Practical import guide for conventional foods, non-alcoholic beverages and prepackaged foods into Vietnam, covering HS, duty, C/O, self-declaration, food safety inspection and E2E workflow.

Import procedure for conventional foods / non-alcoholic beverages / prepackaged foods — Operational illustration supporting the article.

IMPORT PROCEDURE OVERVIEW FOR CONVENTIONAL F&B PRODUCTS

Conventional foods / non-alcoholic beverages / prepackaged foods should not be handled merely by broad trade names such as “snacks”, “beverages”, “confectionery” or “seasonings”. For import clearance in Viet Nam, the importer needs to determine the actual ingredients, product form, intended use, original label, HS code, self-declaration dossier and the applicable state food safety inspection method.

If these data points do not match, the shipment may be required to supplement COA/test reports, may not qualify for reduced inspection, may be inconsistent with the self-declaration dossier, may lose C/O preferential duty treatment, or may need Vietnamese supplemental labels before market circulation. The operational focus is therefore to lock the dossier before ETA across three layers: product dossier – import dossier – market circulation conditions.

1. Product dossier

Ingredients, specification, COA/test report, original label, shelf life, packing format and self-declaration must describe the same product nature.

2. Import dossier

Invoice, Packing List, B/L/AWB, C/O, HS code, quantity, weight, origin and goods description must be consistent with the product dossier.

3. Market circulation

Vietnamese supplemental labeling, self-declaration dossier, inspection result if applicable, lot traceability and dossier retention should be ready before market release.

Scope note: This article does not automatically apply to health supplements, infant formula, food additives, fresh materials, goods subject to separate quarantine, alcohol/beer or products with special treatment/health claims. The actual dossier must be reviewed.

TERMS AND WHY THE PROCEDURE MATTERS

The terms below are common control points that may cause F&B import dossiers to be returned, queried or corrected after clearance if misunderstood.

Term	Meaning in import procedure	Why it must be reviewed
Conventional food	Food for normal consumption or use, not automatically classified as health supplement, treatment product or special nutritional product.	Helps distinguish from health supplements, additives, special nutrition products, fresh products or separately quarantined goods.
Prepackaged food	Products packed, portioned and labeled before sale or distribution to industrial/commercial buyers.	Determines original label, Vietnamese supplemental label, shelf life, ingredients, storage instruction and importer responsibility requirements.
Non-alcoholic beverage	Soft drinks, carbonated or non-carbonated drinks, sweetened/flavored beverages; excluding alcohol/beer and products under separate regimes.	Requires checking sugar content, additives, claims, direct-contact packaging and product-specific tax/food-safety treatment.
Product self-declaration	A mechanism where the enterprise declares product information before market circulation with test report and supporting product documents.	The self-declaration must match the label, ingredients, quality/safety indicators and import documents.
State food safety inspection	Inspection of imported food shipments under reduced, ordinary or strict inspection methods depending on applicable conditions.	Directly affects clearance time, dossier submission, inspection notice and demurrage/detention exposure.
COA / test report	Documents showing product quality and safety indicators, often used for self-declaration and technical explanation.	Unsuitable indicators, product name, laboratory, issue date or sample scope may trigger supplementation requests.
C/O	Certificate of Origin used to assess preferential duty under an FTA if conditions are met.	C/O must match goods description, HS code, quantity, weight, origin, origin criterion and direct transport conditions.
Original / supplemental label	Original label is from the manufacturer; supplemental label is Vietnamese information added when the original label lacks mandatory Viet Nam contents.	Labeling errors may prevent market circulation, especially product name, ingredients, quantity, shelf life, storage and responsible importer.

The procedure affects multiple stages: pre-clearance (self-declaration/testing and inspection dossier if applicable), customs clearance (declaration and inspection result submission where required), and post-clearance/market circulation (Vietnamese label, lot dossier retention, traceability and food-safety post-audit readiness).

DETAILED PRODUCT CLASSIFICATION AND IDENTIFICATION

This article applies to conventional foods / non-alcoholic beverages / prepackaged foods. It does not group together health-claim products, vitamin/probiotic/collagen drinks, functional foods, food additives, fresh or frozen products requiring quarantine, infant formula or alcoholic beverages.

