Import Procedure for Electric Winches into Vietnam

Electric winches are higher-risk machinery items because the importer must lock the right HS Code, taxes, origin documents and occupational-safety quality control requirements before ETA. A generic description such as “electric winch” is not sufficient if the documents do not show rated load, drum/cable structure, motor power, voltage, brake mechanism, new/used condition and actual use.

This article provides an E2E (End-to-End) map for importers to review HS classification, duty, VAT, C/O, specialized management, customs dossier, state quality inspection and key clearance risks before the cargo arrives.

Legal noteThis guidance applies only to standalone electric winches. It must not be used as a blanket conclusion for electric hoists, cranes, gantry cranes, lift tables, lifting platforms or complete lifting systems. The actual catalogue, datasheet, model, rated load, operating principle and import purpose must be reviewed.

QUICK FACT

Review item	Indicative position for electric winches	What must be locked before ETA
Product name	Electric winch powered by an electric motor for pulling/lifting load via cable, chain or drum.	Do not use only “machinery”; state model, rated load, voltage, motor power and new/used condition.
Indicative HS	Key code to review: 8425.31.00 – winches/capstans powered by electric motor. If the product is actually an electric hoist, review 8425.11.00; parts may fall under 8431.	Classify by technical function, not by commercial name.
Import duty	For 8425.31.00, Vietnam Trade Portal shows MFN customs duty at 0%; normal duty must be checked at declaration time, commonly referenced around 5%.	Do not confirm duty before the 8-digit HS and current tariff are checked.
VAT	Standard VAT: 10%; possibly 8% if the VAT reduction policy applies and the goods are not excluded.	Check the VAT Law and implementing decrees/resolutions.
Specialized policy	Circular 01/2021/TT-BLĐTBXH lists electric hoists/electric winches with 8425.11.00, 8425.31.00, 8425.49.10.	Prepare state quality inspection/conformity documents if applicable.
Category IDs	EN 2920 · VI 2852 · ZH 2922.	Assign only 01 final product category per language.

SCOPE OF APPLICATION

Applicable to

Electric motor-driven winches used for pulling or lifting loads.
Fixed or mobile electric winches used in factories, warehouses, construction projects or production lines.
Commercial imports, project imports, warranty/replacement goods or imports for EPE/FDI factories when declared as standalone goods.

Not automatically applicable to

Electric hoists, overhead cranes, gantry cranes, lift tables, lifting platforms, construction hoists or complete lifting systems.
Manual, hydraulic or pneumatic winches, vehicle recovery winches, personnel lifting equipment or machines whose principal function is different.
Used/refurbished goods, samples, warranty items or EPC project cargo may trigger separate rules.

Scope warningReview by catalogue, datasheet, model and actual import purpose. Do not group electric winches with electric hoists or cranes for HS, tax and specialized-policy conclusions.

CLASSIFICATION & TECHNICAL IDENTIFICATION

Technical identifiers

Electric motor, gearbox, drum/cable or chain mechanism, brake, hook or load connection.
Key parameters: rated load, lifting/pulling speed, cable length, cable diameter, voltage, power, duty class and IP rating.

Documents to lock

Catalogue/datasheet by model.
Nameplate, original label photos and user manual.
Technical drawing, electrical diagram, factory certificate, test report or safety certificate if available.

Misdescription risks

Confusing electric winch with electric hoist may shift 8425.31.00 to 8425.11.00.
Missing rated load may block quality inspection review.
Used goods may trigger Decision 18/2019/QĐ-TTg.

Criterion	Document to check	Risk if inaccurate	Suggested customs/commercial description
Operating mechanism	Catalogue, manual, structure drawing.	Wrong HS and wrong specialized policy.	“Electric winch, model…, rated load…, voltage…, new 100%”.
Rated load	Datasheet, nameplate, test report.	Cannot determine applicable safety standards.	State load in kg or ton.
Voltage/power	Motor nameplate and datasheet.	Weak technical basis for customs explanation.	State 220V/380V and … kW if available.
New/used condition	Invoice, manufacturer declaration, photos, year of manufacture.	Used-equipment rules may be missed.	State new 100% or prepare used-equipment documents.

