Vietnam clamps down on fraud on US exports, document shows

HANOI, April 22 (Reuters) - Vietnam's trade ministry has issued a directive to crack down on illegal transhipment of goods to the United States and other trading partners as it tries to avoid steep U.S. tariffs, according to a document reviewed by Reuters.

The ministry in the directive, which was dated April 15 and was effective immediately, said trade fraud was likely to increase amid growing tension caused by U.S. tariffs. That in turn would make it "more complicated to avoid sanctions that countries will apply to imported goods" if fraud is not prevented.

The directive did not specifically name any countries where transhipment fraud originate. However, Vietnam imports nearly 40% of goods from China and Washington has openly accused Beijing of using the Southeast Asian nation as a transhipment hub to dodge U.S. duties.