Import Procedures for Smart Television in Vietnam

Import Procedures for Smart Television in Vietnam have always been an issue that causes headaches for many enterprises due to the complexity and strict requirements in each implementation stage. From preparing legal dossiers and testing to conformity certification – all must be carried out in accordance with legal regulations. In the article below, Phuc Gia will provide detailed instructions on Import Procedures for Smart Television in Vietnam, helping you save time and avoid unnecessary risks.

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Table of contents

1. A brief overview of Smart TVs

Smart TVs, or intelligent televisions, are advanced image-receiving devices using modern display technologies such as LCD, PDP, LED, and OLED. Not stopping at traditional television functions, Smart TVs are also equipped with intelligent operating systems, allowing for the installation and operation of diverse applications.

Thanks to the ability to connect to the internet or peripheral devices via WiFi, wired networks (LAN), and Bluetooth, Smart TVs bring a rich entertainment experience such as web surfing, watching YouTube, playing games… in a convenient and attractive way.

Thủ tục nhập khẩu Tivi — *Smart TVs are television receivers that utilize modern display technologies as part of the Import Procedures for Smart Television in Vietnam*

2. Legal regulations applied to the Import Procedures for Smart Television in Vietnam

To help enterprises be more proactive in the process of television import procedures, below are the important legal regulations to clearly understand:

