Circular No. 11/2014/TT-NHNN on carrying gold by individuals when exiting and entering the country

✦ Smart summary

Circular No. 11/2014/TT-NHNN stipulates the regulations for individuals carrying gold when exiting and entering through border gates. This document applies to both Vietnamese citizens and foreigners, and sets out specific provisions regarding the permissible amount of gold to be carried and procedures for declaring to customs authorities.

Scope of application

Vietnamese individuals and foreign individuals

Key points

Vietnamese citizens and foreigners are not allowed to carry gold bars or raw gold when exiting and entering the country using passports (Article 2).
When carrying gold jewelry or art pieces weighing 300 grams or more, declaration with customs authorities is required (Articles 2 and 3).
Foreigners residing in Vietnam who enter the country carrying gold weighing 300 grams or more must declare to customs authorities (Article 4).
Vietnamese citizens residing abroad who exit the country carrying gold weighing 1 kilogram or more need to obtain a Permit from the State Bank Branch of the province or city where they reside (Articles 4 and 5).
The procedure for applying for a Permit to carry gold when exiting includes an application form, purchase invoice or proof of legitimate origin, passport, and entry visa if necessary (Article 5).

🌐 Social impact of this document

To control the flow of gold in and out of the country, and to reduce smuggling activities.
Creating difficulties for people carrying large amounts of gold jewelry during short trips.
Providing detailed guidance on the procedure for obtaining a permit to carry gold for settlement abroad.

❓ Frequently asked questions

How much gold jewelry can I carry when exiting the country?

You are permitted to carry gold jewelry under 300 grams without declaration. From 300 grams or more, declaration with customs authorities is required.

I am settling abroad and want to take gold with me, what should I do?

If the total weight of gold is 1 kilogram or more, you need to apply for a Permit from the State Bank Branch of the province or city where you reside.

Can I bring raw gold when entering Vietnam?

You are not allowed to bring raw gold when entering the country using a passport. If you wish to bring it, it must be stored at the customs warehouse or shipped back overseas and bear all related costs.

How long does it take to obtain a Permit to carry gold when exiting for settlement abroad?

Within 15 working days from the date of receiving complete valid documents, the State Bank will consider issuing the permit.

What is the validity period of the Permit to carry gold when exiting the country?

The Permit to carry gold when exiting for settlement abroad is valid for six months from the date of issuance.

Full text

STATE BANK OF VIETNAM

VIETNAM

SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM

Independence – Freedom – Happiness

Number: 11/2014/TT-NHNN

Hanoi, March 28, 2014

CIRCULAR

Regulations on carrying gold by individuals when exiting and entering the country

______________________

On the basis of the Law on the State Bank of Vietnam No. 46/2010/QH12 dated June 16, 2010;

On the basis of Decree No. 28/2005/PL-UBTVQH11 December 13, 2005;

On the basis of Decree No. 06/2013/PL-UBTVQH13 March 18, 2013;

Decree No. November 11, November 11, 2013 Government Decision on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the State Bank of Vietnam;

Decree No. Decree No. 24/2012/NĐ-CP April 3, 2012 Government Decree on managing gold trading activities;

At the proposal of the Head of the Foreign Exchange Management Department,

The Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam issues this Circular regulating the carrying of gold by individuals when exiting and entering the country.

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

This Circular regulates the carrying of gold bars, gold raw materials, gold jewelry, and gold artworks when exiting and entering the country in the following cases:

1. Vietnamese individuals and foreign individuals exiting and entering through border gates using passports or other documents with equivalent value to passports issued by competent authorities in Vietnam or abroad, except for the documents specified in Clause 2 of Article 1 (hereinafter referred to as passports).

2. Vietnamese individuals and foreign individuals exiting and entering through border gates using border pass documents, entry-exit pass documents, and border identity cards issued by competent authorities in Vietnam or neighboring countries.

