Tiếng Việt
中文 (中国)
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ẩn
Cosmetics – hair care
IMPORT PROCEDURES FOR HAIR DYE
Hair dye is a cosmetic product with higher documentation risk than ordinary hair-care products because it involves colourants, oxidising developer, warning statements, INCI ingredients and cosmetic product notification.
If the documents only state “hair product”, “cosmetics” or “salon treatment” without describing the actual dyeing function, the shipment may be queried for HS classification, notification dossier, Vietnamese sub-label or C/O eligibility.
This article provides an E2E map for pre-ETA review: HS code, duty, C/O, cosmetic notification, labelling, customs dossier and key risk points.
ProductHair dye
Main HS3305.90.00
Indicative MFN20%
VAT review8% / 10%
QUICK FACT
| Item | Key review point | Operational note |
|---|---|---|
| Product | Hair dye: cosmetic hair colouring preparation in cream, gel, lotion, powder-to-mix, colour tube, developer/oxidant kit or retail hair-dye kit. | Do not automatically apply to perm/straightening cream, salon treatment without dyeing function, nail products or industrial raw materials. |
| Reference HS | 3305.90.00 – Preparations for use on the hair, other. | Use as the starting point; review ingredients, function, kit configuration and product notification. |
| Indicative taxes | MFN: 20%; ordinary duty: 30%; VAT: 8%/10% subject to declaration-date review. | Special preferential duty may apply if a valid C/O is available. |
| Specialized policy | Cosmetic product notification is required before importation/circulation. | Review CFS, authorization letter, ingredients, warning statements and Vietnamese sub-label. |
SCOPE OF APPLICATION
This article applies only to hair dye within the cosmetic scope, including cream, gel, lotion, powder-to-mix, colour shampoo with dyeing function, retail colour preparations and kits with colourant and developer.
It does not automatically apply to permanent waving/straightening creams, non-colouring salon treatments, nail products, medicinal scalp products or industrial raw materials. Review each SKU against catalogue, label, ingredients, notification dossier and actual import purpose.
CLASSIFICATION & PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION
| Criteria to check | Documents to compare | Risk if wrongly described | Suggested description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main function | Label, notification, user instructions | Generic “hair care” may lead to wrong HS. | Hair dye cream/gel/lotion, shade code, volume, cosmetic product. |
| Ingredients/INCI | Ingredient list, COA/MSDS if any | Mismatch with notification may trigger supplement/hindsight risk. | Use exact product name and INCI wording. |
| Retail kit | Packing List, photos, catalogue | Failure to identify colourant/developer/accessories may cause classification query. | Retail hair dye kit with colourant and developer. |
| Warnings | Label and instructions | Missing allergy/eye-contact warnings may affect labelling. | External-use cosmetic product, not medicine. |
HS CODE – DUTIES – C/O
The key reference HS for ordinary hair dye is 3305.90.00. Final classification must be based on function, ingredients, packaging and product notification.
Legal note: HS, duty, VAT and C/O preference are indicative. Re-check at declaration date against effective tariff schedules and actual product documents.
