Importing roller shutter doors into Vietnam involves a category that combines construction materials and household electrical equipment, since a complete roller shutter door set typically includes steel/aluminum slats, guide rails, and a remote-controlled electric motor.
This combination is precisely what makes the roller shutter door import procedure more complex than for many ordinary construction materials, since businesses must simultaneously comply with construction-material quality regulations and electrical equipment safety regulations.
Many businesses new to the market tend to focus only on the frame/slat portion and overlook the conformity certification requirement for the integrated electric motor – this is a common cause of shipments being held at port or requiring supplementary documentation after the declaration has already been filed.
From July 1, 2026, regulations on standard declarations applicable to imported construction materials under Decree 209/2026/NĐ-CP make it even more important to prepare the correct documentation from the very start.
In this article, 3W Logistics presents the complete roller shutter door import procedure under current regulations – from legal conditions, the 8-digit HS code, tax calculation, documentation, the step-by-step process, to real-world risks, from the perspective of a forwarder experienced in handling imports of construction materials and electromechanical equipment.
1. Legal conditions for importing roller shutter door into Vietnam
Roller shutter doors are not on the list of prohibited imports; however, as a construction component they are subject to quality management under construction-specific regulations, and the integrated electric motor must also meet household electrical equipment safety regulations.
| Condition | Details |
|---|---|
| Standard declaration | Mandatory for imported construction materials and construction components under Clause 3, Article 14 of Decree 209/2026/NĐ-CP (effective from July 1, 2026) |
| Conformity certification (if in a risk group) | If the roller shutter door falls under the medium/high-risk category per QCVN 16:2023/BXD and Circular 04/2023/TT-BXD, conformity certification must be completed before the product can be sold |
| Electrical safety conformity (CR) for the motor | The roller shutter door control motor is household electrical equipment and must meet electrical safety standards, potentially requiring a CR conformity mark before being sold |
| Quality inspection registration | Carried out via the National Single Window Portal (vnsw.gov.vn); duty can be paid in advance and the goods moved to a storage warehouse while awaiting results |
| Goods labeling | Vietnamese-language supplementary labels under Decree 43/2017/NĐ-CP and 111/2021/NĐ-CP: technical specifications, motor power, origin, installation instructions |
Practical note: The point most commonly overlooked in the roller shutter door import procedure is that many businesses only apply for a standard declaration on the frame/slat portion (construction material) and forget that the accompanying control motor is electrical equipment, subject to a different management scope than pure construction material. If importing a complete roller shutter door set (with motor pre-installed), customs may require supplementary conformity documentation for both parts — this is a common cause of shipments being routed to the red channel and clearance being delayed.
2. 8-digit HS code and import duty for roller shutter door
Roller shutter doors are classified by their primary material (steel or aluminum), and the motor may be assigned a separate code if imported independently. Determining the correct HS code within the roller shutter door import procedure must be based on the product’s actual construction as shown in the technical catalogue.
| Product Type | 8-Digit HS Code | Description | Import Duty (MFN) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solid-panel steel roller shutter door | 7308.30.99 | Doors and door frames made of iron or steel, solid-panel form (Taiwanese, Australian-technology roller shutter doors) | 20–25% |
| Ventilated-slat steel roller shutter door | 7308.30.91 | Steel roller shutter door with slatted panels featuring ventilation gaps, typically used for warehouses and factories | 20–25% |
| Aluminum roller shutter door | 7610.10.00 | Doors, windows, and their frames, made of aluminum, including household aluminum roller shutter doors | 15–20% |
| Roller shutter door control motor (imported separately) | 8501.10.90 | Small-power electric motor used for automatic roller shutter doors or gates, imported independently without the door frame | 10–15% |
| Roller shutter door remote control unit | 8526.92.90 | Radio remote-control device that accompanies an automatic roller shutter door system | 20% |
Important note on HS codes: When a complete roller shutter door set (frame + slats + motor + control unit packed together) is imported, customs classification principles typically apply the code based on the essential character of the product — meaning the door code (7308.30 or 7610.10) applies to the entire shipment, without separating each component. Conversely, if the motor and control unit are imported in separate packages, apart from the frame/slats, each part must be declared under its own HS code. This is a point many businesses get confused about in the roller shutter door import procedure, leading to misdeclaration and duty back-collection under Decree 128/2020/NĐ-CP. For goods with a valid C/O from China (ACFTA/RCEP) or ASEAN (ATIGA), import duty can be significantly reduced compared to the MFN rate.
