Importing routers into Vietnam is no simple task. Companies need to determine whether these devices contain civilian cryptographic technology to obtain the necessary permits and comply with specific import regulations. This process poses significant challenges for businesses unfamiliar with or new to exporting products to the Vietnamese market. Furthermore, if you’re not well-versed in Vietnam’s customs regulations and procedures, completing the necessary paperwork can become complex and time-consuming, potentially causing missed delivery deadlines and lost business opportunities with local clients.

Sound like you? You’re in the right place.

In this article, we will explore key questions such as, What is a router? What steps are involved in importing routers? What documents are necessary for importing routers? Are routers considered civilian cryptographic products, and do they require an import license? Do 4G WiFi routers need to undergo state quality inspection and compliance certification?

By addressing these questions, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of the process for importing routers into Vietnam. We’ll also discuss practical steps to efficiently navigate the procedures, ensuring smooth and effective operations for your business.

The definition of Routers

A router is a crucial networking device that acts as a traffic controller for the internet, directing data between computer networks. Essentially, it allows your devices, such as computers, smartphones, and tablets, to connect to the internet. A router analyzes data and sends it along the most efficient path to reach its destination, ensuring that when you access a website or send an email, the information gets to your device quickly and accurately. This is achieved through a routing table, which helps the router find the best path for data to travel, much like a GPS for internet data.

Routers come in both wireless (Wi-Fi) and wired forms. Wireless routers allow devices to connect without physical cables, while wired routers use physical cables for connection. A router’s functions include not only connecting to the internet and directing data, but also include providing security by controlling the flow of information within a local network. By managing network traffic, a router helps to minimize network errors and prevents network congestion. Some of the popular imported routers in Vietnam are Cisco Integrated Services Router (ISR), Cisco Catalyst 8000 Series Edge Platforms, Cisco Meraki Z Series, Cisco Meraki MX Series, etc

In the following section, we will delve into the specific procedures for importing routers and the compliance certification process required for routers with civilian cryptographic technology.

IMPORT PROCEDURES FOR ROUTERS TO VIETNAM

1. What are the Document Requirements for Importing Routers to Vietnam

A standard import dossier for regular products (Group 1 goods, not subject to special import policies or specialized inspection) includes:

• Commercial Invoice for goods purchased from abroad that have been paid for. Alternatively, Proforma Invoice, Non-commercial Invoice, or Shipping Invoice for unpaid items such as gifts, FOC items, warranty replacements, etc.
• Bill of Lading (B/L) for sea freight or Air Way Bill (AWB) for air freight.
• Commercial Contract or Purchase Order (PO), or a non-trade shipping notice.
• Certificate of Origin (COO), if the importer wishes to benefit from preferential import tariffs.
• Packing List.
• Technical Documentation of the product (to identify functions, HS code, applicable import policies).
• Other documents (if any).

However, the above documents apply only to regular products, not subject to special import policies or specialized inspections. So, do routers require special permits or specialized inspection? Generally, routers must undergo specialized inspection, specifically requiring a Civilian Cryptography License (if they have encryption functions) to be imported into Vietnam. Therefore, the import dossier will be more extensive than for regular products. Importing companies must also complete additional procedures, such as registering for state quality inspection and obtaining an import permit for civilian cryptographic products before declaring customs for the imported shipment.

2. How to Categorize Routers for Importing to Vietnam

Due to the diverse types of routers, including wireless and wired connections, with or without civilian cryptographic features, we categorize routers into the following four groups along with their corresponding specialized inspection policies:

1. Wired routers without wireless transmission and without civilian cryptographic features can be imported as regular goods, without requiring specialized inspection. In some cases, if customs officials suspect the product to be a cryptographic device, the importer may need to obtain a confirmation letter stating that the product is not a civilian cryptographic product for smooth customs clearance.
2. Wired routers with civilian cryptographic features (Cisco Integrated Services Router (ISR), Cisco Catalyst 8000 Series Edge Platforms, Cisco Meraki MX Series) are subject to specialized inspection policies for civilian cryptographic products. Importers must obtain a business license for civilian cryptographic products and an import permit for such products. In this case, the import procedures for routers with encryption functions are similar to those for importing firewalls or civilian cryptographic switches.
3. Wireless routers with WiFi or 2G/3G/4G/5G capabilities without civilian cryptographic features only need to follow the import procedures as per the specialized inspection regulations of the Ministry of Information and Communications (registering for quality inspection, obtaining compliance certification, and declaring conformity). In this scenario, the import procedures for WiFi routers are similar to those for importing WiFi Access Points, and the procedures for 4G/5G routers are similar to those for importing 4G/5G terminals or mobile phones.
4. Wireless routers with WiFi or 2G/3G/4G/5G capabilities (Cisco Meraki Z Series) and civilian cryptographic features may be subject to simultaneous import procedures as per the specialized inspection regulations of both the Ministry of Information and Communications and the Government Cipher Committee, depending on the applicable HS code.

3. Import Procedures for Routers with Cryptographic Factor in Vietnam

The import process for wireless routers in Vietnam involves compliance with regulations from two main government bodies: the Ministry of Information and Communications and the Government Cipher Committee. These regulations depend on the router’s features.

