Importing and exporting products could 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 have a look at registration, license permit requirements, customs procedures, and duties applied.

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

The most typical entity for investors planning to take part in import and export activities, as well as take part in domestic distribution of merchandise, is placed an investing company. This is an inexpensive establishment option without having minimum capital contribution required.

However, in the event that an importer would want to sell imported products to Vietnamese consumers, they should get the additional trading license must be obtained to legalize the procedure. Starting a trading company takes approximately 90 days while acquiring a trading license usually takes 1 to 3 months.

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

Certain goods do require companies to get permits through the 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 susceptible to the Vietnam customs clearance standards, which effectively look into the quality, specifications, quantity, and volume of the goods. Among these, certain imported backpacks 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 (coded in Vietnamese), which must also be a part of or around the the labels.

Customs documents needed in Vietnam

Companies that import or export goods must submit a dossier of documents, which include no less than the company’s business registration certificate and import/export business code registration certificate for the customs authorities. With regards to the imports or exports involved, 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 needed 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 same day while import shipments typically take around one-three days to finish 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 information on clearance regulations, processing times, or obtaining the priority program, it can be advised to see with government officials or a professional service firm that will guide the business with any cumbersome procedures and legalities.

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