Operational warning: Check each product by ingredients, original label, specification, COA, import purpose and final HS code. The same commercial product name may trigger different policies if ingredients or claims differ.

Product group / situation	Technical signs to check	Examples	Evidence documents	Possible policies	Dossiers to compare	Application notes
Biscuits, snacks, confectionery, cereals	Flour, sugar, cocoa, milk, nuts, oils, additives, direct food-contact packaging	Biscuits, potato snacks, cereal bars, gummy candy	Ingredient list, nutrition facts, COA, specification, original label	Self-declaration; food safety inspection; supplementary labeling; possible quarantine for specific animal/plant ingredients	Invoice, Packing List, B/L/AWB, self-declaration, test report, C/O	Do not reuse one dossier for another flavor or formula unless the safety criteria clearly cover it.
Instant noodles, pasta and cereal-based products	Dry/ready-to-eat form, seasoning/oil sachets, meat/dairy/seafood ingredients	Instant noodles, dry pasta, cereal powder	Specification, ingredient list, label artwork, COA	Self-declaration; food safety inspection; supplementary label; quarantine may arise if animal ingredients are not clearly processed	Self-declaration, test report, label, product specification	Seasoning packs must be reviewed as part of the finished product.
Sauces, condiments, seasonings	Salt/sugar content, additives, preservatives, extracts, animal/plant ingredients	Chili sauce, ketchup, soy sauce, salad dressing	COA, specification, ingredient list	Self-declaration; food safety inspection; labeling; additives must be permitted for the intended food category	COA/test report, original label, self-declaration, import documents	Goods description should identify the product form, not only “sauce/seasoning”.
Non-alcoholic beverages	Carbonated/non-carbonated, ready-to-drink/dilutable, sugar/sweetener, caffeine, milk, coffee, juice	Soft drinks, bottled tea, fruit drinks, coffee beverages	Formula, COA, nutrition label, original label	Self-declaration; food safety inspection; supplementary labeling; separate tax review may be needed for sugary drinks if the law changes	Self-declaration, test report, Packing List, C/O, label	Do not treat beverages with health claims as ordinary beverages.
Samples, market testing or exhibition goods	Small quantity, non-commercial use, sample/exhibition purpose	Testing samples, promotion samples	Purpose explanation, non-commercial invoice, catalogue	May still require food safety review depending on use and circulation	Commercial documents, explanation letter, product dossier	Do not assume exemption if products are consumed or circulated.

HS CODE – DUTY – C/O

HS classification must be based on edible/drinkable function, main ingredients, processing method, packaging, ready-to-use status and the product specification/label. The following table is only an initial review framework; final classification must follow the current tariff, customs ruling if available and the actual dossier.

Reference HS code	Suitable product group	Classification basis	Application conditions	Ordinary duty	MFN duty	VAT	C/O/FTA to review	Documents to compare
1905.90.90	Bakery products, biscuits, baked snacks	Baked or processed flour-based products	Apply if ingredients and production fit heading 19.05	Review ordinary tariff; if no separate rate, often checked against 150% of MFN principle	Common reference: 20%; confirm by final HS	Usually 10%; review current VAT reduction policy if applicable	ATIGA, ACFTA, RCEP, AKFTA/VKFTA, AJCEP/VJEPA, CPTPP, EVFTA/UKVFTA	Ingredients, process flow, label, COA, invoice, C/O
1902.30	Instant noodles, pasta and other prepared pasta	Cereal/flour-based pasta or noodles	Apply when product nature is pasta/noodle, not a supplement	Review ordinary tariff by 8-digit code	Common reference: 20% for certain lines; confirm by final code	Usually 10%	ATIGA/ACFTA/RCEP and other applicable FTAs	Specification, ingredients, label, seasoning packs, COA, C/O
2009	Fruit or vegetable juices, not fermented, no alcohol	Fruit/vegetable juice basis	Not for flavored soft drinks under heading 22.02	Review ordinary tariff by final 8-digit code	MFN varies by juice type and composition	Usually 10%	FTA by route and origin criteria	Ingredient list, Brix if any, COA, label, process, C/O
2103.90	Sauces, mixed condiments and seasonings	Preparation used as sauce/seasoning	Apply if not classified elsewhere by composition	Review ordinary tariff by final code	Common reference: 20%; confirm by final code	Usually 10%	ATIGA, ACFTA, RCEP, VKFTA/AKFTA, CPTPP, EVFTA	Formula, ingredients, additive declaration, COA, label, C/O
2106.90.99	Other food preparations not elsewhere specified	Mixed food preparation not more specifically classified	Not for health supplements if claims/composition trigger another policy	Review ordinary tariff by final code	Common reference: 15%; confirm by dossier	Usually 10%	Review each FTA by origin and PSR	Formula, COA, label, claims, intended use, C/O
2202.10 / 2202.99	Non-alcoholic beverages, ready-to-drink soft drinks	Non-alcoholic beverages not under juice heading 20.09	For sweetened/flavored waters and other non-alcoholic beverages	Review ordinary tariff by 8-digit code	Common reference for some drinks: 35%; confirm by exact code	Usually 10%; if the beverage is a soft drink under Vietnamese standards with sugar content above 5g/100ml, review special consumption tax under Law 66/2025/QH15	ATIGA may be 0% for many lines if C/O is valid; check other FTAs	Formula, COA, nutrition facts, label, sugar/caffeine data, C/O

