The Ministry of Industry and Trade Receiving Request for Exemption from Applying Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Measures in September 2021

  According to the regulations on the trade remedies in the Circular No.37/2019/TT-BCT on providing detailed regulations on trade remedy, in March and September of every year, the Trade Remedies Agency of Vietnam requires the companies which meet the conditions of exemption from apply anti-dumping and countervailing measures in the cases of AD01 (Cold rolled stainless steel products), AD02 (Galvanized steel products), AD03 and AD12 (H-Shaped steel products), AD04 (Color coated steel products), AD05 (Aluminum profiles products), AD07 (Plastics and plastic products made from polymers of propylene), AD08 (Cold rolled (cold pressed) steel in coils or sheets), AD09 (MSG), AD10 (Long yarn made of polyester), AD13-AS01 (Sugar cane), AD14 (Sorbitol).

Deadline for companies submitting the dossier on requiring applying for the exemption from anti-dumping and countervailing measures is before 5:00 P.M on October 09^th, 2021.

Application dossiers for applying for the exemption from anti-dumping and countervailing measures:

i) A written request for exclusion from trade;

ii) A copy of the enterprise’s certificate of business registration or investment certificate;

iii) Description of the good for which the exclusion request is submitted, including scientific name, trade name, common name; basic physical and chemical properties; main uses; production process; applicable international and domestic standards and/or regulations; HS code according to Vietnam’s nomenclature of exports and imports;

iv) The document stating information about the volume, quantity and value of the imported good for which the exclusion request is submitted (in the last 03 years and in current year);

v) The written production process of the product of which input material is the good for which the exclusion request is submitted;

vi) The demand for consumption or use of the imported good for which the exclusion request is submitted (in the past 03 years and in the current year);

vii) The prescribed or estimated level of consumption of raw material which is the good for which the exclusion request is submitted;

viii) Documents or samples proving the difference between the good for which the exclusion request is submitted and the like or directly competitive products produced by the domestic industry;

ix) The document stating information about the production line and output of the good for which the exclusion request is submitted in the past 03 years and those in the current year;

x) Documents proving the demand for use of the quantity of good for which the exclusion request is submitted, including contracts signed with customers, written approvals for in-progress projects or other relevant documents.

Note: In case the company which has been granted an exemption for 2021 is about to use up the granted exemption volume, the company can submit an additional application for exemption at any time in 2021.

If Client needs any more information or request for legal advice or potential dispute regarding trade remedies measures including, anti-dumping, countervailing duty and safeguard measures or international trade dispute matters, our competition, anti-dumping, and countervailing duty lawyers of International trade and tax practice at ANT Lawyers, a law firm in Vietnam always follow up anti-dumping cases and its development to update clients on regular basis.

Read More

Summary of Customs Development Strategy from 2021 to 2030

  In order to create favorable conditions for export and import to ensure state budget revenue and combat smuggling of banned and toxic goods, intellectual property infringement, counterfeiting of origin, affecting national security, contributing to national security create fairness and equality in business as well as modernize the Customs sector, the General Department of Customs has issued the Draft Customs development strategy for the period of 2021-2030 to gradually build Vietnam's Customs in accordance with the new situation.

The Draft Decision on Customs development strategy for the period of 2021-2030 (the "Draft") expect to ensure the management of the State and in compliance with international commitments which Vietnam is a member. Besides, the Draft also is expected to create favourable conditions for enterprises and flexibility in management towards modernization of the Customs in the new era.

The Draft aims at the overall goal of building a regular, modern force, on par with other countries in the region and the world, towards the development of a smart customs system, propose solutions to improve efficiency in the process of carrying out customs procedures and collecting taxes effectively to create convenience for passengers and businesses. At the same time, the Draft also aims to ensure maritime security, national competition and protect Vietnam's interests and sovereignty.

In addition, the Draft sets out the main goals for the period 2021-2030 with the smart customs model continuing to be the key goal, built in a professional direction, minimizing administrative procedures and synchronization throughout the system, applying the achievements of the Industrial Revolution 4.0 and the cooperation and facilitation of the Customs of developed countries to realize the requirements of reform and modernization of state administration towards building a digital government, E-government. In addition, the prevention of smuggling activities is still a prerequisite goal to protect the business environment in Vietnam. Moreover, the goal is to reduce the human resource apparatus, improve the capacity and qualifications of the customs force to suit the needs of innovation in customs management technology.

