KEN · INSIGHTS · 2023
News from 2023
Customs, tax, freight-rate and trade updates for importers and exporters, compiled by the Ken team since 2023.
55 articles
December 20233 articles
- Ocean freight
2 min read
Situation of cargo vessels after occurring attacks in the Red Sea
On 15th and 16th December 2023, on the Red Sea – out side of Suez Canal have attacks on ships of Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk. Therefore, four major shipping companies, including Denmark's Maersk…
- Customs & tax
2 min read
Border gate situation at the end of 2023
At the end of the year, the number of import and export goods passing through the Vietnam - China border gate is increasing sharply. Along with facilitating the most favorable conditions for…
- Customs & tax
1 min read
Officially continue to reduce 2% of VAT in the first 6 months of 2024
The National Assembly has agreed to continue reducing 2% of VAT from 1st January 2024 to the end of June 2024. Previously, the National Assembly agreed to reduce 2% of VAT from 1st July 2023 to 31st…
November 20236 articles
- Customs & tax
2 min read
Customs procedures for goods temporary import and re-export after ending the rental period
The General Department of Customs has just issued a official letter no 6087/TCHQ-GSQL answering questions about the issue of customs procedures for temporary import and re-export after ending the…
- Customs & tax
3 min read
The customs sector strictly manages to achieve budget target at the end of 2023
From now until the end of the year, the Customs sector will focus resources to facilitate trade, support businesses in import and export, strictly control tax collection and prevent loss of state…
- Air freight
2 min read
Bamboo Airlines temporarily stopped operating many international routes
Bamboo Airlines announced the temporary suspension of international flights between Vietnam and the UK, Korea, Australia, Germany, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, and Taipei (Taiwan, China). In order to…
- Air freight
2 min read
Asiana Airlines agrees sale of air cargo business, paving the way to merger with Korean Airlines
South Korea’s second-largest airline, Asiana Airlines agreed to sell its cargo business and pave the way to a merger with its larger compatriot, Korean Airlines on 2rd November 2023. The carrier has…
- Air freight
1 min read
Hong Kong air cargo adds first Europe service with plans for more
Hong Kong Air Cargo has expanded into Europe for the first time with a new flight operating to Italy targeting e-commerce volumes. The new three-times-per-week service will operate between Hong Kong…
- Air freight
1 min read
Shipping line one will launch a new route from Southeast Asia to India from November 2023
Shipping line ONE announced the addition of a new route called SIG to its service network connecting Southeast Asia with India and the Middle East. The new SIG route will provide more comprehensive…
October 20235 articles
- Trade
1 min read
Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd notify shippers in advance about the European emissions trading system (ETS) surcharge
Recently two leading shipping lines have informed in detail the expected surcharges which shippers will face next when the shipping industry adjusts to suit the European Union's Emissions Trading…
- Air freight
2 min read
Cargo carriers warn of disruption on Israel operations
Israel’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has said international flights continue to operate to and from Israel following attacks on the country by Hamas over the weekend. The CAA said that currently…
- Trade
2 min read
Actively connect the single window with countries inside and outside ASEAN in 2023
Except of ASEAN countries, Vietnam is are continuing actively cooperated with a number of countries to connect the Single Window. According to the General Department of Customs, currently, Vietnam…
- Customs & tax
3 min read
Issues related to re-processing
Issues related to re-processing as below: A re-processing company performed re - processing for processing company (who have processing contract with overseas) but was fined for penalties becauce…
- Road & border
1 min read
Import and export situations through border gates during the Chinese holiday
From 29th September to 6th October is a long holiday in China, National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival. However, import and export activities through No.II Kim Thanh international border gate (Lao Cai)…
September 20233 articles
- Air freight
1 min read
JD Airlines opens an international cargo flight connecting China and Vietnam
JD Airlines has just launched its first international cargo route connecting China and Vietnam to serve cross-border e-commerce needs. The new route is cooperated with aviation services company CSAA…
- Air freight
1 min read
Korean air will fully transit to electronic air waybills in the upcoming time
Korean Air is beginning to move towards electronic air waybills (e-AWB) for all shipments to create efficiencies in the shipping process. The carrier said that initially e-AWBs would replace paper…
- Trade
1 min read
Apple has completed moving of 11 factories producing audio-visual equipment to Vietnam
Apple Corporation has completed moving of 11 factories producing audio-visual equipment to Vietnam. This is a great opportunity for Vietnamese Enterprises to participate in the Apple's global supply…
August 20237 articles
- Trade
2 min read
The Ministry of Finance proposed an alternative policy when abolishing article 35 about spot import and export
