List of goods prohibited from import into Vietnam

Posted on: 09/01/2025

The list of goods prohibited from import into Vietnam includes many different types of goods, regulated to protect public health, national security, the environment, and comply with international treaties to which Vietnam is a member. Just In Time would like to introduce the list of goods prohibited from import into Vietnam.

1. What is the list of prohibited import goods?

Prohibited import goods are goods that countries do not allow to be imported into their territories for various reasons such as national security, public health, environmental protection, and compliance with international treaties.

According to the law, prohibited import goods are divided into two types: prohibited import goods according to regulations and prohibited import goods due to failure to meet technical requirements, quality standards, and specialized inspections of the state.

2. List of prohibited import goods

The list of prohibited import goods into Vietnam is specifically regulated in Appendix I of Decree No. 69/2018/ND-CP dated May 15, 2018.

Weapons and explosives:

Weapons, ammunition, explosives (excluding industrial explosives).
Military technical equipment.

Fireworks and jamming devices:

All types of fireworks (except for maritime safety flares).
Sky lanterns.
All types of equipment that jam vehicle speedometers.

Toxic chemicals:

Chemicals in Table 1 of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction (CWC). In Table 1 of Decree No. 38/2014/ND-CP dated May 6, 2014.
Chemicals in the list of banned chemicals in Vietnam in Appendix III of 113/2017/ND-CP dated October 9, 2017.
Chemicals in Appendix III of the Rotterdam Convention.
Pesticides banned from use in Vietnam.
Products and materials containing asbestos in the amphibole group.

Consumer goods, medical equipment, used vehicles, including the following groups of goods:

Textiles, footwear, clothing.
Electronic goods.
Refrigeration goods.
Household electrical goods.
Medical equipment.
Interior decoration goods.
Household goods made of ceramics, porcelain, glass, metal, plastic, rubber, plastic and other materials.
Bicycles.
Motorcycles, motorbikes.

Cultural products prohibited from dissemination and circulation:

Cultural products prohibited due to negative impacts on social order, safety and social ethics.

Prohibited products under the management of the Ministry of Information and Communications:

Used information technology products.
Publications prohibited from dissemination and circulation in Vietnam.
Postage stamps are prohibited from trading, exchanging, displaying and propagating according to the provisions of the Postal Law.
Radio equipment, radio wave application equipment that are not in accordance with radio frequency planning and related technical regulations according to the provisions of the Radio Frequency Law.

Types of non-standard vehicles:

Right-hand drive vehicles (including disassembled and converted types before being imported into Vietnam), except for specialized vehicles with right-hand drive operating within a narrow area and not participating in traffic, including: cranes; canal digging machines; road sweeping and watering vehicles; garbage and household waste vehicles; road construction vehicles; passenger vehicles in airports; forklifts in warehouses and ports; concrete pumping vehicles; vehicles that only move in golf courses and parks.
All types of automobiles, four-wheeled vehicles with engines and assembled components whose chassis numbers and engine numbers have been erased, modified, or re-stamped.
All types of trailers and semi-trailers whose chassis numbers have been erased, modified, or re-stamped.
All types of motorcycles, specialized motorbikes, and motorbikes whose chassis numbers and engine numbers have been erased, modified, or re-stamped.

Used materials and vehicles, including:

Engines, frames, inner tubes, tires, spare parts, engines of automobiles, trailers, semi-trailers, four-wheeled vehicles with engines.
Chassis of automobiles, tractors with engines (including new chassis with used engines, used chassis with new engines),
Types of automobiles that have had their structure changed to convert their function compared to the original design.
Types of automobiles, trailers, semi-trailers (except specialized trailers, semi-trailers), four-wheeled passenger vehicles with engines that have been used for more than 5 years, calculated from the year of manufacture to the year of import.
Ambulances.