3. Documentation required for the roller shutter door import procedure
The documentation set for the roller shutter door import procedure includes an additional layer of construction-material standard declaration/conformity documentation, and may also require supplementary electrical safety conformity documentation for the motor.
| Document | When to Prepare | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sales Contract | Before placing deposit | Clearly state material, dimensions, motor power, origin, and the terms for supplying the C/O |
| Commercial Invoice & Packing List | Before goods are shipped | Fully state product name, material, and quantity of sets/packages by roller shutter door type |
| Bill of Lading | After goods are loaded | Roller shutter doors are usually shipped in 20’/40′ dry containers; careful packing/bracing is needed to prevent dents in the aluminum/steel frame during transit |
| Technical documentation (Catalogue) | Before declaring the HS code | Provided by the manufacturer, this is the basis for determining material and structure to apply the correct HS code and identify the applicable specialized management scope |
| Quality inspection registration | When goods arrive at port | Register via the National Single Window Portal; if in the medium/high-risk group, additional conformity certification under QCVN 16:2023/BXD is required |
| Certificate of Origin (C/O) | Before goods are shipped | To benefit from the special preferential import duty rate under the applicable FTA, if the agreement’s conditions are met |
| Conformity/quality inspection certificate | After inspection results are available | Submitted to the Department of Construction or the relevant specialized management agency to complete the state inspection result notification |
| Electronic customs declaration (VNACCS/VCIS) | Once documents are complete | Declare the correct HS code based on material (steel/aluminum), and record the C/O number and quality inspection registration number on the declaration |
4. Step-by-step roller shutter door import procedure
Step 1: Check whether the goods fall under specialized management
Before signing the contract, determine whether the roller shutter door to be imported falls under the medium/high-risk category per QCVN 16:2023/BXD — this step determines whether the clearance process will be simple or will require additional conformity certification.
Step 2: Negotiate the contract and determine the HS code
Sign the roller shutter door purchase contract, clearly stating material, dimensions, and motor specifications; request the supplier’s technical catalogue to correctly determine whether the HS code falls under heading 7308.30 (steel) or 7610.10 (aluminum).
Step 3: Ship the goods to a Vietnamese port
Roller shutter doors are typically shipped in standard dry containers; careful packing and bracing are needed to prevent dents in the frame and slats during long-distance transport, especially for large-sized door sets.
Step 4: Register quality inspection
Register quality inspection via the National Single Window Portal once the goods arrive at port. If subject to a conformity declaration requirement, submit inspection documentation to an organization recognized by the Ministry of Construction.
Step 5: Customs declaration and clearance
File the declaration through VNACCS/VCIS with the full HS code, C/O number, and quality inspection registration number. Businesses may apply to pay duty in advance and move the goods to a storage warehouse while awaiting inspection results, avoiding container demurrage fees.
Step 6: Complete the conformity declaration and release the goods for circulation
Once inspection results confirm compliance, submit the conformity certificate to the Department of Construction to obtain the state inspection result notification, to be completed within 1 month from the date the goods are approved for release. The product may then be sold and installed.
5. How import duty on roller shutter doors is calculated
Roller shutter doors are not subject to special consumption tax, only import duty and VAT. For example, take a shipment of solid-panel steel roller shutter doors imported from China (HS code 7308.30.99) with a CIF value of VND 350 million, comparing the scenario with and without a Form E C/O:
| Duty / Cost Item | Without C/O (MFN 25%) | With Form E C/O (5%) |
|---|---|---|
| CIF value | VND 350,000,000 | VND 350,000,000 |
| Import duty | 25% × VND 350M = VND 87,500,000 | 5% × VND 350M = VND 17,500,000 |
| VAT (10%) | 10% × (350+87.5)M = VND 43,750,000 | 10% × (350+17.5)M = VND 36,750,000 |
| Total duty payable | VND 131,250,000 (~131 million) | VND 54,250,000 (~54 million) |
| Savings with C/O | ~VND 77,000,000 — a significant difference from a single valid C/O, particularly meaningful for businesses importing large volumes for distribution to construction projects. | |
From 3W Logistics’ practical experience: With roller shutter doors, the most common mistake we see isn’t tax-related — it’s businesses failing to determine clearly whether the product falls under the risk category requiring conformity declaration before placing large-volume orders. If subject to inspection, this process can take several days, generating significant container demurrage fees if the goods have to sit at port. We always recommend that clients check the specialized management list and prepare complete technical catalogues before signing the contract, so they can proactively choose to move the goods to a storage warehouse while awaiting results. – Ms. Apple, CCO, 3W Logistics
6. Common risks in the roller shutter door import procedure
| Risk | Symptom | Prevention |
|---|---|---|
| Overlooking electrical safety conformity for the motor | Only declaring conformity for the construction material and forgetting the integrated electric motor — required to submit supplementary documentation when customs inspects | Clearly identify whether the imported roller shutter door comes with a motor pre-installed or only the frame/slats, and prepare sufficient documentation for each part |
| Misapplying the HS code between steel and aluminum | Confusion over the frame’s primary material leads to an incorrect HS code declaration — customs reclassifies the goods and collects the duty difference | Request a technical catalogue confirming the exact material before declaring; consult a forwarder experienced with construction materials |
| Failing to determine whether conformity inspection applies | Placing a large-volume order before checking the specialized management list — resulting in unplanned inspection time and the goods sitting at port for a long period | Check the specialized-management goods list under QCVN 16:2023/BXD before signing the import contract |
| Damage or denting during transport | Frame and slats dented due to substandard packing — resulting in insurance claims and reduced product quality upon installation | Require the supplier to use packing/bracing that meets international shipping standards, and purchase full cargo insurance before export |
| Late submission of the inspection result notification | Exceeding the 1-month deadline for submitting the state inspection result notification to customs after goods are released — the shipment risks being routed to the red channel | Closely monitor inspection progress and submit the conformity certificate as soon as results are available, avoiding exceeding the regulated deadline |
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about the Roller Shutter Door Import Procedure
Question 1: What documents are needed for the roller shutter door import procedure?
