Latest Electric Iron Import Procedures in Vietnam

Electric Iron Import Procedures are currently a matter of significant concern for many enterprises, as this product belongs to the group of goods subject to quality inspection and conformity certification before being circulated on the market. In the following article, Phuc Gia® will provide detailed instructions from HS codes and tax rates to a 5-step roadmap for performing the most accurate and optimal electric iron import procedures today. Let’s find out!

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Electric irons are household appliances that use high temperatures combined with pressure to flatten and soften various types of fabrics, especially clothing. These devices can heat the soleplate up to approximately 200°C or higher, thereby generating steam to help relax fabric fibers and effectively remove wrinkles.

According to Decision No. 2711/QĐ-BKHCN dated December 30, 2022, of the Minister of Science and Technology on the announcement of Group 2 products and goods, electric irons include the following types:

• Electric dry irons;

• Electric steam irons;

• Electric irons with a separate water reservoir or boiler with a capacity not exceeding 5 liters.

1. Policies and Regulations on Importing Electric Irons

To import electric irons into Vietnam, enterprises must comply with legal regulations issued by various State management agencies, including regulations on quality inspection, conformity certification, energy labeling, and import and customs procedures. Below is the system of relevant legal documents:

Documents on specialized inspection – Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST)

• Decision No. 3810/QĐ‑BKHCN issued by MOST on December 18, 2019, announcing the list of Group 2 products and goods under the management responsibility of the Ministry, including household electrical appliances such as electric irons.

• Circular No. 07/2017/TT‑BKHCN issued by the Minister of MOST on June 16, 2017, amending Circular No. 27/2012/TT‑BKHCN, regulating the state inspection of the quality of imported goods under the management responsibility of the Ministry, applied to Group 2 products like electric irons.

• Circular No. 27/2012/TT‑BKHCN issued on December 12, 2012, detailing the state inspection of the quality of imported goods under the responsibility of MOST. This Circular was amended by Circular No. 07/2017/TT‑BKHCN.

Documents on conformity certification – Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST)

• Circular No. 02/2017/TT‑BKHCN issued by the Minister of MOST on March 31, 2017, amending Circular No. 28/2012/TT‑BKHCN, issuing regulations on the declaration of standard conformity, declaration of conformity, and methods for assessing conformity with standards and technical regulations. This is the legal basis for imported electric irons to undergo conformity certification according to relevant QCVNs.

• Circular No. 28/2012/TT‑BKHCN dated December 12, 2012, regulating the certification of standard conformity, conformity certification, and methods for assessing conformity with standards and technical regulations. It was supplemented and amended by Circular No. 02/2017/TT‑BKHCN.

Documents on energy labeling and chemical limits – Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) / Government

• Decision No. 04/2017/QĐ‑TTg dated March 9, 2017 – List of equipment subject to energy labeling, minimum energy efficiency levels, and implementation roadmap, which may include household electrical appliances like irons.

• Circular No. 36/2016/TT‑BCT dated December 28, 2016, along with Consolidated Document No. 23/VBHN‑BCT dated March 24, 2020, detailing energy labeling for energy-using equipment under the management of MOIT.

• Circular No. 30/2011/TT‑BCT dated August 10, 2011 – Regulating the limits on the content of hazardous chemicals in electrical and electronic products; this is the basis for electric irons to comply with RoHS limits.

Documents on customs procedures and import taxes

• Law on Value-Added Tax No. 13/2008/QH12 dated June 3, 2008 – Regulating VAT applied to imported goods, including electrical equipment such as irons.

• Circular No. 38/2015/TT‑BTC dated March 25, 2015, amended by Circular No. 39/2018/TT‑BTC (issued on April 20, 2018): Regulating customs documentation procedures, inspection, supervision, and import-export taxes for imported goods, including household electrical appliances.

• Decree No. 69/2018/NĐ‑CP dated May 15, 2018 – Detailing the Law on Foreign Trade Management, serving as the legal basis for managing specialized inspection goods.

• Decree No. 128/2020/NĐ‑CP dated October 19, 2020 – Regulating administrative penalties in the field of customs and specialized inspection, applied in case of non-compliance with regulations on conformity, energy labeling, customs declaration, etc.

QCVNs applied to electric irons

• QCVN 4:2009/BKHCN: Issued according to Circular No. 21/2016/TT‑BKHCN dated December 15, 2016, which is an amendment to QCVN 4:2009/BKHCN. This regulation requires equipment in the attached Appendix to mandatory ensure safety requirements before circulation, including electric irons.

