(Unofficial Translation)

LAO PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC
PEACE INDEPENDENCE DEMOCRACY UNITY PROSPERITY

Ministry of Industry and Commerce
Permanent Secretariat Office           No: 0290/PSO.FTPD.BTD
               Vientiane Capital, dated 01 February 2016

Notification

To:  - Director General of Import and Export Department
       - Director General of Customs Department
       - Head of Provincial and Vientiane Capital Department of Industry and Commerce
      - Head of Secretariat Lao Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Subject:  The implementation of preferential tariff between Laos-Vietnam starting from 2016 in accordance with Laos-Vietnam bilateral trade agreement

  • Pursuant to the agreement between Lao PDR and Socialist Republic of Vietnam, dated 3 March 2015.
  • Pursuant to the letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs No. 170/AE.DT.1, dated 7 August 2015.

       Permanent Secretariat Office, Ministry of Industry and Commerce is pleased to notify you that  the implementation of the Preferential Tariffs between Laos-Vietnam started from 2016 onward shall be based on Bilateral trade agreement between Lao PDR and Vietnam signed on 03 March 2015 and entered into force from 03 October 2015. The aforementioned bilateral agreement grants preferential tariffs on import-export for both sides as follows:

1.  Products listed in annex 3 and products not listed in annex 1a, 1b, 2b of the agreement are granted 0% tariff rate.

2.      Products listed in annex 1a of the agreement are granted tariff reduction at 50% of the import tariffs of Lao PDR under ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA); and products listed in annex 2a of the agreement will not be entitled to tariff reduction when importing into Lao PDR. The products are based on ASEAN Harmonized Tariff Nomenclature (AHTN 2012) of Lao PDR.

3. Products listed in annex 1b of the agreement are granted tariff reduction at 50% of the import tariffs of Vietnam under ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) and products listed in annex 2b of the agreement are not entitled to the tariff reduction when importing Vietnam. The products are based on ASEAN Harmonized Tariff Nomenclature (AHTN 2012) of Vietnam.

4.  he products being eligible for the preferential tariff Lao-Vietnam shall be applicable to and compliant with rules of origin based on the agreement between Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Lao PDR and Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Socialist Republic of Vietnam on Rule of Origin applied to products entitled to the preferential import-export tariffs Lao-Vietnam, dated 01 October 2009 (Form S).

Therefore, you are notified for effective implementation.

Acting Head of Permanent Secretariat Office

Mr. Phouthavanh NANTHAVONG 

 

Have you found this information useful ?
Please share your feedback below and help us improve our content.
You can provide comment/feedback on draft legislation to relevant government agencies for improvement before entering into force.

Business areas
 
Can provide specific information about such legislation that poses obstacles or challenges to your business operations.

Example: Article 8 of the (Draft) Agreement on the Import of Fuel and Lubricants, No.........../OK, Date........... March 2025. (300 words)

What is the impact of this legislation on your business?

Example: I spent at least two months going through the annual import plan (Master List) of government departments that I found to be too complex, costly, or time-consuming. (300 words)

Any suggestions for improving the legislation that could help address your challenges?

Example: The requirements for the time frame for approval/approval of the Master List plan should be summarized. (300 words)

Have you previously presented this recommendation to any government agency?
Contact information
Do you want us to make your comments public?