You are using an outdated browser and your browsing experience will not be optimal. Please update to the latest version of Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. Install Microsoft Edge

January 18, 2023

Myanmar Issues Rules for Recalls and Bans of Dangerous Goods and Services

Subscribe to Updates

On December 20, 2022, Myanmar’s Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) announced rules for recalling dangerous goods and temporarily or permanently halting the sale and distribution of dangerous goods and services. This announcement was made with DCA Directive No. 3/2022, which was posted to the department’s official website on January 5, 2023.

Goods that can cause minor damage to consumers must be recalled. This includes goods that:

  • Have potentially dangerous design flaws that were not clear at the time of manufacture but that can manifest during use of the goods;
  • Have defects from the manufacturing process, transportation, or storage before their distribution;
  • Have faults and defects that prevent use; or
  • Do not comply with the relevant safety standards for dangerous goods.

Sales and distribution of goods or services that cause major damage to consumers (short of death) will be banned temporarily in addition to their recall. Business owners must recall such goods within the period specified by the DCA, which decides on recall and temporary or permanent ban of dangerous goods and services under Myanmar’s consumer protection regulations.

If goods or services can lead to or cause the death of consumers, sales and distribution of the goods or services will be banned permanently, and business owners must recall any existing goods within the period specified by the DCA.

Procedures for DCA-Ordered Product Recall and Temporary or Permanent Ban

Business owners are responsible for taking the actions described above within the specified period, and officers from the DCA office in the respective state or region can inspect businesses to ensure compliance with procedures for recalls and temporary or permanent bans. The inspector will verify that the relevant goods are recalled from the market in line with the specified period and in accordance with any other specific requirements on a case-by-case basis (such as a product recall in conjunction with provision of information to remedy the damage). The business owner must then inform the applicable DCA office in writing or electronically when the recall process or temporary or permanent ban of goods or services is complete. If business owners do not report back on the progress, the office will inform the Consumer Affairs Committee with jurisdiction over the business’ geographical region.

Businesses that have dangerous goods in the market must also inform the business partners in their whole supply chain (e.g., importer, exporter, retailer, wholesaler, installment seller, distributor, installer, maintainer, manufacturer, intermediary service provider, service provider, etc.) of the recall action plan in writing or electronically.

The business owners must then recall the goods from the market and from consumers. In summary, the recall process includes:

  • Stopping distribution and manufacture of the goods;
  • Removing the goods from the market;
  • Planning the recall strategy;
  • Informing relevant government departments;
  • Announcing to consumers and recalling any goods that are already in the hands of consumers;
  • Informing supply chain partners of the action plan set by the department;
  • When goods are made for export, informing the relevant parties in the places where the goods are sold; and
  • Informing the DCA when the recall process is complete.

After this recall process, the business owner must:

  • Investigate the goods that were recalled or temporarily banned;
  • Systematically store or destroy the relevant goods;
  • Remedy the consumer damages; and
  • For dangerous goods, inform the headquarters of the goods’ manufacturer and obtain its acknowledgment as evidence.

Businesses must also provide consumers and supply chain partners with refunds equal to the value of loss, substitute, or return of the goods to be repaired. If goods are difficult to send back, businesses must send a service agent to the consumer’s home or the location of the item. Businesses are also responsible for delivering substitute goods or parts to consumers.

Voluntary Recalls

To initiate a voluntary recall, business operators must present the DCA with various information about the goods and their distribution, the potential danger and damages, the recall strategy and communication plans, and other particulars. The respective DCA office will then decide on the duration for the recall process, with the approval of the DCA, and will supervise the recall. Upon the completion of the recall process, the business owner must provide a comprehensive report and supporting evidence to the respective DCA office.

Post-Recall Procedures

If goods have been repaired and are ready to resell or redistribute to the market after a voluntary or DCA-ordered recall, the business owner must submit—following the specified forms—information on the recall and repairs to the respective DCA office. Business owners reselling goods without first making the necessary report will be reported to the respective Consumer Affairs Committee and may face legal action.

Recalls and Bans of Specially Regulated Goods or Services

If dangerous goods or services that necessitate a recall or ban are subject by law to regulation by any government department or organization, the DCA will transfer the case to the respective government department or organization. If that government department or organizations does not have the capacity to handle the necessary recall or ban, the relevant authorities will cooperate to protect consumers.

Public Recall Announcements

The DCA will provide consumers with clear information on recalls and bans of dangerous goods via public announcement on the DCA website, the website of the ASEAN Committee on Consumer Protection, or any official partner of the DCA.

