Vietnam's Import Procedures And Processes As Of 2024

1. What is a commodities import?

Article 28 of the Commercial Law defines import of products as goods that are brought into Vietnam from other countries or into designated areas of the country (as permitted by customs in accordance with legislative restrictions). In a nutshell, importing things is the act of bringing items, products, raw materials, etc. from overseas businesses into Vietnam for use in commerce or consumption.

This activity is conducted between businesses in compliance with legal requirements and rules. Particularly, import-related activities are crucial to the economy of a nation. If companies wish to introduce products into a nation's market, they must go through the import processing process.

2. Laws governing the import of goods

According to the 2017 Law on Foreign Trade Management, importing commodities is subject to the following rules:

• The following imported goods are subject to inspection requirements:
  • Technical and quarantine measures must be applied in accordance with Articles 61, 62, 63, and 64 of the Law on Foreign Trade Management.
  • In accordance with the legislation, imported items that the authorities find to be nonconforming will be scrutinized.
  • International, regional, and foreign groups have issued cautions that imports of potentially dangerous commodities must be rigorously regulated.
• Certain commodities, such weapons, explosives, and ammunition, are not allowed to be imported under Article 5's regulations.
  • Used cars, appliances, and medical supplies.
  • Chemicals are legally forbidden from being on the list.
  • Sky lanterns, firecrackers, and some speedometer jamming devices for cars.
  • CFC-using waste, trash, and refrigeration equipment
  • Materials and products that contain asbestos are classified as amphibole.
  • The use of pesticides is prohibited in Vietnam.
  • The Appendix | CITES contains specimens of rare and endangered wild animals and plants. These are naturally occurring plants and animals that are imported for trade.
  • …

3. Documents needed for import processes

Businesses must prepare the necessary paperwork and documentation in accordance with legal requirements in order to complete import procedures. Among the necessary paperwork are the following:

3.1 Business agreement

This written contract agreement aims to establish, modify, or terminate rights and duties pertaining to business activity between linked parties. Information concerning the buyer, seller, delivery terms, products, and payment will all be covered in this contract.

3.2 Commercial bill

A commercial invoice is a document that the exporter issues to the buyer in order to collect fees for the batch of products that were sold in accordance with the terms of the contract. The following are the primary contents of the invoice included in the import dossier:

• Date and invoice number.
• Buyer and seller's names and addresses.
• Quantity, description, amount, unit price, terms of delivery and payment, loading and unloading port, trip number, and ship name are all included in the information about goods.

3.3 Details of the goods

A goods detail sheet is a sort of paperwork that makes the shipment's packing technique very evident. The number of packages in the shipment, together with its weight, capacity, condition, and other details, will all be listed on the ticket.

3.4 The bill of lading

A bill of lading is necessary to finish the import process. A bill of lading is a written, signed document that the carrier sends to the owner of the goods. Specifically, the carrier will attest to the receipt of specific kinds of goods for shipment and deliver the quantity of those products to the designated receiver in compliance with the agreement.

3.5 Declaration of customs

The import-export party must include information on the nature, quantity, and specifications of the commodities they wish to import or export in a customs declaration. Because this is a necessary document to declare goods to customs officials in order to facilitate the export or import of commodities into a nation.

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3.6 Certification of quality

Another crucial document in the importation of goods process is the quality certificate. This kind of proof of goods quality is what it is. Typically, a reliable and impartial entity issues this certification to guarantee that the products fulfill quality requirements.

3.7 Certificate of Inspection

The product inspection certificate is an essential form of document in the customs file for goods that are imported. Independent testing facilities or laboratories have released this document to ascertain the parameters of the goods, including its physical attributes, chemical makeup, humidity,...

3.8 Certificate of hygiene

A document that attests to the product's safety and hygienic conditions is called a hygiene certificate. One of the required forms for goods import procedures is this kind of paper, particularly for food, agricultural, and aquatic products. This will guarantee that the product is made correctly. produced and delivered in compliance with safety and hygienic regulations.

3.9 Certificate of Fumigation

This certificate attests to the removal of pests and insects that could affect the product. To guarantee that the goods are not harmed by insects or pests, this certificate is a necessary document in the import customs declaration dossier for wood, forestry products, and other products. when exporting goods abroad.

4. Steps involved in importing goods

Different procedures will need to be followed by firms depending on the sort of normal or exceptional items. The following fundamental steps will be included in the import procedure process overall:

4.1 Step 1: Choose what kind of items to import; 

Prior to everything else, it is essential to ascertain precisely which products can be imported, whether they are prohibited from being imported or are on a specific list. This guarantees domestic market safety and facilitates a seamless customs clearance process. Specifics:

• Common commercial goods: All shipments that have the necessary documentation will be processed through standard import processes.
• Goods that are prohibited: You must cease all import operations if the products you wish to import are listed as prohibited in order to stay out of legal hot water.
• Import licenses are necessary for products, and the processes need to be finished before the items reach the port. If not, there will be fees associated with renting yards and warehouses until the license is approved.
• Goods must declare compliance with regulations: Before delivering products to the port, businesses must complete the necessary procedures for declaring compliance with regulations.
• Goods that require specific inspection: As soon as the products reach the port, a specialized inspection of these items must be completed. As a result, officials will be on the scene to collect samples for analysis. Following receipt of the results, the company will proceed with the remaining procedures.

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4.2 Step 2: Sign a contract for international trade

A contract that expresses a transaction between two parties is known as a foreign trade contract, or sale contract. During the customs clearance process, this document is frequently needed for documents. Contractual information should contain the following: name, amount, weight, cost, and packaging.

