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Food Import Permit in Laos

LICENSE GUIDE

Food Import Permit in Laos

Who needs it, the listed documents and fees, processing time and legal basis, from the Lao government’s license inventory.
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Anyone importing food into Laos for distribution, donation, exhibition or important celebrations needs an import permit from the Food and Drugs Department. Food must be certified by the government of the country of origin and tested as safe. The listed review time is 3 days, and the listed fee is 55,000 kip.

At a Glance

ISSUING AUTHORITY
Food and Drugs Department
TYPE
Other
LISTED REVIEW TIME
3 days
LISTED VALIDITY
30 months
LISTED FIRST-ISSUE FEE
55,000 kip
LISTED RENEWAL FEE
25,000 kip
SOURCE LAST UPDATED
15 Dec 2020

Who Needs This

Individuals, legal entities and domestic or foreign organizations importing food for distribution, donation, exhibition or important celebrations.

Conditions and thresholds

  • Food must be sourced and certified by the government of the country of origin.
  • Food must be tested as safe for consumers.
  • Higher-risk foods under special control, such as supplements and dairy products, must be registered with the authority first.

Documents to Prepare

The government record lists the following for a first application:

  • Request Letter for Food Import
  • Purchase Order
  • Invoice
  • Packing List
  • Permission to sale the food from the manufacturing or exporting country
  • Enterprise Registration Certificate
  • Label of the product
  • Sample of Food Products
  • Certificate of Analysis
  • Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Certificate

The authority may ask for more, and foreign documents may need translation or notarization.

Fees and Timing

Service (kip)Certificate (kip)Application (kip)Total (kip)
First issue50,00005,00055,000
Renewal025,000025,000

The record cites Article 47 of Presidential Ordinance 003/PO.

The authority checks documents and may collect samples for analysis. Listed time: 3 days.

NED now cites Ordinance 002/PO (2021) for registration fees, so confirm the current amount here too.

Legal Basis

InstrumentNumberDate
Law on Food (Revised)33/NA24 Jul 2013
Decision on Export-Import and Transit of Food1166/MOH21 Jun 2018
Order on the Management of Safe Food Production, Exportation and Importation856/MOPH12 May 2006
Provision on Food Registration1600/MOPH25 Nov 1994
Presidential Ordinance on Fees and Service Fees003/PO26 Dec 2012

AQQOUNT Guidance

Check whether your product must be registered before you ship it. Registration has a much longer listed timeline than the import permit itself.

The source was last updated on 15 Dec 2020. Confirm the current position with the authority before filing.

See all Wholesale, Retail & Trade licenses, or open the official record: Import Permit of Food Products.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who issues the Food Import Permit in Laos?
The government inventory names the Food and Drugs Department as the responsible authority.
How long does it take to get a Food Import Permit in Laos?
The record lists 3 days. The authority checks documents and may collect samples for analysis. Actual timing depends on complete documents and any other approvals.
How much does a Food Import Permit cost in Laos?
The record lists 55,000 kip for first issue. The record cites Article 47 of Presidential Ordinance 003/PO. Confirm the current amount with the authority.
How long is a Food Import Permit valid?
The record lists a validity of 30 months.

Related Guides

01Imported Food Registration in Laos
Related requirements and next steps.
02Import & Export Permit in Laos
Related requirements and next steps.
03Wholesale, Retail & Trade Licenses
See all related formalities.

Need This License?

AQQOUNT can confirm current requirements with the authority, prepare your file and manage the application.
Talk to an Advisor
Last reviewed: November 2026
Official sources:

See also: Laos Business License Directory.