HANOI: Vietnam has reaffirmed a ban on imports of used cell phones, laptops and other tech devices in an attempt to prevent itself from becoming a dumping site for electronic waste.
In its latest circular, the Ministry of Information and Communication issued a list of used electronics and technological devices, also including cameras and printers, which will be prohibited, starting this December 15.
In February last year, the Ministry of Industry and Trade issued a similar ban, but secondhand cell phones, tablets and sound equipment are still very easy to find, news website VnExpress reported. Many Vietnamese retailers, both small and big shops, offer used products besides new ones.
Tran Van Tuan, who runs a cell phone shop in Hanoi’s Cau Giay District, told the website that 30 percent of his stock is used smartphones imported from Japan, South Korea and the US. Used products of Apple, Samsung, HTC and LG are the most popular, Tuan said.
