Vietnam Import Procedures for Wind, Steam and Gas Turbines
Vietnam's import procedures for turbines involve 5 steps: determine the HS code and the policy for the goods, prepare documents, file the declaration on VNACCS, document or physical inspection and duty payment, and finally clearance and taking delivery. Turbines for projects, disassembled shipments or used machines have additional procedures.
Table of contents:
I. Which HS codes apply to wind turbines, steam turbines and gas turbines?
II. Can used turbines be imported?
III. What does the turbine import file include?
IV. How many steps are in the turbine import process?
V. What is the import duty on turbines, and when are they exempt?
VI. How do you declare turbines imported disassembled in several shipments?
VII. What to watch when moving turbines from the port to the site
VIII. Frequently asked questions
IX. Conclusion: 3 things to settle before importing turbines
I. Which HS codes apply to wind turbines, steam turbines and gas turbines?
Each type of turbine falls under a different HS heading. For wind turbines, the code also changes depending on whether the complete generating set or individual parts are imported.
Goods | HS heading | Notes |
Wind-powered generating sets | 8502 (subheading 8502.31) | Can still be classified as a complete set when imported disassembled |
Steel wind turbine towers | 7308 (subheading 7308.20) | Towers originating in China are subject to anti-dumping duty |
Steam turbines | 8406 | |
Gas turbines | 8411 | |
Separately imported parts (blades, hub, nacelle) | Determined case by case | An advance classification ruling is recommended |
The 8-digit code and duty rate must be checked against the tariff schedule at the time of declaration, because policy and duties are tied to the 8-digit code. For separately imported parts, businesses can ask customs for an advance classification ruling (Article 28 of the 2014 Customs Law) to avoid a different code being applied once the goods reach the port.
II. Can used turbines be imported?
Yes, but they must meet the equipment age condition and the year of manufacture must be proven. Used machinery and equipment are imported under Decision 18/2019/QD-TTg.
Equipment age: no more than 10 years, except for equipment groups with specific limits in Appendix I of the decision. Age is counted in years, from the year of manufacture to the year of import.
Proof: a manufacturer's confirmation of the year of manufacture and technical standards, or an inspection certificate from a designated inspection body.
Exceptions: the decision has cases where it does not apply, so check the exact equipment group.
For used steam turbines, obtain the confirmation of the year of manufacture before signing the purchase contract; without it, you must hire an inspection body, adding time and cost.
Related articles:
- Import procedures for coaches and buses: HS codes, vehicle inspection and taxes
- Import procedures for stainless steel tanks and pressure vessels: HS codes, conformity and inspectionIII. What does the turbine import file include?
The file consists of a basic set of documents, plus extra papers for used machines, duty-exempt goods and disassembled goods.
Document | Required when | Legal basis |
Import goods declaration (filed on VNACCS) | Every shipment | Art. 16 Circular 38/2015/TT-BTC (as amended) |
Commercial Invoice | The buyer must pay the seller | Art. 16 Circular 38/2015/TT-BTC (as amended) |
Packing List, bill of lading (B/L) | Documents accompanying the shipment | – |
C/O (e.g. form E for goods from China) | To claim special preferential FTA rates | The relevant trade agreement |
List of machinery and equipment with a Deduction Tracking Sheet | Machine assemblies, disassembled goods | Art. 16.2.i Circular 38/2015/TT-BTC, amended by Circular 121/2025/TT-BTC |
Manufacturer's confirmation or inspection certificate | Used turbines | Decision 18/2019/QD-TTg |
List of duty-exempt goods notified to customs | Project duty exemption | Art. 30 Decree 134/2016/ND-CP (as amended) |
IV. How many steps are in the turbine import process?
The turbine import process has 5 steps, and how long step 4 takes depends on the channel assigned.
Step | What to do | Notes for turbines |
1. Determine HS code, policy | Settle the 8-digit code, used machinery conditions, duty exemption | Do this before signing the contract |
2. Prepare documents | Per the documents table | Notify the duty-exempt List before the first declaration |
3. File the declaration on VNACCS | The system assigns a channel automatically | Green channel: no inspection. Yellow channel: document check. Red channel: document check and physical inspection |
4. Inspection, duty payment | Pay duty or provide a guarantee before clearance | If selected for physical inspection, arrange lifting equipment at the port in advance |
5. Clearance, take delivery | Move the goods out of the customs supervision area | The leg to the site needs a road permit |
V. What is the import duty on turbines, and when are they exempt?
The duty rate depends on the 8-digit HS code and the origin of the goods. Goods with a valid FTA C/O, such as form E for goods from China, qualify for special preferential rates. Without a C/O, preferential (MFN) rates apply under the tariff schedule attached to Decree 26/2023/ND-CP (as amended).
