The import declaration for printing equipment is not merely an administrative filing. For importers of printing machinery, it is a pre-import control point that affects customs clearance, technical documentation, lead time and the ability to put the equipment into lawful operation.

QUICK SUMMARY FOR IMPORTERS

The procedure Import declaration for printing equipment is published on the National Public Service Portal under procedure code 2.001727. The implementing authority is the Authority of Publication, Printing and Distribution; the dossier is submitted online via the National Single Window Portal; the disclosed processing time is 03 working days; the fee is VND 0.

Operational note: this article does not replace case-by-case legal checking. Importers should verify product name, HS code, printing technology, equipment age, catalogue/datasheet and the current legal status at the time of filing.

Procedure code

2.001727

Implementing authority

Authority of Publication, Printing and Distribution

Filing channel

Online via the National Single Window Portal

DOCUMENT / PROCEDURE INFORMATION

Information field	Content
Procedure name	Import declaration for printing equipment
Procedure code	2.001727
Publication decision	682/QD-BVHTTDL according to the data published on the National Public Service Portal
Administrative level	Ministerial level
Sector	Publication, Printing and Distribution
Implementing authority	Authority of Publication, Printing and Distribution
Competent authority	Authority of Publication, Printing and Distribution
Receiving address	According to the portal: No. 10 Duong Thanh Street, Hoan Kiem Ward, Hanoi
Method	Online, via the National Single Window Portal
Processing time	03 working days from receipt of a complete and valid dossier
Fee	VND 0 according to the disclosed data
Result	Certificate of import declaration for printing equipment or written refusal stating the reasons
Application status	Check again on the National Public Service Portal / NSW and current legal documents at the time of actual filing.

KEY POINTS TO NOTE

According to public data, before importing printing equipment subject to management, the importer must file the import declaration dossier with the Authority of Publication, Printing and Distribution via the National Single Window Portal. The dossier should only be filed after the product name, model, technology, catalogue and technical documents have been controlled.

Content group	Operational control point
Scope	Applies to printing equipment subject to pre-import declaration; excludes certain inkjet printers, single/multi-colour laser printers within the disclosed speed/size thresholds and dot-matrix printers.
Dossier components	Import declaration form for printing equipment under Form No. 04 attached to Decree 72/2022/ND-CP, and documents showing technical specifications and prepress/printing/post-press technology.
Timing	Review before shipment departure or before ETA to avoid arrival without confirmation or missing technical documents.
Result	Certificate of import declaration or written response explaining why the certificate is not issued.
Common errors	Generic product names, missing printing technology, missing manufacturing year/equipment age, catalogue not matching the model, inconsistency between customs dossier and specialised dossier.

AFFECTED APPLICANTS / PRODUCT GROUPS

Analysis group	Application
Applicants	Importers of printing machinery, trading companies, factories with packaging/label printing lines, printing establishments, logistics and customs brokers.
Product groups	Prepress plate/film recording machines; digital, offset, flexo, gravure, letterpress and screen-printing machines; electrically operated post-press machines; colour photocopiers and printers with colour photocopying functions.
HS codes to review	Groups 84.40, 84.41, 84.42, 84.43; final classification depends on actual technical documents.
Affected stages	Pre-import filing, NSW submission, customs declaration, commodity policy checking, warehousing/demurrage risk and post-clearance audit.
Documents to compare	Invoice, Packing List, B/L/AWB, contract/PO, catalogue, datasheet, nameplate photos, model/serial list, printing technology documents, manufacturing year and intended use.

IMPACT ON IMPORT / LOGISTICS OPERATIONS

Operational stage	Practical impact
Customs declaration	Product name, HS code, model, technology, manufacturing year and use purpose should be consistent across customs and specialised dossiers.
Commercial documents	Invoice/Packing List should show model, quantity and machine details; catalogue/datasheet should evidence prepress, printing or post-press technology.
Clearance lead time	Missing confirmation or technical documents may delay customs clearance, cause storage costs, amendment of declaration or dossier supplementation.
Compliance risk	Printing equipment is controlled not only at import but also in relation to use, printing-operation registration and post-clearance record keeping.
Logistics cost	No unsupported state fee is assumed; importers should still reserve for storage, document correction, technical translation and waiting time if the dossier is incomplete.

