Procedures for importing cameras and security surveillance equipment

Posted on: 26/11/2024

Below, JIT would like to share with you the procedures for importing cameras, determining HS codes, calculating import taxes and notes when importing cameras into Vietnam.

1. Camera import policy

The policy and procedures for camera import are regulated by the following legal documents:

According to the above documents, cameras are not on the list of prohibited imports. However, for some types of cameras, an import license from the Ministry of Information and Communications is required when importing.

Specifically, the types of cameras that require an import license include:

Webcam;
Image recording cameras used for broadcasting;
Digital or similar cameras;
TV cameras;
Other digital cameras used for television, digital cameras, image recording cameras;
Parts for digital cameras or video cameras.

In short, for types of cameras that can transmit data by radio waves, when carrying out import procedures. Most of them must be inspected for quality and conformity to the standards of the Ministry of Information and Communications.

2. Labeling imported goods

Labeling imported goods is not a new regulation. However, since Decree 128/2020/ND-CP was issued, the labeling of imported goods has been more closely monitored. Labeling of goods is intended to help administrative agencies manage goods, identify the origin and the unit responsible for the goods. Therefore, labeling goods is one of the indispensable steps when carrying out camera import procedures.

2.1. Label content

In addition to labeling, label content is also very important. The label content of goods is stipulated in Decree No. 43/2017/ND-CP. For cameras, the content of a complete label includes the following information:

Information of the exporter (address, company name);
Information of the importer (address, company name);
Name of goods and information of goods;
Capacity, year of manufacture;
Origin of goods.

These are the basic label contents that need to be affixed to goods. The information displayed must be in English or other languages with translation. When carrying out import procedures for cameras, if a red line is encountered, customs inspection will pay close attention to the content of the label above.

2.2. Labeling position on goods

Labeling on goods is necessary, however, labeling in the correct position is more important. When importing, the label must be affixed to the surfaces of the package such as: On cartons, on wooden crates, on product packaging. Or anywhere that is convenient to check and easy to see. Labeling in the correct position will help save time for inspection when carrying out import procedures for cameras of all kinds.

For retail goods on the market, it is necessary to display more information. Such as the manufacturer, quantity of goods, technical specifications, date of manufacture, safety warnings.

2.3. Risks encountered when not labeling

Labeling on goods is caught according to the provisions of law. If the goods are not labeled when imported or the label content is incorrect. The importer will face the following risks:

Be fined according to regulations, the penalty level is specified in Article 22 of Decree 128/2020/ND-CP;
Not entitled to special preferential import tax because the certificate of origin will be rejected;
Goods are easily lost or damaged due to the lack of warning labels for loading, unloading and transportation.

With the above risks, we recommend that you label the goods when doing camera import procedures. If you do not fully understand the regulations on product labels. Please contact the hotline or hotmail for advice.

3. Determine the camera HS code

Determining the HS code is the most important step when doing camera import procedures. Determining the HS code will determine import tax, VAT and import policy. To determine the correct HS code for textile machines, you need to understand the characteristics of the goods: material, composition and characteristics of the product.

3.1. Mã hs camera

Mã hs (Harmonized System) là dãy mã số dùng chung cho toàn bộ hàng hóa trên toàn thế giới. Giữa các quốc gia khác nhau trên thế giới thì chỉ khác nhau số đuôi. Vì thế 6 số đầu của mã hs trên toàn thế giới cho một mặt hàng là giống nhau. Dưới đây là bảng mã bảng mã hs camera.

HS Code	Description
85258010	HS Code for Webcam
85258031	HS Code for cameras used for image recording in the field of broadcasting
85258039	HS Code for other types of image recording cameras
85258040	HS Code for television cameras
85258051	HS Code for digital cameras of the single-lens reflex type (DSLR)
85258059	HS Code for other types of digital cameras

The above import tax rate is the preferential import tax rate. To enjoy the special preferential import tax rate, the shipment must have a certificate of origin (C/O).

For goods imported from countries such as: Europe, India, Australia, Chile, China, Korea, Japan, ASEAN countries. Importers should ask the seller to provide them with a certificate of origin. To enjoy the lowest import tax rate for cameras when doing procedures.

For types of cameras with an import tax of 0%, the certificate of origin is not important. However, when importing, a certificate of origin should also be declared to avoid applying the wrong HS code to the camera.

3.2. Risks when applying the wrong HS code

Determining the correct HS code is very important when doing procedures to import cameras. Determining the wrong HS code will bring certain risks to you such as:

Delay in customs procedures: Declaring the wrong HS code can lead to delays in customs procedures, due to the time needed to check and verify the correct information about the type of goods.
Penalty for declaring the wrong HS code according to Decree 128/2020/ND-CP;
Delayed delivery: If the goods are found to have declared the wrong HS code, the customs authority may request correction or clarification of the information. This can lead to delays in the delivery process and affect the production and business cycle of the enterprise.
In case of import tax, you will face a penalty of at least 2,000,000 VND and a maximum fine of 3 times the tax amount.

To determine the exact HS code for a specific type of camera. Please contact the hotline or hotmail for advice.

4. Camera import tax

Import tax is an obligation that the importer must fulfill when carrying out camera import procedures. Tax obligations are mandatory and goods are only cleared through customs when tax obligations have been fulfilled. There are two types of import tax: VAT and import tax. Import tax depends on the HS code of the selected goods. How to calculate import tax is as follows:

4.1. How to calculate camera import tax

Camera import tax is calculated according to the formula like other goods. Import tax of this item has two types: import tax and import VAT.

