India has announced the imposition of anti-dumping duties for a period of five years on certain hot-rolled steel products originating in or exported from Vietnam.
On November 13th, 2025, the Ministry of Finance of India confirmed that the measure aims to protect domestic steel producers from injury caused by unfairly priced imports.
India Imposes 5 Years Anti-Dumping Duties on Hot-Rolled Steel From Vietnam
The decision follows a detailed investigation conducted by India’s Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), which concluded that Vietnamese origin steel was being dumped into the Indian market at prices that harmed the local industry.
Final Findings by DGTR Trigger the Measure
The duty announcement is based on DGTR’s final findings issued on August 13th, 2025.
DGTR determined that imports of alloy and non-alloy hot-rolled steel plates from Vietnam were being sold in India at low prices, significantly undercutting domestic producers.
This conclusion provided the legal basis for the Ministry of Finance to impose definitive anti-dumping duties for a five-year period.
Duty Rates and Scope of Application
Under the final decision:
Hoa Phat Dung Quat Steel Joint Stock Company is the only Vietnamese manufacturer exempted from the anti-dumping duty.
All other Vietnamese producers and exporters will face a fixed anti-dumping duty of USD 121.55 per metric ton on covered products.
According to Reuters, the same duty rate also applies to goods shipped from Vietnam but manufactured in third countries, targeting transshipment practices used to bypass the measure.
Duration and Legal Effect
The anti-dumping duty will remain in force for five years from the date of publication, unless earlier revoked, amended, or replaced following a review or policy decision.
The payable duty will be collected in Indian rupees, calculated according to the exchange rate applicable on the date the import invoice is presented.
Implications for Vietnamese Exporters and Indian Importers
The decision poses several business implications:
Most Vietnamese exporters will face significantly higher costs when supplying hot-rolled steel to India.
Indian importers may experience increased procurement costs and supply chain adjustments.
Re-exporters or third-country processors routing goods through Vietnam may also be subjected to the duty, depending on origin verification.
This measure highlights India’s growing vigilance against both dumping and potential circumvention patterns in the steel sector.
Trade Compliance Message
India’s imposition of a fixed anti-dumping duty underscores its commitment to shielding domestic industries from price caused by imported steel.
The exemption for only one Vietnamese producer reflects DGTR’s detailed assessment of cooperation levels and pricing practices.
As India continues to intensify its scrutiny of steel imports, exporters operating in Vietnam will need to maintain pricing transparency, and compliance to avoid future liabilities.
About ANT Lawyers, a Law Firm in Vietnam
We help clients overcome cultural barriers and achieve their strategic and financial outcomes, while ensuring the best interest rate protection, risk mitigation and regulatory compliance. ANT lawyers has lawyers in Ho Chi Minh city, Hanoi, and Danang, and will help customers in doing business in Vietnam.
Vietnam Intellectual Property Law amendments have long been expected.
Why?
For sometime, we have seen clients’ feedback on the delay of the procedures i.e. registration of IP rights, refusal to possible IP violations. Many times, we come across clients feeling hopeless seeking solutions to enforcement of violations of IP rights.
Now, it seems Vietnam is moving into a critical reform period, and one of the most consequential developments is the upcoming Vietnam Intellectual Property Law amendments. This revision cycle is broader than the amendments of 2009, 2019, and 2022. It reflects Vietnam’s economic transformation and the State’s intention to strengthen innovation capacity, align with international commitments, and respond to rapid changes in the digital economy.
The process is already in motion. On October 27th, 2025, the Government formally submitted the Draft Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Intellectual Property Law to the National Assembly. The National Assembly then held a plenary debate on November 24th, 2025, focusing on valuation of intellectual property, digital content protection, enforcement mechanisms, and compliance with FTAs such as CPTPP, EVFTA, and RCEP.
Based on legislative procedure timelines and the level of consensus expressed at the November debate, the amendments are realistically positioned for adoption in late 2026, with expected effect from 2027 once implementing decrees and circulars are issued.
In here, we discuss the overview grounded in official records, legal logic, and policy direction for businesses planning ahead.
5 Key Insights into the Vietnam Intellectual Property Law Amendments
IP Must Shift from Protection to Asset Value
Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) made it clear in the dossier submitted with the draft that IP must evolve from a passive certificate into an active economic asset.
This aligns with the Government’s strategic orientation to develop a market for science and technology, where the Vietnam Intellectual Property Law amendments will have a key role.
IP can be valued,
used as collateral,
contributed as capital, and
commercialised across industries.
The draft law calls for:
Legal recognition of IP valuation,
A national IP transaction and valuation database,
More transparent licensing and transfer mechanisms,
Clear principles for using IP as security in financial transactions.
This is a direct response to the challenges raised by innovators, investors, and enterprises who face difficulties converting IP assets into financial value under the existing framework.
