On 9 October 2026, the European Union removed Vietnam (and Panama) from its EU tax blacklist, after both jurisdictions took significant steps to address outstanding issues. The list now holds eight jurisdictions, down from ten, and Vietnam moves to Annex II until a new review of its tax information exchange on request has been carried out. The sections ahead explain the Council’s decision and its limits, along with the practical checks exporters and importers may want to review now.
The List
The EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes was established in December 2017, and the Council updates it twice a year. The list forms part of the EU’s efforts to promote tax good governance worldwide. It covers countries that failed to comply with agreed international tax standards or did not meet their commitments within a set timeframe.
EU member states have committed to apply defensive measures against listed jurisdictions, so transactions with entities in those jurisdictions can carry tax consequences within the EU.
Vietnam
Vietnam was added to the blacklist in February 2026, after a Global Forum review found that the country did not meet the standards for exchanging tax information on request. After a series of reforms, Vietnam was granted a new review and joins Annex II until that review has been carried out.
NOTE: Annex II is the state of play document that records commitments by cooperating jurisdictions. It currently includes 10 jurisdictions, which includes Brunei Darussalam and the aforementioned Panama.
Vietnam welcomed the decision. Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Phạm Thu Hằng said on 10 October 2026 that the decision recognises recent reforms to the country’s legal and policy framework, and that Vietnam stands ready to continue cooperating with international partners, including the EU, in a “constructive, equal and mutually beneficial spirit.”
Impact on UK shippers
What has not changed
- Customs or Tariff Changes
- The criteria that the Council applies concern tax matters. Import duties, customs clearance processing, and product classifications on shipments between the UK and Vietnam are left as they were. Preferential tariffs and rules of origin between the two countries come from the UK-Vietnam trade agreement, and the tax list plays no part in them.
- Freight Rates
- Freight rates fall outside the scope of the Council’s tax criteria. Global container, air freight cargo, and logistics shipping rates are driven by commercial market demand, fuel costs, and carrier capacity.
What will change
The list is an EU instrument. Because the UK is no longer an EU member state, shippers are not directly bound by EU tax directives. However, indirect effects can arise where a UK business deals with EU-based banks or counterparties:
- Trade Financing & B2B Payments
- UK shippers that route payments through EU banks or deal with EU intermediaries may have met extra checks while Vietnam was listed. Because Vietnam remains in Annex II pending a new review, those banks may keep their existing checks for the time being.
- Friction with EU Counterparts
- The tax measures that EU-based buyers faced when dealing with entities in a listed jurisdiction depend on each member state’s rules. UK businesses that supply Vietnamese goods to EU customers may be asked fewer tax questions as those customers update their records, although the pending Global Forum review means some caution can remain.
Things to Review
The update does not alter customs tariffs or freight rates, so the useful checks concern payment arrangements and compliance records with EU-linked parties.
Further Reading: Vietnam Import and Export Procedures Guide
Cargo Release Triggers & Demurrage Risks
Where cargo release depends on a Letter of Credit or a bank-cleared Bill of Lading, it is worth asking the bank whether any extra screening applied to Vietnam payments during the listing and whether that screening still applies. Confirming the answer before booking allows container release and storage dates to be planned around the expected payment timeline. This helps shippers to avoid paying for unnecessary port storage or container detention.
Document Readiness & “Know Your Customer” (KYC) Updates
Shippers that book through EU-linked platforms or financial clearinghouses should check that their compliance records show Vietnam’s current status, which is Annex II pending a new Global Forum review. Records that still describe Vietnam as listed could prompt extra document queries, so updating Know Your Customer profiles now keeps the paperwork consistent with the Council’s decision for outbound and inbound freight shipments alike.
Transshipment
Transshipment routing should also be reviewed, particularly for cargo consolidated or transferred through major European ports such as Rotterdam or Antwerp-Bruges. Cargo entering the EU requires an entry summary declaration, which lets customs run security and safety risk analysis even when the goods are not imported.
Shippers can confirm with the forwarder which hub handles the cargo and whether any EU-based party takes part in payment or documentation. Keeping transit records consistent with the origin proof claimed under the UK-Vietnam agreement can also reduce the chance of queries at clearance.
Conclusion
The EU’s decision to remove Vietnam from its tax blacklist does not eliminate every compliance consideration. For UK shippers, payment arrangements, KYC records and transshipment documentation the more immediate areas to review. Taking these steps early can help reduce avoidable delays, document queries and port storage costs. If you ship between the UK and Vietnam, working with an experienced freight forwarding partner can help you coordinate transport arrangements, prepare shipment documentation and plan around potential clearance or cargo-release issues.
SL Global Logistics specialises in managing complex freight routing across the UK-ASEAN corridor. We are one of the UK’s most reliable international freight forwarders, offering door-to-door solutions with a focus on customer satisfaction. Whether it’s import, export, or global shipping, our experience working with a wide range of clients ensures your goods arrive in perfect condition. Contact us today for a quote and let us manage your international shipping adventure with expertise and care.