Decision No. 14/2023/QĐ-TTg of the Prime Minister issued on May 24, 2023 – Regulating the list and roadmap of energy-using means and equipment to be discarded and low-efficiency power generating sets not to be newly built.
Decision No. 04/2017/QĐ-TTg of the Prime Minister issued on March 09, 2017 – Regulating the list of means and equipment subject to energy labeling, application of minimum energy performance levels, and the implementation roadmap.
Decision No. 1725/QĐ-BCT issued on July 01, 2024, by the Ministry of Industry and Trade on the list of items for energy efficiency inspection and energy labeling under the management responsibility of the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
Circular No. 04/2018/TT-BTTTT dated May 08, 2018, of the Ministry of Information and Communications – Regulating the list of products and goods potentially causing unsafety under the management responsibility of the Ministry of Information and Communications. Accordingly:
- For Wifi Modules: Applied according to standards QCVN 112:2017/BTTTT, QCVN 54:2011/BTTTT, and QCVN 65:2011/BTTTT.
- For DVB-T2 Modules: Applied according to standards QCVN 63:2012/BTTTT and TCVN 7600:2010.
Based on Circular No. 02/2024/TT-BTTTT issued on March 29, 2024, by the Ministry of Information and Communications – Regulating the List of products and goods potentially causing unsafety under the management responsibility of the Ministry of Information and Communications. Accordingly:
- In Appendix II, it is regulated that Television receivers with integrated DVB-T2 terrestrial digital television signal reception functions (iDTV) belong to the group of specialized information technology and communications products and goods that must perform conformity declaration according to QCVN 132:2022/BTTTT.
- The Circular also requires enterprises to mandatorily perform Electrical Safety Testing for this product according to QCVN 132:2022/BTTTT as of January 01, 2024.
Circular No. 02/2024/TT-BTTTT was issued on March 29, 2024, by the Ministry of Information and Communications regulating the list of products and goods potentially causing unsafety (Group 2) under the management responsibility of the MIC.
Circular No. 30/2011/TT-BTTTT of the Ministry of Information and Communications issued on October 31, 2011 – Regulating conformity certification and conformity declaration for specialized information technology and communications products and goods.
Circular No. 15/2018/TT-BTTTT of the Ministry of Information and Communications issued on November 15, 2018 – Amending and supplementing a number of contents of Circular No. 30/2011/TT-BTTTT dated October 31, 2011, of the Minister of Information and Communications regulating conformity certification and conformity declaration for specialized information technology and communications products and goods.
Circular No. 10/2020/TT-BTTTT of the Ministry of Information and Communications issued on May 07, 2020 – Amending and supplementing a number of contents of Circular No. 30/2011/TT-BTTTT dated October 31, 2011, of the Minister of Information and Communications regulating conformity certification and conformity declaration for specialized information technology and communications products and goods.
Circular No. 07/2013/TT-BTTTT of the Ministry of Information and Communications issued on March 18, 2013, regulating the timing of integrating terrestrial digital television reception functions for television receivers manufactured and imported for use in Vietnam.
Circular No. 36/2016/TT-BCT of the Ministry of Industry and Trade issued on December 28, 2016 – Regulating energy labeling for energy-using means and equipment under the management of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (along with Consolidated Document No. 23/VBHN-BCT dated March 24, 2020).
Consolidated Document No. 23/VBHN-BCT issued on March 24, 2020 – Regulating the list of means and equipment subject to energy labeling for energy-using means and equipment under the management of the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
TCVN 9536:2021 on Television receivers – Energy efficiency effective from April 01, 2025, replacing TCVN 9536:2012 – Compiled by the National Standard Technical Committee TCVN/TC/E1 Electrical machinery and apparatus, proposed by the Directorate for Standards, Metrology and Quality, announced by the Ministry of Science and Technology.
Official Letter No. 7750/BCT-TKNL dated November 03, 2023, of the Ministry of Industry and Trade issuing the list of Vietnamese standards used for energy efficiency testing for TVs.
Circular No. 30/2011/TT-BCT of the Ministry of Industry and Trade issued on August 10, 2011 – Temporary regulation on the allowable limits for some toxic chemicals in electrical and electronic products.
Circular No. 08/2021/TT-BTTTT of the Ministry of Information and Communications issued on October 14, 2021 – Regulating the list of radio equipment exempt from radio frequency use licenses, accompanying technical and operational conditions.
Decree No. 74/2018/NĐ-CP of the Government issued on May 15, 2018 – Amending and supplementing a number of articles of Decree No. 132/2008/NĐ-CP dated December 31, 2008, of the Government detailing the implementation of a number of articles of the Law on Quality of Products and Goods.
Law on Value Added Tax No. 13/2008/QH12, issued by the National Assembly on June 03, 2008, effective from January 01, 2009, clearly regulating contents related to taxable subjects, tax calculation methods, and value-added tax (VAT) declaration applied to all production, business, and import activities of goods and services in the territory of Vietnam.
Circular No. 38/2015/TT-BTC dated March 25, 2015, of the Ministry of Finance – Regulating customs procedures; customs inspection and supervision; export tax, import tax, and tax management for exported and imported goods. This Circular was amended and supplemented by Circular No. 39/2018/TT-BTC officially effective from April 01, 2025.
Consolidated Document No. 25/VBHN-BTC of 2018 issued by the Ministry of Finance is a document consolidating the regulations of the Ministry of Finance on customs procedures, customs inspection and supervision, export tax, import tax, as well as tax management for exported and imported goods.
Decree No. 128/2020/NĐ-CP of the Government issued on October 19, 2020, regulating the sanctioning of administrative violations in the field of customs.
Decree No. 69/2018/NĐ-CP of the Government issued on May 15, 2018, detailing a number of articles of the Law on Foreign Trade Management.

3. HS Codes and Import Taxes for Televisions

To proceed with customs clearance for televisions as part of the Import Procedures for Smart Television in Vietnam, the first step enterprises must take is to accurately determine the product’s HS Code. Based on the 2025 Import-Export Tariff, Smart TVs are classified under HS Group 8528, belonging to Chapter 85 – Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and accessories of such articles.

HS Code	Product Description
85287292	– – – – Liquid crystal display (LCD) type, light-emitting diode (LED) type, and other flat panel displays
85287299	– – – – Other types

The tax rates applied to HS Code 8528 are as follows:

Most Favored Nation (MFN) Import Tax: The standard tax rate is 25%. However, if products are imported from countries with free trade agreements with Vietnam and have a valid Certificate of Origin (e.g., C/O form E), the import tax rate can be reduced to 0%.
Value Added Tax (VAT): A 10% tax rate applies to all imported products.

However, to know the exact HS Code and tax for specific goods, enterprises should look up the latest updated Import-Export Tariff.

