VNLast reviewed 2026-07-22

Vietnam - Import & Export Regulatory Guide

Vietnam applies HS classification through the General Department of Customs (GDC) and the VNACCS/VCIS electronic clearance system. Its FTA network (CPTPP, EVFTA, UKVFTA, RCEP, AKFTA, ATIGA) makes preferential-origin discipline central to competitiveness.

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Regulatory authorities

General Department of Customs (GDC) ↗
Customs entry, HS, valuation, VNACCS filings.
Ministry of Industry & Trade (MOIT) ↗
Import licences, C/O issuance, trade remedies.
Ministry of Health / Drug Administration
Pharmaceuticals, medical devices, cosmetics.
MARD / Plant & Animal Health Depts
Phytosanitary, veterinary inspection.

Licensing regimes

Licence	Scope	Issuer
Automatic import licence	Steel, fertiliser and specified goods per MOIT lists.	MOIT
Non-automatic import licence	Precursors, cultural goods, encryption devices.	MOIT/MPS
Specialized inspection	Quality, food safety, medical, telecom conformity.	Line ministries
Certificate of Origin (Form D, E, AK, VJ, EUR.1)	Preferential origin for FTA claims.	MOIT/VCCI

Prohibited goods

· Used consumer electronics, IT equipment and household appliances (Decree 69/2018).
· Right-hand-drive vehicles (with narrow exceptions).
· Used medical devices, refrigerants R-12/R-22 (Kigali).
· Cultural products contravening national security or morality.

Restricted goods

· Petroleum products - state trading via key SOEs.
· Precursor chemicals, industrial explosives - MOIT/MPS licences.
· Wildlife under CITES; strict enforcement post-EVFTA.
· Sugar, tobacco leaf - TRQ regime.

Labelling requirements

· Decree 43/2017 & 111/2021 - Vietnamese-language secondary label with origin, importer, ingredients, warnings.
· Food safety labelling per Decree 15/2018.
· Energy-efficiency label for covered appliances (MOIT).

Sanctions overlay

· Implements UNSC measures via government decisions.
· No autonomous secondary sanctions regime; DPRK, Iran, Libya UNSC lists apply.
· Trans-shipment risk under US Section 301 - CBP investigations on VN-origin fraud (steel, plywood, solar).

Dispute resolution

Complaints to Customs Director-General within 90 days; onward appeal to People's Court. VIAC (Vietnam International Arbitration Centre) is default institutional forum. Vietnam is party to the NY Convention since 1995.

Key official sources

Frequently asked questions (2)

How do I claim EVFTA preferential origin into Vietnam?

For consignments over EUR 6,000, a REX-registered EU exporter issues a statement on origin. Under EUR 6,000, any EU exporter can issue it. On import, submit the origin statement plus commercial documents via VNACCS to claim the preferential rate.

What is VNACCS and how does it differ from VCIS?

VNACCS is Vietnam's automated customs clearance system (JICA-supported), handling declarations, manifest, and duty calculation. VCIS is its intelligence/risk-management back-end. Both run on the same platform since 2014 and integrate the National Single Window.