The Lao Trade Portal website aims to provide the most up-to-date requirements and regulations for importation of goods.
Laos has gradually removed license requirements for some imports. Certain products are still subject to import licensing requirements, including motor vehicles, refined petroleum fuels and oil, and natural gas. Companies must submit import license applications to their provincial trade authority. Agricultural and food imports into Laos generally require import licenses or permits, with registration and documentation overseen by relevant government agencies.
Import permits are required for controlled agricultural products items (e.g. plants, crops, seeds) and must be obtained from the Department of Agriculture or provincial agriculture offices, valid for one year for trade purposes. Import of food for sale requires a registration license with the Food and Drug Department or the Provincial Food and Drug Division, along with compliance with Lao food safety, labeling, and technical standards. Processed food and higher-risk items (based on category lists) must be registered prior to import, while medium and low risk foods can apply for permission as needed. The Lao government offers quotas for importing duty-free vehicles to qualifying individuals or organizations including grant programs, charities, and NGOs that may have received special consideration from the government.
As of July 2023, all importers and exporters must register both with relevant provincial trade authorities and with central Ministry of Industry and Commerce authorities. Upon approval, import and export registrations are valid for one year and may be renewed annually.
For general goods, importers of goods to Laos are required to have the following documentation for each shipment:
1. Invoice
2. Packing list
3. Transport documents
4. Bill of lading
5. A customs clearance report, and
6. Depending on the type of good, an import license or permits obtained from relevant ministries.
Importers of raw materials for re-export are required to have the same documents as other importers, in addition to a contract and import license. Automobile importers, unless they have obtained duty free status, must pay an import tax, excise tax, VAT, and, potentially, a tax for luxury goods.
Exporters of goods from Laos should have the following documents when applying for an export declaration:
1. An application for export declaration
2. An import/export license (only for goods under control of the ministry or government, e.g., rough, or polished diamonds)
3. An invoice of goods
4. A packing list.
5. A certificate of country of origin and generalized system of preferences certificate of origin, if applicable
6. Phyto-sanitary certificate for food exports; and
7. Industrial products certification for industrial products.
To import pharmaceuticals, food, or chemical products, in addition to the aforementioned documents, the importer must obtain a license from the Food and Drug Control Import Division of the Food and Drug Department of the Ministry of Public Health. Pre-shipment inspection is required for exported goods in accordance with the requirements of the destination country.
On March 7, 2024, the Bank of the Lao PDR (BOL) issued “Decision on the Management of Foreign Currency Revenue from Goods and Services Exports” (Decision 333), which aims to manage foreign currency revenue from export activities. Under Decision 333, export operators are required to channel a specified percentage of payments received in foreign currency for goods and services exports through their import-export bank account within three business days. Commercial banks must then sell at least 30 percent of the purchased foreign currency to the BOL on or by the following business day.