Vietnam Import Procedures for Stainless Steel Tanks and Pressure Vessels
Vietnam's import procedures for stainless steel tanks involve 5 steps: determine the HS code and working pressure, prepare documents, file the declaration on VNACCS, inspection and duty payment, then clearance. Pressure vessels above 0.7 bar also require a declaration of conformity and safety inspection before use.
Table of contents:
I. Which HS codes apply to stainless steel tanks and pressure vessels?
II. How does a pressure vessel differ from an ordinary stainless steel tank?
III. Do imported pressure vessels need inspection before use?
IV. What documents are needed to import stainless steel tanks and pressure vessels?
V. Import procedures for stainless steel tanks
VI. How is import duty on stainless steel tanks calculated?
VII. How do you move oversized tanks from the port to the factory?
VIII. Frequently asked questions
IX. Conclusion: 3 things to settle before importing tanks
I. Which HS codes apply to stainless steel tanks and pressure vessels?
The HS code of a tank depends on its capacity, use and whether it is fitted with additional equipment. For iron or steel tanks, including stainless steel, the common headings are:
HS heading | Type of tank |
7309 | Tanks and vats with a capacity exceeding 300 litres, not fitted with mechanical or thermal equipment |
7310 | Drums and tanks with a capacity of 300 litres or less, not fitted with mechanical or thermal equipment |
7311 | Containers for compressed or liquefied gas |
Tanks fitted with agitators, heating or cooling jackets are no longer simple storage tanks, so the HS code must be re-determined according to the equipment's function.
The 8-digit code and duty rate must be checked against the tariff schedule at the time of declaration. When unsure of the code, businesses can ask customs for an advance classification ruling under Article 28 of the 2014 Customs Law.
II. How does a pressure vessel differ from an ordinary stainless steel tank?
The dividing line is a rated working pressure of 0.7 bar. Tanks storing water or raw materials at atmospheric pressure only go through normal customs procedures. Tanks above this threshold are pressure equipment and carry additional quality obligations.
Under Circular 16/2026/TT-BNV (signed and effective 28/7/2026):
Scope: vessels, tanks, cisterns, cylinders and drums with a rated working pressure above 0.7 bar, classified under TCVN 8366:2010. Excludes single-use gas cylinders, and cylinders or tanks temporarily imported for re-export to hold import-export goods.
HS codes in the list: 7311, 3923.30.20, 7613.00.00.
Risk level: medium.
Applicable technical regulation: QCVN 01-2008/BLĐTBXH on occupational safety for boilers and pressure vessels.
This Circular repeals Circular 01/2021/TT-BLĐTBXH, i.e. the former "group 2 goods" list. Older guidance stating that pressure vessels are subject to group 2 state inspection should therefore be re-checked.
Related articles:
- Import procedures for wind turbines, steam turbines and gas turbinesIII. Do imported pressure vessels need inspection before use?
Yes. Pressure vessels with a rated working pressure above 0.7 bar are on the list of machinery and equipment with strict occupational safety and health requirements under Circular 36/2019/TT-BLĐTBXH. Equipment on this list must undergo technical safety inspection before being put into use.
Declaration of conformity and inspection are two different procedures:
Declaration of conformity | Safety inspection | |
Purpose | Proves the goods meet the technical regulation before circulation | Confirms the equipment is safe before operation |
Legal basis | Circular 16/2026/TT-BNV, QCVN 01-2008/BLĐTBXH | Law on Occupational Safety and Health 84/2015/QH13; Circular 36/2019/TT-BLĐTBXH |
Timing | Before sale or circulation | After installation, before operation; then periodic inspection |
Therefore, ask the manufacturer for the full technical file at the time of ordering. Without it, the tank cannot be put into operation even after it reaches the factory.
IV. What documents are needed to import stainless steel tanks and pressure vessels?
The file consists of the customs documents, plus a technical file for pressure vessels.
Document | Required when |
Import goods declaration (VNACCS) | Every shipment (Art. 16 Circular 38/2015/TT-BTC, as amended) |
Commercial invoice, Packing List, bill of lading (B/L) | Every shipment |
C/O | To claim special preferential FTA rates |
Catalogue, drawings, capacity and design pressure specifications | To support the HS code and determine whether the tank is above 0.7 bar |
Manufacturer's technical file (strength calculations, material certificates, pressure test records) | Pressure vessels, for conformity and inspection |
Manufacturer's confirmation or inspection certificate | Used tanks (Decision 18/2019/QD-TTg) |
V. Import procedures for stainless steel tanks
The process has 5 steps. For pressure vessels, steps 1 and 5 involve extra work.
