Importing and exporting products could be a challenge for businesses in Vietnam. Vietnam Briefing outlines a broad step-by-step guide for import and export process in Vietnam. In addition we examine registration, license permit requirements, customs procedures, and duties applied.

Vietnam does not need a business to have a separate import or export license to get familiar with import and export activities in the country.

The most common entity for investors planning to participate in import and export activities, and also take part in domestic distribution of products, is defined an investing company. It becomes an inexpensive establishment option without any minimum capital contribution required.

However, in the event an importer want to sell imported products to Vietnamese consumers, they have to ask for additional trading license has to be obtained to legalize the process. Establishing a trading company takes approximately three months while having a trading license may take 1-3 months.

n practice, companies which desire to import to Vietnam without setting up a local legal entity can utilize an importer of record to facilitate the task. This strategy allows foreign businesses that have plenty of time constraints, would like to test the market industry, or only import a few times to handle logistical, regulatory, and language barriers.

Certain goods do require companies to obtain permits from your 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 be subject to the Vietnam customs clearance standards, which effectively confirm the quality, specifications, quantity, and volume of the products. Among these, certain imported goods are susceptible to inspection.

As an example, imported pharmaceuticals must undergo testing you need to include documents detailing product use, dosage, and expiration dates (developed in Vietnamese), which must also be incorporated into or for the product packaging.

Customs documents required in Vietnam

Companies that import or export goods must submit a dossier of documents, such as at the very least the company’s business registration certificate and import/export business code registration certificate on the customs authorities. Based on the imports or exports showcased, authorities may request the following additional documents:

Documents necessary 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 may be completed on the same day while import shipments typically take around 1-3 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 susceptible to change with little to no warning. For up-to-date information on clearance regulations, processing times, or obtaining the priority program, it is advised to talk with government officials or even a professional service firm that can advice the business with any cumbersome procedures and legalities.

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