A Guide To Import And Export Procedures In Vietnam

Importing and exporting products can be quite a challenge for businesses in Vietnam. Vietnam Briefing outlines an over-all step-by-step guide for import and export process in Vietnam. In addition we examine registration, license permit requirements, customs procedures, and duties applied.

Vietnam does not require a company to experience a separate import or export license to engage in import and export activities in the country.

The most frequent entity for investors looking to participate in import and export activities, in addition to take part in domestic distribution of products, is to establish an investing company. It is really an inexpensive establishment option without any minimum capital contribution required.

However, in case an importer would want to sell imported products to Vietnamese consumers, they have to ask for additional trading license must be obtained to legalize the process. Establishing a trading company takes approximately 90 days while having a trading license may take 1 to 3 months.

n practice, firms that desire to import to Vietnam without generating a local legal entity can utilize an importer of record to facilitate the method. This tactic allows foreign businesses that have enough time constraints, wish to test industry, or only import several times to manage logistical, regulatory, and language barriers.

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

By way of example, imported pharmaceuticals must undergo testing and can include documents detailing product use, dosage, and expiration dates (coded in Vietnamese), which must also be contained in or on the presentation.

Customs documents required in Vietnam
Firms that import or export goods must submit a dossier of documents, which include at least the company’s business registration certificate and import/export business code registration certificate for the customs authorities. Based on the imports or exports in question, authorities may request these additional documents:

Documents needed 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 essential 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 complete for full container loads (FCL) and fewer than container loads (LCL), respectively.

Optimizing your customs experience
Vietnam’s customs procedures are complex and subject to change with virtually no warning. For up-to-date information about clearance regulations, processing times, or trying to get the priority program, it really is advised to see with government officials or even a professional service firm that can slowly move the business with any cumbersome procedures and legalities.
More details about vietnam customs browse this web portal