Procedures for Importing Food into Vietnam – A Detailed Guide for New Businesses

1. Why Food Imports Must Strictly Comply with Regulations

Food is a product category that directly affects consumer health. Therefore, food imports must comply with the inspection, declaration, and safety management regulations issued by the Ministry of Health (MOH), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), and Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT).

Picture 1.1. Import food into Vietnam Songwin International Logistics Vietnam

If a company fails to understand the process, its goods may be detained at ports, delayed in customs clearance, or even forced to be re-exported.

2. Classification of Food Products for Import

Depending on the type of goods, the governing authority and procedures will differ:

3. Required Documents for Food Import

Depending on the product group, the importer must prepare the following basic documents:

• Sales Contract

• Commercial Invoice

• Packing List

• Bill of Lading / Airway Bill

• Certificate of Origin (C/O)

• Health Certificate / Phytosanitary Certificate

• Product Declaration or Self-Declaration (under Decree No. 15/2018/NĐ-CP)

4. Step-by-Step Process of Importing Food into Vietnam

Step 1: Determine HS Code and Check Import Policies
Before importing, identify the correct HS Code to determine import duty, VAT, and whether the item is subject to food safety inspection.

Step 2: Register for State Inspection on Food Safety
Registration is done at agencies authorized by the Ministry of Health or MARD.
Required documents include: registration form, invoice, packing list, bill of lading, C/O, C/A or Health Certificate.

Step 3: Open Customs Declaration
After registration approval, declare your import type (A11, A12, E31, etc.) on the VNACCS customs system.

Step 4: Sampling and Testing (if required)
For first-time imports or products not yet declared, samples may be taken at the port for quality and safety testing.

Step 5: Customs Clearance and Delivery
Once inspection results meet the requirements, goods are cleared through customs and may be moved to the warehouse or distributed to the market.

5. Product Declaration – A Mandatory Step Before Circulation

After the goods arrive, importers must declare their products as follows:

• Regular food products: Self-declare on the company’s website or at the local Department of Health.

• Functional food, food additives, medical nutrition products: Must be registered with the Vietnam Food Administration – Ministry of Health.

6. Common Mistakes That Cause Delays at Ports

• Incorrect HS Code → wrong tax rate or request for additional documents

• Missing health or quarantine certificates

• Failure to register for food safety inspection for first-time imports

• Incorrect or missing Vietnamese labels

7. Important Notes for Importers

• Vietnamese sub-labels must be affixed before distribution.

• Keep all testing and declaration documents for post-inspection.

• Work with an experienced logistics partner specialized in food shipments to avoid container or storage fees.

Conclusion

Importing food into Vietnam offers great potential but also significant challenges, requiring businesses to understand legal regulations, safety standards, and complex customs procedures.

If you’re new to food importation, partnering with a reliable logistics provider can save you time, costs, and minimize customs risks.

Songwin International Logistics Vietnam proudly partners with both domestic and international companies, providing comprehensive food import solutions — from HS code consultation, food safety registration, customs declaration, to final delivery.

With years of experience in food, consumer goods, and cold-chain transportation, the Songwin team is committed to offering fast – transparent – safe – compliant solutions, helping your business expand smoothly into Vietnam’s import market.

👉 Contact Songwin today for expert consultation and the best quotation for your shipment.