Step | What to do | Notes for pressure vessels |
1. HS code, policy | Settle the 8-digit code and rated working pressure | Determine whether it is on the Circular 16/2026 list |
2. Prepare documents | Per the documents table | Obtain the full technical file from the manufacturer |
3. File on VNACCS | The system assigns green, yellow or red channel | – |
4. Inspection, duty payment | Pay duty or provide a guarantee before clearance | Arrange lifting equipment in advance if large tanks are selected for physical inspection |
5. Clearance, take delivery | Move the goods out of the customs supervision area | Declare conformity before circulation; inspect before operation |
VI. How is import duty on stainless steel tanks calculated?
The duty rate depends on the 8-digit HS code and origin. Without a C/O, preferential (MFN) rates apply under the tariff schedule attached to Decree 26/2023/ND-CP (as amended). With a valid FTA C/O, special preferential rates apply.
Tanks imported to form fixed assets of a project in an investment-incentive sector or location are exempt from import duty, provided the project owner has notified customs of the duty-exempt List before the first declaration (Art. 30 Decree 134/2016/ND-CP, amended by Decree 182/2025/ND-CP).
Used tanks are imported under Decision 18/2019/QD-TTg: equipment age must not exceed 10 years and they may only be imported to directly serve production.
VII. How do you move oversized tanks from the port to the factory?
Tanks often exceed container dimensions, so they ship on flat racks, open tops or as break bulk. Empty tanks are light but bulky, so the main risks are denting of the shell and rolling or sliding, not overloading.
A real H-Cargo shipment: 2 large steel tanks exceeding the width and height of a standard container. The tanks were placed on timber cradles, lashed on a 40' flat rack container and loaded onto a low-bed trailer at the factory.
Vehicles carrying cargo longer than 20 m, wider than 2.5 m or higher than 4.2 m from the road surface (4.35 m for container trucks) must obtain a road permit from the Department of Construction (Circular 12/2025/TT-BXD, consolidated in 26/VBHN-BXD).
How to support and lash cylindrical equipment is covered in the article on lashing and securing project cargo. For boilers (also pressure equipment), see the article on industrial boiler transport.
Looking for a forwarder that can handle tanks and oversized equipment? Call H-Cargo: +84 888 909 186. The project team handles customs clearance, lashing and the leg from the port to the factory.
VIII. Frequently asked questions
Does a stainless steel water tank need a declaration of conformity?
No, if the tank works at a pressure not exceeding 0.7 bar. The Circular 16/2026/TT-BNV list only applies to vessels and tanks with a rated working pressure above 0.7 bar.
Are imported pressure vessels still "group 2 goods"?
The former group 2 list (Circular 01/2021/TT-BLĐTBXH) was repealed from 28/7/2026. Pressure vessels now fall under the list of medium-risk products and goods under Circular 16/2026/TT-BNV.
Is inspection still needed after declaring conformity?
Yes. Conformity applies when goods are put into circulation; technical safety inspection applies before the tank is put into operation, and periodically afterwards.
Can used tanks be imported?
Yes, if the equipment is no more than 10 years old and imported to directly serve production, under Decision 18/2019/QD-TTg.
IX. Conclusion: 3 things to settle before importing tanks
Pressure and HS code: whether the tank is above 0.7 bar, and whether it is fitted with agitators or heating equipment.
Technical file: whether the manufacturer provides full strength calculations, material certificates and pressure test records.
Transport plan: flat rack, open top or break bulk; whether a road permit is needed.
These three points should be settled at the time of ordering, not after the tanks reach the port.
Author: Navy Ngo - Project team
Contact us for a free consultation:
H-Cargo International Logistics
113-115 Ung Van Khiem St., Ward Thanh My Tay, Ho Chi Minh City
Tel: +84 888 909 186
Email: project@hcargovn.com
Web: www.hcargovn.com
Sources cited: Customs Law 2014; Law on Occupational Safety and Health 84/2015/QH13; Circular 16/2026/TT-BNV; Circular 36/2019/TT-BLĐTBXH; QCVN 01-2008/BLĐTBXH; Circular 38/2015/TT-BTC (as amended); Decree 26/2023/ND-CP; Decree 134/2016/ND-CP (amended by Decree 182/2025); Decision 18/2019/QD-TTg; Circular 12/2025/TT-BXD (consolidated 26/VBHN-BXD). Accessed 04/11/2026. For reference only. Check that regulations and tax policies are in force at the time of application.
Comments