Easy and Transparent Cosmetics Import Procedures: A Key to Business Success
The desire for beauty is essential and fundamental in human life. Consequently, the demands for importing cosmetics into Vietnam for domestic distribution are increasing among enterprises. In this article, Sumpharma will provide a clear and practical guide to cosmetics import procedures.
I – What are Cosmetics?
According to Article 2 of Circular No. 06/2011/TT-BYT on cosmetics management, a cosmetic product is defined as follows:
“A cosmetic product is a substance or preparation intended to be placed in contact with the external parts of the human body (epidermis, hair system, nails, lips, and external genital organs) or with the teeth and the mucous membranes of the oral cavity with a primary view to cleaning them, perfuming them, changing their appearance, correcting body odours, protecting them, or keeping them in good condition.”
II – Steps to Import Cosmetics
The following are the required steps to successfully import cosmetics into Vietnam:
1. Product Notification / Registration (Đăng ký công bố Mỹ phẩm)
Pursuant to Circular No. 06/2011/TT-BYT, organizations or individuals responsible for placing cosmetic products on the market are only permitted to circulate them once they have been granted a Cosmetic Product Notification Receipt Number by the competent state regulatory authority. They must also bear full responsibility for the safety, efficacy, and quality of the products. Competent state authorities will conduct post-market surveillance checks once the products are in circulation.
The cosmetic notification process is managed by the Cosmetics Management Division under the Drug Administration of Vietnam (DAV) and is conducted online via the official website of the National Single Window: https://vnsw.gov.vn/
To register cosmetics, enterprises must provide the following documents as required by the Drug Administration of Vietnam:
Product information declaration form.
Certificate of Free Sale (CFS) / Certificate of Exportation / Health Certificate of the product issued by the host country, with consular legalization.
Letter of Authorization (LOA) from the manufacturer authorizing the enterprise to distribute the products in the Vietnamese market, with consular legalization.
Other relevant documents.
2. Customs Clearance Procedures (Làm thủ tục thông quan)
Customs procedures are a mandatory requirement enforced in over 200 countries and territories when importing/entering goods and means of transport into a country, or exporting/exiting them out of a country.
Customs clearance is conducted to provide the State with a basis for tax calculation and to facilitate the management of import and export goods. This process applies strictly to products, commodities, or means of transport, not to individuals.
The customs clearance workflow includes:
Documents Review (Kiểm tra bộ chứng từ): During the customs process, enterprises must prepare a standard set of documentation, fundamentally consisting of:
Sales Contract (Hợp đồng thương mại).
Bill of Lading/Airway Bill (Vận đơn lô hàng).
Packing List (Phiếu đóng gói hàng hóa).
Certificate of Origin – C/O (Giấy chứng nhận xuất xứ).
Commercial Invoice (Hóa đơn thương mại).
Customs Declaration Submission (Khai và truyền tờ khai hải quan): Once the carrier sends the Arrival Notice, the enterprise proceeds to fill out and submit the customs declaration. Upon completion and submission, the system will automatically issue a declaration number, provided that all information is accurate and complete.
Delivery Order (D/O) Retrieval (Lấy lệnh giao hàng): The enterprise needs to bring the following documents to the carrier to obtain the Delivery Order:
A copy of the National ID Card / Citizen ID Card.
A copy of the Bill of Lading.
The endorsed original Bill of Lading.
Customs Inspection Channel Processing (Xử lý phân luồng hải quan): After submission, the system will automatically route the shipment into one of three color-coded channels:
Green Channel (Luồng xanh): The enterprise prints the declaration and pays the duties.
Yellow Channel (Luồng vàng): The Customs authorities review the physical paperwork/documents of the shipment.
Red Channel (Luồng đỏ): The shipment is subject to physical inspection.
Tax Payment and Completion (Nộp thuế và hoàn tất): Once the declaration is processed and approved, the enterprise must pay the two primary taxes: import duty and Value Added Tax (VAT).
Cargo Transportation: Transfer the goods back to the warehouse for storage.
End-to-End Cosmetics Importation Services from A to Z
SUMPHARMA – Vietnam’s Leading Company for the Import of Health Supplements, Cosmetics, and Medical Devices
Sum Pharmaceutical Investment Joint Stock Company
Headquarters: 11th Floor, West Tower, Hancorp Building, 72 Tran Dang Ninh Street, Nghia Do Ward, Hanoi City, Vietnam.
Southern Branch: 4th Floor, C.T Building, 56 Yen Thế Street, Ward 2, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Hotline: 0243 212 1820
Email: cskh@sumpharma.vn
