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Customs and International Trade

Customs and International Trade

Key Contacts

Cambodia

Laos

Myanmar

Thailand

Vietnam

Jay Cohen

     +855 23 964 210

     [email protected]

Prisna Sungwanna

     +66 2056 5656

     [email protected]

Yuwadee Thean-ngarm

     +95 9 772 440 002

     [email protected]

Chitchai Punsan

     +66 2056 5779

     [email protected]

Michael Ramirez

     +66 2056 5794

     [email protected]

Loc Xuan Le

     +84 24 3275 3959

     [email protected]

OVERVIEW

Navigating complex trade challenges with clarity and cofidence.

Tilleke & Gibbins’ customs and international trade practice helps domestic and multinational companies navigate complex customs regulations, trade frameworks, and enforcement environments across the region. Drawing on deep regional experience, strong regulatory relationships, and technical expertise, we help clients manage risk, secure trade benefits, and resolve disputes efficiently.

We handle the full range of customs and international trade matters, including clearance, classification, valuation, FTA utilization, rules of origin, excise and tax issues, antidumping, and postclearance audits and appeals. As governments increase scrutiny of preferential schemes and adjust tariff regimes, we offer commercially focused strategies to ensure compliance with bilateral, regional, and WTO standards. Our team also represents local and multinational clients in customs investigations and civil and criminal disputes, working closely with authorities to ensure practical and effective engagement throughout the process.

With extensive experience across diverse industries, we craft tailored solutions that align seamlessly with each client’s operational realities and the complexities of their cross‑border supply chains.

Case Studies
Thailand | Corporate/M&A, Competition and Trade

Assisted Kuehne+Nagel with Thai Elements of Regional Acquisition of City Zone Express

Worked with Stephenson Harwood LLP and acted as Thai legal counsel to Kuehne+Nagel in connection with its USD 67.4 million regional acquisition of City Zone Express from Chasen Holding Ltd.

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Experience

  • Defended a leading global logistics company in three criminal actions brought by the Thai Customs Department involving potential fines exceeding USD 15 million and secured nonprosecution orders that were subsequently upheld.
  • Advised a global manufacturer on a complex customs dispute concerning the valuation and classification of tire imports under Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce regulations and worked closely with authorities to reach a successful resolution.
  • Represented a world-leading computer technology company in a complex rules-of-origin dispute under the China–Thailand FTA, involving products manufactured in China, shipped through Malaysia, and invoiced by a Singapore-based entity.
  • Represented a leading global producer of vitamins and nutritional supplements in filing more than 200 appeals with Thai Customs, involving rules of origin and tax exemptions under ASEAN trade agreements.
  • Secured favorable Board of Appeals rulings for a multinational defense and security company on the HS classification of identity documents under a government contract, including stays and bank guarantees for assessed duties.
  • Represented a Southeast Asian sugar refinery before the Trade Remedies Authority of Vietnam and prepared evidence demonstrating that no circumvention of trade‑remedy measures had occurred.
  • Advised a Malaysian flexible‑packaging film manufacturer in an antidumping investigation conducted by Vietnamese authorities, prepared submissions and represented the client throughout the proceedings.
  • Advised a multinational chemical manufacturer on antidumping and regional value-content issues under the China–Thailand FTA in connection with a proposed relocation of its production base.
  • Advised a Vietnamese furniture manufacturer on confidentiality obligations when providing information to a foreign government in an antidumping investigation concerning upholstered seating.
  • Assisted an overseas client with importing products from China into Thailand and secured preferential treatment under the ASEAN–China FTA, including preparing country-of-origin documentation for tax and regulatory compliance.
  • Advised a leading VR hardware manufacturer on product importation, labeling requirements, consumer-protection compliance, and regulatory procedures.
  • Advised a global freight forwarder on establishing manufacturing and assembly operations in a Thai free-trade zone, including importer-of-record and exporter-of-record considerations and multiregulatory risk analysis.
  • Advised a global health care company on importing used medical devices into Thailand for refurbishment and reexport, covering customs, excise, and Thai FDA requirements.
  • Assisted a multinational industrial company in self-reporting customs misdeclarations under Thai Customs’ one-stop-service pilot program and achieved significant reductions in surcharges.
  • Assisted a U.S.-based furniture manufacturer during a customs inspection of its factory in Quang Ngai, Vietnam, to verify compliance with export qualification requirements.
  • Advised a Singapore-based tobacco manufacturer on a regional counterfeit-goods investigation involving seizures in Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand linked to production in Vietnam.
  • Supported an American home and security products manufacturer in an investigation into Vietnamese transshipment and tax-avoidance schemes involving shell entities used to misrepresent the origin of goods.
  • Represented a subsidiary of a global multimodal transportation provider in a THB 24 million (approximately USD 735,000) dispute, and secured emergency relief from Thailand’s Intellectual Property and International Trade Court, enabling the client to remove cargo from its vessel.

