Spain As Your Port And Logistic Hub For Your Business
2016. 9. 23
Spain As Your Port And Logistic Hub For Your Business
This year was marked through A&Z Law Firm establishing a partnership with the well-recognized Spanish logistics enterprise Boss Continental. Both partners agreed to organize seminars detailing current logistic and customs matters when entering the Spanish and, consequently the European market, including legal risks during the internationalization process of Chinese companies.
On the 23rd September 2016, A&Z in association with Boss Continental were delighted to organize this seminar with Cristina de Santisteban, Business Development Director at BOSS, and Andrew Zhang, partner at A&Z. A&Z hosted the seminar in its Shanghai office, allowing for the unique opportunity to display A&Z’s expertise to an audience.
Approximately 30 individuals from various Chinese trading and logistics companies attended the event, alongside numerous entrepreneurs who also participated. For many of the attendees, Europe, and particularly Spain, is becoming a hot spot for business expansion.
The executive director and senior partner of A&Z Law Firm, Vincent Zhu, gave an opening speech.
Ms. de Santisteban began the seminar by giving a lecture entitled “Spain as a key logistic center and the benefits that it brings for entering in Europe and Latin American markets". Emphasis was concentrated on introducing Spain’s pivotal position in shipping and logistics areas in Europe. The country possesses unique geographic, economic and technological advantages. Moreover, Ms. De Santisteban referenced tax advantages through the illustration of case studies drawing from her vast experience in the sector. She also covered topics concerned with the acquisition of the Spanish VAT registration and the EORI numbers in Spain, which provides for competitive advantages in the European market, presenting an attractive opportunity for Chinese enterprises.
The second session of the seminar saw Mr. Zhang describing the legal risks that logistic and trading companies encountered during their internationalization process. Common legal problems arise during the transportation, customs, taxation and commodity inspection processes mainly due to differences in laws and regulations. For instance, May 1st 2016 witnessed the coming into effect of a new European Customs law: the Union Customs Code (UCC) replaced the old Community Customs Code (CCC). Mr. Zhang explained said legal risks through the contrast of different examples which included avoiding liabilities when filing customs clearance documentation, or even criminal liabilities if enterprises failed to timely and accurately file a report through the Instrastat online system. Under the UCC, Chinese companies are able to obtain various advantages such as lower guarantees and trade facilitative simplifications in their subsidiaries or branches in the EU if they previously had acquired the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) certification. Moreover, Mr. Zhang advised that companies applying for the AEO should conduct internal compliance training programs, ensuring that they meet AEO criteria and demonstrate a good record of compliance with both customs and tax rules.
Both Ms. de Santisteban and Mr. Zhang were pleased with the turnout and engagement of the audience. Participants were proactive during the Q&A session in further the discussion with regard to business benefits and the prevention of potential legal risks in certain instances. The exchanges were a tribute to the useful nature of the topic and provided podium from which A&Z could advise on the methods one my employ to navigate the small but crucial differences within.
On the 23rd September 2016, A&Z in association with Boss Continental were delighted to organize this seminar with Cristina de Santisteban, Business Development Director at BOSS, and Andrew Zhang, partner at A&Z. A&Z hosted the seminar in its Shanghai office, allowing for the unique opportunity to display A&Z’s expertise to an audience.
Approximately 30 individuals from various Chinese trading and logistics companies attended the event, alongside numerous entrepreneurs who also participated. For many of the attendees, Europe, and particularly Spain, is becoming a hot spot for business expansion.
The executive director and senior partner of A&Z Law Firm, Vincent Zhu, gave an opening speech.
Ms. de Santisteban began the seminar by giving a lecture entitled “Spain as a key logistic center and the benefits that it brings for entering in Europe and Latin American markets". Emphasis was concentrated on introducing Spain’s pivotal position in shipping and logistics areas in Europe. The country possesses unique geographic, economic and technological advantages. Moreover, Ms. De Santisteban referenced tax advantages through the illustration of case studies drawing from her vast experience in the sector. She also covered topics concerned with the acquisition of the Spanish VAT registration and the EORI numbers in Spain, which provides for competitive advantages in the European market, presenting an attractive opportunity for Chinese enterprises.
The second session of the seminar saw Mr. Zhang describing the legal risks that logistic and trading companies encountered during their internationalization process. Common legal problems arise during the transportation, customs, taxation and commodity inspection processes mainly due to differences in laws and regulations. For instance, May 1st 2016 witnessed the coming into effect of a new European Customs law: the Union Customs Code (UCC) replaced the old Community Customs Code (CCC). Mr. Zhang explained said legal risks through the contrast of different examples which included avoiding liabilities when filing customs clearance documentation, or even criminal liabilities if enterprises failed to timely and accurately file a report through the Instrastat online system. Under the UCC, Chinese companies are able to obtain various advantages such as lower guarantees and trade facilitative simplifications in their subsidiaries or branches in the EU if they previously had acquired the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) certification. Moreover, Mr. Zhang advised that companies applying for the AEO should conduct internal compliance training programs, ensuring that they meet AEO criteria and demonstrate a good record of compliance with both customs and tax rules.
Both Ms. de Santisteban and Mr. Zhang were pleased with the turnout and engagement of the audience. Participants were proactive during the Q&A session in further the discussion with regard to business benefits and the prevention of potential legal risks in certain instances. The exchanges were a tribute to the useful nature of the topic and provided podium from which A&Z could advise on the methods one my employ to navigate the small but crucial differences within.