Prohibited animals and plants:

Examples of endangered, precious, rare wild animals and plants listed in Appendix I of CITES of natural origin imported for commercial purposes.
Specimens and processed products of the following species: white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum), black rhinoceros (Diceros bicomis), African elephant (Loxodonta africana).

Scraps and waste:

Types of scraps and waste that are harmful to the environment.
Refrigeration equipment using C.F.C.

3. Measures to handle violations of prohibited goods imported into Vietnam

When detecting prohibited goods, handling measures may include confiscation of goods, criminal prosecution, administrative fines, or other measures depending on the severity of the violation.

Regulations on penalties for violations of the list of prohibited goods imported into Vietnam are stipulated in Article 15 of Decree 128/2020/ND-CP dated October 19, 2020, specifically as follows:

Fines for common goods;
Criminal prosecution for goods such as: Drugs, weapons, fireworks, rare animals under Decree 167/2013/ND-CP and Decree 35/2019/ND-CP;
Confiscation of exhibits;
Additional penalties such as: Forced removal of goods from the territory; forced destruction; refund of an amount equal to the value of confiscated or destroyed exhibits;

In addition, depending on the seriousness of the incident, other measures may be applied.

4. Notes when importing goods into Vietnam

Importing goods requires compliance with many regulations and conditions. Below are things to note when importing goods into Vietnam:

Regulations on imported goods

List of prohibited import goods: Review the list of prohibited import goods according to Vietnamese law to avoid violations.
Import license: Some types of goods require an import license from relevant authorities such as the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Health, or the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Customs procedures

Customs declaration: Fully and accurately declare information about imported goods to the customs authority. Use the VNACCS/VCIS system to declare electronically.
Goods inspection: Prepare for the goods inspection process at the border gate to ensure that the goods are consistent with the declaration and meet quality standards.

Import taxes and fees

Import tax: Understand the tax rates applicable to each type of goods according to the current Import Tax Schedule.
Other fees: Including customs fees, inspection fees, storage fees and other service fees.

Necessary documents

Commercial Invoice: Clearly state information about the seller, buyer, description of goods, value and delivery conditions.
Bill of Lading: Shipping document issued by the carrier.
Packing List: Details on packaging and quantity of packages.
Certificate of Origin: Proving the origin of goods to apply tariff preferences under free trade agreements.

Quality and safety inspection

Technical regulations: Ensuring goods comply with technical and safety regulations according to Vietnam's regulations.
Food hygiene and safety inspection: For food, it is necessary to comply with the regulations on food hygiene and safety inspection of the Ministry of Health.

Regulations on product labels

Product labels: Labels must clearly state mandatory information such as product name, name and address of the organization or individual responsible for the product, product origin, main ingredients, and other information depending on the type of product.

Quality Control and Storage

Quality Control: Conduct quality checks on imported goods to ensure they meet national quality standards.
Storage Conditions: Store goods in suitable conditions to avoid damage and ensure quality.

International Contracts and Terms of Trade (Incoterms)

Sales Contract: Carefully review the terms of the international sales contract, including delivery, payment and insurance terms.
Incoterms: Understand the international trade terms (Incoterms) such as FOB, CIF, EXW to agree on responsibilities and costs between the buyer and seller.

Risk Monitoring and Management

Transportation Risk: Ensure that goods are fully insured to prevent risks during transportation.
Shipment Tracking: Track and update the status of shipments to ensure goods arrive on time and at the right place.

Comply with international trade agreements

Trade agreements: Comply with regulations and incentives under free trade agreements that Vietnam is a member of such as EVFTA, CPTPP, RCEP to enjoy tariff incentives.

Understanding and complying with the above regulations will help the process of importing goods into Vietnam to take place smoothly and legally.

5. Conclusion

The list of prohibited import goods plays an important role in protecting national security, the environment and human health. Understanding this list is essential for you to comply with regulations and carry out import activities legally and sustainably.

If you have difficulty with customs procedures, you can choose Just In Time as your companion.

Just In Time's staff is always enthusiastic to support you to handle your work quickly and professionally.