Lao People's Democratic Republic

3 October 2024 — G/TFA/N/LAO/3/Rev.2  

The Plant Protection Law of Lao PDR allows to return the rejected goods back to the exporting country if the goods are found to be non-compliant with SPS regulations. However, there is no such specific provision under the Customs Law or other regulations. In practice over the past, goods that founded non-compliant with SPS regulations were usually destroyed or burned. To implement and address the lack of provisions under the Customs Law in Lao PDR on returning of non-compliant goods, the following key goals have been set for implementation:
1. Revise Customs Laws and Regulations: Update the Customs Law and relevant regulations to obviously allow the returning of imported goods found non-compliant with laws. This revision will provide a legal framework to return non-complaint goods to the exporting country instead of destroying them.
2. Capacity Building for Agency Staffs: Provide comprehensive training for customs and relevant authorities on proper inspection methods, handling non-compliant goods, and efficiently managing the return process.

24 August 2022 — G/TFA/N/LAO/3/Rev.1  

The Plant Protection Law of Lao PDR allows for return of goods back to the exporting country if the goods are found to be non-compliant with SPS regulations. However, there is no such provision under the Customs Law or other laws. Under the Lao PDR's Competitiveness & Trade Project (LCTP), the WB has assured support to LCD for revision of its law and regulations, which will also include suitable provision for allowing return of imported goods found inconsistent with SPS or other technical regulations in line with TFA provision.

However, support of development partners/WTO is required for the following activities:

(a) Revision of laws and procedures of non-Customs agencies for complying with the TFA provisions.
(b) Capacity building of the staff of these agencies for implementing above changes.

19 March 2021 — G/TFA/N/LAO/3  

The Plant Protection Law of Lao PDR allows for return of goods back to the exporting country if the goods are found to be non-compliant with SPS regulations. However, there is no such provision under the Customs Law or other laws. Under the Lao PDR’s Competitiveness & Trade Project (LCTP), the WB has assured support to LCD for revision of its law and regulations, which will also include suitable provision for allowing return of imported goods found inconsistent with SPS or other technical regulations in line with TFA provision.

Support of development partners/WTO is required for the following activities:
(a) Revision of laws and procedures of non-Customs agencies for complying with the TFA provisions.
(b) Capacity building of the staff of these agencies for implementing above changes