In the current era of global economic integration, cross-border and international business activities are becoming more and more popular. The flow of goods into and out of customs gates has increased significantly, making it necessary to apply for import and export licenses quickly, promptly, and save time for both businesses and competent authorities handling import and export activities at home and abroad. So what is an import and export license? What are the procedures for applying for an import and export license? This will be the issue mentioned in the article below.

1. Concept of import and export license

An import and export license is understood as a document proving the legality of the transportation of domestic and foreign goods and services in and out of customs gates for the purpose of commercial exchange. It can be domestic goods brought out for exchange and trade with other countries. This document is related to a certain type of goods, certified to have met the standards to be able to be exported or imported by many different routes and means of transport.

2. What types of import and export licenses are there today?

Trading and exporting standard goods helps increase profits and import products that are not available or are lacking domestically. This is one of the most prominent features of the market economy, integrating and developing together as it is at present. However, besides the types of goods that are allowed to be exported and imported, there will always be goods that are not allowed to be exported and imported, for example, products that destabilize the economic and social situation such as guns, etc. In order to control the problems that may cause danger, the law has provided the necessary regulations when granting import and export licenses for each product. For each type of product, there are specific standards and conditions that must be met to be granted an import-export license.

There are prominent types of import-export licenses that can be mentioned such as: petroleum import-export business license, scrap import-export license, drug import-export license, etc.

For example, for the petroleum import-export business license, the requirements when granting a business license are not only the basic conditions but also the types of documents and procedures related to measures, conditions of transportation, etc. of this petroleum product.

Or for the drug import-export license, it is necessary to ensure that the drug lists are permitted and in accordance with the law, and that prohibited drugs that pose a great danger to human life and property are not imported or exported.

3. Conditions that must be met to be granted an import export license

There are two basic conditions that must be met when applying for an import-export license:

– Types of imported and exported goods that require a license:

The law stipulates that imported and exported goods that require an import-export license must be accompanied by a license from the relevant Ministry. In addition, the types of goods that want to be imported and exported must not be on the list of prohibited imports or temporarily suspended imports as prescribed.

– Conditions on the subject: The subjects that can apply for an import license are:

• Vietnamese enterprises without investment capital from foreign companies or organizations.
• Enterprises, branches with foreign investment capital or foreign companies in Vietnam must comply with the import-export regulations in Vietnam and the roadmap announced by the Ministry of Industry and Trade when applying for a license.

4. List of imported and exported goods managed under import export licenses

4.1. List of imported goods managed under import licenses

The list of imported goods managed under import licenses includes:

– Goods subject to import control according to the provisions of international treaties to which Vietnam is a member, announced by the Ministry of Industry and Trade for each period.

– Goods subject to automatic import licensing regime: The Ministry of Industry and Trade announces the list of goods subject to automatic import licensing regime for each period and organizes licensing according to current regulations on licensing.

– Goods subject to tariff quota regime: Salt, Raw tobacco, Poultry eggs, Refined sugar, raw sugar.

– Industrial precursors.

– Explosive precursors, industrial explosives.

– Raw gold.

(According to Part B, Section I and Part A, Section VIII, Appendix III issued with Decree 69/2018/ND-CP)

4.2. List of exported goods managed under export licenses

List of exported goods managed under export licenses includes:

– Industrial precursors.

– Explosive precursors, industrial explosives.

– Types of goods exported under quotas prescribed by foreign countries (announced by the Ministry of Industry and Trade in accordance with international agreements or commitments between Vietnam and foreign countries).

– Goods subject to export control under the provisions of international treaties to which Vietnam is a member, announced by the Ministry of Industry and Trade for each period.

– Goods subject to automatic export licensing regime: The Ministry of Industry and Trade announces the List of goods subject to automatic export licensing regime for each period and organizes licensing according to current regulations on licensing.

– Drugs subject to special control.

– Pharmaceutical ingredients are psychotropic substances, addictive substances, and precursors used to make drugs.

– Medicinal materials on the list of precious, rare, and endemic medicinal species and varieties subject to control.

– Raw gold.

(According to Part A, Section I and Part A, Section VII, Appendix III issued with Decree 69/2018/ND-CP)

5. Documents and procedures for applying for import export license in 2025

5.1. What documents are required for an application for an import-export license?

Specifically, in Clause 1, Article 9 of Decree 69/2018/ND-CP, the application for an import-export license includes:

– The trader’s request for a license: 1 original.

– Investment certificate or business registration certificate, enterprise registration certificate: 1 copy stamped by the trader.

– Relevant papers and documents as prescribed by law.

5.2. Procedures for applying for an import-export license

The process for applying for an import-export license is as follows:

– The trader submits a set of documents as mentioned above in person or by post or online (if applicable) to the ministry or ministerial-level agency with the authority to issue the license.

– In case the dossier is not complete, not in accordance with regulations or requires additional explanatory documents, within 3 working days from the date of receiving the dossier, the ministry or ministerial-level agency shall notify the trader to complete the dossier with all necessary documents.

– Except where the law has other provisions on the time limit for granting import-export licenses, within a maximum of 10 working days from the date of receiving the complete and not in accordance with regulations, the ministry or ministerial-level agency shall have a written response to the trader.

– In case the law has provisions on the ministry or ministerial-level agency competent to grant import-export licenses must exchange opinions with relevant agencies, the time limit for processing the dossier is calculated from the time of receiving the response from the relevant agency.

– The issuance of amendments, supplements to licenses, and re-issuance of licenses due to loss or damage shall be carried out according to the following principles:

+ Traders only need to submit documents related to the content that needs to be amended or supplemented.

+ The time for granting amendments, supplements, and re-issuance is not longer than the time for granting import-export licenses.

+ In case of refusal to amend, supplement, or re-issue licenses, the ministry or ministerial-level agency must have a written response stating the reasons.

Hopefully, the above article by Viet My Law and Accounting has helped you better understand the application for import-export licenses, related processes and procedures. If you have any questions or concerns that need to be consulted, you can contact our team of experts immediately for the earliest support.