List of forbidden items you can’t import in Vietnam

Do I need a permit to import in Vietnam?

Vietnam does not require a company to have a separate import or export license to engage in import and export activities in the country and the most common entity for investors looking to engage in import and export activities is to establish a trading company.

The list of forbidden items

Finally,here is the list of forbidden items you should not import in Vietnam. For the sake of organization, we are gonna divide these items into two categories, the first one being general items you should not bring to Vietnam like sky lanterns and assorted devices causing interference to vehicle speedometers. The second category is about dangerous goods like weaponry and ammunition. And aside from those two categories, we are gonna mention the goods that require export permits from the government.

General items you shouldn’t bring to Vietnam

These items are ones that you are not allowed to  import in Vietnam but are not dangerous or potentially harmful in any way.

• Assorted fireworks (excluding signal fires used for navigational safety under the guidance of the Ministry of Transport)
• Sky lanterns
• Assorted devices causing interference to vehicle speedometers
• Used consumer goods
• Assorted publications banned from dissemination and circulation in Vietnam
• Postage stamps banned from trading, exchange,Display and dissemination in accordance with the Law on Post
• Radio equipment and radio-wave appliances which do not comply with radio frequency master plans

Dangerous Goods

These are the dangerous and potentially harmful goods (items like weaponry and explosives) that you are not allowed to import in Vietnam.

-Weaponry
-Ammunition
-Explosive( with the exception of industrial explosives)
-Assorted fireworks (excluding signal fires used for navigational safety under the guidance of the Ministry of Transport)

Goods that require export permits from the government

⇒These are goods that you are allowed to import but require export permits from the government, like for instance certain goods require the trading company to obtain import and export permits from the government, as per Appendix II of Decree 187/2013/ND-CP, such as goods that are subject to export control in accordance with international treaties to which Vietnam is a contracting party and goods exported within quotas set by foreign countries.

Certain goods require the trading company to obtain import and export permits from the government, as per Appendix II of Decree 187/2013/ND-CP. These include:
-Goods subject to export control in accordance with international treaties to which Vietnam is a contracting party;
-Goods exported within quotas set by foreign countries;
-Goods subject to import control in accordance with international treaties to which Vietnam is a contracting party; and
-Chemicals, explosive pre-substances and industrial explosives.

Can I bring a pet to Vietnam?

Yes, it is legal to bring a pet to Vietnam, but you must follow certain regulations

Vaccinations

Pets must be vaccinated for rabies between 30 days and 12 months prior to entering the country. Vietnam does not recognize the 3 year rabies vaccine.
Dogs must be vaccinated for the following diseases: Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parvovirus and Para influenza.
Cats must be vaccinated for the following diseases: Feline panleukopenia (distemper), Viral rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus and Leukemia.

Health certificate

A health certificate for Vietnam for endorsement by the USDA or the CFIA by a veterinarian accredited by either one of these institutions if traveling from the United States or Canada. If you are not traveling from either of these countries, the governing authority of your country responsible for the import and export of animals should endorse the forms. The health certificate is valid for a week after endorsement.

Do I need a pet Microchip? Vietnam does not require that your pet be identified with a pet microchip, but it is recommended you microchip your pet and register your contact information prior to traveling as a means of identification should your pet be lost or separated from you.

Do I need an Import permit for my pet? An import permit is only required when importing 3 or more pets to Vietnam.

Tapeworm Treatment: A licensed veterinarian should administer a ticks and tapeworm treatment between 5 and 7 days prior to entering Vietnam.

Things you should know about when moving with your pet by Air

Pets may board the aircraft as cabin baggage or air cargo. Just one pet is allowed per passport. Notify the quarantine division as soon as possible following your arrival, but no later than 24 hours. If possible, avoid arriving after 3:00 PM, on weekends, or on holidays.
 

Restricted animals in Vietnam

The entry of birds, invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals like mice and rabbits is not subject to restrictions but requires a health certificate. Pet owners are strongly urged to contact the competent authority in their country and/or the country of their destination for more information.

 Additional permits you need to check

Verify that your pet is not protected under the convention on the international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora if it is not a dog, cat, ferret, and especially if it is a turtle or parrot (CITES). If so, you will have to submit additional permit applications. Participating and enforcing CITES rules are more than 180 nations.

How to get through Vietnamese customs?

⇒It is important to know how to get through Vietnamese customs. This section will be divided into two parts, firstly import regulations and then export regulations.

Import regulations

Depending on the kind of imported goods, the authorities could require the following documents:
-Declaration form
-Bill of lading
-Certificate of origin
-Import permit of restricted goods
-Commercial invoice
-Report of inspection
-Cargo release order
-Delivery order
-Packing list
-Health and technical certificate
-Terminal handling receipts

Export regulations

-Electronic Declaration form
-Bill of lading
-Certificate of origin
-Permit of export
-Contract/agreement
-Commercial invoice
-Packing list
-Health and technical certificate
-Terminal handling receipts