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Vietnam New Export License
March 14, 2007

According to a recent United States Association of Importers of Textiles and Apparel (USA-ITA) Textile Development Memo and other sources, it appears that the government of Vietnam is planning to impose an export license requirement on certain apparel exports to the U.S., effective March 15, 2007.

The American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam has made available the text of a circular issued by the Vietnamese government on February 28, 2007, which is titled Interministerial Circular (Trade - Industry) on Exports of Apparel to the US, No 3/2007/TTL/BTM/BCN. Several dates are listed in the circular, including the date of March 15, 2007.

The following information – in English – also appears in the circular (the balance of the text is in Vietnamese):

1. Shipper/Exporter

EXPORT LICENSE
ORIGINAL
(textile and apparel products)

2. Consignee's Names and Address
3. Export License No.
4. Origin of Goods
5. Buyer's Name & Address (if other than consignee)
6. Cat. No
7. HTS
8. Notify party
9. Terms of Sale
10. Terms of Payment
11. Contract No./Purchase Order No.
12. Additional Transportation Information
13. Port of Loading
14. Final Destination
15. BL/AWB No. and Date
16. Date of Export
17. Marks and Number of Packages
18. Full Description of Goods
19. Quantity
20. FOB Unit Price
21. Total FOB Value
22. Competent Authority (Signature and Stamp)
23. Name and address of Manufacturer
24. Declaration by Shipper/Exporter
We hereby declare that the above particulars are true and correct
Authorized Signature & Stamp, Name, Date

CBP Would Not Require the Export License for Entry into the U.S., But Could Ask for it to Substantiate Origin

According to one source at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), although CBP will not require the export license for entry into the U.S., it could review the document on a case-by-case basis as evidence the goods were made in Vietnam, and not fraudulently transshipped from another country. According to USA-ITA, if the importer is not able to obtain a copy of the export license, it would provide CBP a basis on which to detain or exclude shipments.

Chamber notice on February 28th circular available at http://www.amchamvietnam.com/index.php?id=1414

Chamber letter urging export license, etc. (dated 02/08/07) available at http://www.amchamvietnam.com/1360

Vietnamese Interministerial Circular No 3/2007/TTL/BTM/BCN (dated 02/28/07), available at http://www.amchamvietnam.com/1408