Tiếng Việt
中文 (中国)
DECREE 74/2018/ND-CP: AMENDMENTS TO PRODUCT AND GOODS QUALITY MANAGEMENT – OPERATIONAL NOTES FOR IMPORTERS AND EXPORTERS
This article maps the operational relevance of Decree 74/2018/ND-CP for Group 2 goods, conformity assessment, import quality inspection, labeling, barcodes and logistics document control. This article places the regulation in the practical context of import-export operations, clarifying its scope, affected parties, and the checks required before it is relied on for a shipment dossier. Before implementation, businesses should verify the effective date, amendments, and relevant official guidance applicable to the transaction, while retaining the source and document version used for later explanation or audit.
Compilation note: Operational reference for import/export, logistics, compliance and operations teams. This is not an official legal translation and must be checked against the Vietnamese original and shipment-specific documents.
DOCUMENT INFORMATION
| Field | Content |
|---|---|
| Document title | Decree No. 74/2018/ND-CP amending Decree No. 132/2008/ND-CP detailing the Law on Product and Goods Quality. |
| Document number | 74/2018/ND-CP |
| Issuing authority | Government of Vietnam |
| Date of issuance | 15 May 2018 |
| Effective date | 01 July 2018 |
| Signer | Nguyen Xuan Phuc |
| Effect status | Partially expired according to the National Legal Database; amended documents must be checked before application. |
| Regulatory scope | Amendments to quality management of Group 2 products/goods, state quality inspection for imports, designated conformity assessment bodies, barcodes and procedural forms. |
| Relevant goods | Group 2 goods under applicable lists/technical regulations; imported goods subject to state quality inspection, conformity declaration/certification, labeling or barcode control. |
KEY POINTS TO NOTE
| Issue | Operational meaning |
|---|---|
| Group 2 goods / potentially unsafe products | The decree revises Article 3 of Decree 132/2008/ND-CP and clarifies the basis for determining products and goods capable of causing unsafety. |
| Import quality inspection | Article 7 is amended to regulate importer responsibilities and state quality inspection for Group 2 imported goods before circulation. |
| Processing timeline | Operational milestones include quality inspection notification within 01 working day if the dossier is complete and compliant; label remediation up to 05 working days; missing dossier supplementation within 15 working days, subject to case-specific conditions. |
| Conformity assessment bodies | Articles 18 and 18a-18g are amended/supplemented regarding designation, registration, procedures and responsibilities of conformity assessment bodies. |
| Barcodes | The decree adds rules on barcode management, including GS1 codes, foreign codes, authorization and obligations of organizations distributing or circulating goods. |
| Appendix forms | The decree includes many forms for import quality inspection registration, result notification, designation dossiers, barcode certificates and related confirmations. |
AFFECTED BUSINESSES AND GOODS
Importers, trading companies, distributors, brand owners, factories, EPE/FDI companies and logistics providers handling regulated goods.
Group 2 goods under technical regulations or sectoral lists; goods requiring conformity declaration, certification, labeling or barcode control.
Pre-import review, customs declaration, quality inspection, labeling/circulation, record retention and post-clearance inspection.
IMPACT ON IMPORT/EXPORT AND LOGISTICS OPERATIONS
| Operational area | Practical impact |
|---|---|
| Customs declaration | HS code, item description, technical use, model and applicable QCVN must be aligned before customs declaration. |
| Import documents | Invoice, Packing List, B/L or AWB, contract/PO, catalogue, datasheet, test report, conformity certification/declaration, labels and barcode documents should use consistent product data. |
| Clearance timeline | Delays may arise when quality certificates do not match the shipment dossier, labels are incomplete, conformity marks are missing or the quality inspection dossier is incomplete. |
| Storage cost | If the dossier is incomplete or labels must be remedied, storage, demurrage/detention, yard handling and delivery delays may occur. |
| Post-clearance control | Quality records, conformity documents, labels, barcode dossiers and import documents should be retained per shipment for post-clearance or market inspection. |
RELATED LEGAL DOCUMENTS TO REVIEW
| Document group | Review point |
|---|---|
| Law | Law on Product and Goods Quality No. 05/2007/QH12 – the primary legal basis. |
| Decree | Decree 132/2008/ND-CP – amended by Decree 74/2018/ND-CP. |
| Amending decree | Decree 154/2018/ND-CP – amends business conditions and certain specialized inspection rules under the Ministry of Science and Technology. |
| Amending decree | Decree 13/2022/ND-CP – further amends Decree 132/2008/ND-CP, Decree 74/2018/ND-CP and Decree 86/2012/ND-CP. |
| Current framework to check | Decree 37/2026/ND-CP – detailing implementation of the Law on Product and Goods Quality; must be checked for dossiers after the new framework takes effect. |
| Related decree | Decree 107/2016/ND-CP – conditions for conformity assessment service business. |
VIEW / DOWNLOAD ORIGINAL DOCUMENT
FULL LEGAL TEXT – OFFICIAL 72-PAGE SIGNED PDF
The official signed PDF of Decree 74/2018/ND-CP contains 72 pages, including amendments and appendices. Under the web-posting form, long documents over 50 pages or documents with many appendices should be shown through a direct PDF preview for full review.
Preferred official source: Government legal portal/issuing authority portal. This English version is an operational reference only and is not an official legal translation.
FAQ
When did Decree 74/2018/ND-CP take effect?
It took effect on 01 July 2018. Its current status is partially expired, so amended documents must be checked before application.
Does it apply to all imports?
No. The operational focus is Group 2 goods or products/goods capable of causing unsafety under sectoral lists or technical regulations.
Should businesses check by HS code or product name?
Both. HS code, product name, function, model, QCVN and intended use should be reviewed together.
What documents are usually needed for Group 2 imports?
The import dossier, catalogue/datasheet, test report or conformity assessment result, conformity declaration/certification, labels and quality inspection registration dossier, depending on the product.
Is barcode management relevant?
Yes. The decree adds barcode rules, including GS1 codes, foreign codes and barcode authorization/confirmation.
Can goods be cleared if the quality dossier is not complete?
This depends on the product policy, the dossier status and the instructions of the inspection/customs authorities at the time of import.
Should records be kept after clearance?
Yes. Quality, conformity, label, barcode and import records should be retained per shipment for post-clearance or market inspection.
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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