Tiếng Việt
中文 (中国)
CIRCULAR 15/2018/TT-BTTTT: AMENDMENTS TO ICT CONFORMITY CERTIFICATION AND DECLARATION REQUIREMENTS
Circular 15/2018/TT-BTTTT affects how importers and manufacturers prepare conformity certification, conformity declaration, quality inspection and conformity marking files for information and communications technology products. This article places the regulation in the practical context of import-export operations, clarifying its scope, affected parties, and the checks required before it is relied on for a shipment dossier. Before implementation, businesses should verify the effective date, amendments, and relevant official guidance applicable to the transaction, while retaining the source and document version used for later explanation or audit.
Compilation note: This is an operational reference for import-export, logistics, compliance and operations teams. It is not an official legal translation and must be checked against the Vietnamese original, later amendments and shipment-specific documents.
DOCUMENT INFORMATION
| Field | Operational note |
|---|---|
| Document title | Circular amending and supplementing several provisions of Circular 30/2011/TT-BTTTT on conformity certification and declaration for ICT specialized products and goods. |
| Number | 15/2018/TT-BTTTT |
| Issuing authority | Ministry of Information and Communications |
| Issuance date | 15 November 2018 |
| Effective date | 01 January 2019 |
| Signer | Nguyen Manh Hung |
| Current legal status | The National Legal Database records this Circular as partially expired. Current application should also review Circular 10/2020/TT-BTTTT, Circular 23/2024/TT-BTTTT and the currently effective Group 2 ICT product list. |
| Regulatory scope | Amends certification/declaration procedures, testing evidence, certification methods, processing timelines and forms for ICT specialized products and goods. |
| Affected parties | Manufacturers, importers, distributors, logistics providers, customs brokers and compliance teams handling regulated ICT goods. |
KEY OPERATIONAL POINTS
| Topic | Relevant provision | Operational impact |
|---|---|---|
| Testing bodies | Clause 1 Article 1 amending Clause 2 Article 5 of Circular 30/2011/TT-BTTTT | Test results must be issued by designated/recognized testing bodies or testing bodies registered under the conformity assessment service framework. |
| Product list and control form | Clause 2 Article 1 amending Article 6 | Goods are separated into products requiring both conformity certification and declaration, and products requiring conformity declaration only. |
| Certification method | Clause 5 Article 1 amending Article 11 | Conformity certification is based on Method 1 or Method 5 under Circular 28/2012/TT-BKHCN. Importers should map model, test report and QCVN carefully. |
| Certification timeline | Clause 6 Article 1 amending Clause 2 Article 13 | The conformity certification body must assess and issue the certificate within 07 working days after receiving a complete and valid dossier. |
| Certification dossier | Clause 7 Article 1 amending Article 14 | Dossier elements include legal identity documents where applicable, test results, Vietnamese/English technical documentation, product images and manufacturer information. |
| Imported goods declaration procedure | Clause 9 Article 1 amending Article 16 | For imported products, the importer submits a quality inspection registration file; the Vietnam Telecommunications Authority confirms registration within 01 working day. |
| Conformity declaration dossier | Clause 10 Article 1 amending Article 17 | Depending on the product group, the file may include conformity certificate, self-assessment report, test results and technical documents. |
| Re-certification / re-declaration triggers | Clauses 11 and 12 Article 1 | Changes in name, model, version, technical design or expiry of declaration receipt may trigger re-certification or re-declaration review. |
AFFECTED BUSINESSES AND GOODS
| Analysis group | Practical review approach |
|---|---|
| Business groups | Importers, exporters, factories, EPE/FDI entities, trading companies, brand owners, distributors, logistics providers and customs brokers handling ICT products. |
| Product groups | ICT products, telecom equipment, radio transmitting/receiving devices, routers, modems, access points, devices with Wi-Fi/Bluetooth/NFC/SRD modules, terminal equipment and other products under the effective Group 2 list. |
| Affected stages | Pre-import classification, HS/policy review, quality inspection registration, conformity certification/declaration, customs clearance, conformity marking and post-clearance record keeping. |
| Documents to match | Invoice, Packing List, B/L/AWB, contract/PO, catalogue, datasheet, labels, model list, RF specifications, test report, conformity certificate and declaration receipt. |
| Trigger conditions | HS code, product description, intended function, radio module, frequency band, output power, applicable QCVN, import purpose and importer status. |
IMPORT-EXPORT AND LOGISTICS IMPACTS
HS code, product description, model and radio functions must be aligned before filing the customs declaration. Incorrect descriptions may trigger additional quality inspection documents.
