Official LED Import: CO Form E, CQ, Invoices and What Dealers Need to Know

Many dealers start out with informal border-trade goods because the paperwork is simple. But when taking on projects or selling to contractors and businesses, the first question customers usually ask is: is there an invoice, is there a CO and CQ? Importing LED lights officially lets dealers answer “yes” to all of those questions, while doing business more safely and sustainably. This article sums up what you need to know in the simplest terms.

What is the difference between official import and informal border trade?

• Official import: goods are traded under a commercial contract, fully declared to customs, with import duty and VAT paid as required. The goods come with customs declarations and documents, and the dealer can issue invoices when reselling.
• Informal border trade: goods traded through border residents, with simple procedures but limited documentation. Selling to businesses and projects that need invoices and proof of origin becomes difficult.

For dealers who want to take on projects, supply registered businesses or build their own brand, officially imported goods are practically a must.

Documents for officially importing LED lights

An officially imported LED shipment usually comes with the following documents:

1. Sales Contract: clearly stating model codes, quantities, unit prices, delivery and payment terms.
2. Commercial Invoice and Packing List: listing each model, the number of cartons and weight.
3. Bill of lading: the transport document for road, sea or rail shipments.
4. CO Form E: certificate of origin for goods from China under the ASEAN – China Trade Agreement.
5. CQ: the manufacturer's certificate of quality for the shipment.
6. Customs declaration and tax payment records, which allow the dealer to issue invoices when reselling.

In addition, some electrical and electronic goods may require quality inspection or a declaration of conformity under current regulations. Ask your customs declaration agent and the factory to prepare the technical documents in advance so your goods are not held in storage for long.

How does CO Form E help dealers?

When a shipment has a valid CO Form E and meets the rules of origin, goods imported from China qualify for the preferential import duty under the agreement, which is usually significantly lower than the standard rate. The exact rate depends on the HS code of each type of light, so ask your customs agent to look up the code before you finalise your selling price.

In other words, for the same batch of officially imported LED lights, having or not having a CO Form E can make a significant difference in tax. That is why you should ask the factory to issue a CO Form E right from the time the contract is signed.

Why should dealers prioritize officially imported LED lights?

• Sell to projects, contractors and businesses because you can issue full invoices
• Clear origin and quality, making it easier to convince project owners at handover
• Lower risk of goods being held or seized due to missing paperwork
• Build a long-term brand, with the option of custom logo printing and registering your own trademark
• Easier access to loans and bookkeeping as your business grows

6-step process for official LED light imports

1. Choose models, order samples and check quality
2. Sign the contract, agree on packaging specs, labels and delivery terms
3. Pay the deposit; the factory produces the order and sends inspection photos and videos of the batch
4. The factory prepares the commercial invoice, packing list, CO Form E, CQ
5. Goods arrive at the border gate; a service provider handles the customs declaration and pays the duties
6. Receive the goods at your warehouse, count them and enter them into your books so you can sell with invoices

If you are just starting out, read our article tips for importing LED lights directly from the factory to prepare for choosing products and checking samples.

Conclusion

Official-import LED lights help dealers expand into project customers and build a sustainable business. The factory provides full CO Form E and CQ documents and delivers to Vietnam via official import for models such as UFO high bay lights, LED floodlights and stadium lights. See more partnership terms in our dealer policy.