Port departure permit: Conditions and licensing procedures

Article overview

A port departure permit is an important legal document in the maritime field, issued by the Port Authority to confirm compliance with regulations for exported transport vehicles. The licensing process requires accuracy and detail from ship owners, demonstrating the strict control of Vietnam’s shipping management system. We will present the procedures related to port departure permits through the following article.

Port departure permit
Port departure permit

What is a port departure permit?

Port Clearance License (Port Clearance in English) is a document that allows a ship to depart from a seaport. The Maritime Port Authority is the competent authority to issue port departure permits.

The content of the license includes:

  • Ship information such as name, nationality, ship number, capacity;
  • Name of the captain and number of members on board (including crew and passengers);
  • Quantity of goods;
  • Time the ship leaves the port and arrives at the port;
  • Title and signature of the person who issued the license.

The above information must ensure accuracy in terms of content and quantity before being allowed to export. The customs department will check the information content as well as the quantity of goods to verify the accuracy of the records.

In case the information on the license is different from the information checked by the customs department, the ship will not be allowed to leave the port and will be detained.

The detention of a ship not only affects the time and effort of everyone on board, but also costs a lot of money and the quality of the goods to be transported.

Application for a port departure permit

Article 53 of Decree 08/2021/ND-CP stipulates that people carrying out procedures must submit and present the following documents:

  1. Documents to be submitted: passenger list (for passenger transport vehicles);
  2. Documents to present:
  • Shipping contract or shipping document or goods release note;
  • Certificate of professional competence, professional certificate of crew members and vehicle drivers if there are any changes compared to when the vehicle enters the port or inland waterway terminal.
  1. For newly built, converted, or repaired vehicles when launched for operation, the vehicle owner or owner of the facility that builds, converts, repairs, or restores the vehicle must present the following documents to the Port Authority:
  • Minutes of inspection confirming the vehicle’s eligibility for operation by the Registry Office;
  • The plan to ensure traffic safety when launching vehicles is prepared by the owner of the facility that builds, converts, or repairs the vehicle.
Documents need to be completed
Documents need to be completed

Order and procedures for applying for a port departure permit

The process of applying for a port departure permit will be carried out in the following order:

Step 1: Submit application

Before the inland waterway vehicle leaves the seaport, the person carrying out the procedures shall submit and present to the Port Authority the papers and documents of the watercraft according to regulations.

Step 2: Resolve procedures

Documents must comply with regulations and be valid. The vehicle will be inspected for technical safety equipment as well as environmental protection.

Procedures for applying for a permit to leave the port
Procedures for applying for a permit to leave the port

Guidance and support services for quickly applying for permits to leave the port at Long Phan

Long Phan provides comprehensive consulting services from preparing documents to completing port departure permit procedures. A team of experts who understand immigration regulations will accompany you, ensuring compliance with the latest regulations. Our services include:

  • Consulting on regulations and procedures for applying for a port departure permit.
  • Assist customers in preparing documents for port departure permits.
  • Representing customers working at competent agencies.
  • Support consulting on licenses, applying for import and export procedures.
  • Support in handling arising problems.
  • Advice on how to resolve when a dispute occurs.

Applying for a port departure permit is an important procedure for ships and boats when they want to leave the port to make trips. To ensure that the permit application goes smoothly and according to regulations, you need to prepare all the documents required by the authorities, including information about the ship, itinerary, customs procedures and related documents. Please contact us immediately via the hotline 0906735386 to receive support from Long Phan’s team of consulting experts.