Commercial and technical documents must match test reports and conformity files. Model mismatch is a common reason for delayed dossier acceptance.
Quality inspection and conformity dossiers should be reviewed before ETA to avoid storage, demurrage, rework and delivery delays.
Records should be retained by shipment, model, technical regulation and declaration receipt to support post-clearance inspection or market surveillance.
The Circular does not set freight costs, but incomplete compliance files can create testing, certification, storage and delay costs.
For shipments with many models or wireless modules, create a model-QCVN-test report-certificate mapping sheet before customs clearance.
RELATED LEGAL DOCUMENTS TO REVIEW
| Document group | Document | Role in practical application |
|---|---|---|
| Main document | Circular 15/2018/TT-BTTTT | Amends the conformity certification/declaration mechanism under Circular 30/2011/TT-BTTTT. |
| Base circular | Circular 30/2011/TT-BTTTT | Original framework for conformity certification and declaration of ICT specialized products and goods. |
| Later amendment | Circular 10/2020/TT-BTTTT | Further amendments to the same conformity certification/declaration framework. |
| Partial repeal | Circular 23/2024/TT-BTTTT | Partially repeals several provisions and forms related to the framework amended by Circular 15/2018 and Circular 10/2020. |
| Former Group 2 list | Circular 02/2024/TT-BTTTT | Former Group 2 list for information and communications products; replaced from the effective date of Circular 29/2025/TT-BKHCN. |
| Current Group 2 list | Circular 29/2025/TT-BKHCN | Effective 31 December 2025; current list of potentially unsafe ICT and telecom products under the Ministry of Science and Technology. |
| Legal foundation | Law on Product and Goods Quality; Law on Standards and Technical Regulations; Decrees 132/2008, 74/2018 and 107/2016 | Framework for quality management, conformity assessment, import quality inspection and testing/certification services. |
VIEW / DOWNLOAD ORIGINAL DOCUMENT
Use the official Vietnamese PDF and legal databases as the controlling sources before applying the Circular to a real shipment.
FULL LEGAL TEXT – TEXT VERSION AND ORIGINAL PDF
The working English text below is provided for operational reading. The embedded signed Vietnamese PDF remains the official legal source for comparison.
Working English text version of Circular 15/2018/TT-BTTTT
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS
——-
SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM
Independence – Freedom – Happiness
—————
No. 15/2018/TT-BTTTT
Hanoi, 15 November 2018
CIRCULAR
AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING CERTAIN CONTENTS OF CIRCULAR NO. 30/2011/TT-BTTTT ON CERTIFICATION OF CONFORMITY AND DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY FOR INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS AND GOODS
Working translation note: this English text is prepared for operational reference only and is not an official legal translation. The Vietnamese signed PDF remains the controlling source.
Pursuant to the Law on Telecommunications, the Law on Radio Frequency, the Law on Standards and Technical Regulations, the Law on Product and Goods Quality, and relevant Government decrees on standards, quality management, telecommunications and the functions of the Ministry of Information and Communications; at the request of the Vietnam Telecommunications Authority and the Department of Legal Affairs, the Minister issues this Circular.
Article 1. Amendments and supplements to Circular No. 30/2011/TT-BTTTT
1. Clause 2 Article 5 is amended: testing units serving declaration of conformity are appointed, recognized or registered testing units under Decree No. 107/2016/ND-CP.
2. Article 6 is amended: the list of potentially unsafe products and goods under the management of the Ministry includes goods subject to both certification and declaration of conformity, and goods subject only to declaration of conformity. Products on the first list must be certified, declared and affixed with the conformity mark; products on the second list must be declared and affixed with the conformity mark.
3. Clause 4 Article 7 is supplemented: quality inspection exemption cases upon import are those provided in Decree No. 132/2008/ND-CP as amended/supplemented by Decree No. 74/2018/ND-CP.
4. Clauses 2 and 3 Article 8 are amended: certain goods that are not radio transmitters/transceivers and are imported or manufactured for the organization’s or individual’s own use may fall under exemption conditions; quality inspection exemption follows the amended Decree No. 132/2008/ND-CP / Decree No. 74/2018/ND-CP framework.
