The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has recently issued Circular 47/2014/TT-BTC on management of e-commerce websites.

The new circular prohibits traders, organizations, and individuals from using e-commerce websites to trade forbidden commodities like shotguns and shotgun bullets; sports weapons and assisting tools; cigarettes and tobacco; all types of wine; wild and rare animals (including live animals and their organs).

The circular also supplements regulations on responsibilities of traders and organizations specializing in e-commerce services.

The new document also allows social network subscribers to display and introduce commodities and services. They also can post news on sales of products and serves if they register to the Ministry of Industry and Trade in the model of e-commerce transaction floor and comply with Decree No. 52/2013/ND-CP, dated May 16, 2013, on e-commerce.

Circular 47 shall take effect since January 20, 2015 and replaces Circular 12/2013/TT-BTC, dated June 20, 2013 on procedures for notifying, registering and publicizing information related to e-commerce websites.