From January 1, 2027, Vietnam will ban the import of many used electronic products, including phones, computers, cameras and components.

The Ministry of Science and Technology has just issued Circular 63/2026, regulating the list of used digital technology and electronic products banned from import. The list is built according to commodity codes (HS codes), including many groups of equipment in the fields of information technology, telecommunications and electronics.

Specifically, the group of prohibited goods includes computers, automatic data processing equipment and functional parts belonging to HS code groups 8470 and 8471. HS code group 8517 is also in the list, including smartphones, mobile phones and devices that transmit and receive sound, images and data via wired or wireless networks.

In addition, the regulations also apply to many other electronic devices such as microphones, speakers, headphones, and sound amplifiers; digital cameras, camcorders, television cameras; radio transceiver equipment, radar, radio navigation and remote control equipment.

Screens, projectors, video recording equipment and a number of other electronic devices are also subject to import ban if they are within the HS codes specified in the circular appendix.

Refurbished goods and replacement parts are also prohibited

Notably, the scope of adjustment is not limited to used devices in their original condition. The Ministry of Science and Technology stipulates that used parts, accessories, component assemblies and electronic components of products on the list are also banned from import.

In particular, products that have been refurbished, repaired or replaced with components to restore function, quality and appearance equivalent to new products are still prohibited from import if they have HS codes on the prescribed list.

This means that repairing, renewing or replacing components does not change the legal status of the goods to be imported as new products.

Some equipment serving the semiconductor industry is subject to separate regulations

For the semiconductor industry, the circular has separate regulations on used technology lines, machinery, equipment and tools.

Accordingly, equipment directly serving investment projects in manufacturing, packaging, testing semiconductor circuits or training, research and development of digital technology products and services may be allowed to be imported if it meets the conditions prescribed by law and is not on the list of goods banned from import.

Thus, not all used electronic devices will be banned from import from 2027. However, businesses, research and training facilities are not automatically allowed to import used devices based on the purpose of use but must still fully meet the relevant conditions.

How ​​to identify goods on the prohibited list

Circular 63/2026 also stipulates principles for determining the scope of prohibited goods according to HS codes.

Specifically, if the list stipulates HS codes at the 4-digit level, the ban will apply to all 8-digit HS codes in the corresponding group. In case the list records 6-digit HS codes, the prohibition applies to the corresponding 8-digit HS codes. If an 8-digit HS code is specified, only items bearing this code will be banned.

Circular 63/2026 takes effect from January 1, 2027. For goods that have been permitted to be imported by a competent authority before the effective date of the circular, the import will still continue according to the content and time limit stated in the permitting document.