3.1 Procedures under the Ministry of Information and Communications (Applicable to all wireless routers with WiFi, 2G/3G/4G/5G capabilities)

These steps are mandatory for all wireless routers:

• State Quality Inspection Registration: Register the router for state quality inspection.
• Customs Submission: Submit the quality inspection registration to customs authorities.
• Customs Clearance: Complete customs procedures to release the router from customs and transport it to your warehouse.
• Technical Standard Testing: Test the product to ensure it meets applicable technical standards.
• Certification of Conformity: Obtain certification of conformity for the router.
• Declaration of Conformity: Declare the router’s conformity (self-assessment).
• ICT Conformity Stamp: Affix the ICT conformity stamp to the router before it can be sold on the market.

If you already have the necessary certification of conformity and test results, you can proceed with the declaration of conformity immediately after registering for the state quality inspection.

3.2 Procedures under the Government Cipher Committee

(Applicable when the router has civil cryptographic features, such as channel and IP stream security)

If your router has cryptographic features, these additional steps are required:

• License for Production/Business of Civil Cryptographic Products: Obtain a license for the production and sale of civil cryptographic products. This should ideally be done before importing.
• Import License for Civil Cryptographic Products: Obtain an import license for civil cryptographic products. This also should be done before importing.
• Certification of Conformity for Civil Cryptographic Products: Obtain certification of conformity for the cryptographic aspects of the router. This can be done before or after import.

Key Points for Importers

• Advance Planning: Obtaining necessary licenses before importing is recommended to avoid delays and complications.
• Two-Pronged Approach: Be aware that two separate government bodies may require compliance if your product has certain security features.
• Self-Assessment: Importers can self-assess conformity after the other steps have been completed, which might be a simplified approach to declaring conformity.
• Stamping Requirement: Before going to market, you must affix a special stamp to the router

CERTIFICATE OF CONFORMITY

1. Testing and Measurement of Wireless Routers

For Radio Frequency (RF) and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) standards, enterprises can conduct testing and measurement at designated domestic laboratories approved by the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) or recognized foreign laboratories accredited by the MIC or the Department of Telecommunications (MRA laboratories). You can either test directly at these labs or authorize ExtendMax to perform the testing. Typically, the testing process for routers takes 1-2 weeks.

Currently, the Ministry of Defense does not yet mandate testing and compliance certification for civilian cryptographic features, but it will likely be implemented in the near future.

2. Application for a certificate of conformity for router equipment

• Request for certificate of conformity according to the form of the certifying organization
• Enterprise registration certificate.
• Product technical documentation.
• Actual images of the product.
• Testing and measurement results.
• ISO 9001 certificate from the manufacturing plant or import dossier (depending on the certification method applied).

3. Certifying Organizations for Routers

Currently, the designated certifying organization by the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) is the Telecommunications Quality Measurement Center (TMC), which is part of the Department of Telecommunications. Enterprises can submit their compliance certification dossiers at the following locations:

• Telecommunications Quality Measurement Center, Hanoi.
• TMC Branch, Da Nang.
• TMC Branch, Ho Chi Minh City.

The Telecommunications Quality Measurement Center will review and evaluate the compliance certification dossier submitted by the enterprise. If the dossier is complete and meets the MIC and Department of Telecommunications regulations, the center will issue a Compliance Certificate, a process that typically takes two weeks.

4. Declaring Conformity and Self-Assessment

Based on the issued Compliance Certificate, enterprises must proceed with conformity declaration procedures at the Department of Telecommunications – Ministry of Information and Communications.

5. Conformity Declaration Procedures for Importing Routers

The enterprise must prepare a conformity declaration dossier (self-assessment of compliance) for the consignment of imported routers, which includes:

• Compliance assessment form as per Decree 74/2018/ND-CP.
• Copy of the quality inspection registration certificate for the consignment.
• ICT mark template for first-time importers or when there is a change in the ICT mark template.
• Product technical specifications.
• Compliance Certificate for the product (for products with transmission and reception functions).

For imported products, the conformity declaration procedure is completed immediately after the Department of Telecommunications receives the above-listed dossier.

EXPORT ROUTERS TO VIETNAM WITH VNBG ACCESS

With many years of experience in consulting and handling import procedures, inspection, compliance certification, and civilian cryptographic devices such as routers, switches, firewalls, and secure channel devices for leading global brands like Cisco, Asus, Meraki, etc. VNBG Access can provide full support for your import procedures, including:

• Evaluating documentation and technical information of the product before importation into Vietnam, and advising on the appropriate import procedures.
• Determining whether the product contains civilian cryptographic features by assessing its technical specifications.
• Performing and assisting with initial customs clearance procedures for routers.
• Representing businesses in conducting testing, measurement, certification, and declaration of compliance for imported routers.
• For products that are not civilian cryptographic devices, VNBG Access will provide the most convenient import solutions for both the business and the product to be imported into Vietnam.
• Advising and providing a preliminary assessment of the enterprise’s current conditions for obtaining a civilian cryptographic license, including recommendations for remedial measures if the enterprise does not meet the necessary conditions for license acquisition.

VNBG Access offers a comprehensive import service, which includes evaluating, consulting, preparing documentation, executing the import process, and delivering the product to the recipient easily and conveniently. For newly established businesses, individual customers wanting to import routers into Vietnam for business use, or companies that do not yet meet the conditions for importing routers, VNBG Access is fully capable and provides complete Importer of Record (IOR) solutions for importing popular routers to Vietnam, such as: Cisco SD-WAN vEdge Routers, Juniper Networks NFX Series, VMWare SD-WAN Edge Platform, Citrix SD-WAN, etc