HS CODE – DUTY – C/O

HS must be determined by principal function, structure and operating principle. For an electric motor-driven winch, 8425.31.00 is the key reference. If the product is technically an electric hoist, review 8425.11.00. Parts and accessories imported separately are not automatically classified under the same code as the complete machine.

Indicative HS	Application condition	Indicative taxes	Misclassification risk	Documents to check
8425.31.00	Electric motor-driven winches/capstans, complete goods.	MFN 0%; VAT 10% or 8% if eligible; normal duty to be checked, commonly referenced at 5%.	Wrongly treating hoists or parts as electric winches.	Catalogue, datasheet, nameplate, photos, invoice.
8425.11.00	Electric hoists/tackle, if the product is not a winch.	Check current tariff; VAT generally 10%/8% if eligible.	Confusing hoist and winch.	Hoist/tackle catalogue and load data.
8431.10.00 or related parts code	Parts suitable for machinery of heading 8425, imported separately.	Check by actual part code.	Declaring parts as a complete machine or vice versa.	BOM, packing list, product photos.

C/O noteC/O may support special preferential duty only when form, origin criterion, HS code, goods description and transport route are consistent. Even if 8425.31.00 has MFN 0%, C/O may still be needed for origin evidence or mixed shipments.

SPECIALIZED MANAGEMENT POLICY

Goods scenario	Potential policy	Documents to check	Authority/portal	Recommended timing	Risk note
Complete electric winch under 8425.31.00	Potential Group 2 product under Circular 01/2021/TT-BLĐTBXH; review state quality inspection.	Catalogue, datasheet, test report, conformity certificate, quality inspection registration.	Provincial Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs; designated certification/inspection bodies.	Before ETA.	Late preparation may cause storage/demurrage.
Heavy industrial lifting equipment	Review QCVN 7:2012/BLĐTBXH and safety inspection before use.	Rated load, brake, limit switch, certificate.	Designated occupational safety inspection body.	Before operation.	Customs clearance and safe operation are separate obligations.
Product is actually an electric hoist	Review QCVN 13:2013/BLĐTBXH and 8425.11.00.	Hoist catalogue, chain/cable type, rated load.	DOLISA/certification body.	Before ETA.	Do not use winch guidance for hoists.
Used/refurbished goods	Review Decision 18/2019/QĐ-TTg and 28/2022/QĐ-TTg.	Year, condition, inspection certificate.	Inspection body/customs.	Before purchase/booking.	Used goods can be blocked if documents are missing.

LEGAL DOCUMENTS TO REVIEW

Document group	Document number/name	Issuing body	Effective date/timing	Role	Key point	Review note
Group 2 goods	Circular 01/2021/TT-BLĐTBXH	MOLISA	Effective 18/07/2021.	Lists Group 2 products and import quality inspection measures.	Electric hoists/electric winches: 8425.11.00, 8425.31.00, 8425.49.10.	Review by actual model.
QCVN	Circular 05/2012/TT-BLĐTBXH – QCVN 7:2012/BLĐTBXH	MOLISA	Signed 30/03/2012; QCVN effective after 06 months.	National technical regulation on lifting equipment.	Apply where technical scope fits.	Do not exclude without reviewing load/function.
QCVN	Circular 37/2013/TT-BLĐTBXH – QCVN 13:2013/BLĐTBXH	MOLISA	QCVN effective from 28/06/2014.	Safety regulation for electric hoists.	Relevant when goods are hoists.	Review catalogue.
Tariff	Decree 26/2023/NĐ-CP and Decree 199/2025/NĐ-CP	Government	Effective 15/07/2023 and 08/07/2025.	MFN import tariff basis.	Check 8425.31.00 and related codes.	Always recheck at declaration time.
Ordinary import duty	Decision	Prime Minister	Effective from .	Provides ordinary import duty rates for goods with MFN or goods not eligible for preferential/special preferential duty treatment.	The appendix includes with ordinary duty .	Used to support the ordinary-duty note; re-check at declaration time.
VAT	VAT Law 48/2024/QH15, Decree 181/2025/NĐ-CP, Resolution 204/2025/QH15, Decree 174/2025/NĐ-CP	National Assembly/Government	Mainly effective from 01/07/2025.	Determine 10%/8% VAT.	Check exclusion lists.	Do not apply 8% automatically.
Used machinery	Decision 18/2019/QĐ-TTg and 28/2022/QĐ-TTg	Prime Minister	Effective 15/06/2019 and 01/03/2023.	Used machinery import control.	Age/standard/inspection certificate.	Only when goods are not new 100%.

