With the trend of increasingly deep international integration, import and export activities are increasing, requiring strict compliance with legal regulations. “Import license” is an indispensable factor for businesses when importing goods from abroad to Vietnam. Applying for a license not only ensures compliance with the law but also helps the customs clearance process to be faster and more convenient. Join SSR Logistics to learn in detail about the steps, procedures, and notes when applying for an “import license” in the article below. 

What is an import license? 

An import license is a legal document issued by a competent state agency, allowing organizations and individuals to import goods into Vietnam according to regulations. This is a mandatory condition for goods subject to specialized management or requiring special control. 

An import license not only clearly defines the quantity and type of goods allowed to be imported, but also stipulates the validity period of the license. This ensures that the import process is carried out by legal regulations, avoids legal risks, and supports the control of the quality and safety of imported goods. 

The printer import license is done by SSR Logistics 

Types of import licenses 

Import licenses can be classified according to two main criteria: licensing method and licensed subjects. 

Based on licensing method

• Automatic import license: This type of license is granted by the competent authority immediately after the organization or individual submits a complete and valid application, without considering any additional special conditions. This type of license is usually applied to goods that are not strictly controlled. 

• Non-automatic import license: This type of license requires the state agency to review and evaluate the application and specific conditions before granting the license. This process is usually applied to sensitive items, with safety, health, and environmental requirements or on the special management list. 

Based on licensing subjects

• Import license for traders: This type of license is only issued to businesses and traders with a business registration certificate and operating in the import sector. This is the main group of subjects participating in international trade activities.
• Import license for other agencies, organizations, and individuals: This type of license is issued to organizations and individuals who are not traders but have a need to import goods for specific purposes such as research, internal use, or serving special projects. 

Items requiring import licenses

According to Appendix III of Decree 69/2018/ND-CP, the list of imported goods requiring a license includes groups of goods that majorly impact health, national safety, the environment, and public interests. Specifically: 

• Pharmaceuticals and related products: Including drugs, pharmaceutical ingredients, cosmetics, functional foods, and chemicals and preparations such as insecticides, disinfectants, fungicides, rodenticides, termite killers, and bedbug killers.

Pharmaceuticals and related products are among the items that require an import license

• Machinery and technological equipment: Machinery, equipment, technological lines, software, raw materials, and supplies imported for production according to regulations on technology management also require an import license.

Machinery and technological equipment are among the items that also require an import license

• Goods affecting health, environment, and national security:
• +) Environment: Scrap, waste, toxic chemicals, radioactive substances, and rare wild animals and plants under protection.
• +) Human health: Items such as drugs, pharmaceutical ingredients, cosmetics, functional foods, and chemicals that affect public health.
• +) National safety and public interests: Including weapons, ammunition, explosives, explosive precursors, equipment, supplies related to national defense, security, chemicals, and radioactive substances.

These items must be strictly controlled and require an import license from a competent authority to ensure safety, environmental protection, and national interests.

How to get import licenses

Where to apply for import licenses? 

According to Decree 09/2018/ND-CP, the authority to grant import licenses is divided according to the management areas of state agencies: 

• Ministry of Industry and Trade: Grants licenses for goods in the List of conditional import goods (Appendix III of Decree 69/2018/ND-CP), except for goods managed by other ministries. 

• Other ministries and branches: Grants import licenses for goods under their specialized management areas, according to the provisions of Appendix III of Decree 69/2018/ND-CP. Specifically: 

+) Ministry of Health: Grants licenses for drugs, pharmaceutical ingredients, cosmetics, and functional foods. 

+) Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment: Responsible for chemicals, insecticides, scrap, waste, and radioactive substances. 

+) Ministry of Science and Technology: Manages licensing for imported machinery, equipment, technological lines, software, software equipment, raw materials, and supplies for production. 

+) Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development: Licenses for the import of endangered wild animals and plants. 

+) Ministry of National Defense: Licenses for weapons, ammunition, explosives, and chemicals related to national defense and security 

Import license application documents

According to Article 12 of Decree 09/2018/ND-CP, the application for an import license includes:

• Application for an import license: 1 original. 

