Selling and Exporting Minerals in Laos: Required Permits, Procedures, and Timelines Explained

在老挝卖矿、出口矿产品，要办哪些许可？流程和时限一文说清

ຢູ່ລາວຂາຍແຮ່, ສົ່ງອອກຜະລິດຕະພັນແຮ່, ຕ້ອງຂໍໃບອະນຸຍາດຫຍັງແດ່? ຂັ້ນຕອນ ແລະ ໄລຍະເວລາອະທິບາຍໃນບົດດຽວ

Published: 2026-07-18 · LaoPaniti legal guides

If you have mined minerals in Laos or purchased mineral products from others and wish to sell them abroad, you might think you can simply transport them out. The answer is: no. In Laos, the purchase, sale, import, export, and transport of minerals and mineral products must be licensed by the Ministry of Energy and Mines.

I. Who Needs a Permit? Two Scenarios

Scenario 1: You are an enterprise holding a concession contract and a mining license
Such enterprises may automatically obtain a license for the purchase and sale of minerals and mineral products upon application. In other words, if you already have a mining right, selling the minerals you have mined involves relatively simple procedures.

Scenario 2: You are engaged exclusively in the mineral trading business (without a mining right)
In this case, you need to meet additional conditions: hold a Tax Registration certificate, have a lawful Sale and purchase contract, and possess storage facilities that meet technical standards. The examination and approval period is 10 working days. The validity period of a specialized trading license is 1 year and may be renewed annually.

II. Exporting Mineral Products Requires an Additional Procedure

According to the Decree on the Export of Mineral Products, in addition to a purchase and sale license, the export of mineral products must be approved, and a Guarantee Deposit / Security Deposit equivalent to 10% of the assessed value of the exported mineral products must be paid. This deposit may be refunded upon completion of the export, subject to compliance with conditions.

III. How is the Price Determined? It Affects Taxes and Fees

The purchase and sale price of metallic minerals is determined based on international market prices; for precious metals, the price is based on the market price in the region on the date of sale or export. This price serves not only as the transaction basis but also as the base for calculating Mineral resources fees. Moreover, the price must be approved by the Ministry of Energy and Mines. Therefore, pricing is not solely at the discretion of the buyer and seller.

IV. Practical Advice

License conditions and procedures may change according to current regulations of the competent authorities. It is advisable to verify all licenses and taxes before exporting. If you are dealing with mineral trading or export, you can first consult the AI on 老法智 (https://www.123laoai.com) for free, input your specific situation, and the system will help you identify the required licenses and procedures. Additionally, 老法智 offers contract review and trademark search tools to help you avoid contract risks and brand infringement issues.

This article is compiled by 老法智 LaoPaniti for reference only and does not constitute legal advice.

FAQ

I only have a mining right but have not separately obtained a purchase and sale license. Can I directly sell minerals?

Enterprises holding a concession contract and a mining license may apply to automatically obtain a license for the purchase and sale of minerals and mineral products. It is recommended to obtain this license before selling to avoid compliance risks.

What is the validity period of a specialized mineral trading license? Is renewal troublesome?

The validity period of a specialized trading license is 1 year and can be renewed annually. When renewing, you must ensure that conditions are still met, such as a valid Tax Registration certificate and compliant storage facilities.

A 10% deposit is required for exporting mineral products. Can this deposit be refunded?

According to the Decree on the Export of Mineral Products, a deposit equivalent to 10% of the assessed value of the exported mineral products must be paid at the time of export. After the export is completed and conditions are met, the deposit can be refunded. For specific refund conditions, it is advisable to consult the competent authorities.

Legal basis

《矿产品出口法令》

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