Temporary suspension of temporary import and re-export of round logs and sawn wood from Laos and Cambodia in Vietnam from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2027

Temporary suspension of temporary import and re-export of round logs and sawn wood from Laos and Cambodia in Vietnam from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2027

Article 3 of Circular 21/2023/TT-BCT on the temporary suspension of temporary import and re-export of round logs and sawn wood from natural forests from Laos and Cambodia provides that:

From January 1, 2024, the temporary import and re-export of round logs and sawn wood from natural forests from Laos and Cambodia to third countries will be officially suspended. These goods are classified in HS codes 44.03 and 44.07 in the List of Export and Import Goods of Vietnam, attached to Circular 31/2022/TT-BTC dated June 8, 2022.

Temporary suspension of temporary import and re-export of round logs and sawn wood from Laos and Cambodia in Vietnam from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2027 - Source: Internet

What products are prohibited and suspended from temporary importation and merchanting trade in Vietnam?

Pursuant to Article 40 of the Law on Trade Foreign Management in 2017 stipulating prohibition and suspension of temporary importation and merchanting trade as follows:

Prohibition and suspension of temporary importation and merchanting trade

1. The prohibition of temporary importation and merchanting trade shall be imposed on the following products:

a) Hazardous wastes, scraps and wastes;

b) Products that are prohibited from the temporary importation or merchanting trade according to international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a signatory;

c) Products that have been used and can raise the commercial fraud;

d) Products that pose a high risk of environmental pollution, epidemics and effects on human health and life.

2. The Government shall provide detailed regulations on the list of products prohibited from temporary import and merchanting trade.

3. In order to prevent environmental pollution, epidemics, effects on human health or life, illegal transshipment and the risk of commercial fraud, the Minister of Industry and Trade shall decide to publish products subject to the suspension of temporary importation and merchanting trade.

As regulations above, the prohibition of temporary importation and merchanting trade shall be imposed on the following products:

- Hazardous wastes, scraps and wastes;

- Products that are prohibited from the temporary importation or merchanting trade according to international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a signatory;

- Products that have been used and can raise the commercial fraud;

- Products that pose a high risk of environmental pollution, epidemics and effects on human health and life.

What products will a trader only go through procedures for temporary importation at the customs authority in Vietnam?

Pursuant to Article 41 of the Law on Trade Foreign Management in 2017 stipulating other forms of temporary importation as follows:

Other forms of temporary importation

1. Except for the temporary importations prescribed in Article 39 of this Law, a trader may import temporarily products that are not included in the list of prohibited exports and imports; products that are suspended from export or import according to the contract with a foreign country to maintain, rent, lend or use these products for another purposes for a certain period of time and re-export these products from Vietnam.

2. Procedures for the temporary importation:

a) A trader shall obtain the license for temporary importation if products have not been freely sold and used in Vietnam or are subject to export and import quotas, tariff-rate quotas or export or import licenses;

b) A trader will only go through procedures for temporary importation at the customs authority if products are not mentioned in Points a of this Article.

3. The time limit for temporary importation shall comply with the agreement between the trader and the partner and be registered at the customs authority’s premises where procedures for temporary importation are gone through.

4. If temporary imports are withdrawn for domestic consumption, they shall comply with regulations of law on the import management prescribed in this law and other relevant regulations of law.

5. The Government shall provide detailed guidance on this Article.

As regulations above, a trader will only go through procedures for temporary importation at the customs authority for following products:

- Products have not been freely sold and used in Vietnam

- Products are subject to export and import quotas, tariff-rate quotas or export or import licenses

Best regards!