Tiếng Việt
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IMPORT PROCEDURE GUIDE FOR GANTRY CRANES
A gantry crane is a lifting appliance subject to strict technical and occupational-safety controls. If the importer only declares “crane”, “gantry crane” or “lifting equipment” without clarifying main girder, gantry legs, span, rated capacity, lifting height, travelling rail, hoist/trolley, electrical control system, new/used condition and installation purpose, the shipment may be misclassified under HS Code, miss specialized quality obligations, lack conformity/technical safety inspection records, show model discrepancies among Invoice – Packing List – catalogue – label, lose C/O preference, be escalated to customs inspection, incur DEM/DET and delay factory installation. This guide provides an E2E review map before ETA, including HS code, duty, specialized policy, dossier set, clearance workflow and pre-arrival risk controls.
QUICK FACTS
| Item | Quick review content |
|---|---|
| Product | Gantry crane used for lifting/lowering and moving loads; normally includes main girder, gantry legs, rail/wheel travelling mechanism, lifting mechanism, trolley/hoist, electrical control system and safety devices. |
| Key HS | Main reference: 8426.19.30 for gantry cranes. Review 8426.12.00 for mobile lifting frames/straddle carriers; 8426.19.20 for bridge cranes; 8426.30.00 where the product is a portal/pedestal jib crane. |
| Reference duty | 8426.19.30: MFN reference 0%, ordinary duty reference 5%, standard VAT 10%; VAT 8% may be reviewed only if a reduction policy is still valid and the goods are not excluded. |
| Key policy | Gantry cranes are strict occupational-safety equipment; review QCVN 7:2012/BLDTBXH, QCVN 30:2016/BLDTBXH, Circular 36/2019/TT-BLDTBXH, Circular 01/2021/TT-BLDTBXH, conformity certification and technical safety inspection before use. |
| Technical dossier | Catalogue/datasheet, GA drawing, SWL/WLL, span, lifting height, hoisting/travelling speeds, rail gauge, power supply, control diagram, serial/model list, CO/CQ, test certificate, manual and conformity/inspection dossier where applicable. |
| Caution | Do not apply this procedure to overhead cranes, jib/portal cranes, electric hoists, electric winches, lift tables, lifting platforms or vehicle-mounted lifting equipment without separate review. |
SCOPE OF APPLICATION
This guide covers complete or synchronized knock-down gantry cranes imported for installation at factories, warehouses, container yards, mechanical workshops, internal ports or industrial projects. A gantry crane typically operates cyclically, lifts loads by hook/hoist/trolley and moves loads horizontally along rails or wheels.
- Do not apply to overhead cranes if the bridge girder rests on elevated rails or fixed support without gantry legs.
- Do not apply to portal/pedestal jib cranes, tyre/crawler cranes where slewing jib/boom structure changes HS classification.
- Electric hoists, winches, lift tables and lifting platforms imported separately may have different HS/policy.
- New, used, refurbished, project, warranty, EPE/FDI and re-export shipments may require different customs regimes and dossiers.
- Radio remote controls, control cabinets, PLCs, batteries, chargers, cameras, Wi‑Fi/4G modules or similar accessories must be reviewed separately if imported or declared as separate modules.
CLASSIFICATION & TECHNICAL IDENTIFICATION
The key classification factors are lifting/travelling mechanism, gantry-leg structure, rail location, rated load, span, control mode and installation condition. Generic naming may cause wrong HS, wrong occupational-safety policy, wrong QCVN/TCVN, wrong conformity/inspection dossier and incorrect goods labeling.
