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This page describes the requirements for exporting goods from Laos in respect of the national law of Lao PDR.  You should be aware, when exporting goods to another country, of any specific requirements dictated by the law of that country.  You should therefore seek advice from the embassy or from the relevant authorities of that country in order to ensure that you comply with all your obligations.

INDEX

Registration

Prohibited Goods

Export License

Certificate of Origin

Sanitary and Phytosanitary Requirements

Technical Requirements

Export Declaration

Customs Broker

If you are an importer wishing to export commercial goods from Laos you should, first of all, be a company registered with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Department of Enterprise Registration. Top

Prohibited Goods

Before exporting goods from Laos you should ensure that they do not fall into the category of prohibited goods.  Prohibited goods cannot be imported, exported, transited, sold or circulated in Laos.  Among prohibited goods are weapons, narcotics, psychotropic substances and hazardous chemical substances.  You should refer to the specific laws and regulations that cover these prohibitions. The goods prohibited for export are listed in Decision of Prohibition List of Goods, No. 0848/MOIC, dated 13 September 2021.

If in doubt you should seek advice from the Department of Customs or from the Department of Foreign Trade (DFT) of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. Top

Export License

For certain types of products it is necessary to obtain an export license from DFT. Depending on the product, the license can be either automatic or non-automatic.  The rules about licensing are governed by the Decision on the List of Goods to Apply for Import and Export Permit, No. 0333/MOIC, date 22 June 2022.

If a product is not subject to licensing or to specific sanitary/phytosanitary or technical measures, you can proceed with the exportation of the product by submitting a declaration directly to Customs. Top

Certificate of Origin

When you export goods you will normally be required to obtain a Certificate of Origin by the authorities in the importing country.  For countries that have a preferential tariff with Lao or with ASEAN you can obtain a Certificate of Origin from the Certificate of Origin Division, Department of Foriegn Trade, Ministry of Industry and Commerce,  For all other countries, Certificates of Origin are issued by the Lao National Chamber of Commerce. Top

Sanitary and Phytosanitary Requirements

If the goods you intend to export are subject to sanitary and phytosanitary measures you will have to comply with the special regulations relating to those products.  You can find out on this website which commodities are subject to these requirements by using the search facilities on the Measure.

You may need to get a permit from the Department of Agriculture or Department of Livestock and Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry that will depend on what you are intending to export.  A detailed description of the procedures and documentation required can be found on the Procedures page of this website.

Lao PDR has established an SPS Enquiry Point as required by the WTO SPS Agreement.  You can contact the SPS Enquiry Point if you have any questions regarding sanitary and phytosanitary requirements.  You can find the contact details of the SPS Enquiry Point here...  Top

Technical Requirements

For certain types of products it may be necessary to obtain a permit that certifies that these products conform to certain technical standards with the Department of Standardization and Metrology, Mininstry of Industry and Commerce. 

You can find out on this website which commodities are subject to these requirements by using the search facilities on the Commodity Search page.  A detailed description of the procedures and documentation required can also be found on the Procedures page of this website. 

Lao PDR has established a TBT Enquiry Point as required by the WTO SPS Agreement.  You can contact the TBT Enquiry Point if you have any questions regarding technical standards. You can find the contact details of the TBT Enquiry Point here...  Top

Export Declaration

All goods exported from Laos must be declared to Customs. In regarding to the Law of Customs (Amendment), No. 81/NA, dated 29 June 2020

A declaration is made by submitting a duly completed and signed ACDD Form together with the following minimum supporting documents:

• A commercial invoice or contract of sale document from the supplier of the goods
   
• Transport documents such as Bill of Lading or Air Way Bill
   
• Packing List (if available)
   
• Certificate of Origin
   
• Any export licenses or permits obtained from other ministries depending on the type of goods you are exporting

Declarations can be submitted at your regional Customs office.  Click here to see a list of all the Customs offices where you can submit a declaration and clear your goods.

A declaration must be submitted within 15 days from the date of lodgement with Customs of the transport documents (e.g. manifest) notifying Customs of the arrival of the cargo (see Transport).

At present, all international customs are equipped with an automatic customs management system Asycuda.  Top

Customs Broker

You may engage a Customs Broker to carry out the export formalities on your behalf.  Top

Payment of Duties

Once a declaration has been submitted and accepted by Customs, you will be required to pay for any applicable duties.  Top

Temporary Exports

Goods that are temporarily exported from Laos for the purpose of product exhibition, experiment, research and so on. The goods will be brought back to the country at a later time by notifying the customs office in the usual way. For certain controlled goods, prior approval is required. Goods exported under the temporary export regime are exempted from paying taxes and other obligations. The customs declaration must be submitted when the goods are brought back to Lao PDR. For items to import or export temporarily, see the Decision on the adoption of the list of controlled goods for temporary import, export and transit, No. 1101/Ag, dated 11 July 2023..  Top

Duty Exemption for Exports

In order to promote the export of certain types of products, including most agricultural products, products derived from natural resources or manufactured products, these products are exempted from the payment of Customs duties.  However, export duty is payable on certain types of products.  The tariff applicable to these products is listed under the relevant HS Commodity classification.  You can find out whether duties apply to a specific commodity through the the Law of Customs (Amendment), No. 81/NA, dated 29 June 2020 (Type 2 Exeptional tax).  If in doubt, you should seek advice from the Department of Customs, Ministry of Fiance or from the Department of Foreign Trade, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. Top