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 levels in Vietnam. Additionally we examine registration, license permit requirements, customs procedures, and duties applied.

Vietnam does not need a firm to experience a separate import or export license to engage in import and export activities in the nation.

The most frequent entity for investors looking to embark on import and export activities, as well as embark on domestic distribution of goods, is to establish an investing company. It becomes an inexpensive establishment option without minimum capital contribution required.

However, in case an importer would want to sell imported products to Vietnamese consumers, they should get the additional trading license should be obtained to legalize the process. Starting a trading company takes approximately 90 days while acquiring a trading license will take 1-3 months.

n practice, companies which need to import to Vietnam without generating a local legal entity can utilize an importer of record to facilitate the process. This strategy allows foreign firms that have enough time constraints, wish to test the market industry, or only import a couple of times to manage logistical, regulatory, and language barriers.

Certain goods require companies to have permits from the government. In addition, 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 at the mercy of the Vietnam customs clearance standards, which effectively look at the quality, specifications, quantity, and level of the products. Among these, certain imported items are susceptible to inspection.

By way of example, imported pharmaceuticals must undergo testing you need to include documents detailing product use, dosage, and expiration dates (written in Vietnamese), which also needs to be incorporated into or on the product packaging.

Customs documents necessary in Vietnam

Businesses that import or export goods must submit a dossier of documents, which include at least the company’s business registration certificate and import/export business code registration certificate on the customs authorities. With regards to the imports or exports showcased, authorities may request the subsequent additional documents:

Documents essential 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 required 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 can be completed on the day that while import shipments typically take around 1 to 3 days to perform for full container loads (FCL) and less than container loads (LCL), respectively.

Optimizing your customs experience

Vietnam’s customs procedures are complex and at the mercy of change with little to no warning. For up-to-date information on clearance regulations, processing times, or applying for the priority program, it really is advised to talk with government officials or even a professional service firm that could move the business with any cumbersome procedures and legalities.

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