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 jurisdictions in Asia Pacific and other regions.
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 Europe and the United Kingdom
22 November 2022 | 3:00 – 4:00 pm SGT
In this session, our speakers discuss the legal framework and practical issues related to customs audits in Europe and the United Kingdom, areas of importance for EU and UK customs authorities during audits, and how to effectively prepare for and navigate customs audits. They also share key EU and UK 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), Lionel van Reet (Partner, Brussels), Jennifer Revis (Partner, London)
Latest Customs Audit and Enforcement Trends in the United States
23 September 2022 | 9:00 – 10:00 am SGT
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
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
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 Handoko, Danny Panjaitan
Customs Audits and Export Controls in China
9 June 2022 | 10:30 – 11:30 am CHT
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 Zhou, Sara Wang
Customs Audit in Malaysia: Trends and Tips
7 April 2022 | 11:00 am – 12:00 pm MYT
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 Tay, Shu Yi Ong
Import & Export Regulatory Updates and Recent Case Developments in Thailand
24 February 2022 | 11:00 am – 12:00 pm BKK
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
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)