| Checkpoint | Documents to review | Risk if described incorrectly | Suggested goods description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gantry structure | Catalogue, GA drawing, layout, photos/render | Confusion with overhead/jib/portal cranes and wrong HS | Gantry crane, model…, SWL … tons, span … m, lifting height … m |
| Rated load and span | Datasheet, nameplate, test certificate | Insufficient safety basis and inspection difficulties | Rated lifting capacity … tons; span … m; lifting height … m |
| Hoisting/travelling mechanism | Manual, electrical diagram, trolley/hoist spec | Complete machine confused with hoist/winch only | Gantry crane with electric hoist/trolley and travelling mechanism |
| Power and controls | Electrical drawing, control cabinet spec, remote-control data | Separate electrical/radio policy may arise | Power supply … V/… Hz; pendant/radio/cabin control |
| Goods condition | Invoice, photos, serial plate, inspection report if used | Used-equipment policy missed | Brand new 100% / used equipment for production, year… |
| Knock-down shipment | Packing list, BOM, assembly drawing | Synchronized set not proven; HS dispute | Gantry crane supplied in CKD/SKD packages with synchronized parts |
| Use purpose | Contract, project layout, EPE/FDI documents | Wrong customs type and post-clearance obligations | For factory material handling / warehouse lifting / project installation |
HS CODE – DUTY – C/O
HS classification should be based on the lifting appliance nature under heading 8426. For ordinary gantry cranes, 8426.19.30 is the main reference. However, mobile tyre frames, bridge cranes, portal/pedestal jib cranes and parts may be classified differently. C/O must match goods description, HS, origin and transport route.
| Reference HS code | Application condition | Risk if incorrect | Documents to review |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8426.19.30 | Gantry crane, not overhead crane, not tyre mobile frame and not portal/pedestal jib crane | HS amendment, C/O dispute and policy explanation | Catalogue, GA drawing, photos, capacity, span, invoice/C/O description |
| 8426.19.20 | Overhead/bridge crane where the bridge runs on fixed support/rails without gantry legs | Detailed HS error and C/O mismatch | Layout, support structure, rail location, catalogue |
| 8426.12.00 | Mobile lifting frame on tyres or straddle carrier | Wrong classification if the actual crane runs on rails | Datasheet, wheel/drive photos, function description |
| 8426.30.00 | Portal or pedestal jib crane where jib/slewing structure exists | Gantry crane confused with portal jib crane | Catalogue, boom/jib structure, slewing mechanism |
| 8431.xx | Parts principally used with machines of heading 8426, if imported separately | Parts declared as complete crane or vice versa | Part list, BOM, photo, contract |
REFERENCE DUTY TABLE
| HS / goods group | Reference ordinary duty | Reference MFN duty | VAT | FTA preference with valid C/O | Application note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8426.19.30 – Gantry crane | 5% reference | 0% | 10%; review 8% only if a VAT reduction policy is valid and applicable | Many FTAs may be 0% if C/O is valid | Main code for gantry cranes; check Decree 26/2023/ND-CP and Decree 199/2025/ND-CP at declaration date |
| 8426.12.00 – Mobile lifting frame/straddle carrier | 5% reference | 0% | 10% or current VAT policy | FTA by valid C/O | Use only for actual mobile lifting frames/straddle carriers |
| 8426.19.20 – Bridge crane | 5% reference | 0% | 10% or current VAT policy | FTA by valid C/O | Do not use for a crane with clear gantry legs |
| 8426.30.00 – Portal/pedestal jib crane | 7.5% reference | 5% | 10% or current VAT policy | FTA may apply if eligible | Applicable where the product is a portal/pedestal jib crane |
| Parts 8431.xx | By final code | By final code | By current VAT policy | By valid C/O | Do not use for synchronized complete crane set |
APPLICABLE SPECIALIZED POLICY
| Goods scenario | Possible policy | Documents to check | Authority / processing channel if identifiable | Recommended timing | Risk note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New complete/synchronized gantry crane | Review Group-2 goods under Circular 01/2021/TT-BLDTBXH, QCVN 30:2016/BLDTBXH, conformity certification and technical safety inspection before use | Catalogue, datasheet, CO/CQ, test certificate, conformity/inspection dossier, manual, drawings | Occupational safety authority; designated/certified conformity and inspection bodies; Customs | Before ETA and before installation/use | Customs clearance does not mean the crane may be operated immediately |
