Export and Import of Cosmetic Procedures in Vietnam

Export and import of cosmetics have to follow procedures provided by Vietnam regulations on cosmetics.

For exporting cosmetic

Export of cosmetic must be implemented at the Customs agency in accordance with the current law regulation and the import country’s requirements.

The exporter needs to obtain the Certificate of Free Sale (CFS) as regulated. CFS is issued when such domestic cosmetic is issued the cosmetic product proclamation receipt number by competent state management agency. Moreover, the export trader must register the trader file at the Health department where having cosmetic manufacturing plant and  make CFS issuing procedure for export cosmetic goods. The Health department in central-affiliated cities and provinces are competent agencies in issuing and managing CFS of export cosmetics which are manufactured in that area (where the manufacturing plant is located).The CFS issuing request file includes:

• The CFS issuing request must be fully regularly enumerated;
• The copy of the cosmetic product proclamation report has been issued the receipt No (the copy sealed by trader who suggest for the CFS granting).

For importing cosmetic

Enterprises are only allowed to import the cosmetic into Vietnam when presenting to the Customs agency the valid receipt number of cosmetic product proclamation report which has been issued by the Medicine Management Department – the Health Ministry. However, Vietnam law also provides import of cosmetic in some special situations which are not obligated to implement the cosmetic product proclamation as the following:

• Organization or individual who imports cosmetic in order to study and experiment;
• The organizations, individuals who receive cosmetic as gifts;
• The organizations, individuals who imports cosmetic for displaying at fair, gallery and other temporary import for re-export situations.

This publication is designed to provide updated information of legal matters, and does not constitute professional advice.