VIEW / DOWNLOAD ORIGINAL LEGAL TEXTS

Enterprises should search by document number on official legal databases or issuing-authority websites before applying.

Circular 01/2021/TT-BLĐTBXH QCVN 7:2012 Decree 26/2023 Decision 15/2023 Decision 18/2019

Enterprises should further verify the documents on official legal portals or the websites of issuing authorities before application.

CUSTOMS DOSSIER

Commercial documents

Commercial Invoice.
Packing List.
Bill of Lading/Air Waybill.
Sales Contract/Purchase Order if any.
C/O if claiming preferential treatment or proving origin.
Catalogue/datasheet, manual, product photos, original labels, model/serial list.

Specialized documents if applicable

Import quality inspection registration for Group 2 goods.
Conformity certificate/test report if applicable.
Inspection certificate for used machinery if applicable.
Vietnamese sub-label dossier.
Technical documents on rated load, voltage, motor power, brake and safety devices.

Dossier group	Required documents	Used for	Prepared by	Common errors	Pre-ETA check
Commercial	Invoice, Packing List, Contract/PO.	Declaration, valuation and quantity check.	Importer/exporter/docs.	Generic name, missing model/load.	Compare against catalogue before final issuance.
Transport	B/L or AWB, Arrival Notice, Pre-alert.	Delivery order, manifest and ETA tracking.	Forwarder/carrier/agent.	Wrong consignee, package count or description.	Check draft B/L.
Technical	Catalogue, datasheet, manual, nameplate.	HS classification and policy explanation.	Manufacturer/importer.	Model mismatch or missing load.	Require official PDF by model.
Quality	Quality inspection registration, conformity/test documents.	Specialized clearance.	Importer/certification body/DOLISA.	Prepared after ETA.	Review Circular 01/2021 once HS 8425.31.00 is selected.

Matching ruleGoods name, quantity, model, serial, origin, rated load, voltage, power, condition and technical specifications must match 100% across commercial documents, catalogue, labels, specialized dossier and customs declaration.

CLEARANCE DECISION POINTS

Decision point	Question to answer	Evidence	Consequence if unclear	Recommended action
HS code	Is it 8425.31.00, 8425.11.00 or a parts code?	Catalogue, manual, photos, nameplate.	Request for explanation or declaration amendment.	Lock HS before ETA.
Rated load/function	What is the rated load and is it lifting or pulling?	Datasheet/test report.	Cannot determine QCVN/conformity.	Require technical datasheet.
Quality inspection	Is the model subject to Group 2 import quality inspection?	Circular 01/2021, registration, certificate.	Shipment may be held.	Prepare before ETA.
Model match	Do invoice, label and catalogue match?	Invoice, PL, model list.	Document correction/explanation.	Lock model list before final documents.
C/O	Is the form, origin criterion, HS and description correct?	C/O, invoice, B/L.	Preferential treatment may be denied.	Review draft C/O.
New/used condition	Is the unit new 100% or used/refurbished?	Invoice, manufacturer statement, photos.	Used machinery rules may apply.	Avoid ambiguous wording.

E2E IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS

Step 1: Pre-ETA review

Lock HS by identifying whether the goods are an electric winch, electric hoist or spare part.
Review Group 2 policy, import quality inspection and conformity certification requirements.
Check MFN duty 0%, VAT 10%/8% and C/O conditions.
Review labelling, new/used condition and accessories.

Step 2: Freeze commercial and technical documents

Finalize Invoice, Packing List and B/L/AWB.
Freeze catalogue/datasheet, manual, nameplate and model/serial list.
Check goods name, model, rated load, voltage, power, origin and quantity.