| Goods under Section II of Circular 01/2021 | May not require state quality inspection at import, but post-clearance conformity/inspection obligations still apply | Final HS, Circular 01 appendix, QCVN 30 dossier | Customs; local labor authority; inspection body | Before declaration and before operation | Do not state “no specialized obligations” |
| Used/refurbished gantry crane | Review Decision 18/2019/QD-TTg and Decision 28/2022/QD-TTg for used machinery | Year of manufacture, inspection certificate, condition report, standards | Customs; science/technology inspection body where applicable | Before purchase and booking | Non-conforming used equipment may not be importable |
| CKD/SKD project packages | Review synchronized nature, shipment plan, customs type and project documents | Master packing list, BOM, contract, project list, serial/module list | Customs; specialized authority if conformity/inspection is arranged by lot | Before first shipment | Missing synchronization evidence may create HS disputes |
| Control cabinets, inverter, radio remote, camera, Wi‑Fi/4G module | Electrical/ICT/battery policy may arise if imported separately or clearly regulated | Module datasheet, frequency, transmitter power, model, battery data | Relevant specialized authority if applicable | Before invoice/packing finalization | Do not hide separate policy modules inside the crane description |
| EPE/FDI/factory imports | Review customs type, fixed assets, import rights, installation and safety inspection before operation | IRC/ERC, contract, project docs, asset documents, layout | Customs; local labor authority; inspection body | Before ETA and operation | Production assets still need safety compliance |
LEGAL DOCUMENTS TO REVIEW
| Document group | Document name/number | Issuing authority | Effective timing | Role in procedure | Key points | Review note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group-2 goods list | Circular 01/2021/TT-BLDTBXH | MOLISA | Effective 18 Jul 2021 | Lists Group-2 goods and import quality inspection measures | Article 4: Section I requires import quality inspection; Section II does not | Check final HS and appendix |
| Strict safety equipment list | Circular 36/2019/TT-BLDTBXH | MOLISA | Effective 01 Mar 2020 | Lists cranes, overhead cranes and gantry/semi-gantry cranes as strict OHS equipment | Relevant lifting-equipment lines | Basis for post-import safety management |
| Base QCVN for lifting appliances | Circular 05/2012/TT-BLDTBXH issuing QCVN 7:2012/BLDTBXH | MOLISA | Circular issued 30 Mar 2012; QCVN 7 effective 30 Sep 2012 | National technical regulation on safe work for lifting appliances | Article 1 issues QCVN 7; Article 2 states the regulation takes effect after 06 months from signing | Read together with QCVN 30 for gantry cranes |
| QCVN | Circular 52/2016/TT-BLDTBXH issuing QCVN 30:2016/BLDTBXH | MOLISA | Circular effective 01 Aug 2017 | National technical regulation for overhead and gantry cranes | QCVN sections 4.1 and 4.2 on conformity and safety inspection | Core document for gantry cranes |
| Safety inspection decree | Decree 44/2016/ND-CP | Government | Effective 01 Jul 2016 | Technical safety inspection and OHS training framework | Inspection body and training provisions | Review before operation |
| Use declaration after inspection | Administrative procedure for declaring strict-safety equipment with the local Department of Home Affairs/Labour authority when put into use | National Public Service Portal / local authority | Submit within 30 days from putting into use; usual processing time 05 days after valid dossier | Records the use of strict-safety equipment after inspection | Use declaration form and copy of inspection certificate | Does not replace inspection obligations; check local requirements at implementation time |
| Used machinery | Decision 18/2019/QD-TTg and Decision 28/2022/QD-TTg | Prime Minister | Decision 18 effective 15 Jun 2019; Decision 28 effective 01 Mar 2023 | Used machinery import management | Age, residual quality and inspection dossier | Only for used/refurbished goods |
| Tariff | Decree 26/2023/ND-CP, Decree 199/2025/ND-CP and FTA schedules | Government | Decree 199 effective 08 Jul 2025 | MFN and preferential tariff basis | Chapter 84, heading 8426 | Check at declaration date |
VIEW / DOWNLOAD ORIGINAL LEGAL TEXTS
Circular 05/2012/TT-BLĐTBXH
Circular 36/2019/TT-BLĐTBXH
Circular 52/2016/TT-BLĐTBXH
QCVN 30:2016/BLĐTBXH
Decree 44/2016/NĐ-CP
Equipment use declaration
Decision 18/2019/QĐ-TTg
Enterprises should additionally verify the documents on official legal document portals or issuing authority websites before applying them.
