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Customs Audit & Disputes in Asia Pacific

As global and regional integration increases, multinational companies ought to navigate numerous custom-related complexities and challenges imposed by relevant authorities in any jurisdiction. For the past few years in Asia, we have observed customs audit and disputes become increasingly aggressive. Local authorities have taken steps to strengthen customs controls and compliance across a number of areas. As such, understanding the regulatory landscape and the specific rules in a particular jurisdiction will help businesses reduce operational risks and costs.

This webinar series provide an in-depth coverage of legal frameworks, practical issues and key trends and developments surrounding customs audits in select Asia Pacific jurisdictions. Please visit this page for updates on succeeding sessions.

For Japanese companies: These webinars are also available in Japanese language as presented at the JAFTAS’ platform. View the Japanese versions.

Latest Customs Audit and Enforcement Trends in the United States

23 September 2022 | 9:00 – 10:00 am SGT

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In this session, our speaker discusses the legal framework and practical issues related to customs audits in the United States, areas of importance for US customs authorities during audits, and how to effectively prepare for and navigate customs audits. We will also share key US Customs enforcement updates and priorities, to include the latest developments relating to forced labor laws.

Speakers: Yaeko Hodaka (Co-chair, AP IMT Industry Group, Tokyo), Meredith DeMent (Partner, Washington, DC)

Managing Customs Disputes in the Philippines

18 August 2022 | 2:00 – 3:00 pm PHT

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The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the government’s revenue collection during the past two years as business operations slowed down due to government-imposed lockdowns and alternative arrangements of most companies. Thus, the collection targets of both the Philippine Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) have increased to recover the lost government revenue caused by the pandemic. We have observed that both the customs and tax authorities have been very aggressive and active in their audit activities. The BOC, for its part, has become strict in terms of compliance, especially in interpreting laws and regulations in relation to disputes at the border. This has resulted in a rise in the imposition of penalties on the importers for non-compliance. The webinar will provide a brief discussion of the common issues raised during border disputes and post clearance audits, and the remedies available to the importers.

Speakers: Yaeko Hodaka (Co-chair, AP IMT Industry Group, Tokyo), Kristine Anne Mercado-Tamayo (Partner, Quisumbing Torres, Manila), Alexander Ner (Senior Associate, Quisumbing Torres, Manila)

BD contact: Therese Reyes

10 Things You Need to Know about Customs Audit in Indonesia

14 July 2022 | 1:00 – 2:00 pm JKT

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This session tackles two key themes: customs audits and current/hot audit issues in Indonesia. Our speakers discuss 10 of the most highlighted areas that a company needs to know about Indonesia customs audit. What are the typical requested audit data? What are the stages of the audit process? What would be the roadblocks? and avenue for audit results?

Next, we move into the customs audit case studies, most prominently on customs valuation, tariff classification, and certificate of origin issues. How have authorities been approaching these issues and what practical strategies should IMT supply chains apply to manage the challenges of such audits?

Speakers: Yaeko Hodaka (Co-chair, AP IMT Industry Group, Tokyo), Riza Buditomo (Partner, Jakarta)

BD contact: Helmy HandokoDanny Panjaitan

Customs Audits and Export Controls in China

9 June 2022 | 10:30 – 11:30 am CHT

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In this session, our speakers discuss key customs audit topics and trends in China, as well as practical and legal considerations that should be accounted for in customs audit management strategy. They also discuss recent developments in export controls in China and important considerations in managing inventories containing controlled items.

Speakers: Yaeko Hodaka (Co-chair, AP IMT Industry Group, Tokyo), Tina Li (Associate, Shanghai), Weng Keong Kok (Associate, Hong Kong)

BD contact: Iris ZhouSara Wang

Customs Audit in Malaysia: Trends and Tips

7 April 2022 | 11:00 am – 12:00 pm MYT

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This session features key insights and practical aspects of customs audit in Malaysia, including an overview of key features of Malaysian customs audit, a snapshot of key customs audit topics and trends, a case study exemplifying common customs audit scenarios in Malaysia, key tips on managing dawn raids and customs audits in Malaysia, and practical and legal considerations that should be accounted for in any customs audit management strategy.

Speakers: Yaeko Hodaka (Co-chair, AP IMT Industry Group, Tokyo), Jason Liang (Partner, Kuala Lumpur), Kelvin Hong (Associate, Kuala Lumpur), Wei Lit Wong (Legal Assistant, Kuala Lumpur)

BD contact: Henry TayShu Yi Ong

Import & Export Regulatory Updates and Recent Case Developments in Thailand

24 February 2022 | 11:00 am – 12:00 pm BKK

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This session features key insights and practical aspects of import and export regulatory and compliance updates in Thailand. Speakers also discuss recent precedential customs cases, including FTAs updates, export control updates, customs audit trends in Thailand and recent precedential customs cases and practices.

Speakers: Yaeko Hodaka (Co-chair, AP IMT Industry Group, Tokyo), Panya Sittisakonsin (Partner, Bangkok), Keerati Saneewong Na Ayudthaya (Associate, Bangkok)

BD contact: Ramaimas Bowra and Pranut Kukom

Customs Audit & Disputes in Vietnam

21 January 2022 | 1:30 – 2:30 pm VNT

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In this webinar, our lawyers discuss the legal framework and practical issues surrounding customs audit in Vietnam. They also highlight the areas of focus by customers’ authority during customs audit and offer advice on how businesses can effectively manage an audit.

Speakers: Yaeko Hodaka (Co-chair, AP IMT Industry Group, Tokyo), Thanh Vinh Nguyen (Partner, Ho Chi Minh City), Ngoc Trung Tran (Associate, Hanoi)

BD contact: Ngoc Thuy Duong Pham (Senior BD Executive, Ho Chi Minh City)

Author

Yaeko Hodaka has over 25 years of legal experience in the areas of corporate law, including mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructuring and reorganization, internal investigation, litigation and dispute resolution. She is a partner in the Corporate/M&A Practice Group, with a focus on the automotive sector and serves as the Regional Chair of Industrial, Manufacturing and Transportation Group in Asia Pacific.

Author

*Cherrie is a partner of FenXun Partners, which is a premier Chinese law firm. FenXun established a Joint Operation Office with Baker McKenzie in China as Baker McKenzie FenXun which was approved by the Shanghai Justice Bureau in 2015.