Step 3: Register specialized inspection if applicable

Prepare quality inspection/conformity documents if the model falls under Circular 01/2021.
Coordinate with a designated certification or inspection body where required.
Complete the process before ETA to reduce storage/demurrage exposure.

Step 4: Lodge customs declaration

Green channel: system-based clearance under defined conditions.
Yellow channel: documentary inspection.
Red channel: documentary inspection and physical inspection.
Likely queries: customs value, HS, product name, model, C/O, catalogue and quality inspection registration.

Step 5: Clearance, delivery and post-clearance filing

Release and deliver the cargo to warehouse or project site.
Supplement inspection/conformity results if required.
Apply Vietnamese sub-labels and retain the shipment file.
Prepare occupational safety inspection records before putting the equipment into use if required.

PRE-ETA RISK CHECKLIST

Risk	Impact	How to block before ETA	Documents to check
Generic description.	Wrong HS/policy.	State model, load, voltage, power and condition.	Invoice, catalogue, nameplate.
Confusing winch and hoist.	Wrong HS/QCVN.	Review actual mechanism.	Manual, drawings, photos.
No Group 2 quality dossier.	Clearance delay and storage costs.	Review Circular 01/2021.	Registration/certificate/test report.
Model mismatch.	Document amendment or inspection.	Freeze model/serial list.	Invoice, PL, labels.
Incorrect C/O.	Loss of special preferential treatment.	Check draft C/O.	C/O, invoice, B/L.
Unclear used condition.	Decision 18/2019/28/2022 may apply.	Confirm year and condition before booking.	Inspection certificate/photos.

FAQ

1. Does an electric winch require an import licence?

Do not conclude absolutely that no licence is required. For electric winches under 8425.31.00, the importer must review Group 2 quality inspection and conformity requirements under MOLISA rules according to the actual model.

2. What HS code is commonly reviewed for electric winches?

The key reference is 8425.31.00 for electric motor-driven winches/capstans. If the product is actually an electric hoist, review 8425.11.00; separately imported parts may require another code.

3. Is import quality inspection required?

It may be required. Circular 01/2021/TT-BLĐTBXH lists electric hoists and electric winches with 8425.11.00, 8425.31.00 and 8425.49.10. The actual catalogue and model must be checked.

4. What VAT rate applies?

The standard VAT rate is 10%. A reduced rate of 8% may apply only if the VAT reduction policy is in force and the goods are not on the exclusion list at declaration time.

5. Can C/O reduce import duty?

Possibly, depending on the HS code and FTA. For 8425.31.00, MFN duty may already be 0%, but C/O can still be important for origin evidence or mixed shipments.

6. Are samples or warranty goods handled the same way as commercial imports?

Not always. Customs type, valuation, payment terms, use purpose, quality dossier and post-clearance obligations may differ by case.

7. What if the model on the invoice differs from the catalogue?

Ask the supplier to amend the documents or issue a model-mapping confirmation before customs declaration. Do not wait until the shipment is selected for documentary or physical inspection.

8. Can used electric winches be imported?

Used equipment may trigger Decision 18/2019/QĐ-TTg and Decision 28/2022/QĐ-TTg. Check equipment age, applicable standards and inspection certificate before purchasing or booking.

IMPLEMENTATION SOLUTION FROM TGIMEX

This article provides a map of HS code, taxes, dossiers and specialized policy; however, actual shipments must still be reviewed by catalogue, datasheet, model, rated load, origin and import purpose.

With an agency network in more than 60 countries and membership in WCA, WCA China Global, VLA and HNLA, TGIMEX supports E2E import execution: pre-ETA compliance review, document control, international freight coordination, customs declaration, channel handling and post-clearance filing.

Pre-ETA review: HS, Group 2 policy, C/O, duty, labels and technical documents.
Compliance dossier control: Invoice, Packing List, B/L/AWB, C/O, catalogue, test report and labels.
Customs declaration: Green/Yellow/Red channel handling and explanation of HS, value, origin and policy.
Post-clearance: shipment file retention, sub-labels and safety/conformity records if applicable.