Import Procedures for PET

Import Procedures for PET Resin Used in Plastic Bottle Production

Import Procedures for PET – PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) resin is a thermoplastic material widely used in the production of plastic bottles and packaging. With its lightweight, durability, and high recyclability, PET has become the preferred choice for manufacturers of beverage and food containers. However, importing PET resin requires strict compliance with legal regulations and customs procedures.

This article will provide detailed guidance on the import procedures for PET resin, including relevant legal documents, HS codes, required documentation, procedural steps, quality inspection requirements, and other necessary information.

1. Legal Basis

1.1. Related Legal Documents

To carry out the import procedures for PET resin, companies need to refer to the following legal documents:

• Customs Law No. 54/2014/QH13, dated June 23, 2014: Regulates customs procedures and controls for imported and exported goods.
• Decree No. 08/2015/NĐ-CP, dated January 21, 2015: Guides the implementation of the Customs Law.
• Circular No. 38/2015/TT-BTC, dated March 25, 2015: Specifies customs procedures.
• Decree No. 169/2018/NĐ-CP, dated December 31, 2018: Regulates the management of the quality of imported products and goods.
• Circular No. 14/2018/TT-BCT, dated June 18, 2018: Regulates the management of the quality of imported goods.
• Food Safety Law No. 55/2010/QH12: Regulates food safety for products that come into contact with food.

1.2. Quality Standards

PET resin must meet the following quality standards:

• TCVN 7754:2007: Vietnamese standard for PET used in food applications.
• ISO 13944: International standard for plastic materials used in food packaging.
• ASTM D3418: Standard for the physical properties of PET.

1.3. HS Code

The HS code for PET resin is 3907.99.90. This code is used for classifying goods during import and determining the applicable import tax rates.

1.4. Classification of Goods

According to Vietnam’s goods classification system, PET resin is classified as follows:

• 3907: Polyesters.
• 3907.99: Other polyesters.
• 3907.99.90: Other unspecified polyesters.

2. Required Documentation for Import Procedures

2.1. Mandatory Documents

Companies need to prepare a file containing the following documents:

• Business license: Valid business registration certificate, with appropriate business lines for importing PET resin.
• Sales contract: Contract signed between the enterprise and the foreign supplier, detailing quality, price, and delivery terms.
• Bill of Lading: Transport document proving ownership of the goods.
• Commercial Invoice: Detailed information about the goods, transaction value, and payment terms.
• Packing List: Information about the quantity, weight, and dimensions of the goods.
• Certificate of Origin: Certification of the goods’ origin from the supplier.
• Quality certificate: From the manufacturer or an authorized certification organization proving the goods meet standards.

2.2. Additional Documents

• Test results: For samples of PET resin, proving the goods meet quality standards from an authorized inspection organization.
• Food safety certificate: For goods related to food, certifying that the product does not harm consumer health.

3. Import Procedures

3.1. Prepare Goods

• Contact the supplier: Ensure that the goods are ready and all relevant documents are prepared.
• Quality check: Before shipping, the goods must be quality checked to ensure compliance with standards.

3.2. Customs Declaration

• Electronic customs declaration: Enterprises use the VNACCS system to declare customs. It is necessary to fill in complete information about the goods, including HS code, goods description, and supplier information.
• Submit documentation: Enterprises submit the prepared file to the customs authority at the location where the enterprise is registered. The file includes:
  • Business license.
  • Sales contract.
  • Bill of Lading and Commercial Invoice.
  • Certificate of Origin (if available).
  • Quality certificate.

3.3. Assessment and Inspection

• Document inspection: Customs authorities will inspect the documents. If the documents are complete and valid, customs will issue a customs identification number for the shipment.
• Goods inspection: Customs may conduct a physical inspection of the goods. If the goods meet quality standards and legal regulations, the enterprise will receive a clearance notice.

3.4. Tax Payment

• Import tax: Enterprises must pay import tax and value-added tax according to regulations. The tax rate depends on the HS code and current tax policies. The import tax rate for PET resin typically ranges from 0% to 5% depending on the origin of the goods.

3.5. Receive Goods

• Warehouse storage: After completing customs procedures and tax payment, the enterprise can receive the goods at the designated port or warehouse.
• Document storage: Enterprises should retain documentation related to the import process for future inspections and tax settlement.

4. Regulations on Licenses and Quality Inspection of Products

4.1. Import License

Enterprises should note that certain items such as PET resin may require an import license. To clarify this requirement, businesses need to contact the Department of Quality Management of products and goods and other competent authorities.

4.2. Product Quality Inspection

• Inspection at the border: Imported goods will be inspected for quality at the border. Customs will check related documents and may collect samples for testing if necessary.
• Quality certification: Enterprises need to have quality certification from an authorized organization or conduct self-testing at the production facility if the goods are for food use. If standards are not met, goods may be denied clearance.

4.3. Quality Management

Enterprises should implement the following quality management measures:

• Store quality records and test results.
• Conduct periodic quality inspections for imported goods.

5. Risks and Mitigation Strategies

5.1. Risks in the Import Process

• Delays in clearance: A lack of documentation or incomplete documents may cause delays in clearance. To mitigate this, businesses should ensure that all documents are prepared correctly and completely before submission to customs.
• Product quality risks: If the goods do not meet quality standards, enterprises may incur additional costs and losses. To avoid this risk, businesses should implement stringent quality checks and retain all quality certification.

5.2. Mitigation Solutions

• Ensure complete documentation: Thoroughly check all documents before submitting to customs. Pay attention to special requirements from management authorities.
• Stay updated on regulations: Continuously update any new regulations related to importation and product quality. Connect with industry experts or attend workshops to enhance knowledge.
• Cooperate with logistics units: Choose reputable logistics companies experienced in import procedures to ensure smooth processes.

Conclusion

The import procedure for PET resin used in plastic bottle production is a critical process that must be executed accurately and comprehensively. Businesses need to grasp the legal regulations, prepare full documentation, and comply with customs procedures to ensure swift and effective clearance of goods.

With the detailed information provided in this article, we hope that enterprises will gain a comprehensive and clear understanding of the import procedures for PET resin. Please connect with experts or logistics organizations for assistance during the import process.