The Ministry of Industry and Trade has announced amendments and supplements to a series of administrative procedures in the import-export sector, focusing on simplifying processes and facilitating business operations.

The Ministry has issued a decision publishing revised and supplemented administrative procedures in the import-export field, aiming to further advance administrative reform and support enterprises in international trade activities.

Accordingly, the decision provides a list of administrative procedures under the Ministry’s management that have been updated in line with new legal regulations, while abolishing outdated provisions. The decision will take effect from May 1, 2026.

A notable highlight is the review and revision of procedures related to the issuance of Certificates of Origin (C/O), one of the most critical administrative requirements for exporters. According to the published list, 36 procedures have been amended and supplemented, primarily involving the issuance of both preferential and non-preferential C/Os under various free trade agreements (FTAs).

The revised C/O forms cover multiple major markets and agreements, including ASEAN, China, South Korea, Japan, CPTPP, RCEP, and UKVFTA, as well as procedures related to reissuance, retrospective issuance, back-to-back C/Os, and certification for specific cases such as goods from non-tariff zones and bonded warehouses.

In addition, the Ministry has revised procedures related to granting approval for traders to self-certify the origin of goods within ASEAN. This move aligns with international practices, helping to reduce administrative burdens and enhance business autonomy.

These amendments and supplements are based on newly issued legal documents, including Circular No. 12/2026/TT-BCT, which abolishes certain outdated provisions, thereby ensuring consistency and transparency in the legal framework governing import-export activities.

The reforms are expected to shorten processing times, reduce compliance costs for businesses, and improve the effective utilization of tariff preferences under the FTAs to which Vietnam is a signatory.

In the context of continued strong growth in Vietnam’s import-export turnover, administrative reform—particularly in C/O issuance—is considered a key factor in enhancing business competitiveness, expanding market access, and enabling deeper integration into global supply chains.

Source: Bao Cong Thuong