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IMPORT-EXPORT PROCEDURES BY PRODUCT · FOOD-CONTACT HOUSEHOLD ARTICLES
IMPORT PROCEDURE GUIDE FOR PLATES
Plates may trigger customs classification, food-contact compliance and Vietnamese labelling issues. The applicable HS code depends on material: porcelain, ceramic, glass, plastic, melamine or stainless steel. This guide gives an E2E review map for HS, duties, C/O, dossier and clearance control before ETA. For the product covered in this article, the importer should confirm the model, intended use, construction or composition, new/used condition, and technical documents before concluding the HS code, tax treatment, or specialist policy. The following sections organize the main controls from document receipt, catalogue and label review through dossier preparation, declaration, and coordination at the port of entry.
QUICK SUMMARY
| Item | Review content | Operational note |
|---|---|---|
| Product scope | Plates used for serving or presenting food. | Not automatically applicable to bowls, cups, glass bottles/jars or enamel cookware. |
| Reference HS | 6911.10.00, 6912.00.00, 7013.49.00, 3924.10.00, 7323.93.90. | Final classification must follow material, function and catalogue. |
| Base taxes | Reference MFN from 22%–35%; ordinary duty is commonly based on 150% of MFN; base VAT 10%. | Any VAT reduction must be checked at declaration date. |
| Specialized policy | May be treated as food-contact articles. | Check applicable QCVN and food-safety dossier by material. |
Legal note: Tax rates and policies are for planning reference and must be verified against current regulations, technical files, origin and import purpose at declaration date.
SCOPE OF APPLICATION
This article applies only to plates used for food contact. It does not automatically apply to bowls, cups, bottles, jars, trays or cookware.
| Applicable | Not automatically applicable | Separate review required |
|---|---|---|
| Porcelain, ceramic, glass, plastic, melamine and stainless-steel plates. | Bowls, cups, jars, food boxes and enamel cookware. | Gift sets, hotel project goods, used goods, decorative-only plates and sample shipments. |
CLASSIFICATION & TECHNICAL IDENTIFICATION
| Check point | Documents | Risk | Suggested description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main material | Catalogue, label, material declaration | Wrong HS/QCVN | Porcelain plate for food contact, new 100% |
| Food-contact use | Photos, catalogue, label | Missing food-safety dossier | Plate for serving food |
| Set packing | Packing list, item list | One set may require multiple HS lines | Separate by material and item |
| Surface/glaze/printing | Technical specification, test report | Migration risk for lead/cadmium | Glazed/decal-printed plate if applicable |
HS CODE – DUTY – C/O
| Reference HS | Application condition | MFN | Ordinary duty | VAT | Key risk | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6911.10.00 | Porcelain/china tableware and kitchenware | 35% | 52.5% | 10% | Confused with non-porcelain ceramic | Catalogue, label, material proof |
| 6912.00.00 | Ceramic tableware other than porcelain | 35% | 52.5% | 10% | Incorrect porcelain claim | Material specification |
| 7013.49.00 | Glass plates/table glassware | 35% | 52.5% | 10% | Confused with glass bottles/jars | Catalogue, photos |
| 3924.10.00 | Plastic/melamine tableware | 22% | 33% | 10% | Wrong material or non-food article | Material declaration |
| 7323.93.90 | Stainless-steel plates | 30% | 45% | 10% | Confused with aluminium/enamelled steel | Material composition |
| Origin route | C/O or proof | Preferential-duty handling | Condition | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASEAN | Form D / ATIGA | Compare with MFN by HS | Origin criterion, direct transport | C/O description does not match material |
| China | Form E / ACFTA or RCEP | Compare ACFTA and RCEP | HS, invoice, third-party invoice if any | Wrong criterion or manufacturer |
| Korea | Form AK / Form VK / RCEP | Compare by HS | Origin criterion and direct transport | Late C/O or mismatched description |
| Japan | VJEPA / AJCEP / CPTPP / RCEP | Select valid agreement only | Valid origin proof | Wrong agreement form |
| EU/UK | EUR.1 or origin statement | Use only with compliant proof | Exporter status and product description | Post-clearance rejection |
| No FTA/US | Non-preferential origin only | MFN or ordinary duty depending eligibility | Clear origin and label data | No preferential duty |
SPECIALIZED MANAGEMENT POLICY
| Scenario | Policy | Documents | Authority/portal | Timing | Risk note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food-contact plates | Food safety review under Decree 15/2018 and applicable QCVN | Self-declaration, test report, label | Food-safety authority / NSW if applicable | Before ETA or circulation | Do not wait until cargo arrival |
