Licenses for import to Vietnam

Licenses for import to Vietnam

Licenses for import to Vietnam, you need to obtain an investment license and a business registration certificate from the Department of Planning and Investment (DPI).

There is no separate import license in Vietnam – the investment license already allows you to import or export products. You also don’t need additional licenses if you are planning to wholesale your goods to businesses.

However, if you want to sell your products directly to consumers in Vietnam, you need a trading license. It will take 6-12 weeks to obtain a trading license, and you can apply for it after the incorporation and once you have paid the capital contribution in full.

Keep in mind that you need to know the products you are planning to import before applying for your investment license. If your company wants to import additional products in the future, you must also change the investment license.

Product registration in Vietnam

To import certain products to Vietnam, government level of approval is necessary, and you cannot import these products unless they are registered. For example, cosmetic products must first be registered with the Drug Administration of Vietnam before any trading can take place.

Other products that are subject to registration are, for example:

  • Drugs and food supplements
  • Processed products from vegetables, fruit, grain
  • Wine and cigarettes
  • Essential oils, perfumes, cosmetics
  • Milk and dairy products, eggs, honey, and other animal-derived products

Importing those products is possible, but it requires additional steps. Emerhub handles both the incorporation and product registration process. Reach out to us for a consultation at vietnam@emerhub.com.