• Business registration certificate or investment registration certificate: 1 copy with the trader’s stamp. 

• Import goods sale and purchase contract: 1 copy with the trader’s stamp. 

• Certificate of origin of goods: 1 copy with the trader’s stamp. 

• Documents proving the origin of goods: 1 copy with the trader’s stamp. 

• Other documents as prescribed by law. 

Depending on the type of goods, the state agency may request additional documents. The application for an import license is made into 1 set and submitted directly or by post to the competent authority. 

Import license application process

According to Article 13 of Decree 09/2018/ND-CP, the process of applying for an import license includes the following steps: 

The import license application process consists of 6 steps

Prepare documents 

Organizations and individuals wishing to import goods on the list requiring a license must prepare a license application according to the provisions of Article 12 of the Decree. 

Submit documents 

Application for an import license can be submitted directly or by post to the competent state agency in charge of issuing the license. 

Receive documents  

The competent authority will receive the application and check the completeness and validity of the submitted documents. 

Review documents 

After receiving, the state agency will review the documents and conditions related to the import of goods according to legal regulations. 

Decision to grant licens 

Within 10 working days from the date of receipt of valid documents, the competent authority will issue a decision to grant an import license or notify of refusal if the application is not qualified. 

Receive license

The organization or individual will receive the import license at the licensing state agency after receiving the approval notice. 

This process helps ensure that all import activities take place legally and efficiently. 

Look up import license 

There are two ways to look up import licenses: 

Method 1 – Look up the National Single Window Portal

Step 1: Access the National Single Window Portal at: https://www.gov.vn/. 

Step 2: Select the item Click on “Search”. 

Step 3: Select the search type: Select “Search for import license”. 

Step 4: Enter the import license code or customs declaration number. 

Step 5: Click on the “Search” button. 

The displayed information includes: 

• Import license code; 

• Customs declaration number; 

• Name of goods; 

• Quantity of goods; 

• Unit of measurement; 

• Value of goods; 

• License issuance date; 

• License expiration date. 

Method 2 – Look up on the website of the state agency with the authority to issue import licenses

Step 1: Access the website of the authorized state agency that issues import licenses. 

Step 2: Search for “Import license lookup”. 

Step 3: Enter the license code or customs declaration number. 

Step 4: Click the “Search” button.  

The search results will include the same information as on the National Single Window Portal. 

In addition, you can also directly contact the authorized state agency that issues import licenses for further support. 

SSR Logistics is a unit providing import license application services quickly, reliably and economically  

The procedure for applying for an import license is a relatively complicated, time-consuming, and specialized process. Understanding this, SSR Logistics was born with the mission of becoming a reputable partner to support businesses in implementing import licenses quickly, safely, and cost-effectively. 

Why choose SSR Logistics? 

• Experienced staffs 

• Professional process 

• Dedicated support 24/7 

• Competitive price 

SSR Logistics’s quality and reputable import license application service  

SSR Logistics’ import license application service includes: 

• Free consultation on all customer inquiries about the import-export process 

• Support in preparing complete and accurate import licenses 

• Submit documents and monitor the progress of import licenses 

• Consult on solutions in case of problems 

• Provide import and export freight transportation services 

With SSR Logistics, you can be completely assured about the implementation of import licenses. We are committed to providing you with professional, reputable and effective services, helping you save time and costs.

Through this article, SSR Logistics hopes that customers can better understand Dangerous goods in import and export. To explore more diverse knowledge in the field of logistics, please visit our Logistics Knowledge section. 

SSR looks forward to becoming your reliable logistics partner, providing optimal solutions for your import and export business. If you have questions about our services, please contact us for specific advice. 

With our experienced team, extensive network and flexible shipping & customs solutions, SSR Logistics is confident of delivering excellent services to our clients.  

Businesses that need customs and import-export, please contact SSR Logistics via Hotline (+84) 911 988 484 or leave your information here for specific advice. 

With a modern warehouse system and experienced transportation staff, SSR Logistics provides a variety of additional services such as: customs clearance, warehouse leasing, domestic transportation, international transportation by sea and air, and international express delivery.