4 Areas How Customs Lawyers in Vietnam Help Foreign Businesses Navigate Trade Wars & Tariff Risks

Tariff risks! You hear it right.  When you turn on television or radio or read news on your phone everyday, your brain start catching lots of buzz words referring to tariffs. Vietnam has emerged as a global manufacturing powerhouse, attracting foreign investors and multinational companies seeking an alternative to China’s supply chain dominance. However, as global trade tensions escalate, businesses operating in Vietnam are facing increased risks from tariffs, taxes, and stricter customs regulations.  To mitigate risk, customs lawyers in Vietnam would be helpful.

Countries are increasingly using tariffs and trade barriers to protect domestic industries, leading to new challenges for companies engaged in international trade. The major economies are implementing or considering higher tariffs on imports from Vietnam, particularly in major industries.

For foreign businesses, customs lawyers in Vietnam play a crucial role in navigating this complex landscape. With expertise in trade regulations, tariff classifications, customs audits, and dispute resolution, they help companies stay compliant, reduce costs, and avoid penalties.

In here we discuss why foreign companies need customs lawyers in Vietnam now more than ever, covering key aspects of trade compliance, legal risks, and strategies to mitigate tariff-related challenges.

Who Are Customs Lawyers in Vietnam and Why Do You Need One?

Defining the Role of Customs Lawyers in Vietnam

Customs lawyers in Vietnam specialize in advising businesses on the legal aspects of importing and exporting goods. They help companies:

• Navigate Vietnam’s General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC) regulations.
• Ensure compliance with ASEAN trade laws, WTO agreements, and Vietnam’s free trade agreements (FTAs) such as the CPTPP, EVFTA, and RCEP.
• Assist in customs audits, disputes, and litigation when businesses face penalties or trade restrictions.
• Optimize tariff classifications to ensure businesses pay the lowest legally permissible duties.
• Help exporters respond to anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations imposed by foreign markets.

Why Foreign Businesses in Vietnam Need Customs Lawyers Now More Than Ever

As the risk of a global trade war grows, companies operating in Vietnam must prepare for the following:

• New Tariffs & Trade Barriers: Foreign governments may impose tariffs on Vietnamese exports, making legal compliance critical.
• Stricter Customs Inspections: Vietnam is tightening customs enforcement to comply with international trade regulations and prevent fraud.
• Disputes Over Rules of Origin: Many companies are facing scrutiny over preferential trade agreements and whether their products truly qualify for tariff reductions.
• Increased Compliance Costs: Without expert legal guidance, businesses may pay higher tariffs or face customs penalties.

What Do Customs Lawyers in Vietnam Do?

Helping Businesses Navigate Tariff Classifications

One of the biggest challenges in international trade is tariff classification, as incorrect classification can lead to higher duties or legal disputes. Customs lawyers in Vietnam:

• Review and classify goods under Vietnam’s Harmonized System (HS) to ensure accurate tariff rates.
• Help businesses reclassify products strategically to minimize duties.
• Advise on exemptions or special tax treatment under free trade agreements (FTAs).

Ensuring Compliance with Import & Export Regulations

Vietnam’s customs laws are complex and frequently updated. A customs lawyer ensures that:

• Companies obtain the necessary permits for restricted or regulated goods.
• Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) standards are met for food, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural products.
• Businesses comply with environmental and ESG regulations, such as the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

Defending Companies in Customs Disputes & Investigations

Foreign businesses often face customs audits or disputes related to:

• Underpayment of duties or taxes due to incorrect classification.
• Country of origin disputes, especially for companies shifting supply chains from China to Vietnam.
• Allegations of trade fraud, misdeclaration, or undervaluation of goods.

Customs lawyers in Vietnam represent businesses before customs authorities, courts, and international dispute resolution bodies.

Where Do Customs Lawyers Provide the Most Value in Vietnam?

Free Trade Zones & Industrial Parks

Vietnam has many free trade zones where businesses benefit from tax and duty exemptions. However, compliance with customs laws is essential. Customs lawyers help companies manage:

• Bonded warehouse regulations in zones like Bac Ninh, Binh Duong, and Long An.
• Tax incentives and special economic zone (SEZ) benefits.
• Regulatory changes that could impact duty-free status.

High-Risk Industries

Some industries face more customs scrutiny than others:

• Textiles & Apparel: Rules of origin compliance under EVFTA and CPTPP.
• Electronics & Machinery: Ensuring components qualify for tariff reductions.
• Agriculture & Seafood: Meeting phytosanitary standards to avoid import bans.

Dispute Resolution Forums

If companies face customs disputes, they may need legal representation in:

• Administrative appeals with Vietnam Customs.
• Court litigation for tax and customs violations.
• International trade arbitration for cross-border disputes.

International Trade & Compliance Risks

Vietnamese exports are under increasing scrutiny due to:

• U.S. tariffs on China-linked supply chains, affecting companies shifting production to Vietnam.
• EU’s CBAM regulations, impacting steel and cement exports.
• ASEAN trade policies, requiring businesses to comply with regional trade facilitation rules.

When Do Foreign Companies Need a Customs Lawyer in Vietnam?

Foreign businesses should hire a customs lawyer in Vietnam in the following situations:

• Before Expanding Operations: To ensure compliance with import/export laws.
• During Customs Inspections: To avoid fines or shipment delays.
• When Applying for Preferential Tariffs: To ensure goods qualify for tax reductions.
• When Facing Trade Remedies: To fight anti-dumping or countervailing duty cases.

Why Are Customs Lawyers More Important Than Ever in Vietnam?

• The Risk of a Global Trade War Is Rising: More countries are using tariffs to protect their economies.
• Vietnam’s Customs Regulations Are Becoming Stricter: The government is cracking down on misdeclarations.
• Supply Chain Shifts Require Legal Expertise: Foreign companies moving to Vietnam must comply with complex rules.

How Can Businesses Work with Customs Lawyers in Vietnam?

• Engage Early: Don’t wait for a customs issue to arise—hire a lawyer before making major trade decisions.
• Keep Accurate Documentation: Ensure compliance with customs filings, invoices, and certificates of origin.
• Use FTAs Strategically: Work with a lawyer to maximize trade agreement benefits.
• Stay Updated on Trade Law Changes: Customs regulations are constantly evolving—legal experts help businesses stay ahead.

Conclusion

The global trade landscape is becoming more volatile, with increased tariffs, stricter customs enforcement, and heightened compliance risks for companies operating in Vietnam. Customs lawyers in Vietnam are now essential partners for businesses seeking to navigate complex trade laws, optimize tariff costs, and protect their operations from customs disputes.

By proactively engaging a customs lawyer, foreign businesses can minimize risks, enhance compliance, and capitalize on Vietnam’s role as a global manufacturing hub. The future of international trade is uncertain, but with the right legal guidance, companies can turn challenges into opportunities.

About ANT Lawyers, a Law Firm in Vietnam

We help clients overcome cultural barriers and achieve their strategic and financial outcomes, while ensuring the best interest rate protection, risk mitigation and regulatory compliance. ANT lawyers has lawyers in Ho Chi Minh city, Hanoi,  and Danang, and will help customers in doing business in Vietnam.