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 procedures in Vietnam. We also have a look at registration, license permit requirements, customs procedures, and duties applied.
Vietnam does not require a company to have a separate import or export license to get acquainted with import and export activities in the country.
The most frequent entity for investors looking to participate in import and export activities, as well as engage in domestic distribution of items, is defined an investing company. It is deemed an inexpensive establishment option without having minimum capital contribution required.
However, in the event an importer would want to sell imported products to Vietnamese consumers, they should ask for additional trading license has to be obtained to legalize the process. Starting a trading company takes approximately ninety days while having a trading license usually takes one to three months.
n practice, companies that desire to import to Vietnam without setting up a local legal entity can utilize an importer of record to facilitate the procedure. This tactic allows foreign firms that have plenty of time constraints, desire to test the market, or only import several times to cope with logistical, regulatory, and language barriers.
Certain goods do require companies to get 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 subject to the Vietnam customs clearance standards, which effectively look into the quality, specifications, quantity, and volume of items. Among these, certain imported merchandise is be subject to 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 also needs to be included in or on the appearance.
Customs documents required by Vietnam
Firms 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 towards the customs authorities. With regards to the imports or exports involved, authorities may request the following 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 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 may be completed on the day that while import shipments typically take around 1-3 days to finish for full container loads (FCL) much less than container loads (LCL), respectively.
Optimizing your customs experience
Vietnam’s customs procedures are complex and be subject to change with little to no warning. For up-to-date facts about clearance regulations, processing times, or trying to get the priority program, it can be 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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