G/LIC/N/3/VNM/2  
 
26 September 2014  
(14-5411)  Page: 1/2  
Committee on Import Licensing  Original: English  
 
REPLIES TO QUESTIONNAIRE ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES 
NOTIFICATION UNDER ARTICLE 7.3 OF THE  
AGREEMENT ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES1 
VIET NAM 
The following communication, dated 20 December 2013,  is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Viet Nam. 
 
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 Outline of system 
1.  Automatic import licences are required for the importation of certain goods into Viet Nam. The 
general import licensing procedure is consistent with WTO's rules and Prime Minister's Decision No 41/2005/Q Đ-TTg dated 2 March 2005 promulgating the regulations on import licensing 
procedures for imported goods and Decree No.12/2006/ND-CP dated 23 January 2006 of the 
Government providing guidelines for the implementation of the Commercial Law with respect to international purchases and sales of goods; and agency for sale and purchase, processing and 
transit of goods involving foreign parties. 
 Purpose and coverage of licensing 
2.   The list of goods subject to automatic import licenses is a number of steel products. 
 
3.  The licensing regime applies globally to goods originating from all WTO Members.  
4.  Automatic import licensing is for statistical purposes.  There is no quantitative restriction 
involved.  
5.  The automatic import licensing procedure for the above-mentioned goods is regulated by 
Circular No. 23/2012/TT-BCT dated 7
th August 2012. 
 Procedures 
6.  Not applicable. 
 7.(a)  Application for automatic import licences can be submitted at any time following the 
signing of contract and issuance of the bill of  lading of the consignment.  Licences can not 
be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for g oods arriving at the port without a licence.   
 
(b)  A licence shall be issued in 7 working days after the receipt of a normal application that 
fully meets the requirements set forth in the Circular and in 05 working days after the receipt of an online application that fully meets the requirement set forth in the Circular. 
 
(c)  There are no limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence 
and/or importation may be made. 
 
                                               
1 See document G/LIC/3, Annex, for the Questionnaire. G/LIC/N/3/VNM/2 
 
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  (d)  Consideration of licence applications is effected by a single administrative organ.  An 
importer has to approach only one agency in connection with an application. 
 8.  No refusal was received. 
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence 
9.  All firms and institutions established under Viet Nam's laws are eligible to apply for licences 
under non-restrictive regime. 
 Documentation and other requirements for application for licence 
10.  An importer is required to submit the following documents:  
 
-  An automatic import licence registration form;  -  A copy of the business registration certificate; 
-  A copy of import contract or contract equivalent documents;  
-  A copy of the commercial invoice;  -  A copy of the Letter of credit or payment documents; 
-  A copy of the Bill of lading.  
 11.  Upon actual importation, an importer is required to submit the approved import licence.  
12.  There is no licensing fee or administrative charge. 
 13.  There is no deposit or advance payment requirement associated with the issuance of licences. 
 
Conditions of licensing 
14.  A licence is valid for 30 days from the date of issuance.  In case the licence is expired, 
importers can apply for a new automatic import licence. 
 15.  There is no penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion thereof.  
16.  Licences are not transferable between importers. 
 17.  There are no conditions attached to the issuance of a licence. 
 
Other procedural requirements 
18.  No, there are not any other administrative procedures. 
 
19.  Foreign exchange is provided for goods to be imported as agreed between commercial banks and importers.  
 
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