TYPES OF LICENSES REQUIRED FOR FOREIGN-INVESTED LOGISTICS COMPANIES

TYPES OF LICENSES REQUIRED FOR FOREIGN-INVESTED LOGISTICS COMPANIES

Logistics is a specific field, requiring foreign investors to comply with the regulations in the legal documents of each specific industry depending on the scope of the business. Because logistics includes many small sub-sectors such as road transport services, bill of lading inspection services, warehousing services, etc. So when doing business in logistics services, what types of licenses do foreign-invested enterprises need to apply for? Let’s find out in the article below.

What is a logistics business license?

It is a document issued by a competent state agency with the purpose of confirming 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 foundation for the management agency to systematically, easily and conveniently control the business activities of logistics enterprises.

Types of Licenses required for foreign investors to conduct logistics services business in Vietnam

It should be noted that, before applying for a Logistics Services Business License, foreign investors need to apply for an Investment Registration Certificate. After that, investors will apply for the necessary Licenses to conduct logistics services business in Vietnam, depending on the industry they register for. Specifically as follows:

Industry Code Industry Type of License required
CPC 7211, 7212 Freight transport services under maritime transport services (except domestic transport) Certificate of eligibility for maritime transport business (Decree 160/2016/ND-CP)
CPC 7411 Container loading and unloading services (supporting maritime transport) Certificate of eligibility for maritime transport business (Decree 160/2016/ND-CP)

Certificate of permission to exploit seaports (Decree 37/2017/ND-CP)

Container loading and unloading services under services supporting all modes of transport, except services provided at airports Certificate of permission to exploit seaports (Decree 37/2017/ND-CP)
Customs clearance services under maritime transport support services Certificate of eligibility to operate seaports (Decree 160/2016/ND-CP)

Certificate of permission to exploit seaports (Decree 37/2017/ND-CP)

Bill of lading inspection services, freight brokerage services, cargo inspection, sampling and weight determination services; goods receipt and acceptance services; transport document preparation services
CPC 7222 Cargo transport services (inland waterways) Inland sea transport license
CPC 7112 Cargo transport services (railway) License for transporting flammable and explosive goods by rail (if transporting goods with a risk of explosion)
CPC 7123 Cargo transport services (road) License for transporting by car
CPC 742 Warehouse services Warehouse service business license
CPC 748 Cargo transport agency services Business registration certificate
CPC 7512 Delivery services Postal license

Application for Logistics Service License

Depending on the type of license that the foreign investor wants to apply for, the investor can prepare the following types of documents:

  • Application for Investment Registration Certificate (for foreign investors investing in Vietnam)
  • Certified copy of  Enterprise Registration Certificate
  • Application for establishing a warehouse (if doing warehouse services business)
  • Design diagram of the rented warehouse

If doing sea transport business:

  • A request for a Certificate of eligibility for sea transport business (Form No. 01 specified in the Appendix issued with Decree 160/2016/ND-CP)
  • 01 certified copy from the original, or 01 certified copy from the original; or 01 copy with the original for comparison List of positions with the records of each position and related degrees and certificates of the positions specified in Clause 1, Article 5 and Clause 1, Article 6 of Decree 160/2016/ND-CP;
  • 01 original copy of the 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 with the original of the Certificate of Ship Registration
  • And other documents specified in other specialized documents.

Provinces and cities with potential for logistics development that foreign investors should know

Usually, logistics will focus on transportation service activities, especially at seaports, airports, etc. According to Industry and Trade Magazine, localities with potential for developing seaport and logistics services in Vietnam include Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Long An. These are all localities that need new logistics technologies, as well as a team of capable staff and managers to undertake 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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Expert advice on articles:

Lawyer Dung Le (Elena)

CEO of Siglaw Law Firm

Lawyer Le Dung has more than 10 years of experience providing legal advice to investors from more than 10 countries such as the US, Singapore, Canada, Denmark, Japan, Korea, China…