Currently, 35% of Vietnamese food and beverage consumption is based on Western food, mainly because of the growing number of foreign food and beverage brands in the country and the expanding middle class.
To import food and beverages into Vietnam, importers must strictly adhere to the regulations of food safety, stated by the local law. In case of minor changes, such as the size of the package and the information on the label, it is required to obtain approval from the VFA (Vietnam Food Safety Authority). Other changes may require a new Certificate of Conformity Declaration. A consultation with a specialist is necessary to avoid non-compliance that may lead to penalties and sanctions.
All importers must satisfy the following food and beverage import requirements:
- Customs declaration by preparing a set of required documents
- E-customs registration is available but importers must register through the Vietnam Automated Cargo and Post-consolidated System first
- Declaration forms must be submitted in advance or within 30 days of product arrival. There are three types of inspection: simplified, ordinary, and strict, depending on the type of food and beverage
- Get a delivery order by preparing documents such as a signed bill of lading, importing operator details, and seal, among others
- Provide the customs declaration result and pay for the value-added tax (VAT) and import tax
Required Documents
for F&B Registration
Depending on the type of food and beverage that will be imported into Vietnam, the most common and important documents are:
- Certificate of Food Safety and Hygiene Standards: to certify that high-risk products comply with the hygiene and safety standards
- Certificate of Good Manufacturing Practice: to certify that a manufacturing site and the manufacturing methods fulfill the requirements of good manufacturing practice
- Certificate of Analysis: to certify that proper physical, chemical, and microbiological tests have been performed in the country of origin
- Declaration of Conformity: to confirm that products that have potential risks that can be harmful conform to the standards implemented in Vietnam
Additionally, to distribute their products in Vietnam, producers must self-announce food safety quality and compliance to the Ministry of Health. The application dossier should have:
- The food safety data sheet is issued within 12 months before the self-declaration is made by a designated laboratory or a laboratory complying with ISO 17025; the datasheet must specify safety indicators prescribed by the Ministry of Health
- Product samples
- Product labels
- Enterprise registration certificate (ERC)
- Certificate of Free Sale or Health Certificate
- Product profile
- Certificate of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) (depending on the product)