Question 1. A trading company in Malaysia buys goods from China and delivers goods to a company in Vietnam, how will the shipper and consignee show on the bill of lading? How can the company in Vietnam not know that the company exports goods in China and the company in China does not know which company exports goods to in Vietnam.
If a foreign-invested enterprise has been licensed to exercise the right to import, it may import goods not on the list of goods banned from import, goods temporarily suspended from import (if any) and items not on the list of goods that are banned from import. goods items are not allowed to import; for goods on the list of goods imported according to the roadmap, foreign-invested enterprises may import according to the prescribed route; to directly carry out import procedures at the customs office according to the provisions of Vietnamese law; may sell each group of imported goods to a trader who has registered for trading or has the right to distribute that group of goods. This trader is selected by the foreign-invested enterprise and registered with the competent licensing agency (each group of goods includes items under a Chapter of the Import Tariff). Foreign-invested enterprises that have been licensed to exercise the right to import may not set up a basis to distribute imported goods. (TT 09/2007/TT-BTM).
Question 2. What should businesses importing goods into Vietnam do to avoid being caught up in specialized inspection regulations? Which items are often subject to specialized inspection, and how can customs clearance time be shortened?
To avoid being caught up in specialized inspection regulations, importing enterprises need to take the following steps: Check the list of goods subject to specialized inspection according to Decree 69/2018/ND-CP and guiding circulars of relevant Ministries and Branches. Determine the exact HS Code to see if the goods are subject to specialized inspection. Apply for an import license or certificate of conformity before carrying out customs procedures if the goods are subject to specialized management. Common items requiring specialized inspection include: Food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals (food safety inspection, Ministry of Health license). Old machinery and equipment (quality inspection according to regulations of the Ministry of Science & Technology). Chemicals (inspection according to the list of controlled chemicals of the Ministry of Industry and Trade). To shorten customs clearance time, businesses should carry out inspection procedures before goods arrive at the port, prepare complete customs documents and cooperate with experienced logistics units.
Question 3. International freight rates change constantly according to the market, greatly affecting the import and export costs of goods of enterprises. So how to optimize transportation costs in the context of frequent price fluctuations? What strategies help enterprises save costs while still ensuring on-time delivery?
Để tối ưu hóa chi phí vận tải quốc tế, doanh nghiệp có thể áp dụng các chiến lược sau: Ký hợp đồng vận chuyển dài hạn: Thương lượng với hãng tàu hoặc đơn vị logistics để có mức giá ổn định, tránh bị ảnh hưởng bởi biến động thị trường. Lựa chọn tuyến vận tải phù hợp: Đánh giá kỹ các phương án vận chuyển (đường biển, hàng không, đường sắt, đường bộ) để tối ưu chi phí và thời gian giao hàng. Gom hàng (LCL) thay vì thuê nguyên container (FCL): Nếu lượng hàng không đủ để thuê container riêng, doanh nghiệp có thể sử dụng dịch vụ LCL để giảm chi phí. Chủ động đặt chỗ sớm: Đặc biệt trong mùa cao điểm, việc đặt chỗ trước giúp doanh nghiệp tránh bị ép giá. Làm việc với đơn vị logistics có kinh nghiệm: LTC cung cấp các giải pháp tối ưu giúp doanh nghiệp cắt giảm chi phí mà vẫn đảm bảo thời gian vận chuyển.
Question 4. The import-export customs declaration process is quite complicated, requiring businesses to prepare complete documents, understand the regulations on tax rates, goods classification as well as specialized inspection procedures. So in which cases should businesses use the full customs declaration service? And what are the benefits of this service compared to self-declaration?
Businesses should use the full customs declaration service when: There is no specialized staff: Self-declaration can take a lot of time, is prone to errors, and affects the import plan. Goods in the group that must be inspected by a specialized agency: Some items such as cosmetics, food, old machinery, etc. need to be strictly inspected. If the documents are incorrect, the goods will be held. Businesses want to shorten customs clearance time: Professional services help complete procedures quickly, avoiding storage costs. Need VAT refund or certificate of origin (C/O): If there is no experience, businesses may be denied a tax refund or be charged the wrong tax rate. Want to focus on core business activities: Outsourcing helps businesses reduce pressure, avoid errors that affect import and export activities. LTC provides a full customs declaration service, helping businesses optimize time and costs in the process of importing and exporting goods.
Question 5. In international trade, Incoterms play an important role in defining the responsibilities between the buyer and the seller. If the Incoterms are not clearly understood, businesses may incur additional costs or risks during the transportation process. So when importing goods, which Incoterms condition should businesses choose to optimize costs and minimize risks?
Importing enterprises can refer to the common Incoterms conditions: EXW (Ex Works - Delivered at the factory): The buyer bears all transportation costs and risks from the seller's warehouse. Suitable if the enterprise has experience in logistics and wants to control costs. FOB (Free On Board): The seller is responsible until the goods are on board the ship, the buyer bears the costs from then on. Suitable if the enterprise has its own carrier. Cost, Insurance & Freight: The seller is responsible for delivering the goods to the destination port and purchasing insurance. Suitable for new enterprises that want to limit risks. DAP (Delivered At Place): The seller bears all costs and risks to the designated location. Suitable if the enterprise wants to receive the goods at the destination, without having to do the import procedures themselves.