Ivory & CITES-Listed Items 🇻🇳 Vietnam
Ivory & CITES-Listed Items import prohibited
Can I bring Ivory & CITES-Listed Items into Vietnam?
Ivory & CITES-Listed Items import prohibited
Required at the destination customs authority
Full details
Trade in elephant ivory is banned under CITES Appendix I listings. Both import and export of new ivory are prohibited in virtually all countries that are CITES parties. Antique ivory (pre-1947 and in some markets pre-1975 with documentation) may be e. Enforcement in Vietnam carries fines from VND 10,000,000 to VND 2,000,000,000 under Penal Code Art. 250-251 (narcotics smuggling); Law on Customs Art. 8. In the reverse direction (taking ivory & cites-listed items out of Vietnam): prohibited — Export of ivory and CITES Appendix I wildlife products from Vietnam is prohibited under the Biodiversity Law 2008 and Penal Code. CITES Management Authority (CITES-MA Vietnam) permit required for any export.
PENALTIES
- Fine: 10000000–2000000000 VND
- Criminal penalty
Active — Customs actively enforces this rule.
Leaving Vietnam with ivory & cites-listed items
Vietnam's Biodiversity Law 2008 (Law No. 20/2008/QH12) and Government Decree 84/2021/ND-CP (on management of endangered species) prohibit export of CITES Appendix I species including elephant ivory without CITES-MA Vietnam authorisation. Vietnam Penal Code 2015 Article 244 imposes up to 15 years imprisonment for wildlife trafficking. Non-detriment findings required from Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST/IEBR).
Do not bring ivory & cites-listed items to this country. Penalties may be severe. If unsure, declare on arrival — declared goods at worst attract duty or surrender, while undeclared goods found in screening are seized and fined.
This page covers destination customs rules in Vietnam. Whether you can carry ivory & cites-listed items through security, in carry-on, or in checked baggage depends on airline and screening rules — see air travel rules.
Related rules
Ivory & CITES-Listed Items rules in other countries
Ivory & CITES-Listed Items
🇺🇸 United States
Commercial ivory trade is banned. Personal importation subject to narrow exemptions.
Ivory & CITES-Listed Items
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
One of the world's strictest ivory bans under the Ivory Act 2018.
Ivory & CITES-Listed Items
🇿🇦 South Africa
Ivory trade banned under CITES and national law
Ivory & CITES-Listed Items
🇨🇳 China
Complete ban on ivory trade since 2018
Ivory & CITES-Listed Items
🇨🇦 Canada
Ivory & CITES-Listed Items import prohibited
Ivory & CITES-Listed Items
🇦🇺 Australia
Ivory & CITES-Listed Items import prohibited