Changes To Procedures For Chemical Import Licenses And Quality Inspection Of Telecommunications Products

On April 29, 2026, the Government simultaneously issued Resolution No. 19/2026/NQ-CP and Resolution No. 20/2026/NQ-CP aimed at significantly decentralizing authority to local governments, reducing administrative procedures, and simplifying business conditions. Both resolutions will take effect from 2026-05-29 and from 2026-07-01.

The following is a summary of the changes that directly affect import/export operations and goods circulation.

I. RESOLUTION 19/2026/NQ-CP — MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY AND TRADE

DECENTRALIZATION OF LICENSING PROCEDURES FOR EXPORT AND IMPORT OF SPECIALLY CONTROLLED CHEMICALS

1. Changes to the Competent Authority

Previously, under Clause 4, Article 14 of Decree 26/2026/ND-CP, the full authority to receive applications and issue export and import licenses for specially controlled chemicals was vested in the Ministry of Industry and Trade – Department of Chemicals.

Resolution 19 decentralizes this authority to Provincial-level People’s Committees — specifically, the People’s Committee of the province/city where the enterprise has the relevant production or business establishment.

2. Reduction of Licensing Timeframe

The licensing timeframe is reduced from 07 to 05 working days from the date of receipt of a complete and valid application — a reduction of nearly 30% in waiting time.

Effective date: The decentralized authority to Provincial-level People’s Committees takes effect 30 days after the Resolution’s effective date (i.e., from 2026-05-29).

Impact Assessment

Positive: In theory, the licensing timeframe is reduced from 07 working days to 05 working days.

Negative: During the initial transition period when the competent authority changes, there may be bottlenecks in application processing.

(Resolution 19/2026/NQ-CP dated April 29, 2026)

II. RESOLUTION 20/2026/NQ-CP — MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

DECENTRALIZATION OF QUALITY INSPECTION REGISTRATION CONFIRMATION PROCEDURES FOR IMPORTED GOODS (IT & TELECOMMUNICATIONS SECTOR)

1. Changes to the Receiving Authority

The procedure for confirming quality inspection registration for imported goods in the field of information technology and telecommunications (under Article 83 of Decree 37/2026/ND-CP) was previously under the authority of the Ministry of Science and Technology – Vietnam Telecommunications Authority (VNTA).

Under Resolution 20, this procedure is decentralized to the Provincial-level People’s Committee where the enterprise has its principal office. The specific procedure shall be carried out in accordance with Clause 3, Article 34 of the Law Amending and Supplementing the Law on Product and Goods Quality of 2025, and Article 83 of Decree 37/2026/ND-CP.

Effective date: Expected from 2026-07-01 when the new provisions on product and goods quality management under Decree 37/2026/ND-CP officially take effect.

2. Inspection Process Under Article 83 of Decree 37

Article 83 provides for two processing tracks based on the conformity certification status of the shipment:

Case 1 — Goods with an existing Conformity Certificate:

Case 2 — Goods without a Conformity Certificate:

The enterprise is permitted to complete customs procedures to bring the goods to a designated storage location as prescribed by customs regulations, while contacting a designated certification body for conformity assessment. Once the application is complete, the inspection authority processes it following the same sequence as Case 1.

General Principles: All procedures are conducted through the National Single Window Portal or the National Public Service Portal. In the event of a system failure, processing follows Article 17 of Decree 85/2019/ND-CP. Goods may only be circulated after a Result Notification confirming quality compliance has been issued.

Impact Assessment

Positive: Enterprises can deal directly with authorities in the province/city where they are headquartered, which is more convenient than contacting the central authority.

Negative:

• During the initial transition period when the competent authority changes, there may be bottlenecks in application processing.
• For corporations with multiple subsidiaries in different provinces and cities, case processing will be scattered across numerous local authorities, making it difficult to manage and coordinate work in a unified manner.
• High-risk goods cannot be cleared through customs until a quality-compliant Result Notification is issued, which may result in additional waiting time at the port.

(Resolution 20/2026/NQ-CP dated April 29, 2026)

III. SUMMARY

📞 Contact UNI Customs Consulting for free consultation:
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