LEXONEWORLD · ASIA PACIFIC / EU
Asia Pacific and the European Union
Thirty short guides to prepare trade, contracts and investment involving Italy and the EU. Other European countries require separate assessment.
AI-generated editorial image: a fictional scene, not documentation of real people, places or transactions.
Markets and agreements
Europe or the EU: define your market
Selling “in Europe” does not identify one legal regime. Italy and other EU states share many rules; the UK, Switzerland and other markets need separate checks.
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Singapore–EU: using the agreement correctly
The EU–Singapore agreement does not make every shipment duty-free. A Singapore logistics hub must distinguish dispatch location from goods origin.
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Hong Kong–EU: origin and re-exports
Buying from a Hong Kong company may involve goods made elsewhere. Seller identity, dispatch location and customs origin are separate facts.
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Macao–EU: identify territory and counterparty
A Macao transaction should not simply be treated as generic “trade with China”. Identify the actual company, customs territory, origin and destination.
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South Korea–EU: prove preferential origin
The EU–South Korea agreement may offer benefits, but a Korean seller’s address is insufficient. Goods must satisfy the applicable origin rules and evidence requirements.
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Vietnam–EU: supply-chain evidence before tariff savings
The EU–Vietnam agreement does not give Vietnamese origin to everything dispatched there. Materials and processing matter, especially across international supply chains.
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Australia–EU: negotiation is not application
Publication of an agreement’s text or completion of negotiations alone does not prove that a tariff preference already applies to your shipment.
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Thailand–EU: check the regime actually in force
News of trade negotiations does not establish the applicable duty. Thai businesses need the product, origin, transaction date and rules actually in force.
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China–EU: include product-specific measures
Import costs are not determined by ordinary duty alone. Certain products and origins may face trade-defence measures or other restrictions.
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Malaysia–EU: do not anticipate negotiated benefits
Malaysian businesses must distinguish commercial opportunities from legally available preferences. Negotiations and announcements do not replace checking the goods’ current regime.
Read more ↗Customs and costs
Customs classification: describe the goods accurately
A trade name does not settle customs treatment. Materials, function and specifications can change classification and applicable measures.
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Origin: dispatch and manufacture are different
The country of dispatch does not by itself establish origin. Preferential duty requires the applicable agreement’s origin conditions and prescribed evidence.
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Importer, representative and EORI: allocate responsibilities
Seller, carrier and importer may be different parties. EORI identifies an operator for customs purposes; it does not replace permits or product requirements.
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VAT, duty and the final price
Freight, duty, VAT and handling can substantially increase an origin price. IOSS serves particular distance sales, not every import.
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Delivery and Incoterms: allocate costs and risk
A delivery abbreviation cannot settle an entire contract. Incoterms® allocate tasks, costs and risk; they do not alone determine payment or ownership.
Read more ↗Contracts and payments
International contracts: language, law and disputes
Contract language does not automatically select the governing law. Choosing law and choosing courts or arbitration address different questions.
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Payments and fraud: check before transferring funds
A confirmed order does not guarantee payment. A request to change bank details may be fraudulent; protection depends on the contract, payment method and applicable law.
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Know your partner: identity and signing powers
A polished website or business card does not prove authority to bind a company. A group brand may differ from the actual contracting entity.
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Agent or distributor: define the relationship
Promoting deals and buying goods for resale are different activities. Calling everyone a “partner” can obscure pricing, responsibilities and termination consequences.
Read more ↗Products and protection
CE marking: start with the product
CE marking applies to specified product categories, not all goods. A logo or purchased commercial certificate alone does not demonstrate compliance.
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Labels and instructions: prepare before shipment
A compliant product can still lack mandatory information or use the wrong language. Requirements and responsibilities depend on category and destination market.
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Food: ingredients, allergens and entry checks
Food needs checks different from industrial goods. Labelling, allergens, traceability and import conditions depend on the product and its origin.
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Chemicals: coordinate REACH and supplier information
Substances, mixtures and articles can carry different obligations. Under REACH, EU importers or only representatives may need information from overseas manufacturers.
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Trade marks and confidential know-how
A mark used at home is not automatically protected everywhere. Trade marks, designs, patents and confidential information need different checks and protection.
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CBAM: obtain emissions information early
The EU carbon border mechanism covers specified goods, not every import. For covered products, emissions information can affect obligations and costs.
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Sanctions and dual-use goods: screen the transaction
Transactions may require checks on parties, goods, destination and end use. Dual-use items have civilian and military applications; invoice wording alone does not determine the rules.
Read more ↗Data and consumers
Personal data: when GDPR becomes relevant
GDPR can apply to non-EU businesses offering goods or services to people in the EU or monitoring their behaviour. Website accessibility alone does not settle the assessment.
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Consumer e-commerce: plan after-sales support
Business sales and consumer sales differ. Distance sales may involve mandatory information, withdrawal and remedies, subject to conditions and exceptions.
Read more ↗People and investment
Business visits and services: entry is not work permission
Meetings, installation work and professional services can follow different routes. Business entry must not be treated as general permission to work.
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Investing in Italy: company structure and approvals
Incorporation, buying shares and acquiring a business are different operations. Choosing a company form does not complete tax, licensing or foreign-investment screening checks.
Read more ↗General information, not advice on an individual case. Sources consulted on 22 October 2026: check updates before acting. The overall portal review is ongoing. This note does not certify a complete check of every page.