C/O checklist: form, origin criterion WO/RVC/CTH/CTSH, third-party invoicing, direct consignment, goods description, HS, quantity, weight, country of origin, stamp/signature, issuance date and validity period.

Route/origin	FTA	C/O or origin document	Preferential rate if supported	Conditions	Documents to compare	Notes
ASEAN	ATIGA	Form D or accepted origin document	Many F&B lines may be 0%; verify by final HS	Valid origin, direct consignment, compliant C/O	C/O, invoice, packing list, B/L, HS	High relevance for Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia routes.
China	ACFTA or RCEP	Form E or RCEP origin document	Check by HS and year	Origin rule and consignment requirements	C/O, third-party invoice if any, B/L	Common risks: wrong HS, description mismatch, third-party invoice issue.
Korea	AKFTA/VKFTA/RCEP	Form AK, VK or RCEP	Select the best valid FTA by HS	Must meet PSR and documentation conditions	C/O, invoice, packing list, B/L	Do not assume VKFTA is always the best; compare by HS.
Japan	VJEPA/AJCEP/CPTPP/RCEP	VJ, AJ, CPTPP or RCEP proof	Check applicable schedule	Meet PSR, consignment and origin proof rules	Origin proof, HS, ingredients	Mixed-ingredient products need careful RVC/CTH review.
EU/UK	EVFTA/UKVFTA	EUR.1 or origin statement if eligible	Check tariff schedule	Valid origin proof and transport conditions	Origin statement/EUR.1, invoice, B/L	Keep origin records for post-clearance review.
Australia/New Zealand	AANZFTA or CPTPP	AANZ or CPTPP proof	Check by final HS	Meet applicable origin criteria	C/O, ingredient origin, invoice	Relevant to cereals, dairy beverages and processed foods.
India/Hong Kong	AIFTA/AHKFTA	Form AI or AHK	Check each tariff line	Meet origin rule and transport requirements	C/O, invoice, packing list, B/L	Review carefully for mixed-ingredient products.

DOSSIER SET AND SUBMISSION METHOD

The dossier should be separated into commercial documents, technical/food safety documents and documents submitted to the inspection authority. State food safety inspection dossiers may be submitted directly, online, by post or via the National Single Window where applicable.

