Importing and exporting products could be a challenge for businesses in Vietnam. Vietnam Briefing outlines a general step-by-step guide for import and export measures in Vietnam. We take a look at registration, license permit requirements, customs procedures, and duties applied.

Vietnam does not need a company to experience a separate import or export license to take part in import and export activities in the country.

The most frequent entity for investors trying to participate in import and export activities, in addition to take part in domestic distribution of items, is placed a trading company. It is deemed an inexpensive establishment option with no minimum capital contribution required.

However, in the event that an importer wish to sell imported products to Vietnamese consumers, they need to get the additional trading license must be obtained to legalize the method. Creating a trading company takes approximately 90 days while getting a trading license may take one-three months.

n practice, firms that want to import to Vietnam without establishing a local legal entity can utilize an importer of record to facilitate the process. This strategy allows foreign firms that have enough time constraints, desire to test the market, or only import a couple of times to cope with logistical, regulatory, and language barriers.

Certain goods require companies to have permits through the 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 subject to the Vietnam customs clearance standards, which effectively confirm the quality, specifications, quantity, and volume of goods. Of these, certain imported merchandise is be subject to inspection.

For example, imported pharmaceuticals must undergo testing and include documents detailing product use, dosage, and expiration dates (written in Vietnamese), which must be incorporated into or about the appearance.

Customs documents needed in Vietnam

Companies that import or export goods must submit a dossier of documents, such as a minimum of the company’s business registration certificate and import/export business code registration certificate to the customs authorities. Based on the imports or exports involved, authorities may request these 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 might be completed on the same day while import shipments typically take around 1 to 3 days to perform for full container loads (FCL) much less than container loads (LCL), respectively.

Optimizing your customs experience

Vietnam’s customs procedures are complex and subject to change with little to no warning. For up-to-date information about clearance regulations, processing times, or trying to get the priority program, it can be advised to consult with government officials or even a professional service firm that can slowly move the business with any cumbersome procedures and legalities.

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