Comprehensive Compilation of Legal Regulations for Printers in Vietnam

Printers serve as indispensable office equipment, utilized extensively across business environments, educational institutions, and government offices for document and data processing. Beyond their primary printing functions, modern printers are now subject to rigorous standards for energy conservation, reflecting a global shift toward reducing power consumption and promoting environmental sustainability.

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Given the vast range of models, technologies, and capacities available today, adhering to Legal Regulations for Printers in Vietnam—particularly concerning Energy Efficiency—has become an essential legal obligation. Enterprises involved in the production, importation, and distribution of printers must ensure full regulatory compliance and obtain necessary certifications to allow for the lawful distribution of their products within the Vietnamese market.

Table 1: Testing Requirements for Printers

In this comprehensive guide, Phuc Gia Laboratory Corporation (Phuc Gia®) provides a detailed summary of Legal Regulations for Printers in Vietnam. Our goal is to assist businesses in navigating the mandatory compliance procedures for the manufacturing, importation, and market distribution of printers, ensuring all operations align with the latest official statutory requirements.

Table 2: Procedures for Implementing Licenses for Printers

I. WHAT IS A PRINTER?

A printer is an electrical-electronic device designed to convert digital data into printed copies on paper or similar materials. A printer includes many basic components such as a motor, print head, paper feeder, and control system, operating based on a supplied power source.

In today’s market, there are many different types of printers, including inkjet printers, laser printers, multi-function printers, etc. In particular, multi-function printers can integrate the functions of photocopiers, fax machines, and scanners, providing comprehensive utility for offices and commercial establishments.

Under Decision No. 1725/QĐ-BCT, adhering to Legal Regulations for Printers in Vietnam requires mandatory energy efficiency testing and the official declaration of energy labels prior to market entry. This regulatory framework is designed to promote energy-saving operations and ensure that all imported or manufactured printers meet the national criteria for environmental and operational excellence.

II. LEGAL REGULATIONS FOR PRINTERS IN VIETNAM

1. Procedures for Implementing Licenses for Printers

1.1. For Imported Printers

MANAGING MINISTRY	FOR IMPORTED PRINTERS
MANAGING MINISTRY	Implementing Steps	Authorizing/Implementing Body
MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY AND TRADE	– Step 1: Register for Energy Efficiency (EE) testing (To collect products for testing)	Phuc Gia®
	– Step 2: Energy Efficiency testing	Phuc Gia®
	– Step 3: Declaration (registration) of Energy Labeling	Ministry of Industry and Trade
	– Step 4: Affix Energy Label (EL) (Before circulating on the market)	The enterprise self-implements after submitting the declaration dossier for Energy Labeling

Notes:

– Phuc Gia®: Phuc Gia Laboratory Corporation;

– EE: Energy Efficiency;

– EL: Energy Labeling

1.2. For Domestically Manufactured Printers

MANAGING MINISTRY	FOR DOMESTICALLY MANUFACTURED PRINTERS
MANAGING MINISTRY	Implementing Steps	Authorizing/Implementing Body
MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY AND TRADE	– Step 1: Energy Efficiency (EE) testing	Phuc Gia®
	– Step 2: Declaration (registration) of Energy Labeling	Ministry of Industry and Trade
	– Step 3: Affix Energy Label (EL) (Before circulating on the market)	The enterprise self-implements after submitting the declaration dossier for Energy Labeling

Notes:

– Phuc Gia®: Phuc Gia Laboratory Corporation;

– EE: Energy Efficiency;

– EL: Energy Labeling

2. Legal Regulation Documents

To ensure that printer equipment is legally circulated in the Vietnamese market and is safe for consumers, organizations and individuals involved in production and importation must fully comply with legal regulations for printers according to the system of standards, technical regulations, and current management documents. Specifically, the relevant legal documents and technical standards include:

– Decision No. 04/2017/QĐ-TTG – Decision regulating the list of vehicles and equipment subject to mandatory energy labeling, applying minimum energy efficiency levels and the implementation roadmap, issued on March 9, 2017.

– Circular No. 36/2016/TT-BCT – Regulating energy labeling for energy-using vehicles and equipment under the management of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT), issued on December 28, 2016 (along with Consolidated Document No. 23/VBHN-BCT dated March 24, 2020).

– Circular No. 31/2022/TT-BTC regarding the List of Vietnam’s Export and Import Goods issued by the Minister of Finance.

– Decision No. 14/2023/QĐ-TTg – Decision issuing the List and roadmap for energy-using vehicles and equipment to be phased out and low-efficiency power generating units not permitted for new construction, issued on May 24, 2023.

– Decision No. 1725/QĐ-BCT – Regulating the List of goods subject to energy efficiency testing and energy labeling under the management responsibility of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT), issued on July 1, 2024.

– Circular No. 52/2025/TT-BCT – Regulating the list of vehicles and equipment subject to energy labeling and the implementation roadmap under the management of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT), issued on November 14, 2025 (replacing the previous Draft Circular).

