CAN USED GOODS BE STORED IN A BONDED WAREHOUSE PENDING RE-EXPORT?
To ensure compliance with regulations, enterprises should carefully review the guidance under Official Letter 14808/CHQ-GSQL and the applicable legal framework in Vietnam.
1. Policies Applicable to Goods Stored in Bonded Warehouses
According to the Law on Foreign Trade Management and Decree 167/2025/ND-CP, the management policies are regulated as follows:
- Management Measures: Goods imported from overseas into bonded warehouses for the purpose of re-export to a third country are generally not subject to Vietnam’s import management measures, except for goods listed as prohibited or temporarily suspended from importation.
- Used Equipment (Container Gantry Cranes): Since this category is not included in the list of prohibited imports under Decree 69/2018/ND-CP, enterprises are permitted to store such used equipment in bonded warehouses pending re-export.
2. Important Compliance Notes for Enterprises
To ensure legal compliance throughout the operation process, businesses must strictly comply with the following requirements:
- Storage Purpose: Goods stored in bonded warehouses must be intended for re-export in their original condition to a third country.
- Usage Restrictions: These goods are strictly prohibited from being sold, consumed, or distributed within the domestic market of Vietnam.
3. Practical Recommendation for Businesses
During actual operations, if technical issues or procedural complications arise, enterprises should proactively work directly with the Customs Sub-Department managing the bonded warehouse where the goods are stored.
Early coordination with customs authorities can help businesses:
- Clarify operational procedures
- Avoid compliance risks
- Ensure proper documentation handling
- Prevent delays in re-export operations
4. THT Cargo Logistics’ Perspective
As bonded warehouse operations continue to expand alongside regional transshipment activities, compliance management for used equipment and machinery is becoming increasingly important.
Many enterprises currently use bonded warehouses as a flexible logistics solution to:
- Optimize international cargo movement
- Reduce temporary storage pressure
- Support project cargo and oversized equipment handling
- Facilitate cross-border re-export operations
At THT Cargo Logistics, we support businesses with:
- Bonded warehouse consulting
- Customs procedure support
- Re-export documentation handling
- Compliance advisory for used machinery and equipment
- Project cargo logistics coordination
5. Conclusion
Used machinery and equipment that are not listed as prohibited imports may legally be stored in bonded warehouses in Vietnam for the purpose of re-export to third countries.
However, enterprises must ensure that:
- The goods are maintained for re-export purposes only
- No domestic consumption occurs in Vietnam
- All customs and bonded warehouse regulations are fully complied with
Proper preparation and early consultation with customs authorities and logistics partners will help businesses minimize operational risks and ensure smooth cross-border logistics activities.
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THT Cargo Logistics supports enterprises with bonded warehouse operations, customs procedures, project cargo handling, and re-export logistics solutions for machinery and industrial equipment.
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