Importing Food, Supplements and Cosmetics into Vietnam

Vietnamese lawyers explain, in accessible terms, the latest procedures and regulations for importing food, health supplements, and cosmetics into Vietnam - covering in detail the practical issues Japanese companies commonly encounter: import licenses, registration, labeling obligations, and advertising rules. We hope this serves as a useful guide for avoiding problems and completing imports smoothly.

How Complex Are the Procedures by Product Category

Below is a summary of the procedures and requirements for each product category, arranged in increasing order of complexity - from cosmetics (the simplest) through to pharmaceuticals (the most tightly regulated).

Processed Food, Non-Alcoholic Beverages and Health Supplements

Licenses and procedures required: product quality testing (samples are sent to Vietnam and submitted to a testing body for examination); self-declaration of the product.

Documents obtained: (1) Certificate of test results; (2) Written confirmation of self-declaration.

Alcoholic Beverages

Licenses and procedures required: an import license or distribution license (applied for by the importer); product quality testing (samples sent to Vietnam); self-declaration of the product.

Documents obtained: (1) Import license or distribution license; (2) Certificate of test results; (3) Certificate of self-declaration of ingredients. Note: a Certificate of Origin (C/O) issued in Japan must be submitted for customs clearance.

Cosmetics

Licenses and procedures required: product declaration.

Documents obtained: (1) Written confirmation of the declaration.

Pharmaceuticals

Licenses and procedures required: an import license (applied for by the importer); pharmaceutical testing (samples sent to Vietnam); marketing authorization for the pharmaceutical product.

Documents obtained: (1) Import license; (2) Certificate of test results; (3) Marketing authorization for the pharmaceutical product.