5. Article 11 is amended: conformity certification is carried out under Method 1 and Method 5 of Circular No. 28/2012/TT-BKHCN. Method 1 is typical sample testing, applicable to imports and certain domestic products. Method 5 combines typical sample testing, production process assessment and surveillance by sampling at production sites or on the market.
6. Clause 2 Article 13 is amended: the conformity certification body shall assess and issue the certificate within seven (07) working days from receipt of a complete and valid dossier; refusal must be notified in writing with reasons.
7. Article 14 is amended on certification dossier: legal identity documents where no enterprise ID or personal ID exists; test results from a valid testing unit; Vietnamese or English technical documents showing product name, model/code, technical information, external photographs and manufacturer; and supporting documents depending on the certification method. One dossier is submitted directly/by post or via the electronic portal guided by the Vietnam Telecommunications Authority.
8. Article 15 is amended on declaration methods: declaration may rely on self-assessment or certification results depending on whether the product is in the declaration-only list or the certification-and-declaration list, in accordance with the quality management decrees.
9. Article 16 is amended on declaration procedure: for domestic products, one declaration dossier is submitted to the Vietnam Telecommunications Authority. For imports, the importer registers quality inspection; within one (01) working day the Authority confirms the registration for customs clearance; within fifteen (15) working days after clearance, the importer submits the required self-assessment or certification result, unless exempt. Incomplete dossiers must be supplemented within the prescribed time; valid dossiers are reviewed within five (05) working days and may result in a notice of receipt of declaration of conformity.
10. Article 17 is amended on declaration dossier: legal identity documents if needed; conformity mark specimen; certificate of conformity for goods subject to certification; self-assessment report, testing results and technical documentation for declaration-only goods. Dossiers may be submitted directly, by post or via the electronic portal.
11. Article 22 is amended: a certificate of conformity becomes invalid when product name/code/version changes, technical design changes affecting specifications, required surveillance result is absent, or the certificate term expires. Re-issuance follows Chapter II of Circular No. 30/2011/TT-BTTTT.
12. Clause 1 Article 24 is amended: declaration of conformity must be re-performed when any content of the declaration or notice changes, or when the notice expires; if the applied technical regulation changes, the new regulation applies.
13. Appendix II is replaced by Form No. 01 attached to this Circular. 14. Appendix III is replaced by Form No. 02. 15. Appendix IV is replaced by Form No. 03. 16. Certain provisions of Circular No. 30/2011/TT-BTTTT are repealed as stated in this Circular.
Article 2. Organization of implementation
The Director General of the Vietnam Telecommunications Authority, heads of relevant units, Directors of provincial Departments of Information and Communications, and concerned organizations and individuals are responsible for implementation.
Article 3. Effect
This Circular takes effect from 01 January 2019. Notices of receipt of declarations of conformity issued before the effective date continue to be valid until their expiry.
Article 4. Implementation responsibility
Difficulties arising during implementation should be reported to the Ministry of Information and Communications through the Vietnam Telecommunications Authority for consideration and settlement.
APPENDIX
Form No. 01: Application for certification of conformity. Form No. 02: Declaration of conformity. Form No. 03: Notice of receipt of declaration of conformity.
The forms require organization/individual details, product name, model, manufacturer, test result, applied technical regulations/standards, attached documents, conformity declaration contents and responsible signatures/seals. The notice of receipt records the declarant’s commitment and does not itself certify product conformity.
Primary source: Government Portal / National Legal Database. This English page is an operational reference only and does not replace the Vietnamese signed PDF.
FAQ
When did Circular 15/2018/TT-BTTTT take effect?
It took effect on 01 January 2019. Current application should consider its partially expired status and later amendments/repeals.
Does it apply to all electronic imports?
No. Application depends on HS code, product description, function, radio module, applicable QCVN and the current Group 2 product list.
Should a product be certified or only declared?
The product list must be checked. Some goods require both conformity certification and declaration; others require declaration only.
What technical files are usually needed?
Catalogue, datasheet, labels, photos, model list, RF specifications, test reports and conformity certification/declaration documents may be required depending on the product.
Can goods be cleared before submitting all final conformity evidence?
Some procedures allow post-clearance submission within specified timelines, but this depends on the current legal framework and the actual product file.
When is re-declaration required?
Changes to declaration content, model/version/technical design, expiry of receipt or changes in applicable QCVN may trigger re-declaration or re-certification review.
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