Importing food into Vietnam for distribution is becoming increasingly popular in today’s growing global trade context. Therefore, in this article, Finch Law will help you better understand the necessary legal procedures to successfully import food into Vietnam!
Legal Procedures Required for Food Importation into Vietnam
When importing food into Vietnam, businesses need to complete a series of legal procedures to ensure compliance with current regulations. Below is a brief description of the necessary procedures.
Step 1. Registering the Product Declaration
You submit the documents to the Food Safety Department under the Ministry of Health or other authorized licensing agencies. Processing time is 07 or 21 working days, depending on the type of food product. The documents include:
- Product Declaration Form (according to the template).
- Product Testing Results (Certificate of Analysis – COA) issued by a recognized testing laboratory, valid for no more than 12 months.
- Certificate of Food Safety Eligibility (if available).
- Certificate of Free Sale (CFS) or Health Certificate issued by the competent authority in the country of origin, with consular legalization.
- Product label or proposed product label.
- Scientific documentation proving the product’s efficacy (if available).
See more: What is a Certificate of Free Circulation (CFS)?
Step 2. Apply for the Quality Inspection Permit for Imported Goods (Conformity Assessment Procedure)
Submitting the documents to the quality inspection authority (Food Safety Department or another competent authority). Typically from 3 to 7 working days after the goods arrive at the port. The documents include:
- Application for State Quality Inspection of Imported Goods.
- Sales Contract, Commercial Invoice, and Packing List.
- Bill of Lading.
- Other documents related to the shipment (if available).
Step 3. Customs Clearance of Goods
After completing the above procedures, you can proceed with the customs clearance of goods at the customs authority. The documents include:
- Import Customs Declaration.
- Certificate of State Quality Inspection for Imported Food.
- Approved Product Declaration.
Note that, the above process may vary depending on the type of food and the requirements of the competent authorities. It is divided into:
- Registration of the product declaration for imported health supplements, mixed food additives with new uses, and food additives not listed in the permitted additives or used incorrectly as regulated by the Ministry of Health.
- Registration of the product declaration for imported food for medical nutrition, food for special dietary uses, and nutritional products for children up to 36 months old (in cases where organizations or individuals choose to follow the regulations at Point C, Clause 1, Article 8 of Decree No. 15/2018/ND-CP dated February 2, 2018, of the Government).
Certain special foods may require additional permits, such as a quarantine certificate or a food hygiene and safety certificate from other relevant authorities.
Finch Law’s legal services will help make your process of importing food into Vietnam easily:
Legal Consultation: We provide detailed information on current legal regulations related to the specific importation of food into Vietnam, helping your business clearly understand the requirements for food safety, quality standards, and necessary legal procedures.
Administrative Procedure Support: We assist businesses in completing all related administrative procedures, from docum ent preparation, registration for quality inspection, to obtaining import licenses.
Risk Management: We help your business identify and mitigate legal risks during the importation process, ensuring strict compliance with Vietnam’s legal regulations.
Legal Representation: We are ready to represent your business in dealings with authorities, protecting your rights and assisting in resolving any legal issues that arise during the food importation process.
Contact Finch Law today if your business needs support in bringing food products into the Vietnam market.
See more: Consulting services for establishing foreign invested companies
