The Prime Minister recently approved an additional list of 10 ministries in charge of granting and managing certificate of free sales (CFS) for imports and exports.

Under Decision 10/2010/QD-TTg on CFS regulations, which takes effect from May 1/2010, CFSs will be valid for two years. The certificate, known sometimes as a certificate for export, is required by some countries as assurance from a foreign agency that the products listed on the certificate are freely sold and manufactured in Vietnam.

According to the decision, apart from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Prime Minister agreed to empower 10 other ministries to issue CFSs.

They are the ministries of Transport; Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs; Information and Communications; Education and Training; Culture, Sports and Tourisms; Natural Resources and Environment; Construction; National Defence; and Public Security and the State Bank of Vietnam.

The decision would assist Vietnamese enterprises in penetrating foreign markets that need CFSs.

CFSs will be granted in less than five working days following submission of valid dossiers. However, they can be revoked by competent agencies if traders violate regulations on competence and standards.

Vietnamese exports, such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, detergents, agro-products, canned food, electronics, plastics, and timber, need CFSs to enter markets such as Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Laos, the Republic of Korea, Iran and Egypt./.