Case Study: Cisco Chooses ExtendMax as Importer of Record for Vietnam

As Vietnam emerges as a regional hub for technology and digital transformation, global corporations face both vast opportunities and significant regulatory challenges. Among them, the importation of IT and networking equipment—particularly those involving encryption technologies—remains one of the most complex processes.

This case study explores how Cisco, a global leader in networking and security solutions, chose ExtendMax as its Importer of Record (IOR) for bringing networking equipment from its Regional Hub into Vietnam. Despite Cisco’s own strong engineering resources and eligibility to obtain civil cryptography licenses, the company strategically entrusted ExtendMax to ensure compliance, efficiency, and seamless execution. This collaboration highlights the value of professional IOR services in enabling multinational corporations to thrive in markets with complex legal frameworks.

Context and Challenges

Cisco is one of the world’s foremost technology companies, providing networking, cloud, and security solutions to businesses, governments, and organizations worldwide. In Vietnam, Cisco has been expanding its presence through offices, manufacturing facilities, training centers, and customer engagement programs. A key part of Cisco’s strategy includes product demos and pilot projects, enabling Vietnamese enterprises to experience the latest networking technologies firsthand.

To serve these needs, Cisco regularly imports a range of networking equipment directly from its Regional Hub into Vietnam. These include routers, switches, security appliances, and advanced networking devices—some of which incorporate encryption functions and therefore fall under Vietnam’s strict regulatory oversight.

While Cisco has a robust engineering force in Vietnam and meets all legal requirements to apply for licenses to trade and import civil cryptographic products, it faced several challenges:

• Complex Legal Framework – Networking devices are subject to multiple layers of regulation, including conformity certification, cryptographic product licensing, and information security controls.

• Time Sensitivity – Many shipments are tied to office deployments, factory operations, or demo schedules for new products. Delays in customs clearance could jeopardize business timelines and customer engagements.

• Flexibility Needs – Beyond large-scale shipments, Cisco frequently imports small demo units requiring equally rigorous yet efficient compliance handling.

• Resource Allocation – Cisco’s strategic priority is to focus its engineering resources on R&D, customer service, and technology transfer, not administrative and regulatory procedures.

Faced with these factors, Cisco made the strategic decision to outsource importation to ExtendMax under IOR services, ensuring smooth, compliant, and timely operations.

>>> Read more: What makes ExtendMax’s IOR/EOR services special

ExtendMax’s Solutions

With over a decade of expertise in compliance consulting and IOR/EOR services for ICT products, ExtendMax designed a comprehensive solution tailored to Cisco’s requirements.

Legal and Regulatory Assessment

ExtendMax conducted a detailed review of each networking device to be imported:

• Classification by HS codes and technical specifications.

• Cross-referencing with relevant Vietnamese regulations such as QCVN 63:2012/BTTTT (network equipment), QCVN 101:2020/BTTTT (encryption-enabled devices), and cryptography-related decrees.

• Identifying whether devices required civil cryptography import licenses from the Government Cipher Committee and additional certifications from the Ministry of Information and Communications.

This assessment provided Cisco with a clear compliance roadmap before shipping.

>>> Read more: Procedures and Process for Obtaining a Civil Cryptography License

Certification and Licensing

For equipment subject to technical regulations and encryption controls, ExtendMax:

• Coordinated product testing with accredited laboratories.

• Prepared and submitted dossiers for conformity certification.

• Obtained civil cryptography import licenses and information security approvals.

By leveraging its established relationships with regulatory authorities, ExtendMax minimized delays and ensured accuracy in the process.

Acting as Importer of Record

As the legal importer on record, ExtendMax:

• Declared customs on behalf of Cisco.

• Paid import duties, VAT, and all applicable fees.

• Ensured lawful entry of products into Vietnam without requiring Cisco to establish a separate legal importing entity.

Logistics and Risk Management

ExtendMax provided end-to-end logistics support:

• Coordinated transportation from the Regional Hub to Vietnam.

• Managed warehousing and final delivery to Cisco offices and factories.

• Offered transparent reporting and real-time progress tracking.