4. Import Dossier for Smart Televisions

When performing Import Procedures for Smart Television in Vietnam, enterprises must prepare a complete dossier as regulated in Section 2, Article 16 of Circular 38/2015/TT-BTC on customs procedures; customs inspection and supervision; and tax management for exported and imported goods, issued on March 25, 2015, along with the amendments and supplements in Circular 39/2018/TT-BTC dated April 20, 2018, by the Ministry of Finance. The set of import documents for Smart TVs includes the following:

Customs declaration;
Commercial invoice;
Bill of lading;
Packing list;
Sales contract;
Application for product quality inspection;
Energy labeling dossier;
Certificate of origin (C/O), if any;
Catalog (if any).

Note:

Smart TVs are subject to state quality inspection and specialized inspection before being imported into Vietnam. Therefore, in addition to the standard documents, enterprises must perform additional Import Procedures for Smart Television in Vietnam such as:

Registration dossier for quality inspection of imported goods, confirmed by the competent inspection authority.
Minimum energy performance test results, or a document confirming the completion of the registration procedure for energy efficiency declaration and the implementation of energy labeling in accordance with legal regulations.

5. Import Procedures for Smart Television in Vietnam

Televisions imported into Vietnam must strictly comply with all legal regulations to ensure the customs clearance process follows the law. Below is a detailed step-by-step guide to the Import Procedures for Smart Television in Vietnam, helping enterprises minimize risks, avoid errors, and optimize document processing time:

5.1. Step 1: Registration for Quality Inspection

According to Circular 02/2024/TT-BTTTT (March 29, 2024), Smart TVs belong to Group 2 – goods with the potential to cause unsafety that must undergo quality inspection before circulation. The procedure is carried out through the National Single Window portal.

Implementation Process:

Phase 1 – Account Creation & Submission: The enterprise registers on the single-window system and selects the correctly designated inspection unit. (Basis: Article 5 of Consolidated Document 02/2020/VBHN-BTTTT; Decree 107/2016/NĐ-CP).
Phase 2 – Sampling & Testing: Samples are taken at the port or warehouse and sent to a designated laboratory for safety and quality testing.
Phase 3 – Updating & Receiving Results: Test results are updated on the single-window system; the Department of Standards, Metrology, and Quality responds with the dossier results (acceptance or rejection).

The required dossier includes the Commercial Invoice, Bill of Lading (B/L or AWB), quality inspection registration form, and product Catalogue. Preparing a complete dossier and proactively registering for quality inspection early not only helps shorten processing time but also avoids risks of delays that affect the customs clearance progress.

5.2. Step 2: Opening the Customs Declaration

The dossier to be prepared includes:

Set of import-export documents: Invoice, B/L or AWB, Contract/P.O, Packing List, C/O (if any).
Quality inspection registration form: Confirmed at the STAMEQ Department or registered online via the National Single Window portal.

After preparing the complete set of documents, the enterprise needs to perform the customs declaration on the electronic system. This is a key step in the Import Procedures for Smart Television in Vietnam, requiring absolute accuracy in declaring information such as HS codes, commodity names, country of origin, and applicable tax rates. Declaring incorrect or missing information can lead to penalties, adjustment requests, or delays in the customs clearance process.

Time and location for performing customs procedures:

Processing time: Usually 2–5 working days, depending on the declaration channel (green, yellow, or red) and whether there is a physical inspection.
Place of submission: At the Border Gate Customs Branch where the goods are transported to, or the Customs Branch directly managing the enterprise.

Some important notes to remember:

Deadline for dossier submission: Enterprises are required to submit customs declaration dossiers within 30 days from the date the goods arrive at the port. If overdue, the enterprise will be penalized according to regulations.
Deadline for opening the declaration: After electronic declaration and system channeling (Green – fast clearance, Yellow – document inspection, Red – physical inspection), the enterprise needs to submit the full set of documents within 15 days at the Customs Branch to open the declaration. If not done on time, the declaration will be canceled and fines may arise.
Accuracy of information: Declaring the correct HS code, tax rate, commodity name, and origin is a mandatory factor. Errors in declaration can lead to fines, prolonged clearance time, or even refusal of customs clearance for the goods.

5.3. Step 3: Testing & Conformity Certification

According to Circular 02/2024/TT-BTTTT issued on March 29, 2024, Smart TVs belong to the group of products with the potential to cause unsafety (Group 2) and must perform conformity certification and conformity declaration procedures before being circulated on the market. This is a legal regulation to ensure product quality, safety, and compatibility, while also serving as a basis for management and supervision by authorities.

