Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology has issued Circular 63/2026/TT-BKHCN, which bans the import of specific used digital technology products. This Circular is issued under the authority of the Law on the Digital Technology Industry, the Law on Foreign Trade Management, and several government decrees, including Decree No. 292/2026/ND-CP and Decree No. 353/2025/ND-CP, which detail the implementation of foreign trade management and measures for the digital technology industry, respectively.
Prohibited Products and HS Codes
The list includes various categories of used digital technology products, such as printing machinery, calculating machines, automatic data processing machines, and electronic integrated circuits. For instance, used printing machinery under HS code 8443 is banned, with exceptions for multicolor digital printers and monochrome digital printers meeting specific criteria, such as the ability to print on A0-size paper or a printing speed of at least 35 A4-size pages per minute. The list is formulated in accordance with the Vietnam Nomenclature of Exports and Imports, as outlined in the Minister of Finance’s Circular No. 31/2022/TT-BTC, ensuring consistency with national trade classifications.
The circular also prohibits the import of used parts, accessories, and electronic components of the listed products. Refurbished digital technology products bearing HS codes on the list are also banned, unless they meet technical regulations and standards for new products, including warranty requirements and goods labeling regulations. This ensures that only products equivalent to new ones in function, quality, and appearance are exempt from the ban.
Implementation and Exceptions
The circular replaces Circular No. 11/2018/TT-BTTTT, which previously detailed the list of prohibited used information technology products, effective from January 1, 2027. However, imports permitted under the previous circular before the effective date of the new one may continue, provided they comply with the existing permissions.
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The list is subject to amendments and supplements in accordance with applicable laws, ensuring it remains current and relevant. Products used in semiconductor manufacturing, packaging, or testing that meet import criteria under the digital technology industry law are exempt from the ban. Additionally, used technology lines, machinery, equipment, and tools directly serving investment projects in these areas, as well as training, research, and development activities, are not included in the prohibited list. These exemptions support the growth of Vietnam‘s digital technology sector by allowing essential equipment for critical industries.
The circular emphasizes the application of customs law in cases where HS codes in the list conflict with the Vietnam Nomenclature of Exports and Imports. It also outlines principles for compiling the list, ensuring alignment with relevant legal documents. The principles include specifying the scope of prohibition based on the level of detail in the HS code (four-digit heading, six-digit subheading, or eight-digit code), which clarifies the extent of the ban for each listed item.
Legal Basis and Implementation
Additionally, the circular is supported by Decree No. 225/2026/ND-CP, which defines the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Science and Technology, ensuring its authority to issue such regulations.
Detailed HS Codes and Exemptions
The appendix to the circular provides a full list of HS codes for banned products, including specific categories under Chapter 84 and Chapter 85. For instance, HS codes 84433119, 84433129, and 84433139 are listed under printing machinery, while HS codes 8517 and 8518 are included for telephones, microphones, loudspeakers, and headphones. These codes are meticulously categorized to ensure clarity and precision in enforcement.
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Exemptions are granted for used technology lines, machinery, equipment, and tools that meet import criteria under the digital technology industry law. These exemptions apply to products directly serving investment projects in semiconductor manufacturing, packaging, testing, training, research, and development of digital technology products and services. This supports Vietnam’s strategic focus on advancing its semiconductor and digital technology sectors by allowing the import of essential equipment for these purposes.
This ensures that refurbished products entering the market are of high quality and provide consumer protection equivalent to that of new products.
Circular No. 11/2018/TT-BTTTT, dated October 15, 2018, ceases to be effective from the effective date of this Circular, except for imports already permitted under the previous circular, which may continue within the validity period of their written import permission. In case the legal documents referred to in this Circular are amended, supplemented, or replaced, the amending, supplementing, or replacing ones shall prevail, ensuring the regulations remain up-to-date and effective.