PROFESSIONALS

RELATED INSIGHTS

January 14, 2026
Myanmar’s Ministry of Finance and Revenue has introduced new procedures allowing companies to temporarily export raw materials and semifinished goods for overseas processing before reimporting the finished products for domestic sale. The procedures are detailed in Notification No. 143/2025, which was issued on December 23, 2025, taking effect on February 1, 2026. The new procedures define outward processing as the temporary export of domestically circulating or manufactured goods for manufacturing, processing, treatment, or repair abroad, followed by reimportation. Core elements include the temporary export of the goods, the continuity and identifiability of the exported and reimported items, and the assessment of duties based on the value added abroad. Upon reimportation, customs duty, commercial tax, specific goods tax, and advance income tax are applied only to the foreign value added, rather than to the full value of the goods. No advance income tax applies at the time of export. Before these procedures, Myanmar lacked a unified outward processing system. The closest existing practice was the “repair and return” mechanism, used for goods such as machinery parts that required repair abroad. The definition covers a broader range of operations than simple repair. Eligible Goods and Shipment Points Outward processing is permitted only for goods that satisfy specific eligibility criteria. The scheme expressly excludes: Goods that are prohibited from export or import Goods that can be processed domestically within Myanmar Precious stones Goods that would lose their essential characteristics after processing Export and reimport activities related to outward processing must be conducted through designated ports, airports, or dry ports located within Yangon Region. Eligible Companies Only companies that are legally registered in Myanmar and authorized as exporters or importers—specifically, businesses holding a valid export/import registration certificate—are eligible to engage in outward processing activities. The Myanmar Customs Department serves as the governing authority
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January 13, 2026
On December 31, 2025, Myanmar’s Department of Trade introduced new rules for import and export license applications. The rules were issued in Announcement No. 4/2025, which took effect on January 1, 2026. Under the announcement, all applications for licenses must now be submitted and approved through the online Myanmar TradeNet 2.0 system. The announcement sets a maximum review period of 180 days for each application. If approval is not granted within this period, the application will be automatically canceled by the system. In addition, companies may submit only one application per calendar month for goods of the same type (same HS code), and only one license will be approved. Businesses involved in importing goods should review their planning and ensure compliance with the new restrictions.
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January 9, 2026
On January 7, 2026, the Central Bank of Myanmar (CBM) announced a further relaxation of foreign exchange regulations through Notification No. 2/2026, with an effective date of January 1, 2026. This notification reduces the mandatory conversion requirement for exporters’ earnings in foreign currency into Myanmar kyat (MMK). Under the new notification, exporters are required to convert only 15 percent of their foreign currency export earnings into MMK at official CBM reference exchange rates, down from the previous required minimum conversion level of 25 percent. The adjustment provides exporters with more flexibility to manage foreign currency, improving liquidity for international transactions and reducing cash flow pressure. However, companies must still comply with the foreign currency conversion procedures and timelines set out in the CBM’s Notification No. 12/2022.
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December 17, 2025