The implementation process consists of two main steps. First, enterprises need to conduct product testing at a designated or recognized laboratory. For Smart TVs, common testing criteria include: Wi-Fi (according to QCVN 112:2017/BTTTT, QCVN 54:2011/BTTTT, QCVN 65:2013/BTTTT) and DVB-T2 (according to QCVN 63:2012/BTTTT, TCVN 7600:2010). The test results will be the mandatory basis for proceeding with conformity certification and declaration.

Next, enterprises must perform conformity certification and declaration at the Ministry of Information and Communications. The dossier includes: Business registration certificate, product catalogue, test results, and related documents. This procedure requires absolute accuracy and compliance with the law. With the advantage of nearly 5,000 $m^2$ of infrastructure, a team of nearly 100 experts, and over 10 years of experience, Phuc Gia is a prestigious unit supporting enterprises from legal consulting, dossier drafting, submission, and tracking until receiving results, helping enterprises save time and costs while minimizing risks.

5.4. Step 4: Customs Clearance for Smart TV Products

After the TV samples are tested, the laboratory (Lab) will issue the official test results. Enterprises use these results to complete the import dossier. Based on a full and valid dossier, the customs authority will review and issue a decision on customs clearance for the Smart TV shipment as part of the Import Procedures for Smart Television in Vietnam.

5.5. Step 5: Transporting Smart TVs to the Storage Warehouse

After completing all customs procedures and being granted clearance, the enterprise can proceed to transport the Smart TV shipment to the warehouse for storage. The transportation and storage process must comply with appropriate technical conditions to ensure the product quality is not affected.

Note: If the enterprise wants to circulate goods on the market, it is mandatory to perform procedures related to electrical safety testing and conformity certification, energy efficiency testing, and energy labeling.

6. What to note when performing the Import Procedures for Smart Television in Vietnam?

When performing the Import Procedures for Smart Television in Vietnam, enterprises need to note several important points to ensure the process follows legal regulations:

Smart TV products must undergo energy efficiency testing and energy labeling declaration according to the latest standard TCVN 9536:2021 from April 01, 2025, according to Decision No. 14/2023/QĐ-TTg issued by the Prime Minister on July 15, 2023.
According to Circular 30/2011/TT-BCT issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade on August 10, 2011, DVB-T2 televisions belong to the list of electronic products that must ensure the allowable content limits of certain hazardous chemicals, applying the current IEC 62321 standards.
Smart TVs must have terrestrial digital television reception and transmission functions (DVB-T2) to be allowed for import into Vietnam (TVs imported from the US or European markets often do not have DVB-T2).
According to Article 5 of Circular 02/2024/TT-BTTTT, DVB-T2 TVs integrated with short-range radio devices (under item 2 of Appendix I or item 4 of Appendix II) and not integrated with other radio transmitters or transceivers that simultaneously meet the following requirements:

- - Imported for use by the importing organization or individual themselves;
  - Imported at a maximum of 03 products per type in a shipment;
  - Products have operating frequency bands and technical parameters that meet the technical and operational conditions specified in Circular No. 08/2021/TT-BTTTT.
  - Therefore, they are exempt from conformity certification and conformity declaration.
According to Article 5 of Circular 02/2024/TT-BTTTT, imported DVB-T2 TVs that simultaneously meet these requirements:

- - Imported at a maximum of 03 products per type in a shipment;
  - Have a written commitment that the products and goods comply with part/all of the technical regulations containing destructive tests and take full responsibility for the safety of the imported products and goods.
  - Therefore, they are exempt from conformity certification and conformity declaration for QCVN 101:2020/BTTTT, QCVN 132:2022/BTTTT, regarding parts of the technical regulations that require destructive testing.

Used Smart TVs are banned from import into Vietnam according to Decree 69/2018/NĐ-CP guiding the Law on Foreign Trade Management, issued by the Government.

Above is the complete guide on the Import Procedures for Smart Television in Vietnam that enterprises need to clearly understand. If your enterprise is looking for a prestigious partner providing Smart TV conformity certification and self-declaration services, Phuc Gia is the reliable choice. Contact Phuc Gia now for detailed advice!

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