What Happened
On May 15, 2026, the Vietnamese government issued Decree 169/2026/ND-CP, which introduces significant changes to the system of administrative penalties for customs violations. The document came into force on July 1, 2026, and is already affecting the operations of foreign companies, including Russian entrepreneurs who purchase goods in Vietnam for sale on marketplaces.
The new decree tightens liability for failure to submit or late submission of customs declarations, inaccurate declarations, violations during transit and temporary storage of goods. Fines for smuggling and misuse of customs privileges have increased substantially. According to Vietnam Briefing, the changes affect not only importers but also customs brokers, logistics companies, and temporary storage warehouses.
For Russian sellers on marketplaces who actively use Vietnamese suppliers to produce goods under their own brands (private label), this means the need to review contractual terms and logistics schemes. This is especially relevant for those who use local customs representatives or arrange delivery via the border with China or direct sea routes.
What This Means for Russian E-commerce
Russian entrepreneurs ordering goods in Vietnam often rely on the supplier to handle all customs formalities. However, the new decree strengthens the responsibility of the declarant and the customs representative, meaning any errors in documents can lead to direct financial losses for the buyer. For example, if a Vietnamese partner incorrectly indicates the HS code or undervalues the customs value, fines may be imposed on both the partner and the consignee (if listed in the documents).
According to Vietnam Briefing, fines for inaccurate declarations can now reach 50 million Vietnamese dong (about 2,000 US dollars) for individuals and up to 200 million dong (about 8,000 dollars) for organizations. For small businesses, these are significant amounts, especially considering that errors are often discovered after shipment, when the goods are in transit or already in a warehouse in Russia.
Another important aspect is the increased control over temporary storage and transit. Many Russian companies use Vietnam as a transit hub for goods from other Southeast Asian countries. Previously, transit violations might have gone unnoticed, but now fines have increased severalfold, increasing logistics risks and potentially causing delivery delays.
Furthermore, the new decree tightens requirements for product labeling and provision of origin documents. For Russian sellers importing goods into the EAEU territory, this may mean additional checks by Russian customs authorities if there are discrepancies in the documents.
Expert Comment from VietSmart
In our practice, we regularly encounter situations where Russian clients save on customs clearance in Vietnam by trusting unscrupulous local brokers. Now this becomes especially dangerous: the new decree gives Vietnamese authorities tools for stricter inspections, and we already see an increase in requests from partners about how to properly prepare documents to avoid fines.
For several months now, we have observed Vietnamese companies working with foreign clients revising their internal processes and increasing the cost of their services. This is a natural reaction to the tightening of regulations. Russian entrepreneurs should be prepared for this and review their logistics and customs clearance budgets in advance.
What a Brand Should Do
- Check your Vietnamese supplier and customs broker for a valid license and reputation. Request references from other foreign clients and ensure they operate in compliance with the new requirements of Decree 169.
- Review contracts with suppliers, including clauses on the allocation of responsibility for customs violations. Specify that the supplier must provide accurate documents and compensate for any fines incurred due to their fault.
- Conduct an audit of current customs procedures for each product line. Ensure that HS codes and customs values are correct, and all necessary certificates (e.g., CFS) are obtained and valid.
- Consider using the services of a professional customs representative with experience working with Russian companies. This may cost more but will minimize risks.
- Stay updated on legislative changes and information from Vietnam Briefing and other authoritative sources to respond promptly to changes.
Source: vietnam-briefing.com from September 9, 2026