• TCVN 5699‑2‑3:2010 (IEC 60335‑2‑3:2008): National standard announced by MOST – electric irons (including dry and steam irons with reservoirs ≤ 5 liters) must undergo ES Testing for Electric Irons according to this standard when imported to prove product suitability before applying for conformity certification.

2. HS Code and Import Tax for Electric Irons

To ensure the customs declaration process complies with regulations and to avoid risks regarding incorrect HS code application or tax rates, enterprises must accurately determine the HS code and applicable taxes for electric irons. According to updated data from Vietnam Customs – General Department of Vietnam Customs, electric irons are classified by HS code and tax as follows:

3. Documents and Customs Procedures for Importing Electric Irons

In the process of importing electric irons, enterprises must prepare a complete dossier as prescribed in Article 16 of Circular 38/2015/TT-BTC dated March 25, 2015, amended and supplemented by Circular 39/2018/TT-BTC dated April 20, 2018, of the Ministry of Finance – guiding customs procedures, customs inspection and supervision; export tax, import tax, and tax administration for exported and imported goods.

The set of import-export documents for electric irons includes:

• Customs Declaration (form HQ/2015/TK issued with Circular 38);
• Commercial Contract;
• Commercial Invoice;
• Bill of Lading or Air Waybill;
• Packing List;
• Certificate of Origin (C/O) if preferential tax rates apply;
• Catalogue (if any, to serve HS code inspection and goods classification);
• Imported goods quality inspection reports according to regulations of the Ministry of Science and Technology;
• Certificate of registration for quality inspection at the Department of Standards, Metrology and Quality;
• Certificate of Conformity (in case the product belongs to Group 2 – potentially unsafe goods, if applicable);
• Confirmation of energy labeling or energy label registration, if the product is on the mandatory labeling list according to Decision No. 04/2017/QD-TTg and Circular No. 36/2016/TT-BCT.

Additionally, product quality inspection is a mandatory step in the import process for electric irons. Enterprises can perform this in two ways: submitting a physical dossier directly to the inspection agency, or submitting an electronic dossier through the National Single Window. To avoid delaying customs clearance progress, enterprises should proceed with quality inspection registration immediately after receiving the customs declaration number.

4. Electric Iron Import Procedures

The import of electric irons must be carried out according to a specific process to ensure full compliance with Vietnamese legal regulations on quality inspection, technical safety, and customs procedures. Specifically, the import process for electric irons includes the following steps:

Step 1: Registration for Quality Inspection

To import electric irons into Vietnam, quality inspection is mandatory according to Decision No. 2711/QD-BKHCN issued on December 30, 2022, by the Ministry of Science and Technology, which stipulates the List of Group 2 products and goods under the management responsibility of the Ministry. In this list, electric irons are categorized as potentially unsafe products that must undergo quality inspection before customs clearance.

1. Account Creation and Dossier Registration

Enterprises perform quality inspection registration during the import process of electric irons through the National Single Window at https://vnsw.gov.vn. Specifically:

Access the system and create an account by entering full enterprise information according to the available form on the site.

After the account is reviewed and activated (usually within 24 hours), the enterprise proceeds to register the quality inspection dossier in the section under the management scope of the Ministry of Science and Technology.

This dossier will be received and processed by the Department of Standards, Metrology and Quality.

According to Clause 2, Article 8 of Circular No. 27/2012/TT-BKHCN of the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), the state inspection of the quality of imported goods under the management responsibility of the Ministry of Science and Technology is regulated as follows:

a) In case the dossier is complete and appropriate: Within 03 working days from the date of receiving the quality inspection registration dossier, the inspection agency must issue a Notice of state inspection reports of imported goods quality meeting quality requirements (according to Form 3. TBKQKT – Appendix section attached to this Circular), sent to the importer to carry out customs clearance procedures for the shipment;

b) In case the dossier is complete but inappropriate, the inspection agency shall handle it as follows:

In case the goods do not meet labeling requirements, the inspection agency issues a Notice of state inspection reports of imported goods quality not meeting quality requirements (according to Form 3. TBKQKT – Appendix section attached to this Circular). The Notice clearly states the contents failing to meet requirements and is sent to the importer, while requesting the importer to rectify the goods labels within a period not exceeding 10 working days. The inspection agency only issues the Notice of the imported shipment meeting quality requirements when the importer has evidence of rectification and quality certificates for the shipment.

