Imported Press Registration Procedure in Vietnam

The imported press registration is an administrative procedure for businesses licensed to import press. Correctly following this process ensures import activities comply with legal regulations, mitigating legal risks during customs clearance. This analysis by Long Phan Consulting Company details the requirements for jurisdiction, dossiers, and the sequence of this procedure.

Competent State Agencies

Under Point e, Subsection 10, Section I.A, Part II of Decision No. 2069/QD-BVHTTDL of 2025, the competent authorities are defined as follows:

• Decision-Making Authority: The Provincial People’s Committee is the highest local authority managing this activity. It supervises and makes final decisions regarding the approval of the imported press list, ensuring content aligns with Vietnamese law.
• Direct Implementing Agency: The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism or the Department of Culture and Sports (depending on the local government structure) is the agency that directly receives and processes applications. This body reviews and preliminarily assesses the list before reporting and advising the Provincial People’s Committee. All dossiers and information for the imported press registration are submitted to this specialized agency.

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Regulations on the Imported Press Registration Procedure

To complete the imported press registration, businesses must adhere to regulations on dossier composition, submission methods, and procedural steps. Thorough and accurate preparation facilitates a swift registration process and avoids time-consuming amendments.

Dossier Composition

As stipulated in Point c, Subsection 10, Section I.A, Part II of Decision No. 2069/QD-BVHTTDL of 2025, the business must prepare one complete dossier set, which includes:

• Written Request from the Press Importing Establishment: The document must state the business’s information (name, address, enterprise code, press import license details) and request the competent authority to accept the registration of the proposed imported press list.
• List of Imported Press: An appendix to the written request, this list details each newspaper and magazine to be imported. It must provide specific information for each publication: title (original and translated, if any), publisher, country of origin, language, and the planned import quantity per issue or shipment.
• Number of Dossiers: 01 set.

Methods of Submission

According to Point b, Subsection 10, Section I.A, Part II of Decision No. 2069/QD-BVHTTDL of 2025, businesses may choose one of the following flexible and convenient submission methods:

• Direct Submission: A representative submits the dossier at the single-window section of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism/Department of Culture and Sports.
• Postal Service: The business sends the dossier by mail to the address of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism/Department of Culture and Sports.
• Online Submission: The business can submit the dossier through the provincial-level Public Service Portal where its head office is located.

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Procedural Steps

The imported press registration process, defined in Point a, Subsection 10, Section I.A, Part II of Decision No. 2069/QD-BVHTTDL of 2025, involves the following steps:

• Step 1: Prepare and Submit the Dossier: The press importing establishment prepares one complete dossier set as required. The business submits the dossier to the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism/Department of Culture and Sports using one of the specified methods. The submission must occur at least 01 working day before the importation of the press.
• Step 2: Receive and Process the Dossier: The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism/Department of Culture and Sports receives the dossier. A responsible officer will review and examine the content of the imported press list.
• Step 3: Report to the Provincial People’s Committee: After reviewing the dossier, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism/Department of Culture and Sports reports the registration to the Provincial People’s Committee.

Note on Processing Time

As per Point d, Subsection 10, Section I.A, Part II of Decision No. 2069/QD-BVHTTDL of 2025, a specific feature of the imported press registration procedure is that current law does not set a specific processing deadline for the state agency. This can create uncertainty for businesses regarding the timeline.

If a business does not receive a response or a request for additional information after submitting a valid dossier, it may follow up with the agency or file a complaint if deemed necessary.

Costs Associated with the Procedure

According to Point i, Subsection 10, Section I.A, Part II of Decision No. 2069/QD-BVHTTDL of 2025, the imported press registration procedure does not require businesses to pay any state fees or charges. However, businesses should budget for operational costs, including:

• Dossier Preparation Costs: Office expenses for preparing the required documents.
• Delivery Costs: Postal service fees for mail submission or travel expenses for direct submission.
• Legal Service Fees: If the business engages a legal consulting firm like Long Phan Consulting Company to manage the entire procedure, fees for consultation and representation will apply.

The absence of state fees simplifies the financial aspect of the procedure, but businesses must account for these other indirect costs.

Consulting Services by Long Phan Consulting Company

Long Phan Consulting Company provides professional legal services to support clients in completing the imported press registration procedure efficiently and in compliance with the law. Our experienced lawyers and specialists assist businesses at every stage, from dossier preparation to submission and follow-up, ensuring a transparent and successful outcome.

Our specialized support and advisory services include:

• Analyzing current legal regulations on press importation and the registration procedure.
• Assessing the legality and appropriateness of the proposed imported press list against Vietnamese regulations.
• Advising on effective submission strategies and working with competent state agencies.
• Drafting the Written Request for imported press registration according to official standards.
• Guiding the creation and completion of the List of Imported Press with all necessary information.
• Reviewing the entire dossier for completeness, accuracy, and validity before submission.
• Submitting the dossier on behalf of the client to the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism/Department of Culture and Sports.
• Proactively monitoring the application status and communicating directly with the state agency as required.
• Receiving official responses (if any) and delivering them to the client to complete the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are common questions regarding the imported press registration procedure.

To which agency must the dossier for imported press registration be submitted?

The dossier must be submitted to the direct implementing agency, which is the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism or Department of Culture and Sports where the importing establishment is headquartered. Legal Basis: Point e, Subsection 10, Section I.A, Part II, Decision No. 2069/QD-BVHTTDL of 2025.

What documents are required in the dossier for the imported press registration procedure?

The business needs to prepare one dossier set containing two main documents: the Written Request from the press importing establishment and the detailed List of Imported Press. Legal Basis: Point c, Subsection 10, Section I.A, Part II, Decision No. 2069/QD-BVHTTDL of 2025.

When must the business submit the dossier for imported press registration?

The business must submit the dossier to the competent authority at least 01 working day before importing the press. Legal Basis: Point a, Subsection 10, Section I.A, Part II, Decision No. 2069/QD-BVHTTDL of 2025.

What are the available methods for submitting the dossier?

A business can choose one of three methods: direct submission at the single-window section, sending via postal service, or online submission through the provincial-level Public Service Portal. Legal Basis: Point b, Subsection 10, Section I.A, Part II, Decision No. 2069/QD-BVHTTDL of 2025.

Are there any state fees or charges for the imported press registration procedure?

No. This procedure does not require the business to pay any state fees or charges. Legal Basis: Point i, Subsection 10, Section I.A, Part II, Decision No. 2069/QD-BVHTTDL of 2025.

Conclusion

Compliance with the imported press registration procedure is a mandatory legal requirement for businesses in this sector. To ensure a smooth and timely process while avoiding legal risks, engaging legal experts is an optimal solution. For detailed consultation, please contact Long Phan Consulting Company via our hotline: 1900636389.