The Draft sets a target that by 2025, Customs will strive to complete the redesign of the customs system in the direction of digital customs while ensuring information security; to ensure 90% of applications will be processed online, minimizing manual administrative procedures; to build a paperless, simple and effective working environment. Accordingly, the Draft is expected that 80% of inspection activities will be carried out through the digital environment, the information technology system of the General Department of Customs. Along with that, the Draft would improve the efficiency of the Customs Single Window to 100% for administrative procedures and integrate it on the National Public Service Portal for easy access and implementation by businesses and people; promote the signing of international treaties on customs to create favorable conditions for domestic enterprises as well as ensure the principle of benefits for all parties.

In order to achieve the above objectives, the General Department of Customs has proposed specific solutions to improve the legal system so that the implementation is synchronized; improve management methods to prevent violations and apply information technology to gradually guide people and businesses familiar with online procedures; improve the use of technology for customs officers, step by step reduce inappropriate procedures, and put the smart customs model into the application to make appropriate adjustments to reality.

In terms of customs operations, the Draft also sets out step by step application of supply chain management models to meet current needs and research the implementation in the field of insurance and customs clearance guarantees, accelerate the inspection of goods in electronic form, reduce paperwork to the paperless stage, simplify administrative procedures, reduce waiting time at the border, implement the flow of goods, authorization to check at the border gate, apply modern technology solutions and inspection and monitoring equipment suitable to the characteristics of the border gate area, capable of integrating and exchanging data in a centralized and unified manner.

Regarding tax administration, the Draft expects to uniformly apply taxes and collection rates suitable for each type of goods, minimize the tax filing process, quickly develop tax schedules as well as clear and transparent processes, creating convenience for both payers and regulators.

Management of import and export activities, import and export of means of transport must be unified, concentrated, and minimized the handling process, cutting unnecessary intermediary stages. The Draft also aims to encourage and create conditions for people, businesses and related parties to participate in legal policy criticism, cooperate with customs authorities in law enforcement and supervision.

With this Draft, Vietnam has the prospect that by 2030, Vietnam will complete the renovation and modernization in the customs sector, including building a strong and clean customs force, as well as equipping vehicles and applying artificial intelligence technology in customs management, striving to build a customs force on par with developed countries in the region, keeping up with advanced countries in the world.

ANT Lawyers, a law firm in Vietnam always follow up customs cases and its development to update clients on regular basis.

Read More

Vietnam to Review Application of Anti-Dumping Measures to Plastic and Polymer

  On July 20th, 2020 the Ministry of Foreign and Trade issued Decision No.1900/QD-BCT on applying the official anti-dumping measure to some plastic products and products from plastic made of polymer from propylene originated from the Republic People's of China, Kingdom of Thailand, and Malaysia (Case No.AR01, AD07).

On September 24th, 2021, the Ministry of Foreign and Trade issued Decision No.2201/QD-BCT on the first review of the application of anti-dumping measures to the products above.

The reviewed products

The plastic products and products from plastic made of polymer from propylene having the thickness is from 10 microns to 80 microns and the width is from 115mm to 7800mm. These products are holding HS Code 3920.20.10 and 3920.20.91. The current anti-dumping tax for these products is from 9,05% to 23,71% dependent on the exporter.

The scope of the review

To review the anti-dumping duties applied to:

Group of Kunlene companies, including Suzhou Kunlene Film Industries Co., Ltd. and Yunnan Kunlene Film Industries Co., Ltd.; and

Group of Kinwin companies, including Kinwin Plastic Industrial Co., Ltd.; Zhejiang Kinlead Innovative Materials Co., Ltd., and Ultra Fast Development Limited.

The period of review

The Investigating Authority will collect the data related to the review from October 01st, 2020 to September 30th, 2021.

The time limit for the review

According to the regulations on Law on Foreign Trade Management, the time limit for the review of products subject to the anti-dumping measure is 06 months from the day on which the decision on review is issued, with a possible extension up to 03 months if necessary.

The parties need to register as related parties to ensure their rights in this case.

If Client needs any more information or request for legal advice or potential dispute regarding trade remedies measures including, anti-dumping, countervailing duty and safeguard measures or international trade dispute matters, our competition, anti-dumping, and countervailing duty lawyers of International trade and tax practice at ANT Lawyers, a law firm in Vietnam always follow up anti-dumping cases and its development to update clients on regular basis.