Import tax is determined according to the HS code, import tax is calculated according to the formula:

Import tax = CIF value x % tax rate

Import VAT is determined according to the formula:

Value added tax = (CIF value + Import tax) x % VAT.

CIF value is determined by the factory value of the goods plus all costs to bring the goods to the first border gate of the importing country. Import tax is the cost included in the cost of goods sold of the order. Therefore, you must check the correct HS code to apply the best import tax code.

4.2. Notes when determining camera import tax

When determining camera import tax, you need to pay attention to the following points:

For countries that have signed trade agreements with Vietnam such as: Europe, India, Australia, Chile, China, Korea, Japan, ASEAN countries. It is necessary to note that the special preferential tax rate is usually 0%.
To enjoy the preferential tax rate, you must have a certificate of origin;
The taxable value is the CIF value. For orders purchased under other conditions. When calculating import tax, the value must be converted to the CIF value to calculate import tax.
Import tax will also be subject to VAT.

These are notes when calculating import tax in the camera import procedure. If you do not understand how to calculate tax and the above notes. Please contact the hotline or hotmail for advice.

5. Camera import procedure documents

The new camera import procedure includes the following documents:

Customs declaration
Commercial contract
Commercial invoice
Packing list
Bill of lading
Catalog (if any), and other documents if required by customs.

For cameras that require an import license, there will be an additional section for applying for a license. The process of applying for an import license and checking the quality of imported cameras is quite long. Please contact our hotline or hotmail for advice.

Above are all the documents used to carry out customs clearance procedures for cameras. The most important are the customs declaration, inspection certificate, commercial invoice, and bill of lading. Other documents will be supplemented if requested by the Customs.

Of the above documents, the customs declaration is declared after the goods have arrived at the port. Other documents are available from the beginning, so the importer should prepare in advance to avoid the situation where the goods have arrived at the port and then need to be prepared. This will prolong the time for camera import procedures.

6. Procedures for importing cameras

The procedure for importing cameras is the same as for many other items. It is very specifically regulated in Circular 38/2015/TT-BTC dated March 25, 2015, amended and supplemented by 39/2018/TT-BTC dated April 20, 2018. We summarize the steps briefly so that you can visualize the whole picture.

Step 1. Declare customs declaration

After having complete import and export documents: Contract, commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin, notice of arrival and determining the HS code of the camera. Then you can enter the declaration information into the customs system via the software.

Declaring customs declaration on customs software. Requires the importer to have knowledge about entering data into the software. You should not arbitrarily declare customs declaration when you do not clearly understand this work. Arbitrary declaration can easily lead to points that cannot be corrected on the customs declaration. At that time, it will cost a lot of money and time to fix.

Within 30 days from the date of arrival of the goods at the port, the customs declarant must declare the customs declaration. If this deadline is exceeded, the importer will face a penalty fee from the customs.

This is the most important step in the camera import procedure. All declaration contents will be pushed to the customs system. If there are errors affecting the tax or origin of the goods. The importer may face penalties according to customs law. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to the information entered on the declaration such as HS code, tax rate, product name, origin.

Step 2. Open the customs declaration

After completing the customs declaration, the customs system will return the declaration flow results. If there is a declaration flow, print the declaration and bring the import documents to the customs office to open the declaration. Depending on the green, yellow, and red lanes, the steps to open the declaration are performed.

The declaration must be opened as soon as possible, no later than 15 days from the date of declaration. The declarant must bring the documents to the Customs Branch to open the customs declaration. After 15 days, the declaration will be canceled and you will face a penalty fee from the customs.

Note: After having the official declaration, you need to contact the customs branch to proceed with the camera import procedures. You should not leave the declaration for a long time before bringing it down to carry out the import procedures.

Step 3. Clear the customs declaration

After checking the documents, if there are no questions, the customs officer will accept the declaration. You can now pay import tax on the customs declaration to clear the goods.

In some cases, the declaration will be released to bring the goods to the warehouse for storage first. After completing the documents, the customs will proceed to clear the customs declaration. When the declaration has not been cleared, it is necessary to carry out procedures for the declaration to be cleared. If it is overdue, you will face a penalty fee and it will take a lot of time.

Step 4. Bring the goods to the warehouse for storage and use

For the customs declaration, proceed with the declaration liquidation step and do the necessary procedures to bring the goods to the warehouse. To be able to bring the goods to the warehouse, you need to prepare in advance the delivery order, the port pick-up form and arrange the means to pick up the goods. Avoid the situation where the declaration is completed but there is an order from the shipping line to take the goods out of the port.

Above are the basic steps to carry out the camera import procedures. Please contact our hotline or hotmail for advice and service quotes.

7. Notes when importing cameras

When carrying out camera import procedures, you need to note the following:

Goods are only cleared after completing tax obligations to the state.
Webcams, bluetooth cameras, television cameras... in short, are cameras that can transmit data by radio waves. When importing, you must have a license and check for compliance with regulations.
Used camera components are prohibited from import. To import, you must have an import license as scrap.
When importing goods, you must label the goods according to 43/2017/ND-CP;
Determine the correct HS code to determine the correct tax and avoid fines;

Those are the notes when doing camera import procedures. If you find it useful, you can share it with your friends for reference. If there is anything inappropriate, we hope you will give us feedback so that we can improve the article.