Anh Tuan Nguyen is a Hanoi-based international trade and customs lawyer at VILAF who advises Chinese manufacturers on import-export compliance, customs valuation, tariff classification, and trade remedy matters.

Practice Focus

Anh Tuan Nguyen advises Chinese manufacturing companies on establishing and operating production facilities in northern Vietnam, with particular emphasis on customs valuation, tariff classification, and import-export compliance.

Vietnam has become the preferred manufacturing relocation destination for Chinese enterprises seeking supply chain diversification under the China Plus One strategy. Northern Vietnam's industrial provinces\u2014Bac Ninh, Thai Nguyen, Hai Duong, and Hai Phong\u2014now host over 1,200 Chinese-invested manufacturing projects spanning electronics, textiles, automotive components, and renewable energy equipment.

Customs Valuation and Tariff Classification

Vietnamese customs law operates under the Law on Customs 2014 (as amended 2024) and Circular 39/2015/TT-BTC. Import duties are assessed based on CIF value (cost, insurance, and freight) at the time of declaration. He advises Chinese manufacturers on transfer pricing documentation requirements for related-party transactions, methods for customs valuation, and strategies for managing valuation disputes with the General Department of Vietnam Customs.

Chinese manufacturers importing raw materials and machinery into Vietnam must be aware that customs authorities have increased scrutiny of transfer pricing practices. Related-party transactions between Chinese parent companies and Vietnamese subsidiaries are routinely challenged, and proper transfer pricing documentation is essential to avoid retroactive duty assessments and penalties.

Import and Export Compliance

Vietnam maintains a tariff schedule that includes MFN rates and preferential rates under 17 free trade agreements including the ASEAN-China FTA, CPTPP, EVFTA, and RCEP. He helps Chinese manufacturers navigate certificate of origin requirements, rules of origin verification, and compliance with Vietnam's list of prohibited and restricted import items. His practice also covers customs declaration procedures, post-clearance audits, and administrative appeals against customs decisions.

Specialized Regimes and Incentive Zones

Northern Vietnam offers several economic zones with preferential customs and tax treatment including industrial parks (IPs), export processing zones (EPZs), and economic zones (EZs) such as Dinh Vu-Cat Hai and Van Don. He advises on eligibility criteria, customs procedures within bonded warehouses and export processing enterprises, and compliance with Vietnam's Law on Investment 2020 incentives.

Trade Remedies and Anti-Dumping

Chinese manufacturers face increasing trade remedy investigations in Vietnam. He advises on responding to anti-dumping investigations, applying for product exclusions from safeguard measures, and structuring manufacturing operations to mitigate trade remedy exposure.

Professional Standards

Education

Hanoi Law University, LL.B.; National University of Singapore, LL.M. in International Trade Law

Languages

Vietnamese, English, Mandarin Chinese

Bar Admission

2016

Firm

VILAF (Hanoi Office)

Engagement Considerations

Chinese clients engaging Vietnamese customs counsel should be prepared to provide full documentation of their supply chain structure, including purchase contracts, transfer pricing policies, and bills of lading. English-language documentation is generally acceptable, but Vietnamese-language certified translations are required for customs submissions. He maintains a bilingual practice with Vietnamese and Chinese speaking team members.

Working Method

Anh Tuan Nguyen structures cross-border customs and trade engagements around the client's supply chain profile. For each engagement, he maps the entire import-export workflow from procurement contracting through customs clearance and duty payment to post-clearance audit readiness. He prepares written risk assessments identifying customs valuation exposure, tariff classification risks, and origin documentation gaps before providing substantive compliance recommendations. His clients receive periodic customs law updates affecting their industry sector, with specific guidance on regulatory changes from Vietnamese customs authorities, the Ministry of Finance, and ASEAN trade framework developments.

• ⚖️ Supply chain compliance mapping with customs risk identification for each import-export transaction type
• 📜 Written customs valuation and tariff classification analysis with binding ruling application support
• 🛡️ Post-clearance audit representation and customs dispute resolution through administrative and judicial channels
• 💼 Free trade agreement origin compliance and certificate of origin management systems

Client Considerations

Chinese manufacturers expanding to northern Vietnam should engage Vietnamese customs counsel at the investment structuring stage, before factory construction or equipment importation commences. Customs duty exemption planning for imported machinery, raw material import processing regimes, and export processing enterprise establishment must be addressed in the investment certificate application to maximize available incentives. Clients should expect quarterly compliance reviews during the first year of operations, transitioning to annual reviews once customs procedures are established and customs authorities have conducted initial post-clearance audits.

Chinese manufacturers considering Vietnam operations should recognize that customs compliance in Vietnam operates differently from China. Early engagement with local customs counsel, investment in compliance management systems, and proactive engagement with customs authorities through advance ruling procedures significantly reduce operational risk and customs duty exposure.

Local Practice in Hanoi and Northern Vietnam

Hanoi serves as the administrative and regulatory center for Vietnamese customs and trade policy. The General Department of Vietnam Customs, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Industry and Trade are all headquartered in Hanoi, providing proximity to policymaking authorities. Northern Vietnam's industrial provinces including Bac Ninh, Hai Duong, Thai Nguyen, and Vinh Phuc host the majority of Chinese-invested manufacturing enterprises. Customs clearance at Hai Phong Port, Noi Bai International Airport, and land border crossings with China at Lao Cai and Mong Cai requires familiarity with local customs office procedures and inspection practices. Anh Tuan Nguyen's Hanoi-based practice provides direct access to central government decision-makers while maintaining close working relationships with provincial customs offices throughout the northern industrial corridor.

Professional Standards

Anh Tuan Nguyen's practice is founded on principles of technical accuracy, regulatory diligence, and proactive client communication. Every customs and trade engagement receives documented legal analysis with clear identification of compliance obligations, timelines, and risk factors. Fee arrangements are confirmed in writing before substantive work commences, with fixed fees for routine customs advisory matters and time-based billing for dispute representation and audit defense engagements. Clients receive monthly status updates during active matters and quarterly compliance summaries for ongoing retainer engagements. All client communications are treated as confidential under Vietnamese legal professional privilege rules, with information barriers maintained between client engagements to prevent conflicts of interest.