Vietnam will ban imports of a wide range of used digital technology products, including smartphones and computers, from 1 January 2027, Viet Nam News reported on 5 November.
The rule comes from Circular 63/2026/TT-BKHCN, issued by the Ministry of Science and Technology in late October. It lists the banned used products with their Harmonised System codes, covering mobile phones, computers, cameras, telecommunications equipment and various electronic components.
At a ministry press briefing on 4 November, Nguyen Khac Lich, director of the Authority of Digital Technology and Artificial Intelligence, said the ban is not a new policy but an update of regulations Vietnam has enforced since 2007. The ministry gave several reasons: preventing the country becoming a destination for electronic waste, protecting consumers, and reducing information-security risks, since modified devices could leak personal data. It also cited fire and explosion risks from old batteries and the possibility that second-hand equipment fails technical and radio-frequency standards.
There are exemptions. Used production lines, machinery and tools can still be imported if they meet the criteria in digital technology industry regulations and are used directly in projects making, packaging or testing semiconductor integrated circuits. Equipment for training and for research and development of digital products and services is also exempt.
The report does not address personal devices that travellers carry with them, so anyone planning to ship or bring used electronics should check the circular's text and customs guidance.
Sources
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