The Digital Economy Requires Modern, Technology-Aligned IP Rules
During November 24th, 2025 National Assembly debate, delegates raised practical concerns regarding digital content, online distribution, and AI-generated materials. Multiple lawmakers noted that the existing law does not adequately address:
Redistribution of news content on digital platforms
Platform liability for hosting copyrighted content
Automated reproduction through algorithms
AI-generated content that may infringe rights
Cross-border streaming and digital licensing models
The draft introduces provisions that strengthen digital copyright enforcement and clarify obligations for platforms, intermediaries, and organisations deploying AI-driven content systems.
These changes aim to protect creators, media agencies, and technology companies in a rapidly evolving digital environment.
Enforcement Must Be More Predictable and Harmonised
Reports submitted to the National Assembly’s Committee for Legal Affairs and Committee for Science, Technology and Environment highlighted inconsistencies across administrative, civil, and criminal enforcement channels.
Key issues included:
Overlapping sanctions
Limited deterrence for large-scale infringement
Lack of coordination between market authorities, police, and courts
Insufficient tools for border enforcement
The amendments seek to:
Clarify enforcement pathways
Harmonise administrative and civil remedies
Strengthen border measures
Enhance coordination between enforcement agencies
These reforms respond directly to long-standing concerns raised by domestic enterprises and foreign investors about the predictability of IP enforcement in Vietnam.
Vietnam Must Align with Its International Commitments
Vietnam’s participation in FTAs such as CPTPP, EVFTA, and RCEP obligates the country to elevate its IP regime to international standards.
The Government’s explanatory report accompanying the draft law highlighted several areas requiring alignment:
Border control against infringing imports
Digital-era copyright protections
Limitation of liability for online intermediaries
Fair and transparent licensing practices
Protection of confidential information and trade secrets
Strengthening these rules helps Vietnam meet treaty obligations while enhancing investor confidence and supporting cross-border licensing, franchising, OEM/ODM manufacturing, and technology transfer.
Registration, Procedures, and Compliance Will Become Simpler and Clearer
Feedback from consultations conducted by the Government in mid-2025 consistently emphasised the need for procedural reforms.
Key areas of simplification proposed in the draft include:
Shorter IP registration timelines
More transparent opposition and invalidation procedures
Easier renewal and recordal processes
Greater accessibility for SMEs and foreign investors
These improvements are expected to reduce compliance burdens and support enterprises seeking faster and more reliable IP protection.
Step-by-Step Guide for Businesses Preparing for the Vietnam Intellectual Property Law Amendments
A structured preparation plan allows businesses to align internal systems early and minimise risk when the Vietnam Intellectual Property Law amendments come into force.
Step 1: Conduct an internal IP audit
Identify registered and unregistered assets: trademarks, software, databases, confidential information, and creative works.
Step 2: Assess which assets can be monetised or valued
Prioritise assets with licensing potential, market reach, or financial relevance.
Step 3: Strengthen internal IP governance
Clarify employee IP ownership, contractor obligations, and digital content review processes.
Step 4: Update all IP-related contracts
Adjust licensing, outsourcing, manufacturing, franchising, technology transfer, and platform agreements to reflect new obligations.
Step 5: Implement digital and AI compliance mechanisms
Ensure safe use of copyrighted content, establish AI content screening, and protect data and trade secrets.
Step 6: Track the legislative process through 2026
Monitor draft revisions, NA discussions, implementing regulations, and official guidance.
Conclusion
The Vietnam Intellectual Property Law amendments reflect a deliberate shift in Vietnam’s economic strategy: building an innovation-driven, digitally resilient, internationally aligned IP regime. With the draft already submitted to the National Assembly on October 27th, 2025, debated publicly on November 24th, 2025, and positioned for adoption in late 2026, businesses have a clear timeframe to prepare.
For enterprises, this reform is not merely a legal adjustment. It is an opportunity to strengthen valuation, commercialisation, compliance, and digital governance frameworks, ultimately turning intellectual property into a meaningful and strategic asset.
About ANT Lawyers, a Law Firm in Vietnam
We help clients overcome cultural barriers and achieve their strategic and financial outcomes, while ensuring the best interest rate protection, risk mitigation and regulatory compliance. ANT lawyers has lawyers in Ho Chi Minh city, Hanoi, and Danang, and will help customers in doing business in Vietnam.
The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) has officially announced the initiation of an anti-dumping investigation concerning truck tires originating from Thailand and Vietnam. The decision follows a determination by the Domestic Market Protection Department of the EAEU Economic Commission that the sharp increase in tire imports could cause significant harm to the Union’s domestic manufacturing industry.
