# Laos (LA)

**Capital:** Vientiane  
**Currency:** Lao kip (LAK) (LAK)  
**Population:** 7,769,819 — Older stored figure; source year not documented.  
**Area:** 236,800 km²

> Laos is the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia and is heavily dependent on transit. The Laos-China Railway together with the Thanaleng Dry Port has greatly boosted rail freight towards China. Import VAT 10 percent, customs clearance digital via NSWA+. ASEAN/RCEP member; EU EBA preferences lapse with LDC graduation on 24.11.2026.

Laos (ISO code: LA) is a socialist people's republic in Southeast Asia and the only landlocked country in the region; it borders China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar. The climate is tropical monsoon, with a rainy season (May to October) and a dry season (November to April). Economically, Laos is agricultural and resource-oriented; hydropower electricity, copper, gold, wood products and agricultural goods dominate exports, while machinery, fuels and consumer goods are imported. Logistically, the country depends on transit: it has no seaports, and foreign trade runs via Thailand and Vietnam and increasingly via the Laos-China Railway (Boten-Vientiane, since December 2021) with the Thanaleng Dry Port and the Vientiane Logistics Park. Customs clearance is handled digitally via the National Single Window ASYCUDA+ (NSWA+); the import VAT is 10 percent. Laos is a member of ASEAN and RCEP. With the planned graduation from the group of Least Developed Countries on 24 November 2026, the duty-free EU EBA preferences will lapse.

**Top Import Partners:** CN, TH, VN, JP, KR

**Top Export Partners:** CN, TH, VN, JP, US

**Top Import Goods:** Machinery, Vehicles, Petroleum products, Consumer goods, Chemicals

**Top Export Goods:** Electricity, Copper, Gold, Wood products

**Key Airports:**
- [Bokeo International Airport (BOR)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/bokeo-international-airport-bor)
- [Luang Phabang International Airport (LPQ)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/luang-phabang-international-airport-lpq)
- [Pakse International Airport (PKZ)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/pakse-international-airport-pkz)
- [Wattay International Airport (VTE)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/wattay-international-airport-vte)
- [Attopeu Airport (AOU)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/attopeu-airport-aou)
- [Ban Huoeisay Airport (HOE)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/ban-huoeisay-airport-hoe)
- [Boun Neau Airport (PCQ)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/boun-neau-airport-pcq)
- [Luang Namtha Airport (LXG)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/luang-namtha-airport-lxg)
- [Oudomsay Airport (ODY)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/oudomsay-airport-ody)
- [Salavan Airport (VNA)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/salavan-airport-vna)

## Customs & Import

**Import VAT:** 10 percent standard rate (Presidential Decree 003/PS, since 1. May 2024  
**Customs complexity:** medium to high  
**Customs system:** Electronic import declaration via NSWA+ (National Single Window ASYCUDA+, since Nov 2022), based on ASYCUDA (since 2012). Operated by BIVAC (Lao) in a joint venture with the Customs Department.  
**Customs authority:** [Lao Customs Department (Customs Department, Ministry of Finance)](https://www.customs.gov.la)

## Logistics & Risk

**Logistics role:** Inland transit corridor / energy and raw materials exporter  
**Economic area:** ASEAN (AFTA/ATIGA)  
**Logistics risk:** medium  
**Dangerous goods relevance:** medium  
**Pharma/cold chain:** medium

## FAQ

### Does Laos have its own seaports?

No. Laos is the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia and has no seaports. Sea freight runs via ports in Thailand (e.g. Laem Chabang) or Vietnam and is transported onward by road, rail or the Mekong.

### What is the import VAT rate in Laos?

The standard rate is 10 percent (since 1. May 2024, Presidential Decree 003/PS; previously 7 percent). Depending on the goods, an additional excise duty of 5 to 90 percent may apply.

### Which customs system does Laos use?

Customs declarations are made electronically via the National Single Window ASYCUDA+ (NSWA+, since November 2022), which builds on ASYCUDA and is operated by the Customs Department of the Ministry of Finance.

### What is the significance of the Laos-China Railway for freight?

The standard-gauge railway Vientiane-Boten-Kunming, in operation since December 2021, has greatly boosted rail freight. Cargo is transhipped via the Thanaleng Dry Port between the Thai metre-gauge network and the Chinese standard-gauge network.

### Which free trade agreements apply to Laos?

Laos is a member of ASEAN (ATIGA) and RCEP and uses agreements such as ACFTA and AANZFTA. Until LDC graduation on 24 November 2026, the duty-free EU EBA preferences also apply.

### Are there sanctions against Laos?

No international sanctions are in place against Laos (as of 2026). However, since 21 February 2025 the country has been on the FATF list of increased monitoring, which increases compliance effort.

### What currency is used in Laos?

The legal tender is the Lao kip (LAK). The currency tends to depreciate and experience inflation, which affects import costs and price calculations.

## Sources & Last Verified

- [https://www.customs.gov.la](https://www.customs.gov.la)
- [https://www.tilleke.com/insights/laos-reinstates-10-vat-rate/](https://www.tilleke.com/insights/laos-reinstates-10-vat-rate/)
- [https://www.dfdl.com/insights/legal-and-tax-updates/lao-pdr-presidential-decree-no-003-ps-19-march-2024-on-the-adjustment-of-vat-rate-from-7-to-10/](https://www.dfdl.com/insights/legal-and-tax-updates/lao-pdr-presidential-decree-no-003-ps-19-march-2024-on-the-adjustment-of-vat-rate-from-7-to-10/)
- [https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/laos-import-tariffs](https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/laos-import-tariffs)
- [https://www.laonsw.net/home](https://www.laonsw.net/home)
- [https://www.laotradeportal.gov.la/en-gb/site/display/2615](https://www.laotradeportal.gov.la/en-gb/site/display/2615)
- [https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?locations=LA](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?locations=LA)
- [https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/eu-trade-relationships-country-and-region/countries-and-regions/laos_en](https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/eu-trade-relationships-country-and-region/countries-and-regions/laos_en)

*Last verified: 2026-06-25*

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*Freight Academy — Country Profile: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/la](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/la)*

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