Circular No. 07/2026/TT-BCT amending regulations on importing cigarettes and cigars
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Based on:Thông tư số 07/2026/TT-BCT ngày 24/02/2026 - Government Official Gazette
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The Ministry of Industry and Trade issued Circular No. 07/2026/TT-BCT dated 24 February 2026 amending Circular No. 37/2013/TT-BCT on importing cigarettes and cigars. Only tobacco manufacturing enterprises with 100% state capital, designated by the Ministry, may import cigarettes and cigars under the state-trade mechanism, and they must conduct imports directly without delegating to other traders. The Circular also transfers licensing authority from the Ministry's Import-Export Department to the 'Licensing Authority' (i.e., the provincial People's Committee where the trader is headquartered), reflecting administrative decentralization reforms. Automatic import registration applications must be submitted in person at the provincial People's Committee or via postal or online services. The Circular takes effect from 10 April 2026.
Circular 07/2026/TT-BCT – Amendment of Cigarette and Cigar Import Regulations
Issuing body: Ministry of Industry and Trade Date issued: 24 February 2026 Effective: 10 April 2026
Key Amendments
Article 1 – Amending Article 6 (Importing traders):
- The Ministry designates traders holding a tobacco product manufacturing license and 100% state-owned capital as the authorized importers under the state-trade mechanism
- These traders must directly conduct imports and may not delegate to other traders
Article 2 – Amending Article 7 (Import requirements):
- Imported cigarettes must comply with national technical regulations (hop quy)
- Imported cigars must publish applicable standards in line with current regulations
- Article 7(4) is abolished
Article 3 – Amending Article 8 (Import documents): When clearing customs, the trader must present or submit 1 original automatic import registration form confirmed by the Licensing Authority.
Article 4 – Amending Article 9 (Automatic import registration submission): Applications are submitted in person at the provincial/municipal People's Committee where the trader's head office is located, or via postal or online services. Required documents:
- Automatic import registration form (2 copies per template)
- Import contract (1 certified copy)
- Commercial invoice (1 certified copy)
- Bill of lading/transport document (if available)
- Tobacco manufacturing license (1 certified copy)
Articles 5-6 – Amending Article 10, Abolishing Article 11: Replace 'Export-Import Department, Ministry of Industry and Trade' with 'Licensing Authority' throughout Article 10; abolish Article 11.
Article 7: Replace Annexes I and II of Circular 37/2013/TT-BCT with new Annexes
Sanctions
Traders with administrative violations will not have their import registration confirmed until violations are remedied. Traders subject to criminal investigation are barred from acting as import coordinators until cleared.