The Vietnamese government has officially established new regulations regarding the governance of the duty-free goods business, set to be implemented on August 21. This regulation emphasizes the importance of strict compliance with tax, administrative, and customs oversight aspects for every business entity operating in the sector.
In accordance with the latest provisions, goods allowed to be sold in duty-free shops include imported commodities as well as permitted domestic products under applicable laws. All inventory must be stored in designated facilities under the strict supervision of customs authorities. Specifically for tobacco products, cigars, and alcoholic beverages, each unit must bear a special stamp reading "VIET NAM DUTY NOT PAID" prior to display or distribution to customers.
The regulation also governs the handling of damaged or expired goods, requiring business operators to report such conditions to the authorities before carrying out the destruction process. Additionally, currency usage in transactions is now more flexible, allowing the use of Vietnamese Dong, US Dollars, Euros, as well as currencies of directly neighboring countries or international flight destination countries.
The government has also clarified the eligibility criteria for buyers accessing duty-free services. Eligible groups include international flight passengers, individuals with diplomatic privileges, and international ship crews. For arriving passengers specifically, purchases can only be made in the restricted area of the international airport before passing through final immigration procedures.
