12 categories of imports to require customs clearance at ports of entry from Aug. 14
VOV.VN - Twelve categories of imported goods, including alcohol, beer, automobiles and petroleum products, will be required to undergo customs clearance at their ports of entry from August 14, 2026.
Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Van Thang has signed Decision No. 31/2026, dated June 29, 2026, promulgating a list of imported goods subject to mandatory customs procedures at ports of entry.
Under the decision, 12 categories of imported goods must complete customs procedures at their ports of entry, including cigarettes, cigars and other tobacco products for smoking, inhaling, chewing, sniffing or sucking; alcohol; beer made from malt; passenger cars with fewer than 16 seats; aircraft and yachts; gasoline of all kinds; air conditioners with a capacity of 90,000 BTU or less; playing cards; votive paper; explosive precursors and industrial explosives; and imported goods originating from countries and territories flagged by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment as posing epidemic risks.
Notably, for imported shipments containing multiple categories of goods, including both listed and non-listed items under the same bill of lading, businesses will still be required to complete customs procedures at the port of entry in accordance with regulations.
The decision also provides several cases in which customs declarants may choose to finalize customs procedures at locations other than ports of entry.
Specifically, this applies to imported equipment, machinery and materials for factory and construction projects; goods for processing, domestic production and consumption, or export production; goods moved into non-tariff zones and bonded warehouses; imported goods for emergency relief; and specialized goods serving national defense and security purposes.
These goods may undergo customs clearance at other designated locations in accordance with regulations.
The decision will take effect on August 14, 2026, replacing Decision No. 23/2019 dated June 27, 2019, which previously regulated the list of imported goods subject to customs clearance at ports of entry.
Urgent measures ordered to ease customs clearance of food and goods
VOV.VN - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has ordered relevant ministries and localities to take urgent measures to ease bottlenecks in customs clearance of food and other goods, following reports of congestion linked to the implementation of new food safety regulations.