• Prepared contingency plans in case of unexpected changes in customs or licensing requirements.

>>> Read more: Case Study: Heineken’s Import Project for The Boring Phone

Results

Through multiple successful shipments, ExtendMax delivered measurable results for Cisco:

• Full Legal Compliance – All networking equipment was certified, licensed, and lawfully cleared for use in Vietnam.

• On-Time Execution – Shipments were cleared in time for office deployments, factory infrastructure, and product demos, supporting Cisco’s go-to-market strategies.

• Cost and Resource Optimization – Cisco avoided the need to allocate engineering or legal resources to administrative compliance tasks.

• Operational Flexibility – Both large commercial shipments and small demo imports were handled seamlessly.

• Enhanced Reputation – Strict compliance strengthened Cisco’s credibility as a responsible and professional technology leader in Vietnam.

>>> Xem thêm: Case study dự án nhà máy LEGO 1.3 tỷ USD

A Cisco compliance manager responsible for APAC compliance provided the following testimonial:

"On behalf of Cisco Systems, Inc. , I want to extend our sincerest congratulations on receiving the Steve Awards! This is truly a remarkable achievement and a testament to your hard work.

We have always valued our partnership with Extendmax, and it's inspiring to see your efforts and contributions recognized in such a significant way. Your success reflects positively on the entire industry/community and serves as an example of outstanding business practices.

We are incredibly proud to be associated with you and look forward to continuing our successful collaboration. We wish you continued success and many more accolades in the future."

Key Lessons

The Cisco–ExtendMax collaboration underscores several key lessons:

• IOR is a Strategic Lever – In markets with complex legal frameworks, IOR services are not just operational support but a strategic enabler of business continuity.

• Partnership and Communication – Success depends on close coordination and transparent communication between the multinational and the local IOR partner.

• Early Preparation – Proactive legal assessment and risk forecasting are crucial to saving time, reducing costs, and ensuring smooth project execution.

>>> Read more: Case Study: Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien National Key Project

Future Outlook

Cisco and ExtendMax continue to build on their strong partnership. With proven expertise in handling networking equipment imports, ExtendMax is positioned to support Cisco in future projects such as:

• Establishing advanced data centers.

• Deploying large-scale digital transformation infrastructure.

• Launching next-generation security and networking solutions in Vietnam.

ExtendMax aims to expand its role as the leading IOR/EOR service provider in the Asia-Pacific region, empowering global technology companies like Cisco to navigate compliance challenges in emerging markets with confidence.

>>> Read more: Case Study: Dung Quat Oil Refinery Project

Conclusion

This case study demonstrates why even a global technology giant like Cisco—equipped with a powerful engineering team and fully capable of obtaining import licenses—chose to entrust ExtendMax with IOR responsibilities in Vietnam.

The decision was not due to lack of capability, but due to the strategic value ExtendMax provided: ensuring compliance, safeguarding timelines, optimizing resources, and creating a flexible framework for both large and small imports.

Ultimately, the Cisco–ExtendMax collaboration highlights how professional IOR services act as a strategic bridge between global innovation and local compliance, enabling multinational corporations to succeed in Vietnam’s dynamic and regulated market environment.

Contact info

ExtendMax is the leading consulting firm in Vietnam for import licenses in the field of ICT import and export. Our services cover consulting for processing licenses, import permits for in-house production equipment, import licenses for used ICT products, product conformity certification, and civil cryptography licenses.

Experienced team: With 10 years of expertise in ICT product import consulting, ExtendMax has a highly skilled team that has successfully completed many complex projects with outstanding results.

Multiple domestic and international awards: ExtendMax has been honored with prestigious global awards such as the SME100 Asia Award (2023 & 2024), the Stevie Awards (2025), and notably, the first Grand Stevie Award ever won by a Vietnamese company.

Today, ExtendMax provides services to clients and partners from over 30 countries, including leading technology nations such as the United States, Japan, Germany, South Korea, China, Italy, and Singapore. Our global clients include many world-renowned brands such as IBM, Hyundai, LEGO, Fujitsu, Lenovo, and Cisco.