CUSTOMS CLEARANCE DOCUMENT SET
- Commercial Invoice
- Packing List
- Bill of Lading/Air Waybill
- Sales Contract/Purchase Order if any
- C/O if preferential duty is claimed
- Catalogue/datasheet, GA drawing, photos, original label/nameplate, model/serial list
- Conformity certificate/declaration under QCVN 30
- Technical safety inspection record before use
- Test certificate, load test report, material certificate if any
- Used-equipment inspection dossier under Decision 18/2019
- Manual, electrical drawing and maintenance records
- Model, serial, SWL/WLL, span, lifting height
- Rail gauge, wheelbase, trolley speed, lifting speed
- Power supply, motor/inverter/control cabinet
- Gross/net weight, package count and dimensions
- Project site, use purpose, new/used condition
| File group | Required documents | Used for | Usually prepared by | Common error | Pre-ETA check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial | Invoice, Packing List, Contract/PO | Value, quantity and trade terms | Procurement/Docs/Importer | Only “crane”, missing model/SWL/span | Match invoice with catalogue, drawing and nameplate |
| Transport | B/L/AWB, arrival notice, pre-alert, packing dimension | D/O, manifest and OOG/heavy cargo planning | Forwarder/Carrier/Project team | Wrong package count, dimensions or weight | Check packing dimension and lifting plan |
| HS–tax | Catalogue, GA drawing, photos, draft C/O | HS, duty, VAT and FTA review | Broker/Compliance | Confusing gantry crane with overhead/portal crane | Prepare structure–HS–tax–C/O analysis |
| OHS policy | QCVN 30, conformity/inspection dossier, manual | Post-clearance operation compliance | HSE/Compliance/User | Assuming clearance equals operation permission | Plan conformity/inspection before installation |
| Used/refurbished | Year, inspection certificate, condition report | Used-equipment import conditions | Supplier/Inspection body/Importer | Unable to prove age or condition | Check before purchase |
| C/O | C/O form, invoice, transport documents | FTA preference if any | Supplier/Docs | Wrong HS/description/origin criterion | Check draft after final HS |
Control principle: Goods name, quantity, model, serial, origin and technical specifications must match 100% across commercial documents, catalogue, label, specialized dossier and customs declaration.
DECISION POINTS THAT MAY HOLD THE SHIPMENT
| Decision point | Question to answer | Evidence | Consequence if unclear | Recommended handling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HS basis | Is it 8426.19.30 gantry crane or actually an overhead/portal/mobile frame? | Catalogue, GA drawing, photos | HS query, amendment, delay | Finalize structure before booking |
| Strict safety equipment | Is it subject to Circular 36/QCVN 30 obligations? | Circular 36, QCVN 30, technical file | Cleared cargo cannot be safely operated | Plan conformity/inspection from PO stage |
| Import quality inspection | Is it in Section I or II of Circular 01/2021? | Final HS, Circular 01 appendix | Additional dossier request | Check appendix before declaration |
| Model/serial match | Do invoice, packing, catalogue and nameplate match? | Invoice, packing list, nameplate photo | Physical inspection delay | Approve drafts before ETD |
| New or used | Is it used/refurbished? | Inspection certificate, year plate | Used machinery condition not met | Review Decision 18/2019 before purchase |
| Separate accessories | Do radio remote/control modules/batteries trigger separate policy? | Module datasheets | Unprepared specialized policy | Split lines and review modules |
| C/O validity | Do form, HS, description and direct transport match? | Draft C/O, invoice, B/L/AWB | FTA preference denied | Check draft C/O before ETA |
PRACTICAL E2E WORKFLOW
Finalize HS, Circular 01/Circular 36/QCVN 30 policy, duty, VAT, C/O, new/used status, label/nameplate and conformity/inspection plan.
Finalize Invoice, Packing List, B/L/AWB, catalogue, datasheet, GA drawing, model/serial list, SWL, span, lifting height, power supply and packing dimensions.