In case the imported goods have a quality certificate that is inconsistent with the dossier of the imported shipment or the quality certificate does not comply with the declared applicable standards or corresponding technical regulations, the inspection agency issues a Notice of state inspection reports of imported goods quality not meeting quality requirements (according to Form 3. TBKQKT – Appendix section attached to this Circular). The Notice clearly states the contents failing to meet requirements and is sent to the Customs authority and the importer. Simultaneously, it reports to the superior management agency (according to Form 4. BCKDCL – Appendix section attached to this Circular) for handling according to the authority prescribed in points a, b, and c, Clause 2, Article 8 of Decree No. 132/2008/ND-CP dated December 31, 2008, of the Government providing detailed regulations on the implementation of several articles of the Law on Product and Goods Quality.

c) In case the dossier is incomplete: The inspection agency confirms the missing dossier items in the dossier receipt slip and requests the importer to supplement and complete the dossier within 25 working days. In case the above time limit has expired and the dossier is still not fully supplemented, the importer must send a document to the inspection agency clearly stating the reason and the completion time. Subsequent inspection steps are only performed after the importer fully completes the dossier.

In case the importer does not fully complete the dossier within the prescribed time, then within 03 working days from the date the deadline for dossier supplementation expires, the inspection agency issues a Notice of state inspection reports of imported goods quality (according to Form 3. TBKQKT – Appendix section attached to this Circular). The notice clearly states “The shipment has an incomplete dossier” and is sent to the importer and the Customs authority, while simultaneously presiding over and coordinating with relevant inspection agencies to conduct state inspection of goods quality at the importer’s premises.

2. Registration for Quality Inspection of Electric Irons

Once the quality inspection registration dossier has been granted a management code, the enterprise may proceed with sampling the electric irons at the port or warehouse as required by the process. Samples will be sent to a legal laboratory that complies with relevant TCVN/IEC standards, such as Phuc Gia®, for testing.

According to the provisions of Circular No. 07/2017/TT-BKHCN (amending Circular No. 27/2012/TT-BKHCN):

• Within 01 working day from the receipt of the dossier, the inspection agency must send a notification confirming that the importer has registered for quality inspection; the importer uses this confirmation to carry out customs procedures.
• If based on a designated certification body, inspection reports must be provided within a maximum of 07 working days from the date of sampling.

3. Receiving Reports and Uploading to the National Single Window

After obtaining the quality inspection reports, the testing organization or the enterprise will upload the reports to the National Single Window system at https://vnsw.gov.vn. The dossier includes:

• Sampling record;
• Test report;
• Inspection report evaluation form;
• Accompanying documents as required by the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Subsequently, based on Article 8 of Circular No. 27/2012/TT-BKHCN of the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Department of Standards, Metrology and Quality will receive the dossier, review the test reports, and issue a notice of acceptance of inspection reports (or rejection if requirements are not met).

Step 2: Opening the Customs Declaration

Enterprises must declare the customs declaration and open the declaration according to the following instructions:

Upon completing the preparation of the import-export dossier, the enterprise proceeds to declare the customs declaration through the VNACCS/VCIS electronic system. The time limit for declaration is within 30 days from the time the goods arrive at the port. This process requires professional expertise, as incorrect operations or procedures can lead to system errors, affecting clearance time and incurring additional costs.

Next, after completing the declaration and receiving the routing reports, the enterprise needs to print the declaration, prepare the full set of documents, and go to the customs branch to perform the procedures for opening the declaration. This must be carried out within 15 days from the date of declaration. Depending on the routing reports (green, yellow, red), the processing procedure at the border gate will differ.

Step 3: Testing and Regulation Conformity Certification

After completing the quality inspection registration on the National Single Window system and receiving the registration dossier number, the enterprise needs to take samples of the electric irons for testing at a laboratory designated or recognized by the Ministry of Science and Technology, such as Phuc Gia®.

Enterprises can perform sampling directly at the port or at the importer’s warehouse. After registering for State inspection for regulation conformity certification, the enterprise must take product samples for electrical safety testing.

Testing is the step to verify product quality, ensuring the product meets electrical safety standards. Specifically, with electric irons—devices operating at high temperatures—the risk of fire, explosion, or electrical leakage is very high. Therefore, to be granted a certificate of conformity and circulate on the market, the product must undergo testing to meet QCVN 4:2009/BKHCN. You may also conduct testing according to TCVN 5699-2-3:2010 to increase the product’s prestige.

Phuc Gia® is a unit with over 10 years of experience in testing, inspection, and certification for electrical and electronic equipment, including electric irons. We are committed to providing you with the most accurate and reliable test reports, helping your product quickly complete conformity procedures and confidently conquer the market.

Note: In case an enterprise wishes to transport goods to its warehouse before testing, it must submit a confirmation slip for bringing goods to storage (Form 09). For specific instructions, enterprises should contact Phuc Gia for detailed advice.