Dossier group	Required documents	Used for	Usually prepared by	Common errors	Pre-ETA check
Commercial dossier	Commercial Invoice, Packing List, B/L or AWB, contract/PO if any	Customs declaration and inspection registration	Importer, Sales, Docs, Forwarder	Generic goods name, quantity mismatch, incorrect port	Cross-check invoice, packing list, B/L, booking and carton labels
Product dossier	Ingredient list, specification, nutrition facts, label artwork, original label photos	Self-declaration, classification, supplementary label	Supplier, QA/Compliance, Procurement	Missing full formula, missing shelf life/storage data	Request original label and specification before booking
Food safety dossier	Product self-declaration, valid test report, safety criteria by product group	Market circulation and import inspection	Importer, QA/Compliance, laboratory	Test criteria do not match self-declaration; wrong product variant	Compare product name, pack size, ingredients and test indicators
Import inspection dossier	Inspection registration form, self-declaration, Packing List and other documents if Article 14 applies	Obtain compliant/non-compliant import notice	Importer/Forwarder/Docs	Late submission, missing self-declaration or packing list	Prepare scan set before ETA and identify inspection method
C/O and tax dossier	C/O, direct transport proof, third-party invoice if any, origin explanation	Special preferential duty claim	Shipper, Exporter, Importer, Forwarder	Wrong form, HS mismatch, description mismatch	Check form, criterion, origin, issuance date and quantities

LEGAL BASIS AND SPECIALIZED POLICY MATRIX

This section should be read in two layers: first, the legal instruments that form the basis for imported food compliance; second, the practical policy matrix that identifies when a shipment may trigger self-declaration, state food safety inspection, supplementary labeling, quarantine or special tax review.

1. LEGAL BASIS TO REVIEW

The table below is used to verify the core legal basis before finalizing HS classification, food safety dossiers, labeling and import inspection method. In practice, validity and amendments should be checked at the time of customs declaration.

Document group	Document	Issuing authority	Effect/application timing	Role in procedure	Key article/appendix	Review note
Law	Law on Food Safety 55/2010/QH12	National Assembly	Effective from 01 July 2011; partly effective	Foundation for food safety, import, labeling and testing	Responsibilities of organizations and handling of non-compliant foods	View
Decree	Decree 15/2018/NĐ-CP	Government	Effective from 02 Feb 2018; shown as effective on the legal database	Self-declaration and state inspection of imported foods	Articles 4–5, 17–19; Appendix I Forms 01, 04, 05	View
Administrative procedure	State food safety inspection for imported food under normal inspection method	National Public Service Portal / inspection authority	Public processing time: 03 working days; fees should be checked at filing time	Procedure, dossier and outcome notice	Registration form, self-declaration, Packing List and documents under Article 14 if applicable	View procedure
Labeling	Decree 43/2017/NĐ-CP and amendments	Government	Effective from 01 Jun 2017; partly expired	Goods labeling including imports	Product name, origin, quantity, date/shelf life, ingredients, use/storage instructions	View
Tariff	Decree 26/2023/NĐ-CP and amendments	Government	Apply according to the tariff in force at declaration time	MFN import tariff by final HS code	Appendix II preferential import tariff	View tariff

2. SPECIALIZED POLICY MATRIX BY GOODS SITUATION

This matrix separates ordinary F&B products from cases that may shift into other policies, such as health supplements, quarantine-controlled ingredients, samples, trade fair goods or sugar-sweetened beverages requiring excise tax review.

Goods situation	Reference legal basis	Possible policy	Authority/portal	Policy trigger
Ordinary prepackaged food imported for business	Decree 15/2018/NĐ-CP; Law on Food Safety	Product self-declaration; food safety inspection; supplementary labeling	Inspection authority; National Single Window if applicable; customs	Imported for circulation or business in Vietnam
Normal inspection shipment	Articles 17–18 of Decree 15/2018/NĐ-CP	Submit inspection registration, self-declaration, Packing List and related documents	State inspection authority	Not eligible for reduced or tightened inspection
Products with a track record of compliant imports	Article 17 of Decree 15/2018/NĐ-CP	Review reduced inspection eligibility	Inspection authority	Sufficient consecutive compliant notices and not under tightened inspection
Products with health claims or functional ingredients	Decree 15/2018/NĐ-CP and health supplement rules if applicable	May shift to health supplement registration rather than ordinary food handling	Vietnam Food Administration or competent authority	Claims/composition change the regulatory nature
Products with animal/plant-derived ingredients	Food safety and quarantine regulations	May trigger quarantine or additional specialized inspection	Relevant quarantine/specialized authority	Ingredient or processing status triggers extra policy
Samples/testing/exhibition goods	Customs and food safety rules	Explanation dossier; ATTP may still apply depending on use	Customs and specialized authority	Purpose, quantity and whether products are consumed/circulated