Duty exemption for investment projects: goods imported to form fixed assets of a project in an investment-incentive sector or location are exempt from import duty (Article 16 of the Law on Export and Import Duties 107/2016/QH13). Prerequisite: the project owner must notify customs of the List of duty-exempt goods before registering the first duty-exempt declaration (Article 30 Decree 134/2016/ND-CP, most recently amended by Decree 182/2025/ND-CP, effective 01/07/2025).
Warning for wind towers from China: the Ministry of Industry and Trade applies official anti-dumping duty for 5 years on wind towers originating in China, under Decision 3453/QD-BCT dated 24/12/2024, effective 15 days after signing.
Wind towers from other countries are not affected.
One Chinese manufacturer is excluded.
Duty rates vary by manufacturer, so check the manufacturer name on the contract before finalizing the price.
Turbine import duty depends on the HS code and origin. Wind towers originating in China are subject to anti-dumping duty under Decision 3453/QD-BCT.
VI. How do you declare turbines imported disassembled in several shipments?
Turbines imported disassembled or unassembled are classified as complete machines if the imported parts have the essential character of the complete machine. This is Rule 2(a) of the 6 General Interpretative Rules for classifying goods.
In that case, the business submits a List of machinery and equipment with a Deduction Tracking Sheet (Art. 16.2.i Circular 38/2015/TT-BTC, amended by Circular 121/2025/TT-BTC); each shipment is deducted on the sheet until the set is complete. The declaration approach should be settled from the first shipment.
VII. What to watch when moving turbines from the port to the site
The inland leg is usually the hardest, because blades, nacelles and tower sections are often oversized and overweight.
Under Circular 12/2025/TT-BXD (amended by Circular 19/2026/TT-BXD, consolidated in 26/VBHN-BXD):
Oversized: 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).
Overweight: gross weight of the vehicle or vehicle combination, including cargo, exceeding 48 tonnes.
Road permit: issued by the Department of Construction after receiving a complete file; the application must explain why other transport modes are not suitable.
Each vehicle may carry only 01 indivisible overweight unit.
When roads are not suitable, consider pontoon barges for overweight cargo. Thresholds and permits are detailed in the article on out-of-gauge cargo transport; how to secure blades and nacelles is in the article on lashing and securing project cargo.
Looking for a forwarder that can handle project cargo and oversized goods? Call H-Cargo: +84 888 909 186. The project team surveys the cargo and route and handles customs clearance through a single point of contact.
VIII. Frequently asked questions
Do wind turbines imported disassembled have to be declared part by part under separate codes?
Not necessarily. They can be classified as a complete set (Rule 2(a)) with each shipment tracked on a Deduction Tracking Sheet.
Are wind towers from countries other than China subject to anti-dumping duty?
No. Decision 3453/QD-BCT only applies to wind towers originating in China.
How old can used turbines be to be imported?
No more than 10 years under Decision 18/2019/QD-TTg, except for groups with specific limits in Appendix I.
Who issues road permits for trucks carrying turbine blades?
The Department of Construction issues the road permit after receiving a complete file. Cargo exceeding the regulated dimensions or weight requires a route survey before applying.
IX. Conclusion: 3 things to settle before importing turbines
HS code: complete set or individual parts, and whether a Deduction Tracking Sheet is used.
Duty: whether the duty-exempt List has been notified; whether towers from China are subject to anti-dumping duty.
Inland leg: road permit and route plan completed before the vessel arrives.
These three points should be settled before signing the contract, not after the goods reach the port.
Author: Navy Ngo - Project team
Contact us for a free consultation:
H-Cargo International Logistics
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Email: project@hcargovn.com
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Sources cited: Customs Law 2014; Law on Export and Import Duties 107/2016/QH13; Decree 134/2016/ND-CP (amended by Decree 18/2021, Decree 182/2025); Decree 26/2023/ND-CP; Circular 38/2015/TT-BTC (amended by Circular 121/2025/TT-BTC); Decision 18/2019/QD-TTg; Decision 3453/QD-BCT; Circular 12/2025/TT-BXD (consolidated 26/VBHN-BXD). Accessed 03/11/2026. For reference only. Check that regulations and tax policies are in force at the time of application.
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