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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 procedures in Vietnam. In addition we examine registration, license permit requirements, customs procedures, and duties applied.

Vietnam doesn’t need a firm to have a separate import or export license to take part in import and export activities in the nation.

The commonest entity for investors planning to take part in import and export activities, along with engage in domestic distribution of merchandise, is placed a trading company. It is really an inexpensive establishment option without minimum capital contribution required.

However, just in case an importer would like to sell imported products to Vietnamese consumers, they need to get an additional trading license should be obtained to legalize the process. Establishing a trading company takes approximately 90 days while getting a trading license will take one to three months.

n practice, companies that wish to import to Vietnam without generating a local legal entity can utilize an importer of record to facilitate the procedure. This course allows foreign firms that have plenty of time constraints, need to test the market industry, or only import several times to cope with logistical, regulatory, and language barriers.

Certain goods do require companies to get permits from your government. Moreover, 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 check the quality, specifications, quantity, and amount of the goods. Of these, certain imported merchandise is be subject to inspection.

For example, imported pharmaceuticals must undergo testing and can include documents detailing product use, dosage, and expiration dates (developed in Vietnamese), which should also be contained in or for the product packaging.

Customs documents required in Vietnam

Companies which import or export goods must submit a dossier of documents, such as at least the company’s business registration certificate and import/export business code registration certificate towards the customs authorities. Depending on the imports or exports under consideration, authorities may request the subsequent 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 necessary 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 1-3 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 virtually no warning. For up-to-date information about clearance regulations, processing times, or applying for the priority program, it is advised to refer to with government officials or a professional service firm that may advice the business with any cumbersome procedures and legalities.

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