Infrared Therapy Lamp Import Procedures – HS Codes, Duties, and Customs Clearance Process

1. Product Overview and Import Policy

Common types of infrared lamps include:

• Infrared therapy lamps
• Infrared physical therapy lamps
• Tabletop infrared lamps
• Floor-standing infrared lamps
• Home-use infrared lamps
• Infrared lamps used in hospitals and clinics
• Infrared lamps used in spas
• Infrared bulbs used for heating
• Infrared heating equipment

Where the manufacturer identifies the product as being intended for treatment, pain relief, or physical therapy support, the importer should review the applicable medical device regulations.

Before importing, the business should determine:

• Principal function of the product
• Whether the product is considered a medical device
• Medical device classification result
• Applicable declaration or circulation registration number
• Product model and manufacturer
• Power and infrared wavelength
• Electrical safety requirements
• Product labeling requirements
• HS classification and tax obligations

2. HS Codes for Infrared Lamps

2.1 Reference HS Code

For infrared-emitting apparatus intended for medical or therapeutic use, importers may refer to:

• 9018.20.00: Ultraviolet or infrared ray apparatus

This HS code should not automatically be applied to every infrared lamp.

Products requiring separate HS code consideration include:

• Infrared bulbs imported separately
• Bathroom heating lamps
• Infrared lamps used in livestock farming
• Infrared drying equipment
• Industrial heating machinery
• Beauty lamps without a medical purpose
• Parts or accessories imported separately

Products without a medical or therapeutic function may be classified under headings for electric lamps, electrothermic appliances, or other machinery according to their principal function.

2.2 How to Determine the Correct HS Code

The correct HS code should be determined based on:

• Product construction
• Principal function
• Power capacity
• Voltage
• Operating principle
• Intended use
• Emitted wavelength
• Type of infrared bulb or emitter
• Intensity adjustment function
• Timer adjustment function
• Intended users
• Product catalog
• Technical documents
• Instructions for use
• Medical device classification result

For example, an infrared lamp designed to support physical therapy may be classified differently from an infrared bulb used for heating or an industrial drying system.

The importer should prepare a detailed catalog showing the intended use, wavelength, power, operating principle, intended users, and main technical specifications.

3. Import Duties and VAT

The taxes that may apply when importing infrared lamps include:

• Import duty
• Value-added tax

The applicable rates depend on:

• HS code accepted by customs
• Country of origin
• Tariff schedule effective on the customs declaration date
• Certificate or proof of origin
• Eligibility for special preferential tariff treatment

Where the goods originate from a country or territory that has a free trade agreement with Vietnam, a special preferential import duty rate may apply if the rules of origin are satisfied and valid origin documentation is available.

Common certificates or proofs of origin may include:

• C/O Form E
• C/O Form D
• C/O Form AK
• C/O Form AJ
• C/O Form VJ
• C/O Form VK
• CPTPP C/O
• EVFTA proof of origin
• RCEP C/O

VAT should be determined according to the HS code, product function, medical device documentation, and tax regulations effective when the customs declaration is registered.

Reference tax calculation formulas:

Import duty = Customs value × Import duty rate

VAT = (Customs value + Import duty) × VAT rate

Importers should not automatically apply the tax rate used for previous shipments without checking the current HS classification and tax policy.

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4. Import Documentation

The standard customs documentation normally includes:

• Customs declaration
• Commercial Invoice
• Packing List
• Sales Contract
• Bill of Lading or Air Waybill
• Certificate of Origin, if available
• Product catalog
• Technical documents
• Instructions for use

For infrared therapy lamps regulated as medical devices, the importer may also need:

• Medical device classification result
• Applicable declaration or circulation registration number
• Authorization letter from the medical device owner
• Certificate of Free Sale, where applicable
• Manufacturer’s quality management system certificate
• Medical device technical dossier
• Vietnamese instructions for use
• Warranty documentation
• Original product label
• Proposed Vietnamese supplementary label
• Safety documents and operating warnings

Information across the documents should be consistent regarding:

• Product name
• Model
• Brand
• Manufacturer
• Medical device owner
• Country of manufacture
• Intended use
• Power
• Voltage
• Frequency
• Wavelength
• Included accessories

5. Infrared Lamp Import Process

Step 1: Determine the Product’s Intended Use

The importer should identify whether the product is an infrared therapy lamp, beauty-care lamp, heating lamp, infrared bulb, or industrial heating device.

Step 2: Review Medical Device Requirements

Where the product is intended for treatment, pain relief, or physical therapy support, the importer should verify the medical device classification and circulation documentation.

Step 3: Verify the Circulation Registration

The product name, model, manufacturer, medical device owner, and intended use stated in the regulatory documents must match the imported goods.

Step 4: Determine the HS Code and Taxes

The HS code should be selected based on the product’s construction, principal function, power, wavelength, operating principle, catalog, and technical documents.

The importer should also review import duty, VAT, and eligibility for preferential tariff treatment.

Step 5: Check the Product Label

The supplier should provide clear photographs of the original label before shipment. The label should show the product name, model, manufacturer, origin, and main technical specifications.

