Tiếng Việt
中文 (中国)
Decree No. 43/2017/ND-CP on Goods Labeling, Supplementary Labels and Mandatory Label Contents
Decree No. 43/2017/ND-CP regulates the content, manner and state management of labels for goods circulated in Vietnam and imported goods. For current application, enterprises should cross-check Decree No. 111/2021/ND-CP and Decree No. 37/2026/ND-CP before relying on this decree for operational dossiers.
Legal note: the National Legal Database indicates that Decree No. 43/2017/ND-CP is partially no longer effective. Decree No. 111/2021/ND-CP amended a number of articles of Decree No. 43/2017/ND-CP. From 2026 onward, Decree No. 37/2026/ND-CP and its transitional provisions should be reviewed carefully before application. This English page is for reference only and is not an official legal translation.
Translation notice: This English version is a reference business translation for logistics and compliance review. It is not an official legal translation.
QUICK SUMMARY
Sets out labeling rules for goods circulated in Vietnam, imported goods and the responsibilities of relevant organizations and individuals.
Requires mandatory label contents such as goods name, responsible entity, origin and other goods-specific contents under Annex I.
Covers labeling language, supplementary labels, font size, label position, quantity, manufacturing date, expiry date, ingredients, technical specifications and warnings.
Includes five important annexes that should be reviewed by product group before import, distribution or circulation.
DOCUMENT INFORMATION
| Document title | Decree on goods labeling |
|---|---|
| Number | 43/2017/ND-CP |
| Issuing authority | Government of Vietnam |
| Date of issuance | 14 April 2017 |
| Effective date | 01 June 2017 |
| Signatory | Nguyen Xuan Phuc |
| Legal status | Partially expired according to the National Legal Database; Decree 111/2021/ND-CP and Decree 37/2026/ND-CP must be checked for current application. |
KEY POINTS TO NOTE
- Articles 7 and 8: review labeling language and supplementary label requirements for imported goods before circulation.
- Article 10: check mandatory label contents against Annex I based on the nature of goods.
- Article 12: imported goods must indicate information on the manufacturer and importer as required.
- Article 15: origin labeling is sensitive and was amended by Decree 111/2021/ND-CP.
- Annexes I–V are key operational checklists for labeling by goods group.
AFFECTED PARTIES
- Importers placing goods into circulation in Vietnam.
- Distributors, wholesalers, retailers and e-commerce sellers.
- Procurement, legal, compliance, QA/QC and operations teams.
- Logistics service providers, forwarders and customs brokers supporting import dossiers and label review.
- Manufacturers, brand owners, packaging, filling, assembly and OEM/ODM parties.
ENTERPRISE REVIEW CHECKLIST
- Map the product group against Annex I to identify mandatory label contents.
- Review the original label: goods name, origin, manufacturer, ingredients, quantity, model, lot number, MFG/EXP date, warnings and instructions.
- Prepare Vietnamese supplementary labels if the original label does not fully show mandatory contents in Vietnamese.
- Check sector-specific rules for food, cosmetics, medical devices, chemicals, E&E, ICT, fertilizer, veterinary drugs, pesticides and other regulated goods.
- Cross-check Decree 111/2021/ND-CP and Decree 37/2026/ND-CP before finalizing current labels.
- Keep labeling records: artwork, translation, catalogue, datasheet, COA/CQ, declarations, conformity documents or permits if any.
- Review the timing for supplementary labeling before placing goods on the market and check any customs guidance applicable to the shipment.
SPECIALIZED TERMS
| Term | Brief explanation |
|---|---|
| Goods label | written, printed, drawn, photographed or other material attached to goods or commercial packaging to show goods information. |
| Original label | the first label attached by the manufacturer to goods or commercial packaging. |
| Supplementary label | a Vietnamese label translating mandatory contents from the foreign-language original label and adding missing mandatory contents under Vietnamese law. |
| Commercial packaging | packaging containing goods and circulating together with goods, including direct packaging and outer packaging. |
| Quantity | the amount of goods expressed by measurement unit or count. |
| Origin of goods | the country/territory of production or the place of final substantial completion according to origin and labeling rules. |
IMPORT-EXPORT / LOGISTICS APPLICATION NOTES
- Do not wait until cargo arrives at port to review labels; artwork and original labels should be checked before ETA.