PROCESSING TIME, FEES AND COST RISKS

Stage	Recommended timing	Reference timing/fee	Expected output	Cost risk if delayed
Product and label review	Before order or shipment	Depends on supplier dossier completeness	Ingredient list, label, COA/specification and policy classification	Rework self-declaration or testing
Product self-declaration	Before cargo arrival	Depends on test report and receiving authority	Self-declaration dossier	Missing self-declaration when registering inspection
Food import inspection registration	Before or upon arrival	Normal inspection procedure publicly states 03 working days; fee to be checked at filing time	Notice of compliant/non-compliant imported food	Storage, DEM/DET and delivery delays
Customs declaration and channel handling	When transport documents and specialized dossier are ready	Depends on customs channel and dossier sufficiency	Cleared/released declaration	Yellow/red channel, additional documents or physical inspection
Post-clearance market circulation	Before sale/distribution	Based on labeling and traceability plan	Supplementary label and lot dossier	Recall, audit issues or labeling violations

PRACTICAL E2E WORKFLOW

The E2E workflow below follows the operating flow of an imported food shipment: from supplier data collection and pre-ETA document lock, to state food safety inspection, customs declaration, delivery and post-clearance record retention.

Step 01

Pre-shipment / pre-ETA review

Confirm product group, ingredients, packaging format, import purpose, indicative HS, duty, C/O, self-declaration status and food safety inspection method before allowing the shipment to move.

Step 02

Lock commercial and technical documents

Cross-check Invoice, Packing List, B/L/AWB, C/O, original label, ingredient list, nutrition facts, COA/specification and shelf life. Product name, specification, quantity, origin and expiry data must match.

Step 03

Determine specialized procedure

Branch into self-declaration or product registration; reduced, normal or tightened inspection; and review whether quarantine, additives, health supplement status, samples or sugar-sweetened beverage rules apply.

Step 04

Submit dossier / inspection registration

Prepare imported food inspection registration, self-declaration, Packing List, COA/test report and documents under Article 14 where applicable. Dossiers should be completed before arrival to reduce storage risk.

Step 05

Customs declaration and channel handling

Review customs value, HS, goods description, C/O, food safety inspection result, label and self-declaration dossier. Green, Yellow and Red channels require different levels of document or physical inspection.

Step 06

Delivery, labeling and record retention

Submit compliance notice to customs where required, deliver goods to warehouse, apply Vietnamese supplementary labels before circulation, control shelf life and retain shipment dossiers for audit.

CONTROL TABLE BY WORKFLOW STEP

Workflow step	Items to finalize	Minimum output	Risk control point
01. Pre-ETA review	Product group, ingredients, claims, HS, duty, C/O and food safety policy	Product review sheet and supplier data request list	Do not move goods when the declaration group or health-claim status is unclear.
02. Document lock	Invoice, Packing List, B/L/AWB, C/O, labels, COA, ingredient list and shelf life	Consistent document pack covering product name, specification, quantity, origin and expiry	Prevent description/HS/C/O mismatches that may lead to duty preference rejection or explanation requests.
03. Procedure branching	Self-declaration, product registration, inspection method and quarantine if any	Procedure map by SKU/model/shipment	Do not treat special ingredients or health claims as ordinary food without review.
04. Dossier submission	Inspection registration, self-declaration, Packing List and Article 14 documents if any	Submitted dossier / receipt / inspection notice through the applicable channel	Prevent port arrival before the food safety dossier is ready, which may cause storage and DEM/DET costs.
05. Customs declaration	HS, value, description, C/O, food safety result and label	Customs declaration with supporting explanation pack for Yellow/Red channels	Prepare HS rationale, C/O, label and food safety documents before customs queries arise.
06. Post-clearance	Delivery, Vietnamese supplementary label, record retention and traceability	Shipment dossier retained by lot: declaration, transport docs, C/O, self-declaration, COA, food safety notice and label sample	Do not circulate goods before labeling and record retention are completed.

