Tiếng Việt
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Decree No. 69/2018/ND-CP: Detailing a Number of Articles of the Law on Foreign Trade Management
Decree No. 69/2018/ND-CP is a core legal instrument governing export, import, temporary import for re-export, temporary export for re-import, merchanting trade, transit, processing and goods sale/purchase agency with foreign traders.
Reference translation note: This English version is prepared for business reference only. It is not an official legal translation issued by a competent Vietnamese authority. For implementation, enterprises must refer to the Vietnamese original and official legal databases.
QUICK SUMMARY
- Sets out the framework for export/import freedom and cases requiring permits, conditions or specialized inspection.
- Promulgates important lists on prohibited goods, permitted/conditional goods, CFS requirements, national security-sensitive imports and temporary import/re-export restrictions.
- Regulates licensing dossiers, CFS requirements, temporary import/re-export, merchanting trade, transit, processing and foreign agency arrangements.
- For logistics operations, it is a key legal basis for pre-shipment product policy screening.
DOCUMENT INFORMATION
| Title | Decree detailing a number of articles of the Law on Foreign Trade Management |
|---|---|
| Number | 69/2018/ND-CP |
| Issuing authority | Government of Viet Nam |
| Date of issuance | 15 May 2018 |
| Effective date | 15 May 2018 |
| Signatory | Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc |
| Effective status note | Must be checked on official databases at the time of application, especially where amendments, delegation rules or sector-specific regulations apply. |
KEY POINTS TO NOTE
1. Product-policy screening: HS code, technical description, new/used condition, function, intended use and specialized management authority must be reviewed before shipment.
2. Permits and conditions: Goods listed in Appendix III or sectoral regulations may require import/export permits, conditions or specialized inspection.
3. CFS: For goods subject to CFS (Certificate of Free Sale), enterprises should verify the competent authority, minimum content and legalization requirements.
4. Temporary import/re-export and merchanting trade: Prohibited, suspended and conditional goods, permitted border gates and storage time limits must be reviewed in advance.
AFFECTED ENTITIES
- Importers, exporters and trading companies.
- FDI enterprises, EPEs and branches of foreign traders in Viet Nam.
- Logistics companies, freight forwarders, customs brokers, warehouses and carriers.
- Procurement, legal, compliance and operations teams.
ENTERPRISE REVIEW CHECKLIST
| Area | Review points | Operational note |
|---|---|---|
| HS code and product description | HS code, model, technical specifications, catalogues, condition and intended use. | Do not rely only on the commercial name. |
| Prohibited/suspended goods | Review Appendices I, VI, VII and sectoral implementing circulars. | Critical for used goods, waste, environmentally sensitive goods and security-sensitive goods. |
| Permits/conditions | Review Appendix III, competent licensing authority and processing timeline. | Licensing lead time must be included in the logistics plan. |
| CFS | Check whether the goods fall under Appendix V or sectoral CFS requirements. | CFS does not replace other permits if required. |
| Temporary import/re-export | Check contract structure, border gates, time limits and re-export obligations. | Route and border-gate planning affects cost and detention/demurrage exposure. |
RELATED LEGAL DOCUMENTS TO REVIEW
| Group | Document | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Laws | Commercial Law No. 36/2005/QH11; Law on Foreign Trade Management No. 05/2017/QH14; Investment Law No. 67/2014/QH13 | Legal foundation for international trade, foreign trade management and conditional business sectors. |
| Repealed/transition documents | Decree No. 187/2013/ND-CP; Articles 2–7 of Decree No. 77/2016/ND-CP; Decision No. 10/2010/QD-TTg | Documents repealed or partly repealed by Decree 69/2018/ND-CP. |
| Implementing circulars | Circular No. 12/2018/TT-BCT; Circular No. 173/2018/TT-BQP | Detailed lists, forms and sector-specific management requirements. |
| Subsequent related documents | Decision No. 18/2019/QD-TTg; Decree No. 96/2023/ND-CP; Decree No. 146/2025/ND-CP; other sectoral regulations | To be reviewed depending on product group, authority and filing date. |
VIEW / DOWNLOAD ORIGINAL DOCUMENT
Reference sources: Government Portal, National Legal Database and original PDF attached on the Government legal document portal. Enterprises should verify the effective status and any amendments on official sources before applying the document to actual shipments.
TERMINOLOGY NOTES
- HS code: International customs classification code used for tariff and regulatory screening.
- CFS: Certificate of Free Sale, confirming that a product is freely sold in the issuing/manufacturing country.
- Temporary import for re-export: Importation into Viet Nam for a defined period followed by re-export of the same goods.
- Merchanting trade: Purchase and sale between foreign markets, with or without goods physically passing through Viet Nam.
LOGISTICS APPLICATION NOTES
- Do not finalize shipment routing or quotation before product-policy screening.
- For used machinery, medical devices, chemicals, waste, IT/security products or defence-sensitive goods, sectoral regulations must be reviewed.
- Border-gate eligibility and licensing timelines may directly affect transit time and cost.
ORIGINAL FULL TEXT AND APPENDICES I–IX — PDF/DOC SOURCE ADDED FOR COMPLETE REFERENCE
DECREE NO. 69/2018/ND-CP
Detailing a number of articles of the Law on Foreign Trade Management
Version 2 note: The appendices form an integral part of Decree No. 69/2018/ND-CP. This version adds a complete original-source reference block, including the full-text PDF, main Decree DOC and Appendix DOC from the National Legal Database / Government Portal, so Appendices I–IX are not omitted from the web publication workflow.
Reference translation note: The English article is for business reference only. The embedded/downloadable Vietnamese original shall prevail for legal application.
APPENDIX INDEX ADDED TO THE FULL-TEXT SECTION
| Appendix | Title | Import-export review relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Appendix I | List of goods banned from export and import | Initial prohibited-goods screening before booking, contract finalization or customs declaration. |
| Appendix II | List of goods subject to designated import/export traders | Review whether the shipment must be handled by a designated trader. |
| Appendix III | List of goods exported/imported under permits or conditions | Determine licensing, conditions or sectoral management obligations. |
| Appendix IV | List of imports directly affecting national defence and security | Review imports requiring Ministry of Industry and Trade licensing based on opinions of defence/security authorities. |
| Appendix V | List of goods and authorities managing CFS | Review CFS (Certificate of Free Sale) requirements and competent authority. |
| Appendix VI | List of goods banned from temporary import for re-export and merchanting trade | Relevant to temporary import for re-export and merchanting trade dossiers. |
| Appendix VII | List of frozen food products subject to conditional temporary import for re-export | Relevant to temporary import/re-export business code, routes and border gates. |
| Appendix VIII | List of goods subject to excise tax and conditional temporary import for re-export | Review conditional temporary import/re-export for special goods. |
| Appendix IX | List of used goods subject to conditional temporary import for re-export | Review used goods, deposit requirements, permit number and bill of lading requirements. |
EMBEDDED ORIGINAL FULL-TEXT PDF
WordPress note: If the editor or theme blocks iframe display, use the download buttons above to access the full original PDF, main DOC and Appendix DOC. For legal application, always verify against the Vietnamese original.
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