To help businesses navigate tariff risks, KOTRA held seminars in Hanoi (May 27, 2025) and Ho Chi Minh City (May 29, 2025).
UNI Customs Consulting was invited to present solutions for FDI companies – especially Korean firms – to identify risks, stay updated on regulations, and streamline import-export activities amid rising U.S. tariff pressures.
1. Overview of the Seminar
On May 27 and 29, 2025, UNI was honored to be invited to participate and speak at the international seminar series “Overseas Rotational Seminar on Coping with Tariffs,” organized by KOTRA (Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency) at Lotte Hotel Hanoi and Hotel Nikko Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City.
The event aimed to support Korean enterprises operating in Vietnam by providing the latest updates and enhancing their capacity to respond to shifting tariff policies, especially those imposed by the United States.
The seminar was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam, the General Department of Customs, the Embassy of South Korea, KOTRA Vietnam, the Korea Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam, international legal and trade experts, along with approximately 80 Korean enterprises investing and operating in Vietnam.
2. Main Content of the Seminar
The seminar focused on supporting Korean enterprises in Vietnam to address tariff measures, particularly from the United States, through policy updates and practical solutions shared by authorities and experts.
Detailed Timeline of the Seminar:
| Time | Content | Presenter |
| 09:30 | Opening Remarks | Deputy Director Lee Ji-hyung |
| 09:35 | Welcome Speech | Mr. Kim Do-jin – Director, Overseas Marketing Bureau, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE), Korea |
| 09:40 | U.S. Tariff Measures and Alternative Markets | Regional Trade Research Office |
| 10:00 | Rules of Origin Management and Verification System | Hanoi FTA Center |
| 10:20 | Introduction to the “119 Tariff Response” System and Case Studies | Overseas Expansion Consulting Center |
| 10:40 | Current Tariff Practices in Vietnam and Countermeasures | UNI Customs Consulting Co., Ltd. |
| 11:00 | Introduction to Support Programs (vouchers, local offices, logistics) | Export Voucher Project Team |
| 11:20 | Reorganization Support for Overseas Production and Repatriation to Korea | Domestic Production Support Team |
| 11:40 | Q&A Session | All Guests |
3. The Current Customs Landscape for Korean Enterprises in Vietnam and UNI’s Solutions
U.S. tariffs are placing significant pressure on Korean SMEs in Vietnam, especially in the electronics, textiles, and apparel sectors. With over 9,500 Korean companies operating in Vietnam, the heavy reliance on intermediary exports to the U.S. has increased their vulnerability. At the KOTRA seminar, UNI – a seasoned customs consulting firm – shared key solutions to help businesses minimize risks and optimize tariff costs.
a. Issues Faced by Korean Businesses
Based on practical surveys and expert discussions in the first half of 2025, Mr. Byun Sang Hyun, CEO of UNI Customs Consulting, identified four main categories of challenges:
Export Declaration Issues:
- Delays and procedural complications in export declarations
- EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) registration challenges
- Complications in customs clearance procedures
Documentation Management:
- Time-consuming document preparation
- Issues with mandatory documentation
- Certificate management problems
FTA Application:
- Difficulties in registering and managing FTA certificates
- Issues in verifying origin
Compliance Issues:
- Diverse and complex compliance requirements
Technical Issues in Vietnam Export-Import Clearance (e.g., AD17):
The presentation also delved into technical customs clearance matters, online customs platforms, EU customs updates, FDI policies, and international investment regulations.
“Through research and direct consultations with over 50 Korean enterprises in Vietnam in the first half of 2025, we found that customs-related challenges are becoming increasingly complex. Notably, adapting to regulations such as Decision 13/2024/QD-TTg and 3453/QD-BCT is creating significant pressure on businesses,” – CEO Byun Sang Hyun.
b.Tariff Solutions Proposed by UNI
At the seminar, UNI proposed several solutions to support FDI enterprises, especially Korean businesses, in managing and optimizing customs duties:
- Guidance on price adjustments due to bonuses/discounts according to Official Letter 8317/TCHQ-TXNK: support for supplementary declarations or tax refunds depending on the case.
- Preparation for domestic inspections of export goods in accordance with Official Letter 507/TCHQ-GSQL: businesses need to be ready with documentation and production procedures.
- Pilot program for sharing electronic data between EPEs and domestic enterprises under Official Letter 444/TCHQ-GSQL: applicable to five specific types of transactions.
- New notes on steel exports: updates on U.S. requirements and collateral regulations under Decree 73/2025/NĐ-CP.
“A mindset of preventing customs risks should be an indispensable part of every business’s operational strategy. UNI not only provides legal support—we accompany our clients as long-term strategic partners.”
— Mr. Byun Sang Hyun, CEO of UNI
UNI’s presentation received high praise from delegates thanks to its specific, practical content and its direct response to the needs of FDI enterprises.
In the future, UNI will continue to play the role of a strategic consulting partner, helping businesses manage customs risks, stay updated on policy changes, and operate effectively amid today’s highly volatile customs landscape.
4. Session Outcomes and UNI’s Strategic Role
The Explanation Session on Overseas Relay Response to Tariff Measures: Review of U.S. Tariff Measures and Alternative Markets, organized by KOTRA, was successfully held, attracting a large number of Korean businesses in Vietnam. UNI was honored to be invited to attend and share insights on the current situation, challenges, and specialized consulting solutions to help Korean enterprises effectively respond to tariff fluctuations from the U.S. market.
UNI’s participation in this session further affirms its close collaboration with international organizations such as KOTRA, while also reinforcing UNI’s reputation and standing in the field of customs consulting. We are committed to supporting the FDI business community by providing timely policy updates and practical solutions to help enterprises overcome tariff barriers and enhance their competitiveness in the global market.
📞 Contact UNI Customs Consulting for free consultation:
📧 Email: uni@eximuni.com
📱 Hotline: +(84) 908-535-898 (Vietnamese) | +(84) 902-927-767 (Korean)