BUSINESS CHECKLIST

Item	Required preparation	Operational note
Import declaration form	Form No. 04 attached to Decree 72/2022/ND-CP	Keep it consistent with invoice, catalogue, model and printing technology.
Catalogue / Datasheet	Technical documents showing specifications and prepress/printing/post-press technology	Translation may be required for explanation.
Model / Serial data	Model, serial and quantity list for each machine	Used to compare with the Packing List and actual cargo.
Manufacturing year / equipment age	Document evidencing manufacturing year or equipment age	Check age limits by technology group.
Import documents	Invoice, Packing List, B/L/AWB, contract/PO	Avoid overly generic names when the catalogue is more specific.
Expected HS code	Review based on actual function and structure	Do not rely solely on supplier-declared HS code.
NSW filing plan	Submit before ETA and monitor dossier status	Avoid cargo arrival before the confirmation is available.
Post-clearance records	Keep confirmation, import dossier and technical documents by shipment	Useful for post-clearance audit.

Document group	Document	Role in the dossier	Review note
Decree	Decree 60/2014/ND-CP	Base regulation on printing activities.	Read with subsequent amendments.
Decree	Decree 25/2018/ND-CP	Amends Decree 60/2014/ND-CP.	Do not apply in isolation.
Decree	Decree 72/2022/ND-CP	Amends the import declaration procedure; includes Form No. 04.	Key basis for the declaration dossier.
Circular	Circular 11/2024/TT-BTTTT	Amends guidance related to printing activities and import/export lists in printing and distribution.	Review when identifying applicable lists/forms.
New Decree	Decree 116/2026/ND-CP	Amends certain administrative procedures under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.	Review separately for filings after its effective date.
Portal / NSW	Procedure code 2.001727	Operational source for filing and dossier components.	Check immediately before filing.

VIEW / DOWNLOAD ORIGINAL SOURCES

Priority should be given to official portals before implementation, especially where ETA is close or multiple models/technologies are involved.

View on National Public Service Portal Open NSW Portal View Decree 72/2022/ND-CP View Circular 11/2024/TT-BTTTT Review Decree 116/2026/ND-CP

FULL TEXT OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE

The following is a reference English rendering of the publicly disclosed procedure. It is not an official legal translation.

OPEN FULL TEXT OF THE IMPORT DECLARATION PROCEDURE FOR PRINTING EQUIPMENT

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE

IMPORT DECLARATION FOR PRINTING EQUIPMENT

Procedure code: 2.001727

Publication decision: 682/QD-BVHTTDL

Administrative level: Ministerial level.

Procedure type: Administrative procedure not assigned by law to local authorities for regulation or detailed regulation.

Sector: Publication, Printing and Distribution.

Implementing authority: Authority of Publication, Printing and Distribution.

Competent authority: Authority of Publication, Printing and Distribution.

Receiving address: No. 10 Duong Thanh Street, Hoan Kiem Ward, Hanoi.

Applicants: Vietnamese citizens, enterprises and organisations.

I. IMPLEMENTATION SEQUENCE

Before importing printing equipment, except excluded cases as publicly disclosed, the organisation or individual submits the import declaration dossier to the Authority of Publication, Printing and Distribution via the National Single Window Portal.

Within 03 working days from receipt of a complete and valid dossier, the Authority issues the certificate of import declaration for printing equipment. If the certificate is not issued, a written response stating the reasons must be provided.

II. METHOD OF IMPLEMENTATION

Filing method: Online.

Processing time: 03 working days from receipt of a complete and valid dossier.

Fee: VND 0.