If import quality inspection applies, prepare registration. If not, still prepare conformity, inspection, training and operation records before use.
Green: conditional system clearance. Yellow: document check. Red: document and physical inspection. Common questions: value, HS, goods name, model, C/O, catalogue, condition and OHS policy.
Deliver cargo to warehouse/site, count packages, install per manual, conduct conformity/technical safety inspection if required, label/nameplate as needed and archive dossier.
PRE-ETA RISK CHECKLIST
| Risk | Consequence | Pre-ETA prevention | Documents to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generic “crane” description | Wrong HS and policy | State gantry crane, SWL, span, lifting height, rail/wheel type | Invoice, catalogue, drawing, label |
| Model mismatch | Long physical inspection or document correction | Approve drafts and nameplate photos before ETD | Invoice, packing, catalogue, serial photo |
| No conformity/inspection plan | Cleared but not ready for legal operation | Engage conformity/inspection plan early | QCVN 30, manual, test certificate |
| Used/refurbished not reviewed | Import criteria may not be met | Confirm condition/year and inspection before purchase | Year plate, inspection certificate |
| Wrong C/O | FTA preference denied | Check draft C/O after HS finalization | C/O, invoice, B/L/AWB |
| OOG/heavy cargo not checked | Unplanned handling and delivery costs | Lock packing dimensions and lifting/transport plan | Packing list, cargo photo, lifting plan |
FAQ
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Does importing a gantry crane require a permit? | Do not call it a generic permit. Review Circular 01/2021, Circular 36/2019, QCVN 30 and the actual dossier to determine import quality inspection, conformity and safety inspection obligations. |
| Does a gantry crane require import quality inspection? | Check Section I/II of Circular 01/2021 by final HS and actual goods. Section II goods may not require state quality inspection at import but still have post-clearance conformity/inspection obligations. |
| What HS code is commonly used? | The key reference is 8426.19.30. Other codes may apply to overhead cranes, mobile lifting frames, portal cranes or parts. |
| Is Vietnamese labeling required? | Potentially, if circulated/used in Vietnam. Nameplate, original label, technical file and supplementary label should match model, serial, capacity and origin. |
| Can C/O reduce duty? | Possibly, although many 8426 lines have MFN 0%. C/O remains important where FTA duty is needed or for origin/post-clearance evidence. |
| Can used gantry cranes be imported? | Potentially, subject to Decision 18/2019 and Decision 28/2022 on used machinery, age, residual quality and inspection dossier. |
| If imported in separate packages, should it be declared as a machine or parts? | It depends on synchronization, contract, BOM and packing. Prepare evidence before declaration. |
| What if invoice model differs from catalogue? | Correct the documents before ETA or prepare a valid model-matching explanation. Do not declare while main model/serial data remains inconsistent. |
RELATED ARTICLES
TGIMEX IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORT
This guide provides a map for HS code, duty, dossier and specialized policy for imported gantry cranes. In real shipments, enterprises still need to review catalogue, datasheet, model, documents, origin and import purpose.
Agent network in more than 60 countries; membership in WCA, WCA China Global, VLA, HNLA; sea, air and road/rail transport capability.
HS, specialized policy, C/O, duty, labeling, catalogue/datasheet/model and conformity/inspection plan.
Cross-check Invoice, Packing List, B/L/AWB, C/O, catalogue, test report, labels and technical documents.
Coordinate agents, carriers, ETA, pre-alert, transport documents and OOG/project cargo where applicable.
Prepare customs dossier, handle Green/Yellow/Red channels and support HS, value, origin and policy explanations.
Archive shipment dossier, labels, conformity, inspection records and delivery data for post-clearance review.
For shipments that may trigger specialized inspection, permits, C/O or labeling requirements, enterprises should not wait until cargo arrival to review documents. A small discrepancy among Invoice, Packing List, catalogue, datasheet, C/O or label may lead to additional document requests, clearance delay or unplanned storage costs. TGIMEX supports import planning with an E2E approach: pre-ETA policy review, document control, international freight coordination, customs declaration, clearance handling, domestic delivery and post-clearance recordkeeping.
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