4.3 Step 3: Verify goods documentation

In order to finalize the importation processes, companies need to thoroughly prepare the following paperwork:

• Business agreement.
• Commercial statement.
• Lading bill (B/L).
• Packing slip for goods.
• Origin certificate (C/O).
• As well as additional relevant papers.

>>>> LEARN MORE: What is the origin of goods (C/O)? New export and import laws

4.4 Step 4: Sign up for any applicable specialist tests

One of the crucial import procedures that must be completed is this one if your shipment is on the list of specialist inspections. Businesses must register for specialized inspection upon obtaining notification of the arrival of goods. Businesses will receive this document from the shipping company approximately two days prior to the ship arriving at port, per regulations.

4.5 Step 5: Submit the customs declaration and make the declaration

Businesses must declare electronic customs after getting the product's arrival notice. Businesses must give accurate information regarding imported items in order to prevent mistakes that could interfere with the customs clearance process. If the information is valid and full, the system will automatically issue a number once the declaration has been completed and transmitted. To be sure there are no mistakes, you should verify the information again.

4.6 Step 6: Obtain the delivery order

To obtain a delivery order, businesses must compile the necessary import paperwork and bring it to the shipping company:

• ID card or CCCD copy.
• What is said in the bill of lading?
• First-hand bill of lading (stamped required).
• Charge.

Note: The free container storage duration must be verified for FCL goods. Businesses must pay a renewal fee if the free storage period expires. 

4.7 Step 7: Prepare customs paperwork 

Distinct documents must be prepared based on the declaration's outcomes. Three situations exist:

• Green channel: Companies that abide by customs regulations will not be subject to paper examination or physical inspection of their products. But just in case something unforeseen occurs, you should bring the required paperwork.
• Yellow channel: Customs does not physically inspect the items but does verify specific documentation. Thus, in order to ensure that the inspection proceeds without a hitch, it is imperative that you produce the most comprehensive documentation and fully comprehend the information on the goods.
• Red channel: A thorough physical inspection of the package will be conducted by customs officials as they verify specific documentation and merchandise information. The most demanding inspection scenario necessitates meticulous document preparation in addition to other pertinent documentation.

4.8 Step 8: Finish the import process and pay taxes

When shipping goods, businesses must pay both VAT and import tax. Businesses also have to pay special consumption tax and supplementary environmental tax, depending on the product.

>>>> SEE MORE: Selectivity of customs declaration form: What is it?

4.9 Step 9: Finish the steps necessary to modify orders and move items to the warehouse

Following the completion of the import customs process, payment of fees, and receipt of delivery notes (ER), firms must get ready for the following:

• Hire a car to retrieve the merchandise.
• To keep products fresh, rent a yard or warehouse.

It should be noted that companies must confirm the delivery order is still valid or it will need to be renewed. Subsequently, the company visits the port trade office to submit documentation, including D/O and customs declaration barcodes. You must pay the required amount on the invoice that the staff issues.

Additionally, a lot of companies can hire customs clearance services if they are unfamiliar with the process or Vietnamese law. In the event that you require this service, you can reach Dolphin Sea Air by phone at 1900986813 or online at 0987897062 for support. 

5. A few things to keep in mind when completing customs processes to import products

Here are some guidelines for handling import goods customs procedures:

• A maximum of fifty different product types may be listed. More declarations will be utilized if there are more commodities, and they must be connected to the declaration's branch number.
• Value of taxes calculated: The tax computation rate will be the same if the customs declarant registers the declaration and completes the import details on the same day. The exchange rate will be different and the business will report an error if the procedure is completed in less than two days. Currently, the customs declarant reports back using the IDB service.
• Tax rate: On the anticipated date of the IDC declaration, the system will automatically apply the tax rate if the declarer uses IDA.
• When registering on the system, businesses must take note of things that are tax-exempt or lowered in order to secure benefits.
• Goods subject to VAT: In order to declare imports, businesses must input VAT in the relevant section.
• If a business is unable to register a declaration, the system will not provide a number and will report an error instead. The system will accept the items if they are needed for urgent needs like relief or defense and national security.
• Prior to receiving a declaration number, kindly register your guarantee. Businesses need to be careful that the bill of lading number they use matches the one that is displayed on the data input screen.
• The declarant must declare on many sheets in order to match the tax payment deadline when applying various tax payments to the same goods.

6. Trustworthy and committed import clearance service provided by Dolphin Sea Air

Dolphin Sea Air, with a comprehensive range of reliable import clearance services and conventional freight transport procedures, can reliably meet all customer requirements. With over 15 years of expertise in the Vietnamese market, Dolphin Sea Air is also a pioneer in the field of logistics. We have a nationwide office structure, a team of professionals, and over 300 highly qualified personnel.

When choosing the unit, clients can choose from a number of exceptional features, including:

• The process is swift, especially when applying several steps of digitization.
• Handle challenging cases quickly to assist in the customs clearance of consumers' products.
• When customs laws change, the company is prepared to offer free consultations and updates.
• timely delivery from door to door.
• provide a full range of services without adding any extra expenses.
• Field forwarders and documentation personnel are extremely responsible, devoted, and experienced individuals.
• The company's reputation and professionalism always come first.

Dolphin Sea Air Services Corporation

• DOLPHIN SEA AIR SERVICES CORPORATION
• Hotline: 1900986813
• Email: saleshan6@dolphinseaair.com
• Fanpage Dolphin Sea Air Services Corp. - Logistics Company: https://www.facebook.com/dolphinseaairlogistics/

You now have some knowledge regarding import procedures thanks to the article above that Dolphin Sea Air gives. For answers, please call the hotline at 1900986813 with any inquiries. We appreciate your interest in and reading of this content!

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