Fee for Commercial Publication Import Registration in 2026: Current Rates

Timing note: The 50% fee reduction policy presented in Section 2 of this article applied only from 1 July 2024 to 31 December 2024 under Circular No. 43/2024/TT-BTC and has expired — the content on this policy retains only historical reference value. As of 26 September 2026, the fee for registration of commercial import of publications is VND 25,000 per dossier (50% of the rate at clause 3 Article 4 of Circular No. 214/2016/TT-BTC), under Circular No. 64/2025/TT-BTC applicable from 1 July 2025 to 31 December 2026.

1. Currently applicable fee for registration of commercial import of publications

On 30 June 2025, the Minister of Finance issued Circular No. 64/2025/TT-BTC prescribing the rates and exemptions of certain fees and charges to support enterprises and citizens. Under clause 1 Article 1 of this Circular, from 1 July 2025 to 31 December 2026, the fee for registration of commercial import of publications equals 50% of the fee rate prescribed at clause 3 Article 4 of Circular No. 214/2016/TT-BTC.

Clause 3 Article 4 of Circular No. 214/2016/TT-BTC provides:

“Fee for registration of commercial import of publications: VND 50,000 per dossier.”

Thus, the rate applicable as of 26 September 2026 is: 50% x 50,000 = VND 25,000 per dossier. After 31 December 2026, if no new reduction policy is issued, the rate reverts to VND 50,000 per dossier under Circular No. 214/2016/TT-BTC. You should verify the rate with the fee-collecting authority at the time of dossier submission.

2. The expired 50% reduction policy (from 1 July 2024 to 31 December 2024)

On 28 June 2024, the Minister of Finance issued Circular No. 43/2024/TT-BTC prescribing the rates of certain fees and charges to continue removing difficulties and supporting production and business activities, effective from 1 July 2024.

Under point c, item 7, clause 1 Article 1 of Circular No. 43/2024/TT-BTC, the fee for registration of commercial import of publications equals 50% of the fee rate prescribed at clause 3 Article 4 of Circular No. 214/2016/TT-BTC. Thus, from 1 July 2024 to 31 December 2024, the rate was VND 25,000 per dossier.

This policy expired on 1 January 2025. The above content is for historical reference only; it does not apply to dossiers submitted from 2025 onward.

3. Conditions for publication distribution operations

Under clauses 2 and 3 Article 36 of the Law on Publication 2012, the conditions for publication distribution operations are regulated as follows:

3.1. For distribution establishments that are enterprises or public non-business units

• The head of the distribution establishment must have permanent residence in Vietnam; hold a diploma or certificate of training in publication distribution knowledge and professional skills issued by a specialized publication distribution training institution.
• Have one of the following: a business registration certificate, an enterprise registration certificate, or a decision on establishment of a public non-business unit as prescribed by law.
• Have business premises for publications.

3.2. For distribution establishments that are household businesses

• The household head must have permanent residence in Vietnam.
• Have a business registration certificate.
• Have business premises for publications.

4. Regulations on licensing commercial publication import operations

4.1. License issuance conditions

Under Article 38 of the Law on Publication 2012:

• Domestic and foreign organizations and individuals may import publications into Vietnam in accordance with Vietnamese law and in conformity with international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a party.
• Establishments engaging in commercial publication import (hereinafter referred to as publication import establishments) must hold a license for commercial publication import operations.
• License issuance conditions include:
  • Having one of the following: a business registration certificate, an enterprise registration certificate, or an investment certificate as prescribed by law;
  • The head of the publication import establishment must have permanent residence in Vietnam, and hold a diploma issued by a specialized training institution or a certificate of training in publication distribution professional knowledge;
  • Having a team of staff competent in appraising book content where the business imports books.

4.2. Dossier and processing time limits

The dossier for license issuance comprises: the application for the license; a certified copy of one of the legal status documents above; the curriculum vitae of the head with a certified copy of the diploma or certificate; and the list of book content appraisal staff for cases of commercial book import.

Within 30 days from the date of receipt of a complete dossier, the competent authority must issue the license; if the license is not issued, a written reply stating the reasons must be provided.

Note on authority: under the Law on Publication 2012, licensing authority belongs to the Ministry of Information and Communications. From 2025, the publication sector has been under the state management of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism — the Authority of Publication, Printing and Distribution is an agency of this Ministry (Decision No. 614/QD-BVHTTDL dated 11 March 2025). You should verify the specific licensing authority at the time of dossier submission.

5. Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 50% reduction policy for publication import fees in 2024 still in effect?
No. The policy under Circular No. 43/2024/TT-BTC applied only from 1 July 2024 to 31 December 2024 and has expired.

What is the current fee for registration of commercial import of publications?
As of 26 September 2026 it is VND 25,000 per dossier (50% of the VND 50,000 per dossier rate at clause 3 Article 4 of Circular No. 214/2016/TT-BTC), under Circular No. 64/2025/TT-BTC applicable from 1 July 2025 to 31 December 2026.

Where is the dossier for registration of commercial import of publications submitted?
The Authority of Publication, Printing and Distribution (now an agency of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism).