Export in Vietnam:
Main Regulations

Since economic reforms in Vietnam held in the 1990s the country opened up and became an active member of international trade. Over the past years Vietnam has also become a member of Southeast Asian and international trade agreements. For example, Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the European Union–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, and others. It gives numerous opportunities in terms of export and import activities and investments. Many foreign companies and brands expand their presence in the country, and in July 2022 its import reached historical maximum of 30.53 USD billion. It is important for foreigners to be aware of the export rules and legislation process there. Before you start business with this country, learn more details about export in Vietnam and its regulations, that we want to discuss in this article.
Licensing procedures for import and export in Vietnam

A trading company in Vietnam has to register at the Department of Planning and Investment (DPI). After that, the department provides an investment certificate that allows the company to perform any import or export activities.


Main restrictions

According to the Vietnamese Trading Law, some commodities are prohibited to export to Vietnam from other countries. Those are: drugs, fireworks, toxic chemical, weaponry, cigarettes, and others.

There are also certain product categories that require government’s permission to export to Vietnam:

● Goods under import control according to the international treaties signed by Vietnam.
● Industrial explosives, chemicals, and explosive substances.

If you are working with food products, consider that trading companies have to meet some requirements. For instance, the food safety, quarantine, and quality standards of their food before clearing customs. Customs declaration is also obligatory for Vietnamese importers and may be done online.
Online sales
Import duties in Vietnam

The majority of imported goods in Vietnam are under import duties. But there are several exceptions like:

● Goods in transit.
● Commodities transported from one free trade zone to another.
● Goods imported into free trade zones from abroad for use in free trade zones only.

Consumer goods, especially luxury ones, usually have higher rates of duties. While production equipment, materials, and machinery have lower or zero rate of duties.
Almost every product exported in Vietnam is subject to import tax; it depends on the particular category of product.

Tax rates of imported goods include preferential tax rates, special preferential tax rates, and ordinary tax rates.

Vietnamese government provides tax exemptions under specific conditions for certain imported products. It can be supplies, materials, and components which are used for manufacturing. It is also applicable for commodities temporarily imported for re-export, materials that cannot be produced in Vietnam, and others.


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