Tilleke & Gibbins has contributed the Thailand chapter to International Trade 2026, published by Chambers and Partners. International Trade 2026 provides an overview of international trade laws and regulations across major jurisdictions. The guide is designed as a practical reference for businesses, in-house counsel, and legal practitioners dealing with cross-border trade, customs, and regulatory compliance. The Thailand chapter examines key aspects of Thailand’s international trade framework, including: WTO membership, plurilateral arrangements, and free trade agreements Customs authorities, enforcement agencies, and customs regulations Trade sanctions regimes and compliance obligations Export controls, restricted persons, and licensing requirements Antidumping, countervailing duties, and safeguard measures Investment security mechanisms and regulatory oversight Subsidy and incentive programs for domestic production Standards, technical requirements, and sanitary and phytosanitary measures Geographical protections and other trade-related regulatory measures The chapter also highlights recent developments and pending regulatory changes affecting trade and investment in Thailand. Chambers’ International Trade 2026 guide brings together contributions from leading law firms worldwide, offering up-to-date, jurisdiction-specific insight into the evolving global trade environment. Tilleke & Gibbins also contributed the Vietnam chapter to International Trade 2026. A PDF of the Thailand chapter can be downloaded through the button below, and the full International Trade 2026 guide is available for free on the Chambers and Partners website.
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AWARDS & RANKINGS
September 12, 2025
The 2025/2026 edition of the IFLR1000 Asia-Pacific rankings, released by International Financial Law Review (IFLR), highlights Tilleke & Gibbins’ continued excellence in financial and corporate transactional work. The firm has maintained its strong rankings across multiple jurisdictions and practice areas while achieving notable upgrades and new recognitions, reaffirming its position as a leading firm in the Asia-Pacific region. This year, Tilleke & Gibbins received firmwide rankings in key jurisdictions, including: Thailand Banking & Finance—Tier 3 Capital Markets: Debt—Tier 3 Capital Markets: Equity—Tier 3 M&A—Tier 2 Project Development—Tier 2 Restructuring & Insolvency—Tier 3 Vietnam Banking & Finance—Tier 4 M&A—Tier 3 Project Development—Tier 3 Cambodia Financial & Corporate—Tier 2 Project Development—Tier 2 Laos Financial & Corporate—Tier 2 In addition to these firmwide rankings, Tilleke & Gibbins had several standout individual recognitions, with 12 lawyers honored in the 2025/2026 individual rankings—an increase from last year’s 10. This year’s results include upgraded rankings for John Frangos and new rankings for Charupat Boon-Long, Derrick Khoo, Prisna Sungwanna, and Saravut Krailadsiri. The full list is as follows: Charunun Sathitsuksomboon—Highly Regarded, M&A, Thailand; Women Leader Charupat Boon-Long—Rising Star, M&A, Thailand (new ranking) David Mol—Rising Star, Corporate and M&A, Cambodia Derrick Khoo—Rising Star (Partner), Financial and Corporate, Thailand (new ranking) Jay Cohen—Highly Regarded, Banking, Cambodia John Frangos—Highly Regarded, Restructuring & Insolvency, Thailand (upgraded ranking) Niti Muangkote—Rising Star, Financial & Corporate and Project Development, Laos; Highly Regarded, Banking & Finance, Thailand Prisna Sungwanna—Highly Regarded, Financial & Corporate, Laos (new ranking) Saithong Rattana—Notable Practitioner, Project Development and M&A, Laos Santhapat Periera—Highly Regarded, Banking & Finance and M&A, Laos; Highly Regarded, Banking & Finance, Thailand Saravut Krailadsiri—Notable Practitioner, Thailand (new ranking) Tram Ngoc Bich Nguyen—Highly Regarded, M&A, Vietnam To see the full set of IFLR1000 rankings for Tilleke & Gibbins’ jurisdictions, please see the Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam pages
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September 3, 2025
Tilleke & Gibbins is honored to announce that the firm has been shortlisted for three prestigious categories at the Asialaw Awards 2025. This year’s shortlist reflects the outstanding work of the firm’s teams across Southeast Asia and highlights their ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional client service in the region. In the firmwide category, Tilleke & Gibbins was nominated for: Cambodia Firm of the Year Laos Firm of the Year In the individual category, Prisna Sungwanna was shortlisted for Laos Female Lawyer of the Year, joining an impressive field of nominees from other leading firms. The Asialaw Awards celebrate the most outstanding firms and lawyers across the Asia-Pacific region. The 2025 winners are set to be announced at an awards ceremony in Ho Chi Minh City in November. For more information on the Asialaw Awards 2025 and to browse a full list of the nominees, please visit the Asialaw website.
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