| Glass/ceramic/porcelain/enamel | QCVN 12-4:2015/BYT | Migration test report | Testing body / food-safety authority | Before distribution | Lead/cadmium migration risk |
| Plastic/melamine | QCVN 12-1:2011/BYT | Material and migration tests | Testing body | Before distribution | Temperature-use warning |
| Metal/stainless steel | QCVN 12-3:2011/BYT | Material and safety tests | Testing body | Before distribution | Wrong metal description |
LEGAL DOCUMENTS TO REVIEW
| Document group | Document | Issuing body | Role | Review note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Law | Food Safety Law 55/2010/QH12 | National Assembly | Framework for food safety | Check food-contact use |
| Decree | Decree 15/2018/ND-CP | Government | Self-declaration and import inspection framework | Review actual dossier |
| QCVN | Circular 35/2015/TT-BYT; QCVN 12-4:2015/BYT | Ministry of Health | Glass/ceramic/porcelain/enamel food-contact articles | For relevant materials |
| QCVN | QCVN 12-1:2011/BYT; QCVN 12-3:2011/BYT | Ministry of Health | Plastic and metal food-contact materials | Use by material |
| Labelling | Decree 43/2017/ND-CP and 111/2021/ND-CP | Government | Vietnamese label requirements | Prepare before circulation |
| Tariff | Decree 26/2023/ND-CP and FTA tariff schedules | Government / Ministry of Finance | MFN, ordinary and special preferential duty | Verify at declaration date |
VIEW / DOWNLOAD ORIGINAL LEGAL DOCUMENTS
Enterprises should verify the legal documents on official portals before applying them.
CUSTOMS CLEARANCE DOSSIER
| Dossier group | Required documents | Use | Common error | Pre-ETA check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial | Invoice, Packing List, B/L or AWB | Customs declaration | Generic product name | Match item/material/quantity |
| Technical | Catalogue, photos, label, material info | HS and policy review | No material proof | Request datasheet |
| Food safety | Self-declaration/test report if applicable | Compliance and inspection | Wrong QCVN | Check by material |
| Origin | C/O or origin proof | Preferential duty | Mismatched HS/description | Check form and criterion |
| Label | Original label and Vietnamese label | Circulation | Missing origin/material warning | Review labelling rules |
DECISION POINTS THAT MAY HOLD THE SHIPMENT
| Decision point | Question | Evidence | Consequence | Recommended action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HS code | What is the material? | Catalogue, label | Reclassification and duty adjustment | Lock HS before ETA |
| Food-contact status | Is it for food contact? | Label, catalogue | Additional food-safety dossier | Determine QCVN |
| Set packing | Are there multiple materials? | Item list | Wrong single HS | Split declaration lines if required |
| C/O | Does C/O match HS and invoice? | C/O, invoice | No preferential duty | Pre-check C/O |
| Label | Is Vietnamese label ready? | Original label | Circulation risk | Prepare sub-label |
PRACTICAL E2E PROCESS
Step 1
Review HS, policy, C/O, tax and label before ETA.
Step 2
Lock commercial and technical documents.
Step 3
Prepare food-safety dossier if applicable.
Step 4
Open customs declaration and prepare explanations.
Step 5
Clear cargo, label, deliver and retain records.
PRE-ETA RISK CHECKLIST
| Risk | Impact | Prevention | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generic name | Insufficient HS basis | Add material and use | Catalogue, label |
| Wrong material | Wrong HS/QCVN | Check material proof | Datasheet |
| Missing food-safety dossier | Delay or circulation risk | Prepare test/self-declaration | Test report |
| C/O mismatch | No preferential duty | Check before declaration | C/O, invoice |
| Missing sub-label | Market circulation risk | Prepare Vietnamese label | Original label |
FAQ – COMMON QUESTIONS
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does importing plates require a permit? | Do not conclude absolutely. Food-contact plates may require food-safety review and relevant QCVN dossier. |
| Are porcelain and ceramic plates classified the same? | Not automatically. Porcelain is generally reviewed under 6911.10.00; other ceramic under 6912.00.00. |
| Can glass plates use glass bottle HS? | Generally no; table glassware should be reviewed under heading 7013. |
| Can C/O reduce duty? | Possibly, depending on HS, origin route and valid proof of origin. |
| Can a dinner set use one HS? | Only if legally supportable. Mixed materials may require separate HS lines. |
| Is Vietnamese labelling required? | Products circulated in Vietnam generally need compliant Vietnamese labelling. |
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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