Importing and exporting products could be a challenge for businesses in Vietnam. Vietnam Briefing outlines a broad step-by-step guide for import and export process in Vietnam. In addition we have a look at registration, license permit requirements, customs procedures, and duties applied.

Vietnam doesn't require a business to experience a separate import or export license to get acquainted with import and export activities in the country.

The most frequent entity for investors seeking to participate in import and export activities, and also take part in domestic distribution of items, is to establish an investing company. It becomes an inexpensive establishment option without minimum capital contribution required.

However, in the event an importer want to sell imported products to Vietnamese consumers, they need to obtain an additional trading license must be obtained to legalize the process. Establishing a trading company takes approximately ninety days while having a trading license will take one-three months.

n practice, businesses that desire to import to Vietnam without generating a local legal entity can utilize an importer of record to facilitate the process. This course allows foreign firms that have enough time constraints, need to test the market industry, or only import once or twice to cope with logistical, regulatory, and language barriers.

Certain goods require companies to acquire permits from your government. In addition, 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 check the quality, specifications, quantity, and level of the goods. Of these, certain imported merchandise is susceptible to inspection.

By way of example, imported pharmaceuticals must undergo testing and can include documents detailing product use, dosage, and expiration dates (designed in Vietnamese), which also needs to be a part of or for the product packaging.

Customs documents required by Vietnam
Companies that import or export goods must submit a dossier of documents, which includes a minimum of the companys business registration certificate and import/export business code registration certificate towards the customs authorities. Based on the imports or exports showcased, authorities may request the next 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 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 might be completed on the same day while import shipments typically take around 1-3 days to accomplish for full container loads (FCL) and less than container loads (LCL), respectively.

Optimizing your customs experience
Vietnams customs procedures are complex and susceptible to change with practically no warning. For up-to-date information on clearance regulations, processing times, or looking for the priority program, it is advised to refer to with government officials or possibly a professional service firm that could slowly move the business with any cumbersome procedures and legalities.
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