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. We look at registration, license permit requirements, customs procedures, and duties applied.
Vietnam does not require a company to get a separate import or export license to get acquainted with import and export activities in the nation.
The most frequent entity for investors looking to participate in import and export activities, as well as participate in domestic distribution of merchandise, is to establish a trading company. It is really an inexpensive establishment option without having minimum capital contribution required.
However, just in case an importer wish to sell imported products to Vietnamese consumers, they should get the additional trading license has to be obtained to legalize the task. Starting a trading company takes approximately 3 months while getting a trading license usually takes one-three months.
n practice, companies which want to import to Vietnam without generating a local legal entity can utilize an importer of record to facilitate the method. This strategy allows foreign businesses that have plenty of time constraints, desire to test the market, or only import a few times to deal with logistical, regulatory, and language barriers.
Certain goods do require companies to obtain permits through the government. Additionally, 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 number of the products. Of these, certain imported items are susceptible to inspection.
For example, imported pharmaceuticals must undergo testing and can include documents detailing product use, dosage, and expiration dates (coded in Vietnamese), which must also be incorporated into or around the product packaging.
Customs documents needed in Vietnam
Companies which import or export goods must submit a dossier of documents, which includes a minimum of the company’s business registration certificate and import/export business code registration certificate for the customs authorities. Depending on the imports or exports in question, 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 day that while import shipments typically take around 1 to 3 days to finish for full container loads (FCL) and much less than container loads (LCL), respectively.
Optimizing your customs experience
Vietnam’s customs procedures are complex and be subject to change with practically no warning. For up-to-date information on clearance regulations, processing times, or applying for the priority program, it is advised to refer to with government officials or possibly a professional service firm that will slowly move the business with any cumbersome procedures and legalities.
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