Vietnam issues standards for imported scrap

Specific Standards for Scrap Iron, Steel, and Cast Iron

The QCVN 31:2024/BTNMT regulation applies to organizations and individuals importing and using scrap iron, steel, and cast iron as production inputs; relevant state management agencies; and organizations assessing conformity for importing these materials.

The regulation excludes organizations and individuals importing scrap iron, steel, and cast iron generated from manufacturing activities within export processing enterprises or free trade zones in Viet Nam.

Imported scrap iron, steel, and cast iron must be classified by specific HS codes listed in the government's approved importable scrap materials catalog. These materials may appear as loose pieces, bundled, compressed, or packed into blocks. According to Vietnamese law, each shipment must be separated and organized for inspection at designated facilities.

Up to 20% of the total weight of imported scrap iron, steel, and cast iron in a shipment may consist of materials with different HS codes (still within the catalog of approved scrap materials) from those declared in the import documentation.

Imported scrap iron, steel, and cast iron must comply with Viet Nam's legal and international obligations by excluding prohibited substances, materials, and goods.

Approved scrap iron, steel, and cast iron include items of various shapes and sizes, such as bars, pipes, sheets, cuttings, shavings, wires, and cast blocks derived from manufacturing processes. Permitted materials also include: Used steel rails, sleepers, sheets, plates, rounds, structural shapes, and pipes; Scrap recovered from construction sites, vehicles, machinery, and equipment, which has been dismantled or processed in the exporting country to remove prohibited materials; Cleaned and compacted packaging, containers, cans, and boxes made of iron, steel, cast iron, or alloyed non-ferrous metals.

By establishing these detailed standards, Viet Nam aims to ensure the environmental and quality control of imported scrap materials, supporting sustainable industrial development.

Imported Paper Scrap Must Exclude Prohibited Substances and Materials

The QCVN 33:2024/BTNMT regulation applies to organizations and individuals importing and using paper scrap as production inputs; state management agencies involved in importing and using paper scrap; and conformity assessment organizations related to imported paper scrap activities.

This regulation does not apply to organizations or individuals importing paper scrap generated from manufacturing activities within export processing enterprises or free trade zones in Viet Nam.

Imported paper scrap must consist of one or more shipments of categorized materials classified by specific HS codes listed in the Prime Minister's catalog of permitted scrap imports for production purposes. Each shipment must be separated and organized within the imported lot or container to facilitate inspection and verification at the designated customs registration points.

Up to 20% of the total weight for each shipment may include paper scrap with different HS codes (still within the permitted catalog) than those declared in the import documents. All imported paper scrap must comply with Viet Nam's legal and international obligations by excluding substances, materials, and goods prohibited by law.

Approved imported paper scrap includes materials (including coated papers) and cardboard selected and sorted from used paper and cardboard or discarded during production, sorting, processing, and printing. These materials are intended for recycling into new paper and cardboard products.

Viet Nam plans to gradually reduce its reliance on imported scrap materials while building an efficient and sustainable waste management system, especially for plastics. However, due to the high demand for production, the need for imported scrap remains significant.

To ensure environmental and sustainability goals, experts recommend strict control measures at every stage, from importation and transportation to production. Authorities should increase inspections and monitoring at ports and transit points, utilizing advanced technical methods to analyze and assess scrap quality. Developing a comprehensive database of imported scrap shipments is also critical for tracking and tracing their origins when necessary.