Temporarily suspending the temporary import and re-export of round timber and sawn timber from natural forests in Laos and Cambodia.

According to the Import-Export Department - Ministry of Industry and Trade, on November 15, 2018, the Ministry of Industry and Trade issued Circular No. 44/2018/TT-BCT regulating the temporary suspension of temporary import and re-export of round timber and sawn timber from natural forests from Laos and Cambodia.

According to the provisions of Clause 1, Article 4, Circular No. 44/2018/TT-BCT is effective until December 31, 2023. After 4 years of implementation, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has conducted a summary assessment of the implementation of this Circular.

Based on the results of the summary and assessment of the implementation of Circular No. 44/2018/TT-BCT dated November 15, 2018 of the Minister of Industry and Trade, to avoid legal loopholes when Circular No. 44/2018/TT-BCT dated November 15, 2018 of the Ministry of Industry and Trade expires; Continue to maintain policies to limit the illegal exploitation, transportation and trading of timber across the border, and control the situation of traders taking advantage of regulations on temporary import and re-export of round timber and sawn timber to commit acts of commercial fraud.

Continue to implement policies and measures to improve the effectiveness of forest management and forest product management to ensure compliance with international regulations that Vietnam has participated in such as: Voluntary Partnership Agreement between Vietnam and EU countries on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (VPA/PLET), Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites)...; Strengthen measures to protect the environment, combat climate change..., in line with the policies of the Party and State, on November 14, 2023, the Ministry of Industry and Trade issued Circular No. 21/2023/TT-BCT regulating the temporary suspension of temporary import and re-export of round wood and sawn timber from natural forests from Laos and Cambodia.

Pursuant to the provisions of Circular No. 21/2023/TT-BCT mentioned above, from January 1, 2024, temporary import business activities from Laos and Cambodia for re-export to third countries for round timber and sawn timber from natural forests belonging to HS groups 44.03 and 44.07 according to the List of Vietnam's export and import goods issued together with Circular No. 31/2022/TT-BTC dated June 8, 2022 of the Minister of Finance will be temporarily suspended.

This Circular applies to traders participating in temporary import and re-export of round timber and sawn timber from natural forests from Laos and Cambodia; agencies, organizations and individuals involved in temporary import and re-export of round timber and sawn timber from natural forests from Laos and Cambodia.