Importing and exporting products can be a challenge for businesses in Vietnam. Vietnam Briefing outlines an overall step-by-step guide for import and export measures in Vietnam. Additionally we examine registration, license permit requirements, customs procedures, and duties applied.

Vietnam doesn’t require an organization to possess a separate import or export license to engage in import and export activities in the country.

The most frequent entity for investors looking to participate in import and export activities, along with take part in domestic distribution of merchandise, is to establish a trading company. It is really an inexpensive establishment option without any minimum capital contribution required.

However, in the event an importer wish to sell imported products to Vietnamese consumers, they should get the additional trading license has to be obtained to legalize the task. Establishing a trading company takes approximately 90 days while obtaining a trading license may take one to three months.

n practice, companies that desire to import to Vietnam without generating a local legal entity can utilize an importer of record to facilitate the procedure. This plan allows foreign companies that have enough time constraints, desire to test the market industry, or only import once or twice to handle logistical, regulatory, and language barriers.

Certain goods require companies to get permits from your government. Furthermore, petroleum oil is banned from exports while goods banned from imports include cigars, tobacco, petroleum oils, newspapers and journals, and aircraft.

Customs procedures

All goods imported or exported in Vietnam are subject to the Vietnam customs clearance standards, which effectively look at the quality, specifications, quantity, and level of the goods. Of these, certain imported items are at the mercy of inspection.

By way of example, imported pharmaceuticals must undergo testing and will include documents detailing product use, dosage, and expiration dates (written in Vietnamese), which must be contained in or about the the labels.

Customs documents needed in Vietnam

Firms that import or export goods must submit a dossier of documents, which include a minimum of the company’s business registration certificate and import/export business code registration certificate for the customs authorities. With respect to the imports or exports showcased, authorities may request the following additional documents:

Documents required for importing goods include:

Bill of lading;

Import goods declaration form;

Import permit (for restricted goods);

Certificate of origin;

Cargo release order;

Commercial invoice;

Customs import declaration form;

Inspection report;

Packing list;

Delivery Order (for goods imported through seaports);

Technical standard/health certificate; and

Terminal handling receipts.

The documents essential for exporting goods include:

Electronic Export Customs Declaration (E-Form HQ/2015/XK);

Bill of lading;

Contract;

Certificate of origin;

Commercial invoice;

Customs export declaration form;

Export Permit;

Packing list; and

Technical standard/health certificate.

Export shipments may be completed on the day that while import shipments typically take around one to three days to perform for full container loads (FCL) and fewer than container loads (LCL), respectively.

Optimizing your customs experience

Vietnam’s customs procedures are complex and susceptible to change with hardly any warning. For up-to-date facts about clearance regulations, processing times, or trying to get the priority program, it’s advised to consult with government officials or even a professional service firm that can move the business with any cumbersome procedures and legalities.

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