal clarity for businesses and streamline enforcement for customs authorities.
3. Discriminatory Treatment Between Trade Forms
EuroCham aligns with the Customs Department in addressing unequal regulatory treatment between contract manufacturing and export production. The chamber supports timely amendments at the Decree level to ensure fair and consistent application of trade policies.
EuroCham sincerely appreciates the Department of Customs’ proactive engagement and responsiveness to concerns from the business community. We remain committed to contributing to policy development that promotes transparent, streamlined trade and investment conditions in Vietnam.
EuroCham’s involvement in this meeting reflects our on-going efforts to advocate for the retention of On-the-spot Import & Export – a 2025 Must Win Battle for our Transportation & Logistics Sector Committee.
