Why Vietnam bans import of secondhand phones and computers

At a press briefing held by the Ministry of Science and Technology on Nov. 4, director general of the department of digital technology and artificial intelligence, Nguyen Khac Lich, said the ban is based on two main considerations.

As restriction has been in place since 2007, authorities are simply reconciling existing legal statutes into a cohesive framework.

The second reason is to shield local consumers and domestic enterprises, he said.

"Opening our borders to all manner of used machinery and products would inevitably turn Vietnam into a dumping ground for electronic waste."

The government also seeks to prevent cybersecurity vulnerabilities and personal data leaks, and eliminate fire and blast hazards linked to deteriorating hardware.

Nguyen Khac Lich, director general of the department of digital technology and artificial intelligence, addresses a press briefing held by the Ministry of Science and Technology on the morning of Nov. 4. Photo by Trong Dat

In late October, the Ministry of Science and Technology released a comprehensive list of barred secondhand digital products and a corresponding Harmonized System (HS) code.

The list covers everyday consumer electronic items like personal computers, smartphones, and devices engineered to transmit or receive voice, visuals, or data across wired and wireless systems.

Equipment used at workplaces and entertainment setups is also banned, including microphones, speakers, headphones, digital, and studio television cameras, radio and TV broadcast gear, radar units, navigation equipment, and remote-control devices.

A selection of secondhand smartphone models. Photo by Trong Dat

But specialized equipment remains exempt, including assembly systems and machinery required for semiconductor fabrication and laboratory testing setups for educational institutions.

Circular 63 issued by the Ministry of Science and Technology is scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, 2027.