Read More

How to Request and Get the Suitable Covid-19 Vaccine in Vietnam?

  The Covid-19 pandemic is seriously threatening human life. In order to limit and prevent epidemics, a number of vaccines have been quickly developed and produced to promptly limit the spread of disease in the community and bring life back to normal. However, not all vaccines are suitable for all people of all ages. Whether or not an individual could chose the type of vaccine to be injected is still of public interest.

According to the Vietnam Center for Disease Control, up to now, Vietnam has eight vaccines against COVID-19 licensed for use by the Ministry of Health. Vaccines currently being approved for use include: AstraZeneca, Gam-COVID-Vac (also known as SPUTNIK V), Vero Cell, Pfizer/BioNTech's Comirnaty, Spikevax Vaccine (Alternatively Moderna), the vaccine Janssen vaccine, Hayat-Vax vaccine and Abdala vaccine. Each vaccine has different ingredients, and individuals with a history of allergies to vaccine components could face certain level of risks after vaccination.

The vaccines used in Vietnam have recorded information on cases of vaccine side-effects. Specifically, the British AstraZeneca vaccine causes the injector to have fever symptoms. It is considered a normal symptom after injection, but for people with a history of allergy to the components of vaccines, it is possible to choose the appropriate vaccine for the medical condition. mine.

Specifically, the Centers for Disease Control also recommends that individuals who are allergic to any component of the vaccine should not receive that vaccine. Having said that, if an individual is allergic to any component of a vaccine, he or she can request an alternative vaccine. Vietnam does not allow individuals to arbitrarily choose the type of vaccine to be injected, but if they have special medical conditions such as allergic to vaccine components, they will be considered for alternative if such requested vaccines are available.

To be able to claim the appropriate vaccine, the individual must first be on the vaccination list of the local are of residence or of the company.  The individual can write the request to the local  Department of Health requesting the appropriate vaccine.

Therefore, in order to ensure their own health and the right to be vaccinated, individuals, especially those with a history of allergies to vaccine components, should pay attention to strictly follow the regulations on vaccination. Getting the right vaccines helps limit risks and contributes to limiting the spread of disease, protecting health of community.

Read More

Request to Apply Anti-dumping Measures on Liquid Sugar Extracted from Corn Starch (HFCS) from China and Korea

  Liquid sugar is one of the additives used to sweeten in food processing, widely used in the processing of fast food, bottled food, etc. On May 21^st, 2020, the Trade Remedies Administration (Investigating Authority) received a request to apply anti-dumping measures on liquid sugar extracted from corn starch (HFCS) originating from China and Korea imported into Vietnam from the representative of the Domestic Sugar Industry (the Requesting Party).

On June 29^th, 2020, the Ministry of Industry and Trade issued Decision No. 1715/QD-BCT conducting an investigation on the investigation and application of anti-dumping measures on liquid sugar extracted from corn starch (HFCS) from China and Korea (Case No. AD11).

The investigation results show that HFCS liquid sugar products imported from China and Korea are being dumped in the Vietnamese market and have significantly damaged the domestic industry. However, the causal relationship between the dumping behavior of the investigated goods imported from China and Korea and the damage to the domestic industry has not been clearly shown.

Therefore, according to the provisions of Point b, Clause 3, Article 71 of the Law on Foreign Trade Management, the investigating agency proposed the Minister of Industry and Trade to stop investigating the case and not apply dumping measures on goods imported goods under investigation.

On October 07^th, 2021, the Minister of Industry and Trade issued a Notice attached to Decision No. 2274/QD-BTC on termination of the investigation and non-application of anti-dumping measures for liquid sugar extracted from corn starch originating from the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Korea.

If Client needs any more information or request for legal advice or potential dispute regarding trade remedies measures including, anti-dumping, countervailing duty and safeguard measures or international trade dispute matters, our competition, anti-dumping, and countervailing duty lawyers of International trade and tax practice at ANT Lawyers, a law firm in Vietnam always follow up anti-dumping cases and its development to update clients on regular basis.

Read More

MOIT Implements the Final Review of Applying the Anti-Dumping Measures to H-Shape Steels Imported from China to Vietnam

  On August 21^st, 2017, the Ministry of Industry and Trade issued Decision No.3283/QD-BCT on applying the official anti-dumping measure to imported galvanized steel products. The anti-dumping measure is applied until September 05^th, 2022 (except having any changes, extend according to the regulations of the laws)

According to the regulations of the Law on Foreign trade management and WTO Anti-Dumping Agreement, on October 13^th, 2021, the Ministry of Industry and Trade issued the Decision No.2301/QD-BCT on final review of applying the Anti-Dumping Measures to H-Shape Steels imported from China (Case No.ER01. AD03).

