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Lao PDR prohibits or restricts the import of certain goods on the grounds of: (…) conservation of natural resources; (…) Goods prohibited for imports are listed in Notification No. 0973, Annex 1 (Table 3.6).

List of import prohibitions
No. HS code Goods Purpose Regulation Supervising authority
1 n.a. Chemicals of high-level danger used in industries Protection of health and safety of humans and the environment Decree on Import and Export of Goods No. 114/GoL, dated 6 April 2011 MoIC (Industry Department) (...)
4 n.a. Destructive fishing tools Sustainable conservation of aquatic fauna and environment Fisheries Law MAF (Department of Livestock and Fishery) (...)

Non-automatic import licensing procedures are required for reasons of national security; protection of human, animal or plant life or health; or protection of the environment. (…)

As per Edict No. 002/OP on Export Duties of 2012, a number of products are subject to export duty (Table 3.8); (…) The authorities stated that the fall was due to the preservation policy of the Government in forestry the depletion of some major mineral concessions, and some private restructuring in the mineral sector.

Under Notification No. 0973, Annex 1, Lao PDR bans the exports of certain products on the basis of protecting national, artistic and cultural heritage and protecting the environment (Table 3.9).[9]
[9]Notification No. 0973/MoIC.DIMEX - Annex 1, 25 May 2011. Lao PDR Trade Portal. Viewed at: https://www.laotradeportal.gov.la/index.php?r=site/display&id=20#1.

Export prohibitions
HS code Goods Purpose Regulation Supervising authority
2834 Bat guano/manure For the protection of natural resources Article 29 of the Agriculture Law, No. 01/98.NA, dated 10 October 1998;
Order of the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry on the Control and Use of Bat Guano in the Country, No. 0613/MoAF.05, dated 8 July 2005 MAF (Agriculture Department)

Lao PDR also operates automatic and non-automatic licensing for exports. For goods subject to export licensing, Decree No. 114/GoL on Export and Import of Goods provides the legal basis for such controls. Specific goods subject to export licensing are stipulated in Notification No. 0076/MOIC.DIMEX on the List of Goods subject to Automatic and Non-automatic Import-Export Licensing, of 2012 (Table 3.10). Automatic export licensing is in place for statistical reasons, while non-automatic licensing is in place for public safety and national security reasons, environmental protection, and exchange rate stability. (...)

(...) A natural resource tax applies to the oil and gas industry and to businesses involved in the exploitation of rare and precious resources, including oil shale/petroleum and natural gas, metallic/non-metallic minerals, construction materials, peat, anthracite, hydro-electric power, and land concessions. Tobacco, coffee, tea, and flower seeds are also subject to the natural resource tax. The applicable rates vary from 5% to 25% of the sale or export price, or are based on a tax per cubic metre. For wood, the taxes vary depending upon the type of wood.

(...) The Law defines principles, regulations and measures regarding domestic and foreign investment promotion and administration, in order to enable convenient, expeditious, transparent and proper investments, which are protected by the Government to ensure the rights and benefits of investors, the State, collective, and people, enabling regional and international integration, and contributing to the continuous growth of national socio-economic development in line with green growth and sustainability.

Business sectors identified for incentives include:
• those using, and involved in, modern technology, scientific research, R&D, innovation, environmentally-friendly methods, and efficient use of natural resources and energy;
• clean agriculture, non-toxic agriculture, seed production, animal breeding, industrial crops and plant plantation, forestry development, environment and biodiversity protection, and activities promoting rural development and poverty reduction;
• environmentally-friendly agro-processing industry, and handicraft industry specializing in national traditional and unique handicrafts;
• development of environmentally-friendly and sustainable ecotourism, and the cultural and historical tourism industry; (...)