- For multiple models/SKUs, prepare a matrix of model – HS code – original label – supplementary label – technical documents.
- For regulated goods, label contents must be consistent with declarations, conformity documents, permits, COA/CQ and import documents.
- Project cargo, FDI goods, temporary imports, samples and goods not for domestic sale require case-by-case scope review.
RELATED LEGAL DOCUMENTS TO REVIEW
| Document | Number | Issuing authority | Date / effective date | Relevance | Notable articles / annexes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Law on Product and Goods Quality | 05/2007/QH12 | National Assembly | Issued 21 Nov 2007 | Legal basis for product and goods quality management and labeling control. | Review quality, standards, technical regulations, traceability and responsibilities. |
| Commercial Law | 36/2005/QH11 | National Assembly | Issued 14 Jun 2005 | Relevant to commerce, goods circulation, import and export operations. | Review commercial contracts, documents and goods circulation. |
| Law on Protection of Consumer Rights | 59/2010/QH12 | National Assembly | Issued 17 Nov 2010 | One of the laws cited in Decree 43/2017/ND-CP. | For current application, cross-check the 2023 Law on Protection of Consumer Rights and guiding documents. |
| Former decree on goods labels | 89/2006/ND-CP | Government | Issued 30 Aug 2006 | Repealed by Decree 43/2017/ND-CP. | Article 23 of Decree 43/2017/ND-CP. |
| Amending decree | 111/2021/ND-CP | Government | Issued 09 Dec 2021; effective 15 Feb 2022 | Amends scope, origin labeling, export goods labels, electronic labels and labeling responsibilities. | Mandatory cross-check for labeling after 15 Feb 2022. |
| Decree guiding the Law on Product and Goods Quality | 37/2026/ND-CP | Government | Issued/effective 23 Jan 2026 | New decree to be reviewed in parallel, particularly for labeling, traceability and quality management. | Review transitional and replacement provisions case by case. |
| Circular guiding Decree 43/2017/ND-CP | 05/2019/TT-BKHCN | Ministry of Science and Technology | Issued 26 Jun 2019; effective 01 Jan 2021 | Provides details for a number of articles of Decree 43/2017/ND-CP. | Review supplementary labels, imported goods and mandatory labeling contents. |
| Sanctions decree on standards, metrology and quality | 119/2017/ND-CP | Government | Issued 01 Nov 2017; effective 15 Dec 2017 | Relevant to administrative sanctions in standards, metrology and goods quality. | Review labeling and quality-related violations. |
| Amending sanctions decree | 126/2021/ND-CP | Government | Issued 30 Dec 2021; effective 01 Jan 2022 | Amends several sanctioning decrees in the relevant fields. | Review penalty exposure. |
| Sector-specific circulars/regulations | Further review required | Line ministries | Depends on product group | Food, cosmetics, medical devices, chemicals, E&E, ICT, fertilizer, pesticides and other goods may have specific labeling rules. | Further review required based on actual products and dossiers. |
ANNEXES TO CROSS-CHECK
| Annex | Content | Operational note |
|---|---|---|
| Annex I | Mandatory labeling contents by nature of goods | Primary checklist by goods group: food, cosmetics, chemicals, drugs, medical devices, E&E, machinery, toys, textiles, vehicles, etc. |
| Annex II | Rules for declaring quantity | How to express units of mass, volume, area, length, count and special cases. |
| Annex III | Manufacturing date, expiry date and other time marks | Highly relevant to food, cosmetics, drugs, additives, chemicals and goods with shelf life. |
| Annex IV | Ingredient and quantitative ingredient declaration | Relevant to food, cosmetics, chemicals and goods declaring ingredients/active substances. |
| Annex V | Technical specifications and warning information | Relevant to E&E, machinery, chemicals, vehicles and safety-sensitive goods. |
OFFICIAL FULL TEXT AND ANNEXES
As the annex checklist is already presented above, this section keeps only the official source buttons and the original PDF viewer to avoid duplicated content on the page.
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Application note: The content above has been edited for B2B logistics operational reference. When handling import dossiers, distribution or goods circulation, enterprises should cross-check the original legal text, any amending/supplementing/replacing documents, and sector-specific regulations applicable to each product group.
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