1.The reviewed products:

Some of H-Shape steels imported from China are holding HS Code 7216.33.11, 7216.33.19, 7216.33.90, 7228.70.10, 7228.70.90. The current anti-dumping tax for these products is from 19.03% to 29.17% dependent on the exporter.

2.The scope of the review:

i. Assess the possibility of imported goods being dumped if anti-dumping measures are terminated;

ii. The possibility that the domestic industry will suffer material injury or be threatened with material injury if the application of anti-dumping measures is terminated; and

iii. A causal relationship between the possibility of dumping and the possibility of injury suffered by the domestic industry;

iv. Other contents as prescribed by laws;

3.Registering for the related parties

The parties according to Article 74 Law on Foreign trade management could register to related parties, including:

i. Overseas organizations and individuals that produce and export products under consideration to Vietnam;

ii. Importers of products under consideration;

iii. Foreign associations whose majority of members are organizations and individuals producing and exporting products under consideration;

iv. The Government and competent authorities of the exporting country of product under consideration;

v. Organizations and individuals that submit the application for the trade remedies;

vi. Domestic producers of like products;

vii. Domestic associations whose majority of members are producers of like products;

viii. Other organizations and individuals that obtain legal rights and interests related to the investigated cases or facilitate the investigation or representative organizations of protection of customer rights.

4.The questionnaire for final review

Within 15 days since the issuance of the decision on review, the investigating authority shall send the questionnaire for review to the following subjects:

i. The review requesting party;

ii. The reviewed party;

iii. Other involved parties deemed necessary by the investigating authority.

Within 30 days after receiving the questionnaires for review, the concerned parties must provide written replies to all questions in the questionnaire.

5.The time limited for the final review

The time limit for the final review is 09 months from the day on which the decision on review is issued, with a possible extension up to 03 months if necessary.

If Client needs any more information or request for legal advice or potential dispute regarding trade remedies measures including, anti-dumping, countervailing duty and safeguard measures or international trade dispute matters, our competition, anti-dumping, and countervailing duty lawyers of International trade and tax practice at ANT Lawyers, a law firm in Vietnam always follow up anti-dumping cases and its development to update clients on regular basis.

Read More

Investigating and Applying Measures to Prevent the Evasion of Trade Remedies on Cane Sugar Products

  On September 21^st, 2021, the Minister of Industry and Trade issued Decision No. 2171/QD-BCT on investigating and applying measures to prevent the evasion of trade remedies on some cane sugar products originating from Thailand through Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia and Myanmar (code of case: AC02.AD13-AS01).

Anti-dumping Law Firm in Vietnam

For the purpose of the investigation, the Trade Remedies Authority of Vietnam (Investigating Authority) issued Official Dispatch No. 821/PVTM-P1 on the issuance of the Questionnaire for foreign producers and exporters.

The Response to the Questionnaire shall include the general information and the sale data of the foreign manufacturers and exporters. The content of the Response shall be one of the important grounds for Investigating Authority to conclude the case.

The Investigating Authority requests all the relevant parties to cooperate by filling and sending the Response of the Questionnaire before 15:00 December 01^st, 2021 (Hanoi time). The way to answer the Questionnaire, the amount of the Response, the form and the deadline for submitting the Response are detailed in the Questionnaire.

The information, data provided during the responding process and the right to access the information of the case during the investigation shall be implemented in accordance with the regulations on confidentiality of information.

To ensure its rights and interests, the relevant parties need to answer and submit the Questionnaire on time. In case the Investigation Authority does not receive the Response on time or the information provided is incorrect or incomplete as requested, the Investigating Authority shall apply the provisions on the non-cooperation of related parties in a trade remedy case.

If Client needs any more information or request for legal advice or potential dispute regarding trade remedies measures including, anti-dumping, countervailing duty and safeguard measures or international trade dispute matters, our competition, anti-dumping, and countervailing duty lawyers of International trade and tax practice at ANT Lawyers, a law firm in Vietnam always follow up anti-dumping cases and its development to update clients on regular basis.

Read More