From December 15, ban on importing old laptops, mobile phones, and speakers
The Ministry of Information and Communications has just issued Circular No. 31/2015/TT-BTTTT (guiding a number of articles of Decree 187/2013/ND-CP) on the export and import of used information technology products.
This is considered a necessary measure to prevent the import of old, outdated equipment as well as to avoid turning Vietnam into an electronic waste dump.
![]() |
Photo is for illustration purposes only. (Source: derek.broox.com/). |
Information on the website of the Ministry of Information and Communications said that from December 15, it is prohibited to import used information technology products such as laptops, notebooks, tablet PCs; mobile phones or other wireless network phones.
In addition, products such as loudspeakers; headphones with headband frames; combined microphone/speaker sets; television cameras, other digital cameras; pocket-sized radio cassettes; floppy disk drives, optical disk drives, including CD-ROM drives, DVD drives and recordable CD drives; LCD, LED and other flat-screen monitors... are also subject to the above sanctions.
For used black and white photocopiers with printing or other functions, import will be carried out in accordance with the provisions of law.
In addition, the Circular also clearly states that in the case of importing products on the above-mentioned prohibited list for scientific research, sample making for design, research, product development and testing activities in production activities, organizations need to have a request dossier according to regulations./.
According to Vietnam+