Step by Step: How to Import Food and Beverage

To import Food and Beverage to Lao PDR, you need to obtain an import permit from the Ministry of Health. You must present the import permit along with other documents at the border. Failure to do so may result in the rejection or confiscation of your goods.

  1. Step 1

    Business and TIN Registration

    Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MoIC)

    • Prepare Applications along with all required documents.
    • Submit the application to the Department of Enterprise Registration, Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
    • If the application is approved, a Business Registration Certificate will be issued to the trader with a TIN
    • Register the TIN with the Tax Department, Ministry of Finance.

    See Procedure

  2. Step 2

    Importer Registration

    Department of Foreign Trade (DFT), Ministry of Industry and Commerce

    • Prepare Applications along with all required documents.
    • Submit the application to DIMEX.
    • The application is then evaluated by DIMEX.
    • If the application is approved, Traders become a registerred Exporter. If not, the application is rejected with the reasons for the rejection.

    See Procedure

  3. Step 3

    Business License

    Food and Drug Department (FDD), Ministry of Health

    • For normal food and beverage, a business license is not required. After receiving a business registration, the importer must get permission from the FDD.
    • For risk food and beverages (e.g.: supplement food, dairy products for children and the elderly), need to register a business license with the FDD before import.

    See Procedure

  4. Step 4

    Import permission for food and beverage

    Food and Drug Department (FDD), Ministry of Health

    • Submit the following documents to FDD:
      • 1) Food import license application (Appendix 2) (1 copy);
      • 2) Invoice (2 copies);
      • 3) Packing slip (2 copies);
      • 4) Any food safety certification from the exporting country such as: Free sale Certificate, GHP, GMP, HACCP, ISO 22000 or other certification from the food safety management organization of the exporting country, at least 03 months validity (in English and original version, if the copy is to be stamped by the importing company) (1 copy);
      • 5) Certificate of research from the food safety management agency of the exporting country or an officially accredited research laboratory, at least still valid for the production package (in English and the original version, if the copy is for the importer company) (2 copies);
      • 6) Enterprise registration (1 copy);
      • 7) A label or sticker in Lao language (1 copy);
      • 8) Samples of food products (1 sample per type);
      • 9) Food registration certificate of Lao PDR (if any) (1 copy).
    • FDD reviews the application and request for more information if required.
    • Collect the Import Permit when it is ready.

    See Procedure

  5. Step 5

    Clearance for import food and beverage

    Lao PDR Customs or Inspection Authority at Border

    • Inspection at border checkpoints
    • Approvals by FDD
    • Pay Customs Duty
    • Release Goods from Customs

    See Procedure