Laws, Standards and Regulations

This procedure is used to obtain an Import License or an Export License from DIMEX/MOIC or from your nearest provincial office of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce for goods for which a license is required.

Certain categories of goods are exempt from Customs duties. Below is a brief list of these exemptions. We recommend, however, that you enquire with Customs to ascertain whether you can take advantage of these concessions

This Decision sets out procedures for rice import and export. This Decision has no purpose to restrict the quantity or value of importation, but only for statistical purpose through the automatic import or export licensing regime.

This Decree determines principles, rules and measures on import and export of goods in order to facilitate, promote and administer the import and export, aiming at developing and strengthening socio-economy and contributing to the improvement of people’s standard of living.

For certain types of products, a permit or certificate may be required to certify that these products conform to certain technical standards. Lao PDR has established a TBT Enquiry Point as required by the WTO SPS Agreement. You can contact the TBT Enquiry Point if you have any questions regarding sanitary and phytosanitary requirements.

Certain types of products are necessary to obtain an import license from DIMEX. Depending on the product, the license can be either automatic or non-automatic. The rules about licensing are governed by Notification No. 0076 and you can find the list of products requiring licensing in its Annexes as well as a list of supporting documents required

If a product is not subject to licensing or to specific sanitary/phytosanitary or technical

Prohibited goods cannot be imported, exported, transited, sold or circulated in Laos (Customs Law 2011, Article 31). Among prohibited goods are weapons, narcotics, psychotropic substances and hazardous chemical substances. The goods prohibited for imports are listed in Notification No. 0973, Annex 1.