Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Peace Independence Democracy Unity Prosperity
Ministry of Industry and Commerce No.0237/MOIC.DIMEX
Vientiane Capital, dated 02 February 2012
Decision
On the Procedure for Import and Distribution of Petroleum in the Lao PDR
- Pursuant to the Enterprise Law No.11/NA, dated 09 November 2005;
- Pursuant to the Government’s Decree on the Import and Export of Goods No.114/GoL, dated 06 April 2011; and
- Pursuant to the Prime Minister’s Decree on the Goods Import Licensing Procedures No.180/PM, dated 07 July 2009.
The Minister of Ministry of Industry and Commerce hereby issues the following Decision:
Section 1
General Provisions
Article 1. Purpose
This Decision sets out procedures for petroleum import and distribution in the Lao PDR. This Decision has no purpose to restrict the quantity or value for importation, but only for statistical and import monitoring purposes through the automatic import licensing regime.
Article 2. Definition of Terms
In this Decision , ‘‘petroleum’’ means all kinds of petroleum including gasoline, diesel, bensin, lubricants and others as defined in the Lao PDR’s Customs Nomenclature of 2710.
Article 3. Scope of Application
This Decision applies to the import and distribution of petroleum in the Lao PDR.
Section 2
Rights and requirements for Import and Distribution of Petroleum
Article 4. Rights and Requirements for Importation of Petroleum
Any individual, entity and organization located in or outside the Lao PDR has the Rights to import Petroleum to the Lao PDR in accordance with relevant laws and regulations of the Lao PDR.
Article 5. Rights and Requirements for Distribution of Petroleum
Petroleum distribution enterprises registered under Lao PDR law have the rights to distribute petroleum in the Lao PDR.
Petroleum distribution enterprises shall comply with the following requirements:
- Be an authorized distributor of a petroleum company;
- Have a petroleum distributor or warehouse;
- Have a sale or customer service station and other facilities to provide services to customers; and 4. Have a safety system.
Section 3
Petroleum Import Licensing Procedures
Article 6. Application for Importation of Petroleum
The import of petroleum shall obtain an import license from the Department of Import and Export, Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
Article 7. Required Documents for Petroleum Import License Application Documents required for applying for a petroleum import license are as follows:
- Application for petroleum import license;
- Copy of the following:
- Valid Enterprise Registration Certificate or Concession Registration Certificate (for enterprises located in the Lao PDR); or
- Valid enterprise registration certificate issued by the competent authority of the relevant country (for enterprises located outside the Lao PDR).
3. Any documents in foreign language shall be accompanied with its Lao translation as certified by the Notary Office of Lao PDR.
Article 8. Petroleum Import License
The issuance, modification and term of petroleum import licenses shall follow the Goods Import Licensing procedures No.180/PM, dated 07 July 2009. The import license is not transferrable.
Article 9. Fees and Charges
Fees and charges for the issuance and modification of petroleum import licenses shall follow the Presidential Edict No.03/P, dated 19 November 2008 on ‘‘Fees and Services Charges’’.
Article 10. Provision of Documents upon Actual Importation
Upon actual importation, importers shall provide the following documents to the customs authority:
1. Petroleum import license as issued under this decision; and 2. Other required documents as per customs regulations.
Section 4
Final Provisions
Article 11. Implementation
Department of Import and Export shall actively coordinate with relevant authorities to implement this Decision accordingly and effectively.
Article 12. Effectiveness
This Decision shall be effective 30 days after the date of signature
Minister of Industry and Commerce
[Signed and Sealed] Dr. Nam Viyaketh