Import Procedures for Oak Wood Implemented

Import Procedures for Oak Wood Implemented by ipologistics

1. Overview of the Market and Import Regulations for Oak Wood

Import Procedures for Oak Wood Implemented – Oak wood is one of the most popular and high-quality hardwoods, widely used in furniture production, construction, and wood processing industries. Therefore, the demand for importing oak wood into Vietnam is increasing. However, importing wood, especially oak wood, not only requires businesses to follow the correct procedural steps but also to comply with many regulations regarding environmental protection, origin, and conditions related to taxes and quality inspections.

The import process for oak wood includes several complex steps related to legal documentation, phytosanitary certificates, and state regulations. In this article, ipologistics will provide detailed and professional information about the import procedures for oak wood, including HS codes, legal basis, and steps to comply with current regulations.

2. Legal Basis and State Regulations on Importing Oak Wood

Importing oak wood must comply with various legal documents and state regulations regarding wood and forest product control. Below are key legal foundations that businesses need to pay attention to:

• Forest Law No. 16/2017/QH14: Regulates the management and protection of forests and the control of forest products. This law clearly outlines the responsibilities of state management agencies, as well as the rights and obligations of organizations and individuals in the exploitation, processing, and trading of forest products.
• Decree 102/2020/ND-CP: Regulates the management of the import and export of wood and forest products, including the requirements for documentation regarding origin and quality inspection for imported wood.
• Circular 27/2018/TT-BNNPTNT: Provides detailed guidelines on the management and certification of the origin of imported wood.
• Decree 69/2018/ND-CP: Regulates the management of the export and import of wood and wood products, including the requirements for phytosanitary certificates and special permits for wood from high-risk areas.

3. HS Code for Oak Wood and Import Tax Schedule

To carry out customs procedures for importing oak wood, businesses need to accurately determine the HS code of the product. Using the correct HS code not only helps businesses calculate taxes accurately but also ensures a quick customs clearance process. The HS codes for oak wood are typically classified based on its processing state:

• 4403.99.90: Round wood, uncut (raw wood) under the group “Wood and other wood products.”
• 4407.99.90: Sawn oak wood, under the group “Wood that has been sawn or planed, whether or not glued.”

The import tax schedule for oak wood products depends on the processing state of the wood and trade agreements between Vietnam and exporting countries. According to WTO commitments and free trade agreements (FTAs) that Vietnam participates in, the import tax for oak wood typically ranges from 0-5%, depending on the exporting country and the processing state of the wood.

4. Import Process for Oak Wood

Importing oak wood involves multiple steps and strict requirements regarding legal compliance, origin, and quality. ipologistics assists customers in completing each step of the process efficiently, professionally, and in accordance with current regulations.

4.1. Step 1: Determine Import Conditions and Necessary Permits

Before importing oak wood, businesses need to check related regulations, including:

• Special Import Permits: For oak wood imported from countries with disease risks, businesses may need special import permits from the Plant Protection Department or other competent authorities. This is to ensure that there are no risks of spreading pests or harming the environment.
• Wood Origin Certification: Imported oak wood must have documentation proving its legal origin according to the regulations in Circular 27/2018/TT-BNNPTNT. This documentation must be issued and certified by the competent authority of the exporting country.

4.2. Step 2: Prepare Import Documentation

Documents needed when performing import procedures for oak wood include:

1. Sales Contract: Detailed transaction terms between the buyer and the seller.
2. Commercial Invoice: A document detailing the value and specific information of the shipment.
3. Packing List: A detailed description of the quantity, weight, and dimensions of the oak wood.
4. Bill of Lading: A document confirming the transportation of goods.
5. Certificate of Origin (CO): Certification of the wood’s origin from the exporting country.
6. Phytosanitary Certificate: For oak wood, a certificate from the phytosanitary authority of the exporting country confirming that the goods do not carry pests or environmental threats is required.

4.3. Step 3: Register for Quality Inspection and Phytosanitary Inspection

• Phytosanitary Inspection: Oak wood must undergo a phytosanitary inspection to ensure it does not carry pests or pose environmental threats before customs clearance. The registration documentation for phytosanitary inspection includes the bill of lading, commercial invoice, and phytosanitary certificate from the exporting country.
• Quality Inspection Registration: If required by state authorities, businesses must register for product quality inspection before importing. This often involves checking moisture content, sawing quality, and pest resistance of the wood.

4.4. Step 4: Customs Declaration

ipologistics will assist businesses in electronically declaring customs through the VNACCS system. Steps include:

1. Register the Import Declaration: The declaration information includes HS code, goods value, exporting country, and related documents such as CO, phytosanitary certificate, and commercial invoice.
2. Pay Import Taxes: After the declaration is accepted, businesses must pay import taxes and related fees such as value-added tax (VAT) and special consumption tax (if applicable).
3. Customs Clearance: After completing the procedures and paying taxes, businesses can proceed to retrieve their goods from the port or bonded warehouse.

4.5. Step 5: Receive Goods and Final Inspection

After customs clearance, businesses can receive goods from the port and conduct a final inspection of the quantity and quality of the wood before use or distribution. This ensures that the shipment complies with the contract and that no issues arise during transport.

5. Special Requirements and Considerations for Importing Oak Wood

• Environmental Protection Regulations: Imported oak wood must comply with environmental protection regulations, including using wood from sustainably managed sources with forest management certification.
• FSC Certification: For businesses importing wood from regions with high sustainability requirements, oak wood with FSC certification is important to meet environmental and social responsibility requirements.
• Phytosanitary Regulations: Shipments of wood imported from high-risk areas often require special phytosanitary measures. Non-compliance can result in rejection of import or destruction of goods.

6. Support Services from ipologistics

With a team of experienced professionals, ipologistics provides comprehensive services from documentation preparation, permit registration, to customs procedures and product quality inspections. We are committed to providing customers with professional, quick, and fully compliant oak wood import procedures.