| Reference HS | Specific applicability | Risk if misclassified | Documents to compare |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3305.90.00 | Main code for hair dye, colour shampoo with dyeing function and retail hair colour kits under hair preparations, other. | Wrong declaration under 3304/3307 may lead to HS query, duty adjustment or C/O rejection. | Notification, label, INCI, user instructions, MSDS, photos, Invoice, Packing List. |
| 3305.20.00 | Only for permanent waving or straightening preparations, not ordinary hair dye. | Confusing perm/straightening cream with hair dye changes the product nature. | Label, active ingredients, instructions and notification. |
| 3305.10.xx | Only for ordinary shampoo; colour shampoo requires separate functional review. | A product named shampoo may still be classified as dyeing preparation if the main function is colouring. | Label, claims, colourants and use method. |
| 3304.30.00 | For manicure/pedicure preparations, not hair dye. | Wrongly applying nail-product code to hair dye affects duty and policy. | Catalogue, label, application area and product function. |
| HS code | Applicable description | Indicative import duty & VAT | Operational note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3305.90.00 | Hair dye and other hair-colouring preparations. | MFN duty: 20%. Ordinary duty: 30%. VAT: 8%/10% subject to review. |
Main duty line for hair dye; FTA preference may reduce duty if a valid C/O is available. |
| 3305.20.00 | Permanent waving/straightening preparations. | Review separately; do not apply automatically to hair dye. | Use only where function is waving/straightening. |
| 3305.10.xx | Shampoo. | Review separately if product is ordinary shampoo. | For colour shampoo, determine the main function. |
| 3304.30.00 | Manicure/pedicure preparations. | Not applicable to hair dye. | Separate review for nail products. |
| Origin route | C/O or origin proof | Preference to check | Operational risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASEAN | Form D / ATIGA or RCEP | ATIGA may be 0%; RCEP must be reviewed by year. | Check origin criterion, direct consignment, description and HS. |
| China | Form E / ACFTA or RCEP | ACFTA may be 0%; RCEP subject to schedule. | Third-party invoice, transit and HS mismatch are common risks. |
| Korea | Form AK / VK or RCEP | AKFTA/VKFTA/RCEP should be compared; VKFTA may be more beneficial. | Check RVC/CTH/CTSH criterion and document consistency. |
| Japan | VJEPA / AJCEP / CPTPP / RCEP | AJCEP/VJEPA/CPTPP may be 0% if conditions are met. | Check origin proof, direct transport, HS and description. |
| EU/UK | EVFTA / UKVFTA | Review tariff phase-out; may be below MFN if origin proof is valid. | Check origin statement, REX where applicable and shipment route. |
C/O checklist before declaration
| Check group | What to verify | Common error | Pre-ETA action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form/agreement | Correct form/proof under D, E, AK, VK, AJ, VJ, AANZ, CPTPP, EVFTA, UKVFTA or RCEP. | Wrong form or ineligible preference. | Compare MFN and FTA schedules. |
| Origin criterion | WO/RVC/CTH/CTSH or other applicable rule. | Criterion not meeting product-specific rule. | Ask seller for origin basis. |
| Description/HS | Product name, HS, quantity, weight, brand and invoice number. | Generic “cosmetics/hair product” or HS mismatch. | Review draft C/O. |
| Direct consignment | B/L/AWB, transit route and through transport documents. | Transit without proof. | Prepare transport evidence. |
APPLICABLE SPECIALIZED POLICIES
| Scenario | Applicable policy | Documents to check | Authority/portal | Recommended timing | Risk note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial hair dye import | Cosmetic product notification. | Notification, authorization, CFS/exemption basis, label, ingredients. | Drug Administration of Vietnam / appropriate public service portal. | Before ETA. | No notification may delay clearance/circulation. |
| CPTPP CFS exemption basis | Review whether CFS exemption can be used where the product is legally marketed in a CPTPP member and supporting evidence is available. | CFS, market circulation evidence, authorization, label and notification dossier. | Drug Administration/public service portal. | Before notification filing. | Do not assume exemption without valid supporting documents. |
| Product with developer/oxidant | Ingredient/MSDS and transport safety review. | MSDS, oxidant concentration, user instructions. | Customs/carrier/airline/shipping line. | Before booking. | Potential safety/documentation query. |
| Samples/testers | Purpose and dossier status review. | Invoice, explanation letter, sample label. | Customs/specialized authority if needed. | Before declaration. | Samples are not automatically exempt. |
LEGAL DOCUMENTS TO REVIEW
| Document group | Legal document | Issuer | Effective timing | Role | Key point | Review note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Circular | Circular 06/2011/TT-BYT on cosmetics management | Ministry of Health | Effective from 01/04/2011; amended. | Core cosmetic management basis. | Product notification and cosmetic dossier. | Check consolidated/amended text. |
| Circular | Circular 34/2025/TT-BYT | Ministry of Health | Effective from 18/08/2025. | Updated notification dossier/CFS/authorization. | 01 electronic notification or 02 paper copies. | Review CFS and exemption conditions. |
| Decision | Decision 2393/QD-BYT 2025 | Ministry of Health | Effective from 18/08/2025. | Administrative procedure announcement. | Imported cosmetic product notification. | Check authority and filing method. |
| Decree | Decree 43/2017/ND-CP and 111/2021/ND-CP | Government | Check current validity. | Goods labelling. | Vietnamese sub-label and origin. | Label must match notification. |
| Tariff | Decree 26/2023/ND-CP and amendments | Government | Effective from 15/07/2023. | MFN tariff basis. | Heading 3305. | Re-check at declaration date. |
| Decree | Decree 118/2025/ND-CP | Government | Verify effective status when filing. | Electronic one-stop administrative procedure mechanism. | Relevant to online submission/receipt of cosmetic dossiers. | Check current Drug Administration/public service portal instructions. |
VIEW / DOWNLOAD ORIGINAL LEGAL TEXTS
Companies should cross-check legal texts on official legal portals or issuer websites before applying them.
CUSTOMS DOSSIER
- Commercial Invoice, Packing List, B/L or AWB, Contract/PO if any.
- C/O if special preferential duty is claimed.
- Cosmetic product notification number, authorization letter, CFS or exemption basis.
- Catalogue/photos, original label, Vietnamese sub-label, INCI/ingredients, MSDS where applicable.
| Dossier group | Required document | Used for | Prepared by | Common error | Pre-ETA check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial | Invoice, Packing List, B/L/AWB | Declaration and valuation | Seller/buyer/forwarder | Generic product name | Match SKU/shade code with labels. |
| Cosmetic notification | Notification, authorization, CFS | Import/circulation condition | Importer/legal | Name/manufacturer mismatch | Compare with Invoice and label. |
| C/O | Valid origin proof | FTA preference | Exporter | Wrong form/HS | Review draft C/O before ETA. |
DECISION POINTS THAT MAY HOLD THE SHIPMENT
| Decision point | Question | Evidence | Consequence | Recommended action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HS basis | Is it really HS 3305.90.00? | Label, ingredients, notification | HS query | Prepare HS memo. |
| Notification match | Do names/SKUs match? | Notification, Invoice, labels | Dossier supplement | Cross-check every SKU. |
| CFS/authorization | Are they valid? | CFS, authorization letter | Specialized dossier issue | Review before purchase. |
| C/O eligibility | Is C/O consistent? | C/O, Invoice, B/L | No preference | Review draft C/O. |
PRACTICAL E2E PROCESS
Step 1: Review HS, duties, C/O, cosmetic notification and labels before ETA.
Step 2: Lock Invoice, Packing List, transport documents, product list and labels.
Step 3: Finalize cosmetic notification, authorization, CFS/exemption basis and MSDS if applicable.
Step 4: Submit customs declaration and handle Green/Yellow/Red channel queries.
Step 5: Clear cargo, deliver inland and archive post-clearance records.
PRE-ETA RISK CHECKLIST
| Risk | Consequence | Prevention | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wrong HS | Duty/query risk | Classify by main function | Label, notification, ingredients |
| Notification mismatch | Dossier supplement | Match every SKU | Notification, Invoice, label |
| Invalid CFS/authorization | Specialized dossier risk | Review issuer and validity | CFS, authorization |
| Missing warning label | Post-clearance risk | Review sub-label | Label, instructions |
| Wrong C/O | No preferential duty | Review draft C/O | C/O, Invoice, B/L |
FAQ
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is cosmetic notification required? | Yes, for imported cosmetics intended for circulation. |
| What is the main HS? | Usually 3305.90.00, subject to actual documents. |
| Is CFS required? | CFS or valid exemption basis may be required under applicable rules. |
| Can colour shampoo use the same HS? | Not automatically; classify by main function and documents. |
| Is Vietnamese sub-label required? | Yes for circulation in Vietnam. |
| What if C/O shows another HS? | Review/correct before claiming preference. |
RELATED ARTICLES
IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORT FROM TGIMEX
For actual shipments, businesses should review HS code, duties, C/O, cosmetic notification, CFS, authorization, label and shipment documents before ETA.
NEED TO REVIEW IMPORT PROCEDURES OR A SHIPPING PLAN?
Send us the product name, shipping route, current dossier, or implementation request in advance so we can suggest a suitable approach that is practical, focused, and aligned with your shipment.
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