TradeLane

2023 was a good year for trade in Vietnam. According to the General Statistics Office of Vietnam, the import and export goods turnover in Vietnam reached 683 billion USD, with a trade surplus of 26 billion USD, more than double that in 2022.

Like classification and country of origin, Customs Valuation is a crucial element of trade compliance. Valuation has always been a key focus of Customs administrations, as it will primarily affect the import customs duty and import VAT of imported goods, VAT refund of exported goods, and other important statistical considerations.

Medical items being exported from the US to Russia, Belarus, and occupied regions of Ukraine may require an export license. The sanctions set forth under Sections 746.5, 746.6, 746.8, and 746.10 of the Export Administration Regulations (15 CFR Parts 730-774, “EAR”) are designed to include the prohibition of medical item exports that support military involvement in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. There is a policy of denial for The Ministries of Defense of both the Russian Federation and Belarus. However, license applications for health and safety, medical, and humanitarian items destined for civilian facilities are reviewed and may be approved on a case-by-case basis.

The Court of International Trade has ordered that the tariff actions imposed by the Office of the United States Trade Representative, as amended on remand by Further Explanation of the Final List 3 and Final List 4 Modifications Pursuant to Court Remand Order, ECF No. 467, are sustained.

In a nutshell, while the Court ordered the government to correct the record - ECF 466, Sec. 301 Final Lists 3 & Final 4a are valid and remain in place.

On 26 January 2023, the Philippine Strategic Trade Management Office (STMO) issued an announcement (Announcement No. 2023-001) to exporters emphasizing the need to properly classify their goods under the National Strategic Goods List (NSGL) prior to registration with the STMO.