Chemical Import Procedures

Chemicals are a crucial commodity in the economy, used in various sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, etc. Therefore, the import of chemicals must be carried out in accordance with legal regulations. What procedures are required for businesses to import chemicals?

REFERENCE LEGAL DOCUMENTS

• Decree No. 113/2017/ND-CP: Detailed regulations and guidance for the implementation of some chemical laws
• Circular No. 40/2011/TT-BCT: Regulations on chemical declaration.

REFERENCE HS CODES FOR CHEMICALS

• 28043000: Nitrogen – chemical import procedures
• 28044000: Oxygen – chemical import procedures
• 28011000: Chlorine – chemical import procedures
• 28013000: Fluorine, bromine – chemical import procedures
• 28051100: Sodium – chemical import procedures
• 28091000: Diphosphorus pentoxide – chemical import procedures
• 28183000: Aluminum hydroxide – chemical import procedures
• 29012100: Ethylene – chemical import procedures
• 28080000: Nitric acid; sulphonitric acid – chemical import procedures
• 29291090: Nitrogen-containing compounds – chemical import procedures
• 29270010: Azodicarbonamide – chemical import procedures

According to the regulations of Decree No. 113/2017/ND-CP, the chemical import procedures include the following steps:

Registration for chemical import

Businesses importing chemicals must register the import of chemicals with the Ministry of Industry and Trade before clearing customs. The chemical import registration dossier includes:

• Import registration form according to the template issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade
• Certified copy of the business registration certificate of the enterprise
• Certified copy of the chemical purchase and sale contract
• Certified copy of the chemical safety certificate
• Certified copy of the safety data sheet for the chemical

Obtaining the chemical import license

After registering for chemical import, the Ministry of Industry and Trade will review the dossier and issue a chemical import license to the enterprise within 10 working days.

Customs clearance of chemicals

With the chemical import license, the enterprise can proceed with customs clearance for chemicals at the customs authority. The customs clearance dossier for chemical import includes:

• Chemical import license
• Chemical purchase and sale contract
• Commercial invoice
• Packing list
• Customs declaration form

Receiving the chemicals

After customs clearance of chemicals, the enterprise can receive the chemicals at the customs warehouse.

Notes

• Enterprises importing chemicals must ensure that the imported chemicals comply with legal regulations on chemicals.
• Enterprises importing chemicals must retain invoices and related documents regarding the import of chemicals for a minimum of 5 years.
• Enterprises importing chemicals must take responsibility for the safety of chemicals during transportation, storage, and use.

Some considerations when importing chemicals

• Enterprises importing chemicals should choose reputable chemical suppliers with a clear origin.
• Enterprises importing chemicals should carefully check information about the chemicals before importing, including the chemical name, concentration, composition, function, usage, storage, etc.
• Enterprises importing chemicals should have a storage warehouse suitable for chemical safety regulations.
• Enterprises importing chemicals should have employees trained in chemical safety.