From May 1, 2026: The Ministry of Industry and Trade amends 36 import-export procedures, with a focus on C/O

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has just issued a Decision announcing the amended and supplemented administrative procedures in the import-export sector, aiming to continue administrative procedure reform and facilitate businesses' international trade activities.

Accordingly, the Decision announces the list of administrative procedures under the Ministry of Industry and Trade's management scope that have been adjusted and updated according to new legal regulations, while abolishing several outdated provisions. The Decision takes effect from May 1, 2026.

A notable point is that the review and amendments focus on the group of procedures for issuing Certificates of Origin (C/O) – one of the most important procedures for export enterprises. According to the accompanying issued list, 36 administrative procedures have been amended and supplemented, primarily related to issuing preferential and non-preferential C/O types under Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).

The adjusted C/O forms cover many major markets and agreements such as ASEAN, China, South Korea, Japan, CPTPP, RCEP, UKVFTA… along with procedures related to re-issuance, post-issuance, back-to-back issuance, and origin certification for special cases like goods from non-tariff zones and bonded warehouses.

Additionally, the Ministry of Industry and Trade also amended procedures related to granting approval documents for traders to self-certify the origin of goods within ASEAN. This move aligns with international trends, contributing to reducing administrative burdens and enhancing proactivity for businesses.

This round of amendments and supplements was implemented based on new legal normative documents, including Circular No. 12/2026/TT-BCT on abolishing several outdated regulations, thereby ensuring the consistency and transparency of the legal system in the import-export sector.

This move is expected to help shorten document processing times, reduce compliance costs for businesses, and enhance the effectiveness of utilizing preferential tariff commitments from the FTAs that Vietnam has signed.

In the context of Vietnam's import-export turnover continuing strong growth, reforming administrative procedures, especially in C/O issuance, is considered a key factor to help businesses enhance competitiveness, expand markets, and participate more deeply in the global supply chain.