Eurasian Economic Union Anti-Dumping Investigation on Tires from Vietnam
EAEU Launches Investigation After Sharp Import Growth
The investigation was initiated on November 7th, 2025, based on complaints filed by domestic companies including Belshina, Omskshina, Cordiant, and Nizhnekamsk. According to the case file, the tires under investigation are truck tires used on various vehicles with multiple axles, including freight cars, buses, electric vehicles, dump trucks, trailers, and semi-trailers. These are rubber tires and tubes with rim diameters ranging from 17.5 to 24.5 inches, classified under HS codes 4011.20.100.0 and 4011.20.900.0.
According to the EAEU investigation notice, between 2022 and 2024, the import volume from Thailand and Vietnam into the EAEU increased by 2.6 times, and the market share of this product group in domestic consumption rose 2.4 times, creating significant pressure on domestic production.
Allegations of Dumping and Harm to EAEU Industry
The EAEU investigation authority alleges that imports from the two countries were sold at prices lower than the average prices of EAEU – produced goods (except in 2023). Production, economic, and financial indicators of the domestic EAEU industry declined during both the 2022 – 2024 period and April 2024 – March 2025 period, specifically:
Production decreased by 6% and 14%
Capacity utilization decreased by 5% and 6%
Inventory increased by 15% and 19%
Sales profit decreased by 59% and 78%
Manufacturing profit margins decreased by 68% and 80%
Profit margins on sales within the Union decreased by 62% and 76%
The notice also points out that truck tires from Thailand and Vietnam are primarily produced for export. The total production capacity of these two countries far exceeds the consumption demand of the EAEU market. Furthermore, Vietnamese tire manufacturers plan to launch new production lines with a capacity of around 1.4 million units, significantly expanding export potential.
The notice further mentions that recent investigations and trade defense measures by the United States, Brazil, South Africa, and Egypt, as well as the U.S. Section 232 investigation under the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 on imported tires (including products from Thailand and Vietnam), may redirect export flows toward the Eurasian market.
The provisional dumping margins alleged by the EAEU are:
24.17% for Thailand
19.59% for Vietnam
Investigation Procedure and Obligations of Stakeholders
The investigation follows Article 49 of the EAEU Treaty and Protocol Appendix 8 on the application of trade defense measures. Key timelines include:
Registration of interested parties: within 25 days from the initiation date
Requests for public hearings: within 45 days from the initiation date
Submission of comments and information: within 60 days from the initiation date
Sampling procedure: applied when the number of companies is large; companies must provide production and export data for the period July 1st, 2024 – June 30th, 2025
Companies must submit both confidential and non-confidential versions in Russian, following EAEU templates.
Consequences of Non-Cooperation
Under the Protocol, companies that:
Fail to submit information
Submit it late
Or provide inaccurate data
may be subject to the “adverse facts available” (AFA) mechanism, resulting in the highest possible anti-dumping duty applied to non-cooperating entities.
Impact on Vietnamese Exporters
The investigation could lead to significant anti-dumping duties if Vietnamese companies do not fully cooperate, which would:
Increase export costs to the EAEU market
Affect the supply chains of regional importers
Risk the highest possible duties if deemed to have provided unreliable data
Recommended Response from Authorities
1. For industry associations:
The Trade Defense Department recommends quickly informing relevant companies about the alleged products so they can respond and manage the case, while urging companies to participate to avoid being considered non-cooperative.
Maintain direct communication with the The Trade Remedies Authority of Vietnam (TRAV) for timely support.
Identify the largest exporting companies during the investigation period (July 1st, 2024 – June 30th, 2025) to anticipate which companies may be selected as mandatory respondents.
2. For involved manufacturing and exporting companies:
Follow the procedural steps:
Register as an interested party according to instructions.
Provide full information for the sampling procedure within 25 days from the investigation start date, by December 2nd, 2025, at the latest. Failure to respond on time will be treated as non-cooperation and result in a high adverse duty rate.
Fully respond to the investigation questionnaire if selected as a mandatory respondent, following instructions.
Submit requests for public hearings within 45 days of the initiation date.
Submit comments on the case (if any) within 60 days of the initiation date.
Closely monitor the investigation developments and proactively study and understand EAEU anti-dumping regulations, procedures, and requirements.
Fully cooperate with the Russian Federal Investigation Authority throughout the process. Any lack or partial cooperation may lead the EAEU authority to apply the highest anti-dumping duties based on available information.
Regularly communicate with the The Trade Remedies Authority of Vietnam (TRAV) to receive timely support.
About ANT Lawyers, a Law Firm in Vietnam
We help clients overcome cultural barriers and achieve their strategic and financial outcomes, while ensuring the best interest rate protection, risk mitigation and regulatory compliance. ANT lawyers has lawyers in Ho Chi Minh city, Hanoi, and Danang, and will help customers in doing business in Vietnam.
Công ty Luật TNHH ANT (ANT Lawyers) do các luật sư và cộng sự có kinh nghiệm, hiểu biết và chuyên môn về pháp lý điều hành. Read more: http://www.antlawyers.com/#ixzz5lnvFM5bS
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