On 30 July 2026, EuroCham Training & Dialogue with Regional Customs Branch II successfully took place in Ho Chi Minh City, welcoming over 80 business representatives. For four years, this annual session has served as a constructive platform for two-way dialogue between the European business community and Regional Customs Branch II.
Delivering the opening remarks, EuroCham Vice-Chair Jean-Jacques Bouflet expressed appreciation to the Regional Customs Branch II for the continuous enhancements to customs procedures and for their active engagement with the business community. He stated that EuroCham Vietnam will continue supporting the government in strengthening Vietnam’s competitiveness in international trade with our active, evidence-based advocacy.
Guidance on the latest Customs and Tax policies
Opening the training session, Customs Officer Quach Thuy Linh updated businesses with the eight policy groups that businesses should be aware of, featuring the latest policy documents and customs procedures issued from October 2025 till now. She covered IP regulations, liability & processing deadlines, handling of backlogged goods, among other topics to help businesses optimise their customs process.
Customs Officer Nguyen Cuong Phu then shared updates the Decree 169 on governing administrative sanctions. He walked businesses through the three sections of the decree, namely Benefits & Penalty exemption; Risks & Penalty Framework; and Electronic Sanctioning. Mr. Phu also highlighted a key shift in custom authorities’ management – instruction comes first, and violation disciplinary actions come last in the process. This shows a practical shift in approach to support a more business-friendly operating environment in Vietnam.
Concluding the training session, Deputy Head of Customs Operations Division Nguyen Chi Thanh delivered updates to tax policies outlined in Decree 252 on the implementation of the Law on Tax Administrations, outlining important considerations to support efficient business planning. Mr. Thanh also collected real case-studies from businesses participating in the session to help businesses best understand how tax policies take shape in practical contexts.
A constructive platform for two-way dialogue
During the Question & Answer section, Regional Customs Branch II’s Deputy Heads of Customs Operations Division Le Thi Thuy Dung and Nguyen Chi Thanh, together with EuroCham Vice-Chair Minh Nguyen, and Chair Travels & Logistics Sector Committee Juergen Weber addressed 41 questions submitted prior to the session and live from the participants. Our distinguished panels addressed questions from businesses of diverse industries, including logistics, consumer goods, pharmaceutical, and more. Topics spanned from Certificates of Origin to tax returns, and the transition from pre-check to post-check, among others.
EuroCham’s Training & Dialogue with Regional Customs II helped businesses walk away with more clarity and confidence to efficiently apply customs procedures in their operation. After the session, EuroCham has created a shared channel for real-time updates of follow-up questions and answers between EuroCham members and Regional Customs Branch II. A recap of the questions & dialogues will be shared with participating EuroCham members.
EuroCham sincerely appreciates Regional Customs Branch II for their openness and for their continuous efforts to improve customs procedures. Our special thanks to all participating business representatives for their active contributions.
What this means for EuroCham members?
Customs procedures marks a substantial part in business operation, and EuroCham is pleased to host constructive public-private platforms for businesses to gain the latest regulatory updates and clarifications to their concerns. This is also an opportunity for businesses to directly share recommendations for a more competitive business environment.
As EuroCham members’ inputs are directly shared with Regional Customs Branch II, we will continue to monitor updates from customs authorities and feedback from businesses. We are committed to bridging Vietnamese government with the dynamic European business community.
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Special thanks to all Regional Customs Branch II and EuroCham representatives for making this event a success:
Regional Customs Branch II:
- Ms. Le Thi Thuy Dung, Deputy Head of Customs Operations Division
- Mr. Nguyen Chi Thanh, Deputy Head of Customs Operations Division
- Mr. Nguyen Cuong Phu, Customs Officer
- Mr. Quach Thuy Linh, Customs Officer
- Mr. Tran Thi Nguyen – Customs Officer
EuroCham Vietnam
- Vice-Chair Jean-Jacques Bouflet
- Vice-Chair Nguyen Hai Minh
- Chair of Transportation & Logistics Sector Committee Juergen Weber
- Executive Director Delphine Rousselet
- Advocacy Manager Vu Le Phuong
- Head of External Relations cum Hanoi Officer Manager Nguyen Cam Van
- Events & Administratives Manager (South) Nguyen Hong Nhung
- Sector Committee Coordinator Nguyen Ngoc Nha Can
- EuroCham’s Advocacy and Events team
