International Trade Compliance

Drawing from our team’s in-depth knowledge and experience in international trade, especially with respect to the analysis and commercial applications of Vietnam’s World Trade Organization (WTO) commitments, we routinely advise clients on various issues in relation to customs classification, import/export of goods, procurement policies by local and international entities, foreign investment restrictions, and international trade compliance-related aspects of acquisitions such as sanctions and export controls.

A sampling of our highlight matters in this area includes:

• Advising a world-leading logistics company in relation to trade-related regulatory compliance in Vietnam, including competition law, customs classification of imported goods, and foreign investment in a domestic logistics business (which were included as market access commitments of Vietnam in the context of its accession to WTO).
• Advising a major global manufacturer of infant formula in relation to details of the price stabilisation action by the Ministry of Finance (MOF) being implemented for the infant formula industry in Vietnam. The MOF intended to apply a ceiling price to our client’s milk products, and our client requested our advice on how to proceed.
• Advising a world-leading steel production corporation in its joint venture in Vietnam in relation to the importation of a certain product to Vietnam. Due to a lack of clarity under the laws of Vietnam, as regards how to classify the client's product, our team undertook an analysis of the issue and liaised with the relevant authorities to determine the rights of the client with respect to this sensitive matter.
• Advising one of the world's “supermajor” oil and gas companies on the importation and environmental protection regulations of Vietnam in relation to the export of line flush which is a liquid waste produced in crude oil exploitation and exploration activities.