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Types of licenses required for foreign-invested logistics companies
Logistics is a specific field, requiring foreign investors to comply with regulations in legal documents of each specific industry depending on the scope of operations of the business. Since logistics includes many small sub-sectors such as road transport services, bill of lading checking services; warehouse services, etc. So when doing business in logistics services, what types of licenses do foreign-invested businesses need to apply for? Let’s find out in the article below.
What is a logistics business license?
A document issued by a competent state agency to confirm that the company has met the conditions and is allowed to operate in a certain logistics industry. At the same time, it is also the basis for agencies to manage and control the business activities of logistics enterprises systematically.
Types of Licenses needed when foreign investors operate logistics services in Vietnam
It should be noted that, before applying for a logistics service business license, foreign investors need to apply for an Investment Registration Certificate. Afterward, investors will apply for the necessary licenses to do logistics services in Vietnam, depending on the industry they register. As follows:
| Industry code | Industry type | Required license |
| CPC 7211, 7212 | Cargo transportation services belong to sea transport services (except domestic transport) | Certificate of eligibility for sea transport business (Decree 160/2016/ND-CP) |
| CPC 7411 | Container loading and unloading services (sea transport support) | Certificate of eligibility for sea transport business (Decree 160/2016/ND-CP)
Certificate of permitting seaport operation (Decree 37/2017/ND-CP) |
| Container loading and unloading services belong to services supporting all means of transport, except services provided at airports | Certificate of permitting seaport operation (Decree 37/2017/ND-CP) | |
| Customs clearance services belong to maritime transportation support services | Certificate of eligibility sea transport business (Decree 160/2016/ND-CP)
Certificate of permitting seaport operation (Decree 37/2017/ND-CP) |
|
| Bill of lading inspection services, freight brokerage services, goods inspection, sampling and weight determination services; goods receiving and acceptance services; transport document preparation services | ||
| CPC 7222 | Cargo transport services (inland waterway) | Inland sea transport license |
| CPC 7112 | Caro transport services (railway) | Fire-dangerous transport by railway license (if transporting goods that are at risk of fire and explosion) |
| CPC 7123 | Cargo transport services (road) | Car transport business license |
| CPC 742 | Warehousing services | Wearhouse services business license |
| CPC 748 | Cargo transport agency services | Business registration certificate |
| CPC 7512 | Delivery services | Postal license |
Application for License to operate Logistics services
Depending on the type of license the foreign investor wants to apply for, the investor can prepare the following types of documents:
- Application for Investment Certificate (for foreign investors investing in Vietnam)
- Certified copy of Business Registration Certificate
- Application for establishment of warehouse (if providing warehousing services)
- Design diagram of the rented warehouse
If doing sea transport business:
- An application for Certificate of eligibility for maritime transport business (Form No. 01 specified in the Appendix issued with Decree 160/2016/ND-CP)
- A certified copy from the original book, or 01 certified copy from the original; or 01 copy enclosed with the original to compare the list of positions with documents for each position and relevant degrees and certificates of the positions specified in Clause 1, Article 5 and Clause 1, Article 6 of the Decree. 160/2016/ND-CP:
- 01 original guarantee document of a credit institution or foreign bank branch specified in Clause 2, Article 5 or Clause 2, Article 6 of Decree 160/2016/ND-CP;
- 01 copy enclosed with the original ship registration certificate
- Other documents are specified in other specialized documents.
Provinces and cities with potential for logistics development that foreign investors should know
Normally, logistics will focus on transportation service activities, especially at seaports, airports, etc. According to Industry and Trade Magazine, localities have the potential to develop seaport and airport services. Logistics in Vietnam can be mentioned as Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, and Long An. These are all localities that need new logistics technologies, as well as competent staff and management to take on the development potential of the logistics industry.
Therefore, foreign investors can consider investing in the logistics industry in these provinces and cities in Vietnam.
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