On March 4, 2026, the Chemical Agency of Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade issued a notice announcing that, starting from March 5, 2026, organizations and individuals can submit application documents for import/export licenses of specially controlled chemicals via the National Public Service Portal (https://dichvucong.gov.vn/).
Policy Background
On January 17, 2026, the Ministry of Industry and Trade announced that the Law on Chemicals (No. 69/2025/QH15) officially took effect on January 1, 2026. To accompany the implementation of this law, Decree No. 26/2026/NĐ-CP (detailing and guiding the implementation of several provisions of the Law on Chemicals regarding the management of chemicals in products, goods, and activities involving hazardous chemicals) was concurrently promulgated and immediately effective. Clause 6, Article 14 of this Decree stipulates that organizations and individuals applying for import/export licenses for specially controlled chemicals must submit their applications through the online public service system.
Decree No. 26/2026/NĐ-CP:
Applying for an Import/Export License for Specially Controlled Chemicals
According to regulations, organizations and individuals importing or exporting specially controlled chemicals must hold a license, which is a necessary condition for completing customs procedures. The Ministry of Industry and Trade is the competent authority for receiving applications, issuing, re-issuing, amending, and extending import/export licenses for specially controlled chemicals. Additionally, organizations and individuals must open an account on the specialized chemical industry database. If importing specially controlled chemicals for the purpose of producing other products or goods, they must simultaneously declare their usage purpose.
Required Application Documents
- Application form for issuance of an Import/Export License for Specially Controlled Chemicals;
- Original commercial invoice and a Vietnamese translation certified by the organization (if the commercial invoice is issued in a foreign language);
- Chemical Safety Data Sheet;
- Report on the import/export, sale, use, and storage situation of Group 1 specially controlled chemicals conducted under previously issued licenses;
- If an organization manufacturing specially controlled chemicals exports the chemicals it produces, it must provide its Production License for Specially Controlled Chemicals;
- If an organization trading specially controlled chemicals imports/exports for business purposes, it must provide its Business License for Specially Controlled Chemicals;
- If the exported specially controlled chemical is a chemical listed in Table 3 of Appendix III of Decree No. 24/2026/NĐ-CP (stipulating the list of chemicals under the scope of the Law on Chemicals) (https://bcp.cdnchinhphu.vn/334894974524682240/2026/1/19/24-2026-nd-cp-17012026-signed-1-17687920171341502820183.pdf), a copy of the End-Use Certificate issued by the competent authority of the importing country (which is not a member of the Chemical Weapons Convention) must be provided.
Within 7 working days from the receipt of a complete and valid application, the competent authority will review the documents and issue the Import/Export License for Specially Controlled Chemicals. If the specially controlled chemical exported from Vietnam is an industrial precursor listed in Appendix III of Decree No. 24/2026/NĐ-CP, written approval from the Ministry of Public Security is required. The Import/Export License for Specially Controlled Chemicals is valid for 06 months from the date of issuance.