Separately, business owners must also announce certain information regarding the dangerous goods or services to consumers via at least three channels (i.e., “media,” television, radio, newspaper, journal, and magazine) for three consecutive days.

For more details on these consumer protection regulations, or on any aspect of consumer products in Myanmar, please contact Tilleke & Gibbins at [email protected].

Related Professionals

Location

RELATED INSIGHTS​ 

January 14, 2026
Myanmar’s Ministry of Finance and Revenue has introduced new procedures allowing companies to temporarily export raw materials and semifinished goods for overseas processing before reimporting the finished products for domestic sale. The procedures are detailed in Notification No. 143/2025, which was issued on December 23, 2025, taking effect on February 1, 2026. The new procedures define outward processing as the temporary export of domestically circulating or manufactured goods for manufacturing, processing, treatment, or repair abroad, followed by reimportation. Core elements include the temporary export of the goods, the continuity and identifiability of the exported and reimported items, and the assessment of duties based on the value added abroad. Upon reimportation, customs duty, commercial tax, specific goods tax, and advance income tax are applied only to the foreign value added, rather than to the full value of the goods. No advance income tax applies at the time of export. Before these procedures, Myanmar lacked a unified outward processing system. The closest existing practice was the “repair and return” mechanism, used for goods such as machinery parts that required repair abroad. The definition covers a broader range of operations than simple repair. Eligible Goods and Shipment Points Outward processing is permitted only for goods that satisfy specific eligibility criteria. The scheme expressly excludes: Goods that are prohibited from export or import Goods that can be processed domestically within Myanmar Precious stones Goods that would lose their essential characteristics after processing Export and reimport activities related to outward processing must be conducted through designated ports, airports, or dry ports located within Yangon Region. Eligible Companies Only companies that are legally registered in Myanmar and authorized as exporters or importers—specifically, businesses holding a valid export/import registration certificate—are eligible to engage in outward processing activities. The Myanmar Customs Department serves as the governing authority
Read More
January 13, 2026
On December 31, 2025, Myanmar’s Department of Trade introduced new rules for import and export license applications. The rules were issued in Announcement No. 4/2025, which took effect on January 1, 2026. Under the announcement, all applications for licenses must now be submitted and approved through the online Myanmar TradeNet 2.0 system. The announcement sets a maximum review period of 180 days for each application. If approval is not granted within this period, the application will be automatically canceled by the system. In addition, companies may submit only one application per calendar month for goods of the same type (same HS code), and only one license will be approved. Businesses involved in importing goods should review their planning and ensure compliance with the new restrictions.
Read More
January 9, 2026
On January 7, 2026, the Central Bank of Myanmar (CBM) announced a further relaxation of foreign exchange regulations through Notification No. 2/2026, with an effective date of January 1, 2026. This notification reduces the mandatory conversion requirement for exporters’ earnings in foreign currency into Myanmar kyat (MMK). Under the new notification, exporters are required to convert only 15 percent of their foreign currency export earnings into MMK at official CBM reference exchange rates, down from the previous required minimum conversion level of 25 percent. The adjustment provides exporters with more flexibility to manage foreign currency, improving liquidity for international transactions and reducing cash flow pressure. However, companies must still comply with the foreign currency conversion procedures and timelines set out in the CBM’s Notification No. 12/2022.
Read More
December 16, 2025
Tilleke & Gibbins has contributed the Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam chapters to Infrastructure and Construction in Southeast Asia, a comparative guide developed by Drew Network Asia (DNA). The publication brings together insights from leading ASEAN law firms to address common legal and practical issues faced by participants in the construction and engineering sector across the region. Covering nine major Southeast Asian jurisdictions, the guide provides concise answers to frequently encountered questions relating to infrastructure and construction projects. Topics addressed include the regulatory environment, procurement practices, project structuring, risk allocation, contracting terms, dispute resolution mechanisms, and the enforcement of arbitral awards. Each jurisdictional chapter follows a consistent question-and-answer format, enabling readers to compare legal approaches and market practices across countries. This structure highlights both areas of convergence and key differences between jurisdictions, supporting more informed decision-making in cross-border projects and investments. While the guide offers a practical regional overview, it also underscores that legal frameworks and market practices vary significantly between jurisdictions and may be shaped by local principles and industry norms. Readers seeking jurisdiction-specific advice are encouraged to contact the practitioners listed at the end of each chapter. The full guide is available for download through the button below or directly from the DNA website.
Read More