The full documentation set for the roller shutter door import procedure includes: Sales Contract; Commercial Invoice and Packing List; Bill of Lading; C/O (if seeking FTA preferential treatment); Technical documentation/catalogue; Quality inspection registration; Conformity certificate (if subject to management); Electronic customs declaration (VNACCS/VCIS).
Question 2: Is conformity certification mandatory for imported roller shutter doors?
It depends on the case. Under Decree 209/2026/NĐ-CP, all imported construction materials must have a standard declaration; conformity certification itself is only mandatory if the product falls under the medium- or high-risk category per the QCVN 16:2023/BXD list. Businesses need to check carefully before planning a large-volume roller shutter door import procedure.
Question 3: How many types of tax apply when importing roller shutter doors?
Roller shutter doors are subject to only two layers of tax: (1) Import duty, calculated on the CIF value, ranging from 15-25% under MFN depending on material (steel or aluminum), which may be reduced to 0-5% with a valid FTA C/O; (2) 10% VAT, calculated on the total of CIF plus import duty. Roller shutter doors are not subject to special consumption tax.
Question 4: How long does the roller shutter door import procedure take?
The total time from signing the contract to the goods arriving at the warehouse is typically 20-40 days if not subject to conformity inspection, or 30-50 days if conformity certification is required. Of this: shipping from China takes 5-10 days, from ASEAN 7-15 days; quality inspection registration and filing the declaration takes 3-5 days; conformity inspection (if applicable) takes 10-15 days, which can run in parallel after the goods are moved to a storage warehouse thanks to the advance duty payment mechanism.
How 3W Logistics supports the roller shutter door import procedure
With experience handling a wide range of construction material and electromechanical equipment imports and its registration as an OTI-NVOCC with an FMC bond (Federal Maritime Commission) in the US, 3W Logistics provides a full-package service for businesses on the roller shutter door import procedure — from HS code classification consulting through to delivery at the distribution warehouse.
- Accurate HS code determination consulting based on material and structure: Correctly classify between heading 7308.30 (steel) and 7610.10 (aluminum), and determine when separate codes are needed for the motor and control unit.
- Checking the specialized management list before ordering: Determine whether the product is subject to conformity declaration under QCVN 16:2023/BXD, helping businesses plan their timeline accurately.
- Support with quality inspection registration and conformity inspection: Coordinate with inspection organizations recognized by the Ministry of Construction, leveraging the advance duty payment mechanism — moving goods to a warehouse to shorten time at port.
- Support obtaining the correct FTA C/O form from the supplier: Guide Chinese suppliers on obtaining Form E, and ASEAN suppliers on obtaining Form D, to optimize import duty costs.
- Electronic customs declaration via VNACCS/VCIS and resolving issues at the border gate: Declare the correct HS code, track deadlines, and submit the conformity certificate on time.
Why choose 3W Logistics for your roller shutter door import shipment? The roller shutter door import procedure requires simultaneously handling construction-material regulations and household electrical equipment regulations — from standard declaration and conformity certification, to accurate HS code classification between steel/aluminum/motor, to optimizing the FTA C/O. We accompany you from HS code determination through to the goods arriving at the warehouse — helping businesses shorten clearance time and avoid unnecessary costs. Contact 3W for specific advice before signing your import contract.
Address: 34 Bach Dang, Tan Son Hoa Ward, Ho Chi Minh City
Hotline: +84 28 3535 0087
____________________________
3W Logistics Hanoi Branch
Address: 81A Tran Quoc Toan, Cua Nam Ward, Hanoi
Hotline: +84 24 3202 0482
____________________________
3W Logistics Hai Phong Branch
Address: 8A Lo 28 Le Hong Phong, Gia Vien Ward, Hai Phong
Hotline: +84 225 355 5939
____________________________
3W LOGISTICS CO., LTD – We here serve you there!
Email: quote@3w-logistics.com
Website: www.3w-logistics.com
Ms. Apple is the CCO (Chief Commercial Officer) at 3W Logistics, with over 10 years of experience in sales and business operations management.
At 3W Logistics, Ms. Apple is responsible for commercial strategy, corporate customer development, managing a team of more than 50 sales professionals, and improving business performance in the logistics sector.
With practical experience in sales management and market development, Ms. Apple shares professional insights on business logistics solutions, international transportation, freight forwarding, customer management, trade lane development, and growth strategies in the logistics industry.
