Goods Across Borders · Customs rule card
Taxidermy → Vietnam
Purpose: Traveling · Verified: 2026-08-22
Taxidermy may require documentation or declaration
Details
Taxidermy may require documentation or declaration. Enforcement in Vietnam carries fines from VND 1,000,000 to VND 100,000,000 under Customs Law 2014; Government Decree 128/2020; Criminal Code Art. 188 (ordinary personal cases are handled as civil infringements). Restricted status means compliant carriage is achievable with the right paperwork and quantities; the practical risks are seizure, duty, and delay rather than criminal liability for a good-faith traveller. Arrival checks are carried out by General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC); when in doubt use the declare (red) channel — declared goods at worst attract duty or surrender, while undeclared goods attract penalties. Leaving Vietnam with taxidermy is a separate question: restricted — Taxidermy export from Vietnam depends on the species — CITES-listed specimens need export permits; common non-protected species need provenance paperwork.
Documentation required
- Documentation may be required
Leaving with this item
Taxidermy export from Vietnam depends on the species — CITES-listed specimens need export permits; common non-protected species need provenance paperwork.
Practical advice
Vietnam restricts import of Taxidermy. Cultural-property protection is bilateral: both origin export rules and destination import rules apply. Carry provenance documentation demonstrating lawful acquisition and (where applicable) origin-country export licence. Museum-loan and dealer-import categories operate under separate frameworks with pre-approved dealer registration.
Customs authority
General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC) · https://www.customs.gov.vn