– National Standard TCVN 9509:2012 regarding Printers – Energy Efficiency.

These documents specify technical requirements, test methods, and energy labeling for this equipment. These are also the legal regulations for printers aimed at ensuring products fully meet safety and quality requirements according to current regulations.

3. Types of Printers within the Scope of Application

Printers belong to the office and commercial equipment group (along with photocopiers, computer monitors, and laptops). According to Decision No. 1725/QĐ-BCT, printers must undergo energy efficiency testing in accordance with TCVN 9509:2012, including:

HS Code	Product Name According to Circular No. 31/2022/TT-BTC
8443.31	Machines performing two or more functions of printing, copying, or faxing, capable of connecting to an automatic data processing machine or to a network:
	– Printer-copiers, printing using inkjet technology:
8443.31.11	Color
8443.31.19	Other
	– Printer-copiers, printing using laser technology:
8443.31.21	Color
8443.31.29	Other
	– Combined printer-copier-fax machines:
8443.31.31	Color
8443.31.39	Other
	– Other printers:
8443.31.91	Combined printer-copier-scan-fax machines
8443.31.99	Other

The printer categories listed above must undergo mandatory Energy Efficiency testing and official Energy Labeling as prescribed by TCVN 9509:2012. Strict adherence to the Legal Regulations for Printers in Vietnam is essential to guarantee that each unit operates with safety, stability, and high power-saving performance, ensuring the product is fully authorized for legal distribution within the domestic market.

4. Currently Effective Regulations/Standards

As a regulated commodity under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT), printers are subject to specialized inspections for energy conservation. Pursuant to Decision No. 1725/QĐ-BCT, all units must obtain an Energy Efficiency Test Report based on TCVN 9509:2012 and complete mandatory Energy Labeling as dictated by Decision No. 04/2017/QĐ-TTG prior to market distribution.

A critical aspect of the Legal Regulations for Printers in Vietnam is the adherence to Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS). Under the TCVN 9509:2012 framework, the “Off Mode” power consumption—verified using the precise measurement methods in Section 5—must not exceed the following thresholds:

Non-fax Printers: Power consumption must be ≤ 1.0 W.
Multi-function Printers with Fax: Power consumption must be ≤ 2.0 W.

Meeting these specific power consumption benchmarks is vital for achieving MEPS certification. By ensuring these technical criteria are met, businesses demonstrate full alignment with the Legal Regulations for Printers in Vietnam, fostering energy-efficient operations and securing the necessary legal standing for product circulation in the domestic market.

5. Important Notes on Import, Production, and Business Policies

– Energy efficiency testing must be performed by a testing and certification organization that is designated, registered, or accredited by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST).

– According to Decision No. 14/2023/QĐ-TTg (effective from July 15, 2023), the importation, production, and business of printers with energy efficiency that does not meet the Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) specified in TCVN 9509:2012 are prohibited.

– Enterprises must apply for a printer import license from the Authority of Publication, Printing and Distribution (Ministry of Information and Communications) for machines with a printing format larger than A3, a printing speed over 60 ppm, or multi-function color printers.

– Enterprises must apply for a civil cryptography license in cases where the equipment integrates secure fax or telegraph functions using encryption.

– Entities permitted to import printers include: Printing establishments; enterprises with the function of importing and exporting printing industry equipment as prescribed by law; other agencies and organizations with legal entity status permitted to use printing equipment for internal work (based on Article 27, Decree No. 60/2014/NĐ-CP).

– When importing printers, compliance with goods labeling regulations under Decree No. 43/2017/NĐ-CP is required.

– Import tax is an obligation that must be completed when performing import procedures for printers.

Gaining a thorough understanding of and adhering to Legal Regulations for Printers in Vietnam is more than a mandatory prerequisite for legal market entry; it is a cornerstone for protecting corporate prestige, mitigating legal liabilities, and sharpening competitive advantages. Consequently, businesses must maintain strict compliance with existing statutory frameworks and proactively stay informed about evolving legislative updates—such as the recent Circular 52/2025/TT-BCT—to ensure their hardware remains safe, efficient, and fully aligned with national management standards.

III. PHUC GIA®: COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES FOR PRINTERS IN VIETNAM

ORD	PHUC GIA® CAPACITY	MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1	Certification/ Designation	Phuc Gia®’s official designation is currently active and remains in full effect (Detail)
2	Quotation and Duration for Tests	As listed here: QUOTATION – Testing and Other Certification Services [2026]
3	Support	– Free 24/7 consultation service; – Consultancy on product quality improvement.
4	Contact for Testing Services	For assistance with testing/certification services, please contact: Phone: 0981 996 996/ 0982 996 696/ 024 7779 6696 E-mail: lab@phucgia.com.vn Website: phucgia.com.vn Address: ICD Long Bien, No. 01 Huynh Tan Phat, Sai Dong B Industrial Park, Long Bien Ward, Hanoi
Note: Phuc Gia® directly performs Energy Efficiency testing for printers in accordance with the regulations of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT).