According to Law on Publications No. 05/NA, dated 09 December 2008, the import and export of publications are required to request for license from Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.

Specific regulation that governs the import and export of publications is Decision on Procedures for Importation and Distribution of Publications No. 518/MICT, dated 13 June 2012.

To request for Import License of Publications is required to make a request per import as follows:

1.     Importer prepares documents for the application of Export License, which consists of:

-    Request Letter (download here)
-    Guarantee Letter (download here)
-    A copy of Enterprise Registration Certificate
-    A copy of Annual Tax Payment Certificate
-    List of publications to be imported in detail
-    A copy of Invoice
-    A copy of ID card/passport/household record

2.     Importer submits all mentioned documents above and pay fee (100,000 kips) at Department of Publishing, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.

3.     Department of Publishing considers the application in 03 weekdays.

-         If the application is correct, the department will sign and authenticate the Import License.

-         If the application is incorrect, the department will notify the importer to re-submit the application.

4.     Once the documents are complete and correct, Department of Publishing will issue the Import License. (See sample here)

5.     Importer collects the Import License at Department of Publishing, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.

Forms
# Title Description Issued By File
1 Request to Import/Export Books - Publications This application is used to the request for Import License of books, publications, magazines, newspapers and others Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism PDF
2 Guarantee Letter to Import/Export Publications Guarantee Letter to Import/Export Publications Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism PDF
Measures
# Name Description Measure Type Agency Comments Legal Document Validity To Measure Class
1 Requirement to obtain import license - Publications To import printed products, it is needed to be obtained an import permit from Department of literature and Publication, MICT Licensing Requirement Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism For statistical purpose, to surveil the contents of imported publications in respect to the government and political party's policy to prevent pornography or against Lao tradition. Decision on Procedures for Importation and Distribution of Publications No. 518/MICT 9999-12-31 Good
2 Import permit Fee for Printing Equipment, Photocopiers Fee for Importing Printing machines and Photocopiers of 50,000 Kip/time Duty/Tax Payable Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism For administrative revenue collection of state The President of Lao PDR’s Decree on Fee and Service Charge, No. 002/POL, date 17 June 2021 9999-12-31 Good
3 Export permit Fee for Printers and Photocopiers Fee for Export permit of Printers and Photocopiers is 50,000 Kip/time Duty/Tax Payable Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism For administrative revenue collection of state The President of Lao PDR’s Decree on Fee and Service Charge, No. 002/POL, date 17 June 2021 9999-12-31 Good
4 Permit Fee for Exporting Books and Publication Permit Fee for exporting books and publication of 25,000 Kip/time Duty/Tax Payable Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism For administrative revenue collection of state The President of Lao PDR’s Decree on Fee and Service Charge, No. 002/POL, date 17 June 2021 9999-12-31 Good
5 Import permit fee for books and publication Import permit fee for books and publication is 100,000kip/time Duty/Tax Payable Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism For state revenue The President of Lao PDR’s Decree on Fee and Service Charge, No. 002/POL, date 17 June 2021 9999-12-31 Good
Step-by-Step Guide
# Process name Process short name Activity
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