Based on the nature of the transaction of goods, the Ministry of Finance recently sent a report to the Government proposing alternative policies when customs procedures are not carried out for spot…
- Customs & tax
2 min read
Launching of ASEAN tariff finder
The Secretariat of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Asia (ASEAN) in collaboration with the Indonesian Ministry of Trade and the Australian Government launched ASEAN TARIFF FINDER on 19th…
- Trade
2 min read
Update regulation of on – the – spot export and import after official letter 2587/TCHQ-GSQL 2023
On 8th August 2023, The General Department of Customs has issued Official Letter 4146/TCHQ-GSQL 2023 to answer questions of Associations and Enterprises related to on-the-spot export and import…
- Trade
2 min read
CJ logistics signs up one as strategic partner
CJ Logistics, South Korea’s largest third-party logistics provider, signed a collaboration agreement with Ocean Network Express (ONE) on 3 August, a month after sealing similar pacts with other…
- Air freight
1 min read
Opening of Vietnam – China railway transport route
Opened Vietnam - China railway transport route from Shijiazhuang City in China to Yen Vien Station in Hanoi, Vietnam on 2rd August 2023. This train departs from Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province…
- Trade
1 min read
CMA CGM implements new overweight surcharge from Asia to Africa
CMA CGM has announced a new overweight surcharge (OWS) from Asia to Africa, effective in the next month. More specifically, the Maersille-based company said that it will apply a surcharge of US$150…
- Customs & tax
2 min read
Vietnam and Israel signed the free trade agreement (VIFTA)
On 25th July 2023, Vietnam and Israel signed the Vietnam - Israel Free Trade Agreement (VIFTA). This is the first FTA between a Southeast Asian country and Israel and the 16th FTA between Vietnam…
July 20236 articles
- Ocean freight
1 min read
CMA CGM implements peak season surcharge from Asia to South Africa
CMA CGM has announced a new peak season surcharge (PSS) from Asia to South Africa that will be effective from 21 August. The French ocean carrier noted that the surcharge will be US$300 per TEU and…
- Ocean freight
1 min read
Open song than – Dong Dang reefer container train
On 14th July, 2023, the Vietnam Railways Corporation held the opening ceremony of a reefer container train from Song Than station, Binh Duong province to Dong Dang station, Lang Son province, after…
- Road & border
1 min read
Restore operations at Muong Khuong border gate, lao Cai
Lao Cai Provincial People's Committee has just decided to restore operations at Muong Khuong border gate in Muong Khuong district. It is expected that from 27th July, 2023, activities will be…
- Trade
2 min read
The UK officially signed the protocol to join CPTPP
On 16th July, 2023, the British Government announced that it had officially signed the protocol to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) after nearly…
- Customs & tax
2 min read
NEW EXPORT AND IMPORT TARIFF SCHEDULE UNDER DECREE NO.26/2023/ND – CP AND DECISION NO.15/2023/QD-TTg EFFECTIVE FROM 15TH JULY 2023
On 31st May, 2023: 1. The Government issued Decree No. 26/2023/ND-CP (Decree 26) promulgated the export tariff schedule, Most Favoured Nation (“MFN”) import tariff schedule, list of goods and…
- Trade
4 min read
Plan for changing regulation of on – the – spot export and import
On 29th May, 2023 the General Department of Customs has just issued Official Letter 2588/TCHQ-GSQL 2023 on commenting on the draft amendment and supplement to Article 35 of Decree 08/2015/NĐ-CP for…
June 20234 articles
- Customs & tax
1 min read
Vietnam – Korea officially connect the exchanging electronic certificate of origin (EODES) from 1st July 2023
Vietnam - Korea have just signed a Joint Statement on technical connection of EODES Electronic Origin Data Exchange System, supporting the transmission and reception of Certificate of Origin (C/O)…
- Ocean freight
1 min read
One shipping line announced the launching a new Trans-Asia route passing through Vietnam's Cat Lai port
Ocean Network Express (ONE) is based in Singapore announcing about launching a new route Korea China Straits 2 (KCS2). The new service will start from Busan port on 6th July2023 with the following…
- Customs & tax
3 min read
Some new points in new circular 33/2023/TT-BTC about origin cargo (replace: 38/2018/TT-BTC)
On 31st May, 2023, the Ministry of Finance issued Circular 33/2023/TT-BTC about the regulations the origin of exported and imported cargos. Circular 33/2023/TT-BTC officially takes effect from 15th…
- Customs & tax
2 min read
Applying normal import tax rate table for imported goods from 15th July 2023
The Deputy Prime Minister has just signed Decision 15/2023/QĐ-TTg stipulating the application of normal tax rates for imported goods as following Point c, Clause 3, Article 5 of the Law on Import…
May 20239 articles
- Air freight
2 min read
First all-cargo air service between Vietnam, UK launched
TT Meridian, a leading international logistics and trading company specialising in the UK and Vietnam markets, on May 19 announced a new all-cargo air route between the UK and Vietnam via…
- Ocean freight
1 min read
COSCO builds second 700 TEU electric boxship
COSCO SHIPPING Heavy Industry (Yangzhou) began construction works on the second 700 TEU electric container ship (N998) owned by COSCO SHIPPING Development on 8 May. The 700 TEU electric boxship is…
- Customs & tax
2 min read
