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.
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 TEXT PREVIEW
The original PDF is a scanned/signed legal file with annexed forms. The embedded viewer below is provided for direct full-text comparison.
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.
OPERATIONAL SUPPORT FROM TGIMEX
For ICT shipments, the key risk is usually the mismatch between commercial documents, technical specifications and specialized quality-control requirements before cargo arrival.
Review the Vietnamese original, current legal status, later amendments/repeals, the effective Group 2 list, applicable QCVN and policy triggers by HS code, model, function, wireless module and import purpose.
Cross-check Invoice, Packing List, B/L/AWB, contract/PO, catalogue, datasheet, labels, model list, RF specifications, test reports, CoC/PQIR, conformity certificate and declaration files.
Build a pre-ETA timeline, identify blocking points, prepare quality inspection/conformity files, coordinate customs declaration and manage document requests from authorities.
Organize records by shipment, model, QCVN and declaration receipt to support post-clearance review, quality inspection, customer audit and market circulation obligations.
Operational recommendation: Review ICT conformity requirements before document cut-off and before ETA to reduce storage, customs channel, supplemental filing and delivery-delay risks.
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Send us the product name, shipping route, current dossier, or implementation request in advance so we can suggest a suitable approach that is practical, focused, and aligned with your shipment.
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