Vietnam to suspend temporary import and re-export of round timber and sawn timber from natural forests of Laos and Cambodia

Suspension from temporary import and re-export of round timber and sawn timber from natural forests of Laos and Cambodia

- Regulated entities in Circular No. 21/2023/TT-BCT include:

+ Traders participating in temporary import and re-export of round timber and sawn timber from natural forests of Laos and Cambodia.

+ Agencies, organizations and individuals relating to temporary import and re-export of round timber and sawn timber from natural forests of Laos and Cambodia.

- Suspension from temporary import and re-export of round timber and sawn timber from natural forests of Laos and Cambodia:

Suspension from temporary import of round timber and sawn timber from natural forests under headings HS 44.03 and 44.07 of Vietnam’s nomenclature of exports and imports enclosed with Circular No. 31/2022/TT-BTC from Laos and Cambodia for re-export to third country.

- Organization of implementation: 

+ In case the legislative documents referred to this Circular are amended or replaced, the newest document shall be applied.

+ Relevant traders, agencies, organizations and individuals should report in writing difficulties arising in the implementation of this Circular to the Ministry of Industry and Trade for handling.

Circular No. 21/2023/TT-BCT takes effect from January 01, 2024 to December 31, 2027.

** 05 years ago, the Minister of Industry and Trade promulgated Circular No. 44/2018/TT-BCT on suspending temporary import and re-export of round timber and sawn timber from natural forests from Laos and Cambodia, which takes effect from January 01, 2019 to December 31, 2023.

According to the regulations above, temporary import of round timber and sawn timber from natural forests under headings HS 44.03 and 44.07 of Vietnam’s nomenclature of exports and imports enclosed with Circular No. 65/2017/TT-BTC and Circulars amending and replacing this Circular (if any) from Laos and Cambodia for re-export to third country shall be suspended.

Thus, Circular No. 21/2023/TT-BCT is promulgated for the purpose of avoiding legal loopholes in Circular No. 44/2018/TT-BCT, which will be invalid from December 31, 2023.

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