Immediately after achieving satisfactory test results, the enterprise proceeds to prepare a dossier to apply for a Certificate of Conformity for electric irons at the Ministry of Science and Technology. Phuc Gia will also accompany and represent the client in completing the certification procedures, including:

• Drafting and submitting the certification application dossier;
• Translating and notarizing relevant documents;
• Monitoring the dossier and handling feedback from the licensing authority;
• Receiving results and guiding the enterprise on the declaration of conformity.

Phuc Gia is a reliable partner helping enterprises shorten time, save costs, and ensure compliance with legal regulations. Contact Phuc Gia immediately using the information below for advice and support.

Step 4: Customs Declaration Clearance

After the electric iron samples are tested at the laboratory and meet the requirements according to TCVN 5699-2-3:2010, the enterprise will receive the official test results. Based on these results, the enterprise completes the regulation conformity certification dossier according to QCVN 4:2009/BKHCN.

When the dossier is complete and valid, the Customs Branch will consider issuing a decision for the shipment’s clearance. In some cases, if the declaration is assigned to the yellow or red channel, the enterprise may be granted temporary release of goods to be brought to an internal storage warehouse; this must be implemented according to Form No. 09 and only applies when tax obligations have been completed.

Step 5: Bringing Goods to the Warehouse

Once the declaration has been officially cleared or the goods temporarily released, the enterprise can proceed to import the electric irons into the storage warehouse. Since electric irons are household electrical appliances that use high temperatures, storage must ensure sufficient technical conditions such as avoiding moisture, impacts, and unstable temperature environments.

Note: Enterprises are only allowed to trade or circulate products on the market after they have:

• Completed regulation conformity certification according to QCVN 4:2009/BKHCN;
• Been granted an energy efficiency certificate and applied energy labels (if subject to mandatory requirements);
• Fully complied with regulations on the quality inspection of imported goods.

5. Notes when Importing Electric Irons

When importing electric irons into Vietnam, enterprises should note several important points as follows:

• Fulfillment of import tax obligations: According to the provisions of the Law on Export and Import Tax No. 107/2016/QH13, enterprises must fully complete tax obligations (import tax, VAT on imported goods, etc.) before customs clearance. This is a mandatory condition to be released or to bring goods to the storage warehouse in cases of yellow or red channel routing.
• Quality inspection and regulation conformity certification: Electric irons belong to Group 2 – products with the potential to cause unsafety; therefore, it is mandatory to have quality inspection and regulation conformity certification before circulation. According to Circular No. 05/2021/TT-BCT and QCVN 4:2009/BKHCN, the product needs to be:

• • Tested as a typical sample at a designated laboratory;
  • Certified for regulation conformity;
  • Affixed with the conformity mark (CR) after meeting requirements.

• Affixing Vietnamese supplementary labels: According to Decree No. 111/2021/ND-CP and Circular No. 05/2021/TT-BCT, electrical and electronic products such as electric irons, when circulating on the market, must have supplementary labels in Vietnamese, fully showing:

• • Product name, technical specifications;
  • Name and address of the manufacturer;
  • Country of origin;
  • Instructions for use and safety warnings (if any).
• Used household electric irons: According to Appendix I – Decision 18/2019/QD-TTg, used household appliances (including household electric irons) are in the category of goods prohibited from import. Thus, used household irons are not permitted to be imported into Vietnam.
• Used industrial electric irons: Meanwhile, certain types of industrial irons using steam from boilers can be imported if they:

• • Are named in Appendix II – Decision 18/2019/QD-TTg;

• • Have an equipment age of less than 10 years from the year of manufacture to the time of import;

• • Have full technical documents, regulation conformity certification, and papers proving origin and year of manufacture.

The above is the entire content regarding the import process for electric irons, from quality inspection and regulation conformity certification to clearance and product circulation. Full compliance with regulations will help enterprises avoid legal risks and ensure goods reach the market quickly. If your enterprise needs testing, certification, or dossier consultancy, please contact Phuc Gia Laboratory – a unit designated by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, always ready to accompany enterprises in optimizing the import process quickly, effectively, and in accordance with regulations.

For more details, please contact us at:

PHUC GIA LABORATORY CORPORATION

PHUC GIA CERTIFICATION CENTER

PHUC GIA INSPECTION TESTING CENTER

Address:

• Hanoi: ICD Long Bien, No. 01 Huynh Tan Phat, Sai Dong B Industrial Park, Long Bien Ward
• Ho Chi Minh City: No. 180, D2 Street, Long Truong Ward

Hotline: 0965996696 / 0982996696 / 02477796696

E-mail: lab@phucgia.com.vn/cert@phucgia.com.vn/info@phucgia.com.vn

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