23 November 2022: UK-Vietnam Committee on Customs – report
Published 18 March 2025
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Summary of discussion of the second United Kingdom-Vietnam Committee on Customs.
General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC) and Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) in Vietnam hosted a UK delegation in person, with other UK officials from His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and Department for Business and Trade (DBT) joining virtually, on the 23 November 2022.
1. Customs co-operation
The UK and Vietnam held useful discussions on items concerning the development and operation of Vietnam’s Single Window. The UK then introduced and gave a brief overview of its Customs Declaration Service (CDS) to Vietnam.
Both countries provided an overview of their respective Authorised Economic Operators Programmes (AEO) and discussed opportunities to further facilitate trade between the UK and Vietnam.
The UK and Vietnam then had a productive conversation on operational activity, with discussions focussed on further developing customs cooperation between the two countries.
After a short break, the UK and Vietnam discussed the status of negotiations on the UK-Vietnam Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement (CMAA), and the relationship with the Mutual Administrative Assistance Protocol in the FTA (Free Trade Agreement).
Both Parties clarified on the agencies responsible for implementing the obligations under the Customs and Trade Facilitation (CTF) chapter of the Agreement and updated on the relevant contact points.
2. Rules of Origin
Discussions concerning the application of the Rules of Origin was held virtually during the Committee on Customs.
The UK and Vietnam held discussions on the interpretation of various Product Specific Rules of Origin (PSRs) related to the work and processing of fabrics to confer originating status.
Further useful discussions were held on Harmonised System transposition, the cumulation provisions relating to fabrics originating in the Republic of Korea, and official languages of committee documents.
3. Conclusion
All parties exchanged thanks for a constructive meeting.
4. Agreed next steps and actions
On customs matters, both agreed to establish working groups to facilitate cooperation on matters concerning the Single Window and regarding an AEO MRA.
The parties committed to making timely progress on the CMAA negotiations.
On matters concerning the Rules of Origin, the UK agreed to share Annex 4 regarding interpretations of PSRs discussed during the committee.
Vietnam agreed to notify the UK on cumulation of fabrics originating in the Republic of Korea.