Description: Online filing via the National Single Window Portal.

III. DOSSIER COMPONENTS

1. Import declaration form for printing equipment under Form No. 04 attached to Decree 72/2022/ND-CP. Quantity: 01 original; 0 copies.

2. Documents showing technical specifications and prepress, printing and post-press technology for each type of equipment. Quantity: 01 original; 0 copies.

IV. REQUIREMENTS AND CONDITIONS

Imported printing equipment must satisfy the disclosed criteria, including control by technology group and equipment age:

1. For prepress machines used to record film, plates or printing forms under HS 84.42: equipment age must not exceed 10 years.

2. For printing machines using digital, offset, flexo, gravure, letterpress or screen-printing technology; electrically operated post-press machines under HS 84.40, 84.41 and 84.43: equipment age must not exceed 20 years.

3. For colour photocopiers and printers with single-function or multi-function colour photocopying capability under HS 84.43: equipment age must not exceed 03 years.

V. RESULT

Certificate of import declaration for printing equipment or a written response stating the reasons for refusal.

VI. LEGAL BASIS

1. Decree 60/2014/ND-CP dated 19 June 2014.

2. Decree 25/2018/ND-CP dated 28 February 2018.

3. Decree 72/2022/ND-CP dated 04 October 2022.

4. Circular 11/2024/TT-BTTTT dated 23 September 2024.

Priority official sources: National Public Service Portal, National Single Window Portal and the Government legal-document portal. This rendering is for operational reference only and does not replace the live official data at the time of filing.

TECHNICAL TERM NOTES

Term	Meaning
NSW	National Single Window Portal for electronic specialised filings.
Catalogue/Datasheet	Technical documents showing model, capacity, technology and operating specifications.
Prepress technology	Process of preparing film, plates or printing forms before printing.
Post-press finishing	Finishing steps after printing such as cutting, folding, binding, laminating, die-cutting or pressing.
Equipment age	Period from manufacturing year to import time; may need evidence from manufacturer documents/nameplate.
HS code	Commodity classification code used for customs declaration and policy determination.

FAQ

Do all printers require import declaration?

No. Certain inkjet printers, laser printers within the disclosed thresholds and dot-matrix printers are excluded. The actual model and technical documents must still be reviewed.

What does the dossier include?

At minimum, Form No. 04 and documents showing technical specifications and prepress, printing and post-press technology.

Where is the dossier submitted?

According to the disclosed procedure, it is submitted online via the National Single Window Portal.

How long is the processing time?

The disclosed processing time is 03 working days from receipt of a complete and valid dossier.

Is there a state fee?

The published data states VND 0. Importers should still reserve for translation, document correction or storage costs if the dossier is delayed.

Does this replace customs declaration?

No. It is a specialised administrative procedure and does not replace customs declaration.

Should Decree 116/2026/ND-CP be reviewed?

Yes. The procedure falls within the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism scope; new administrative-procedure amendments should be checked before filing.

What if the catalogue does not show manufacturing year?

Additional manufacturer documents, nameplate photos or technical evidence should be prepared to prove equipment age if requested.

TGIMEX SOLUTIONS

For printing equipment shipments, the key issue is not only whether a dossier has been filed, but whether technical documents, customs documents and logistics timeline are aligned before cargo arrival.

Legal review

Determine whether the equipment is subject to declaration; review HS code, technology, equipment age and applicable decrees/circulars.

Document control

Compare Invoice, Packing List, B/L/AWB, contract, catalogue, datasheet, model/serial list, nameplate photos and printing technology documents.

Operational coordination

Plan NSW filing before ETA, monitor dossier feedback, coordinate customs declaration, international freight, trucking, port/warehouse and supplement requests.

Post-clearance / audit readiness

Retain the confirmation, import dossier and technical documents by shipment for post-clearance review.

Recommendation: importers should review the declaration procedure before document cut-off and ETA to reduce storage, customs-channel and dossier supplementation risks.

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