FAQ

1. Do ordinary foods require an import license?

Usually they are not handled as a separate import license group, but self-declaration, food safety inspection, supplementary labeling, HS, C/O and ingredient-based policies must be reviewed.

2. Is food safety inspection still required after self-declaration?

It may still be required for imported shipments unless an exemption/reduced method applies. The self-declaration is an important document for inspection registration.

3. Can one self-declaration cover multiple flavors?

Not automatically. Different ingredients, criteria, packaging, label or manufacturer may require separate review.

4. Do samples require food safety procedures?

It depends on purpose, quantity and whether the samples are consumed or circulated. An explanation dossier should be prepared.

5. Are non-alcoholic beverages subject to special consumption tax?

It may apply. From 01/01/2026, soft drinks under Vietnamese standards with sugar content above 5g/100ml are subject to SCT review under Law 66/2025/QH15. Check formula, nutrition facts, COA/sugar specification, HS code and declaration timing before landed-cost calculation.

6. Can C/O reduce import duty?

Yes, if the goods meet the relevant FTA origin rules and have valid proof of origin, direct consignment and consistent HS/description/quantity.

7. Can goods clear without COA/test report?

High risk. COA/test report supports self-declaration and safety criteria. Missing or inconsistent test evidence may trigger additional requests.

8. What should be retained after clearance?

Customs declaration, invoice, packing list, B/L/AWB, C/O, self-declaration, test report, inspection result, original/supplementary label and traceability dossier.

FINAL OUTPUTS AND POST-CLEARANCE OBLIGATIONS

Typical outputs include product self-declaration, notice of imported food meeting requirements where applicable, processed customs declaration, valid C/O preference dossier if eligible and shipment dossier for traceability.

After clearance, the importer should complete Vietnamese supplementary labeling, retain self-declaration/testing documents, control shelf life, production lot, traceability and be prepared for food safety post-audit or customs post-clearance review.

GIẢI PHÁP TỪ TGIMEX

For conventional foods, non-alcoholic beverages and prepackaged foods, operational value lies in synchronized control of the product dossier, food safety dossier, logistics documents, HS – duty – C/O and market circulation obligations. Importers should complete the review before ETA to avoid shipments arriving while self-declaration, food safety inspection or supplemental labeling is still incomplete.

Product classification review

Review ingredients, function, claims, packaging form, shelf life, food category and possible quarantine, self-declaration or special policy triggers.

HS – duty – C/O review

Check HS classification basis, MFN duty, VAT, potential FTA preference under C/O and risks from inconsistent description or origin criteria.

Food safety dossier review

Check self-declaration, test report, COA/specification, ingredient list, original label, safety indicators and import inspection method.

Document lock before ETA

Cross-check Invoice, Packing List, B/L/AWB, C/O, product name, packing, quantity, weight, origin, shelf life and customs description.

Clearance & delivery coordination

Monitor pre-alert, ETA, inspection registration if any, customs declaration, channel handling, delivery plan and DEM/DET/storage exposure.

Post-clearance dossier retention

Set up a lot-based dossier including declaration, shipping documents, C/O, self-declaration, test report, food-safety inspection notice, labels and traceability data.

Support stage	Core tasks	Operational output
Before ordering / before shipment	Review ingredients, label, claims, product group, tentative HS, available C/O and supplier documents to request.	Supplier-data checklist and early warning of points that may delay clearance.
Before ETA	Lock commercial documents, food safety dossier, self-declaration/test report if applicable, supplemental label and inspection approach.	Pre-ETA dossier checklist to limit document amendments after cargo arrival.
During customs clearance	Coordinate declaration, Yellow/Red channel handling, HS/C/O/label/ingredient explanations, food safety inspection and shipment documents.	File handling direction based on actual shipment status, reducing storage and demurrage exposure.
Post-clearance / market circulation	Complete supplemental labeling, retain lot dossier, control traceability and prepare materials for food safety post-audit/customs post-clearance review.	Operational dossier package for later explanation requests after importation.

The implementation focus is to maintain one consistent control line from supplier – documents – food safety dossier – customs – receiving warehouse – market circulation, rather than treating each procedure separately after issues arise.

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