Step 6: Prepare the Import Documents

The importer should verify the consistency of the Commercial Invoice, Packing List, transport document, C/O, catalog, product label, and medical device documents.

Step 7: Submit the Customs Declaration

The customs declaration is submitted through the VNACCS system. The product description should clearly state the product name, model, intended use, power, voltage, wavelength, manufacturer, and origin.

A reference customs description may be:

“Infrared lamp used for physical therapy, model…, power…, voltage…, wavelength…, brand…, manufacturer…, 100% new.”

The description should be adjusted according to the product’s actual function and technical specifications.

Step 8: Submit Documents and Cooperate with Customs Inspection

Depending on the customs channel, the importer may submit an electronic dossier or cooperate with a physical inspection. Customs may request additional catalogs, technical documents, medical device classification results, or circulation documentation.

Step 9: Pay Taxes and Complete Customs Clearance

After fulfilling tax obligations and applicable regulatory requirements, the importer may complete customs clearance and collect the goods.

Step 10: Apply a Vietnamese Supplementary Label

Before the product is placed on the Vietnamese market, a Vietnamese supplementary label must be applied if the original label does not contain all mandatory information in Vietnamese.

6. Important Notes When Importing Infrared Lamps

Importers should pay attention to the following:

• Distinguish infrared therapy lamps from ordinary heating lamps
• Determine the intended use clearly
• Do not use documents issued for a different model
• Verify the validity of the circulation registration
• Confirm the correct manufacturer and medical device owner
• Prepare catalogs showing the wavelength and power
• Check whether the voltage is suitable for use in Vietnam
• Review timer and intensity adjustment functions
• Review burn-risk warnings
• Review eye-safety warnings
• Avoid using a vague customs description such as “electric lamp”
• Check the HS code for infrared bulbs imported separately
• Review the import policy for accessories imported separately

Common accessories may include:

• Infrared bulb
• Reflector
• Floor stand
• Height-adjustment arm
• Timer
• Control panel
• Power cord
• Protective glass
• Power adapter

Accessories or bulbs imported separately may have different HS codes and regulatory requirements from the complete infrared therapy lamp.

Labeling Requirements

The product label should include:

• Product name
• Manufacturer
• Manufacturer’s address
• Country of origin
• Brand
• Model
• Serial number, if available
• Lot number, if available
• Power
• Voltage
• Frequency
• Wavelength
• Recommended exposure distance
• Recommended operating time
• Main technical specifications
• Safety warnings
• Storage conditions

The Vietnamese supplementary label should provide the name and address of the entity responsible for the product in Vietnam, intended use, operating instructions, safety warnings, and other mandatory information not already presented in Vietnamese on the original label.

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7. Infrared Lamp Import Services

A customs and logistics service provider may support importers with:

• Import policy review
• Medical device classification consultation
• Verification of circulation registration
• Reference HS code consultation
• Import duty and VAT review
• C/O verification
• Review of import documents
• Review of product catalogs
• Product label review
• Customs declaration
• Coordination of physical inspection
• Customs clearance
• Delivery to the importer’s warehouse

Reviewing the intended use, HS code, and regulatory documentation before placing the order can help prevent customs issues after the goods arrive in Vietnam.

8. FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

8.1 Is an Import License Required for Infrared Lamps?

A separate import license is not required for every type of infrared lamp. The importer should review the product’s intended use, medical device classification, circulation documentation, and import purpose.

8.2 Is an Infrared Lamp Considered a Medical Device?

A lamp designed and marketed for treatment, pain relief, or physical therapy support may be regulated as a medical device. An ordinary heating lamp may be subject to a different import policy.

8.3 What Is the HS Code for an Infrared Lamp?

A reference HS code is 9018.20.00 for infrared ray apparatus used for medical purposes.

The final HS code depends on the product’s construction, principal function, power, wavelength, intended use, and technical documents.

8.4 What Is the Import Duty on Infrared Lamps?

The applicable import duty depends on the HS code, country of origin, and origin documentation effective when the customs declaration is registered.

8.5 Is a Product Catalog Required?

Yes. A product catalog helps customs authorities verify the intended use, power, wavelength, operating principle, and HS classification.

8.6 How Long Does Customs Clearance Take?

The customs clearance time depends on the customs channel, completeness of the documentation, medical device regulatory status, and whether a physical inspection is required.

8.7 Can Used Infrared Lamps Be Imported into Vietnam?

The importer should separately review the regulations applicable to used medical devices and used electrical equipment before arranging shipment to Vietnam.

9. Conclusion

Infrared lamp import procedures depend mainly on the product’s actual intended use. Infrared therapy lamps may fall within the scope of medical device regulations, while infrared heating lamps, infrared bulbs, and industrial heating equipment may be subject to different HS codes and import policies.

HS code 9018.20.00 may be used as a reference for infrared ray apparatus intended for medical use. However, the final classification must be based on the product’s construction, principal function, power, wavelength, operating principle, intended use, catalog, and technical documents for each specific model.

Reviewing the documentation before shipment can help prevent incorrect HS classification, missing medical device documents, labeling discrepancies, customs delays, and additional storage charges.