3. Foreign individuals permitted to reside in Vietnam or Vietnamese individuals permitted to reside abroad.

Article 2. Carrying gold when exiting and entering the country using passports

1. Vietnamese individuals and foreign individuals exiting and entering the country using passports are not allowed to carry gold bars or gold raw materials. In the case where foreign individuals enter Vietnam carrying gold bars or gold raw materials, they must process storage at customs warehouses for removal upon exit or process transfer abroad and bear all related costs incurred.

2. Vietnamese individuals and foreign individuals exiting and entering the country using passports who carry gold jewelry and artworks with a total weight of 300 grams (three hundred grams) or more must declare to the Customs Authority.

Article 3. Carrying gold when exiting and entering the country using border pass documents, entry-exit pass documents, and border identity cards

1. Vietnamese individuals and foreign individuals exiting and entering the country using border pass documents, entry-exit pass documents, and border identity cards are not allowed to carry gold raw materials, gold bars, gold jewelry, and gold artworks, except as provided in Clause 2 of this Article.

2. Vietnamese individuals and foreign individuals exiting and entering the country using border pass documents, entry-exit pass documents, and border identity cards may wear gold jewelry and artworks serving personal adornment needs such as rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, brooches, and other types of ornaments; in cases where the total weight is 300 grams (three hundred grams) or more, they must declare to the Customs Authority.

Article 4. Carrying gold when exiting and entering the country in cases of settlement

1. Foreign individuals permitted to settle in Vietnam who enter the country carrying gold raw materials, gold bars, gold jewelry, and gold artworks with a total weight of 300 grams (three hundred grams) or more must declare to the Customs Authority.

2. Vietnamese individuals permitted to settle abroad who exit the country may carry gold (gold raw materials, gold bars, gold jewelry, and gold artworks) according to the following regulations:

a) A total weight of gold from 300 grams (three hundred grams) up to less than 1 kg (one kilogram) must be declared to the Customs Authority;

b) A total weight of gold from 1 kg (one kilogram) or more must have a Gold Carrying Permit for Settling Abroad issued by the State Bank Branch in the province or centrally administered city where the individual resides, while simultaneously declaring to the Customs Authority.

Article 5. Procedure for Issuing a Permit to Carry Gold When Departing for Overseas Settlement

1. Individuals who are permitted to settle abroad and wish to carry gold when departing according to point b, Clause 2, Article 4 of this Circular must directly submit or send by post one set of documents to the State Bank branch in the province or centrally administered city where they reside. The documents include:

a) An application for a Permit to Carry Gold When Departing for Overseas Settlement according to the form at Annex 1 of this Circular;

b) A purchase invoice or other documents proving the legitimate source of the gold, or a personal declaration regarding the legitimacy of the amount of gold to be carried if there is no invoice or proof of origin;

c) Passport and entry visa for countries requiring an entry visa;

d) Decision of the competent authority allowing settlement or other equivalent documents.

2. The documents and materials specified in points b, c, and d of Clause 1 of this Article must be original or certified copies in accordance with the provisions of the law. In cases where the documents and materials are in a foreign language, they must be translated into Vietnamese and certified.

3. Within fifteen working days from the date of receipt of complete and valid documents, the State Bank branch in the province or centrally administered city will consider issuing a Permit to Carry Gold When Departing for Overseas Settlement according to the form at Annex 2 of this Circular. In case of refusal to issue the permit, the State Bank branch in the province or centrally administered city must provide a written explanation of the reasons.

4. The Permit to Carry Gold When Departing for Overseas Settlement is valid for use within six (06) months from the date of issuance.

Article 6. Effectiveness

1. This Circular takes effect from May 15, 2014, and replaces Decision No. 1165/2001/QĐ-NHNN dated September 12, 2001, of the Governor of the State Bank on carrying gold by individuals when departing and entering the country.

2. The Director of the Office, Heads of the Department of Foreign Exchange Management, Heads of units under the State Bank, and Directors of State Bank branches in provinces and centrally administered cities are responsible for organizing the implementation of this Circular./.

DIRECTOR
DEPUTY DIRECTOR

Dao Minh Tu