Imported processed products for export processing not subject to import tax refund
According to regulations, the processed products that are imported and then processed in Vietnam for export are not subject to an import tax refund. The country’s top customs regulator cites Article…
- Trade
4 min read
Situation of import and export of Vietnam's goods in the second half of April 2023 (from 16 to 30 April, 2023)
The latest preliminary statistics of the General Department of Customs show that the total import and export value of Vietnam's goods in the period of second half of April 2023 (from 16th to 30th…
- Customs & tax
2 min read
250 procedures connected with National Single Window
In addition to connecting the National Single Window, the General Department of Customs is coordinating with relevant ministries and agencies in connecting the Single Window with partners inside and…
- Ocean freight
2 min read
Large-scale non-tariff zone to be built in Hai Phong
Xuan Cau Industrial Park and Non-Tariff Zone is being built at Lach Huyen international port area, Cat Hai district, Hai Phong. Tan Cang - Hai Phong International Container Terminal (TC- HICT) is…
- Ocean freight
2 min read
Update forecast of sea freight in 2023
According to statistics from Drewry on world container freight rates, as of 20th April 2023, the 40 feet container freight rate was $1,774, down 83% from $10,377 in September 2021 and lower 34%…
- Customs & tax
3 min read
Appointing Mr. Nguyen Thanh Son as deputy chief of the office of the general department of customs
Mr. Nguyen Thanh Son, Head of Finance and Administration Department, Office of the General Department of Customs was appointed to hold the position of Deputy Chief of the Office of the General…
- Trade
2 min read
Exports down 12% in four months
Vietnam's exports totaled $108.57 billion in the first of four months of this year, a year-on-year decrease of 11.8%, the General Statistics Office announced. Some $96.1 billion, or 88.5% of the…
April 202311 articles
- Road & border
2 min read
Declare goods information passing through border gate on the electronic system
From 20th April, 2023, instead of making declarations with paper documents, businesses carrying out procedure declaration through land and waterway border gates will declare electronic declarations…
- Trade
2 min read
Vietnam rank down 4 steps in 2023 Logistics Performance Index
After 5 years of waiting, the World Bank (WB) has just announced the Logistics Performance Index (LPI) Ranking 2023 on the evening of 21st April, 2023. Vietnam's LPI in 2023 ranked 43rd, down 4…
- Customs & tax
1 min read
The government has agreed to the Ministry of Finance to submit a plan to reduce VAT by 2%
Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai agreed in principle that the Ministry of Finance would report to the Government for submission to the National Assembly and the National Assembly Standing…
- Customs & tax
2 min read
Guide to write the original label of goods imported into Vietnam
Good day to you! Hope you are doing well. Please be informed below one of the most common issue happening these days when doing import customs into Vietnam: These days, Vietnam's customs conducts…
- Air freight
3 min read
New cargo route from China to new Delhi and from Paris to China
Zhongyuan Longhao Airlines launches flights between Zhengzhou and New Delhi. Beside that CMA CGM Air Cargo also launches new Paris-Guangzhou air cargo route. Zhongyuan Longhao Airlines launches…
- Customs & tax
2 min read
Customs sector collects over VND91 trillion in first quarter of 2023
The Customs’ revenue in the first quarter 2023 saw a year-on-year decrease of 17% The turnover and revenue from import and export activities plunged in the first quarter of 2023. According to the…
- Customs & tax
3 min read
Vietnam, UAE to soon kick off negotiations of comprehensive economic partnership agreement
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and Minister of State for Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed a Ministerial Declaration on starting…
- Customs & tax
6 min read
Lang Son: goods rushing to border gate increases sharply, potential risk of congestion
At this time, on average, there are about 500 vehicles transporting goods from inland to Lang Son waiting to carry out export procedures to China every day. By the end of March 27, the number of…
- Ocean freight
1 min read
Dong Hung border gate designated border gate for food import into China
The Asia-Africa Market Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade) said that China Customs has just announced a list of sites eligible for food import in accordance with this country’s regulations…
- Customs & tax
2 min read
Mr. Nguyen Manh Tuan was appointed as deputy director of Hanoi customs department
On April 5, at the headquarters of Hanoi Customs Department, Deputy General Director of General Department of Customs Hoang Viet Cuong presided over the ceremony to announce and hand over the…
- Customs & tax
2 min read
Vietnam, Israel conclude FTA negotiations
Vietnam and Israel on April 2 announced the conclusion of negotiations for their free trade agreement (FTA), creating a premise for the two countries to sign the deal right this year. The…
March 20231 articles
- Ocean freight
3 min read
Tightening control of road vehicle loads at Vietnam seaports
According to the Vietnam Maritime Administration, in the coming time, this agency will continue to strengthen the control of road vehicle loads at seaports. According to the Vietnam Maritime…
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