US cancels tax evasion probe into Vietnamese wooden cabinets

Wooden goods are made for export at a factory in Long An. — VNA/VNS Photo Minh Hưng

HÀ NỘI — The US Department of Commerce (DOC) has ended in its entirety the probe into trade remedy tax evasion on wooden cabinets imported from Việt Nam, according to the Trade Remedies Authority of Vietnam (TRAV).

Following an investigation into the scope of products, the US side has maintained that the preliminary conclusion had been adjusted in September 2023, the TRAV cited the conclusion issued recently by the DOC.

Three cases of wooden cabinets imported from Việt Nam, with components produced in China, were within the scope of duty orders on wooden cabinets from China.

The TRAV said that the DOC will send a notice to the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to instruct the application of the Certificate Regime to Vietnamese wooden cabinets.

The mechanism will allow local firms that do not fall into the above three cases to be exempted from anti-dumping or countervailing duties, when exporting items to the US market.

The TRAV suggested that Vietnamese exporters complete the self-certification declaration form for exporters and provide a copy and supporting documents including invoices, orders and production records to the US importer. At the same time, the importers need to complete the self-certification declaration form for importers before the shipment date.

In addition to having a self-certification application, Vietnamese firms are advised to retain records and documents as a basis to prove that confirmation within five years from the time the shipment is exported so that the US authorities can verify if necessary.

To protect the legitimate rights and interests of Vietnamese enterprises, the TRAV also has recommended that local businesses fully comply with the regulations set by the Certificate Regime and closely coordinate with the agency to receive timely support.

Since April 2020, the US has imposed anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties on wooden cabinets originating from China, with anti-dumping tax rates ranging from 4.37 per cent to 262.18 per cent, as well as anti-subsidy tax rates ranging from 13.33 per cent to 293.45 per cent. — VNS