The demand for cosmetics in Vietnam is popular not only among women but also among everyone in modern society. Imported cosmetics are still preferred by Vietnamese consumers due to their diverse types and quality. According to legal regulations, organizations and individuals responsible for importing cosmetics and bringing cosmetic products to the market in Vietnam are responsible for declaring cosmetic products at the Drug Administration of Vietnam before putting them into circulation. Organizations and individuals importing cosmetics are only allowed to bring products to the market after they have been declared and have received an announcement number from the Drug Administration of Vietnam, and they are fully responsible for the safety and effectiveness of the cosmetic products brought to the market and must comply with the provisions of Vietnamese law.
1. Types of cosmetic products that must be declared for circulation
- Creams, emulsions, lotions, gels or oils for use on the skin (hands, face, feet, etc.)
- Face masks (excluding chemical peel products)
- Coloring substances (liquid, paste, powder)
- Make-up powders, after-bath powders, hygienic powders, etc.
- Bath soaps, deodorant soaps, etc.
- Perfumes, toilet waters, etc.
- Bath or shower products (salts, soaps, oils, gels, etc.)
- Depilatories
- Deodorants and anti-perspirants.
- Hair care products: (Hair dyes and bleaches, perms, relaxers, styling products, cleansing products (milks, powders, shampoos), hair nourishing products (milks, creams, oils), hair styling products (milks, hairsprays, waxes)).
- Shaving products (creams, soaps, lotions, etc.)
- Make-up and make-up removers for face and eyes
- Lip products
- Oral and dental care products
- Nail and cuticle care and embellishment products.
- External intimate hygiene products
- Sunscreen products
- Self-tanning products.
- Skin whitening products
- Anti-wrinkle products
- Other products
2. Conditions for enterprises to announce cosmetic product circulation
- Organizations and individuals named in the cosmetic product declaration dossier must have a business registration certificate, which includes the function of cosmetic business.
- Currently, according to the national economic classification system, the cosmetic business line is recorded in the Enterprise Registration Certificate as follows:
4649: Wholesale of other household goods, specifically: Wholesale of perfumes, cosmetics, and toiletries.
Special Note:
The cosmetic product declaration procedure is carried out online through the electronic portal https://vnsw.gov.vn/. Currently, because all imported cosmetic product circulation dossiers must be submitted online, organizations and individuals named in the cosmetic product declaration dossier must register to use an electronic signature to submit the cosmetic product circulation dossier. The electronic signature used for submission can be the enterprise’s tax electronic signature.
3. Requirements for the Cosmetic Product Circulation Announcement Dossier
- 01 certified copy of the Business Registration Certificate or Investment Certificate.
- The language used in the announcement must be Vietnamese and/or English.
- In the following cases, cosmetic products may be declared in the same announcement:
- Products packaged under a common name and sold as a product set,
- Products with similar formulas but different colors or scents
- Different products packaged together in the same package as a single unit
- Other forms will be decided by the Drug Administration of Vietnam based on the decision of the ASEAN Cosmetic Committee.
- When there are changes to the declared contents, organizations and individuals must re-declare them with the Drug Administration of Vietnam.
- The cosmetic product quality standard declaration receipt number is valid for 05 years. Organizations and individuals must re-declare at least 01 month before the receipt number expires and must pay fees as prescribed.
Required documents for declaring imported cosmetic product circulation:
| No. | Document | Format/Quantity | Responsible party |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business registration (with cosmetic business/production function) or investment license of the organization or individual named in the cosmetic product declaration dossier | 01 certified copy | Registrant provides |
| 2 | Certificate of Free Sale for the product in the country of origin | 01 consular legalized copy (original or copy) | Registrant provides |
| 3 | Letter of Authorization from the Manufacturer (as per Viet An’s template) | 01 consular legalized original | Registrant provides |
| 4 | Product ingredient formula | 01 printed information sheet | Customer provides |
| 5 | Product information: Product form, Product presentation, Product intended use | 01 printed information sheet | Customer provides |
Time to prepare dossier
- Checking the list of documents in the cosmetic product declaration dossier: 01 – 02 working days from the date of receiving the documents from the client;
- Drafting and submitting the cosmetic product declaration dossier: 03 working days from the date of receiving the complete dossier from the client.
Note:
- The time to prepare the dossier may vary depending on the number of cosmetic product standard declaration dossiers and the ingredient formula dossier as required;
- Only upon receiving complete documents in the cosmetic product declaration dossier as per the above list will VN Law Firm proceed with the cosmetic product registration procedures at the Drug Administration of Vietnam – Ministry of Health.
Implementing the imported cosmetic product declaration procedure at the Drug Administration of Vietnam
Within 20 – 30 working days from the date of receiving the complete cosmetic product declaration dossier, the Drug Administration of Vietnam is responsible for issuing a declaration receipt number. After obtaining the cosmetic product declaration receipt number, the product is free to circulate within the territory of Vietnam.
Note:
The validity period of the declaration slip is 05 years. If the product continues to circulate in the market after the expiration of the declaration slip’s validity, customers must re-declare the products that have already been declared.
4. VN Law Firm’s services for announcing imported cosmetic product circulation
To help businesses reduce related costs and time, LawFirm.Vn provides customers with legal services for the Declaration of Imported Cosmetic Product Circulation, specifically:
- Consulting on legal issues before carrying out the cosmetic product circulation declaration procedure;
- Assisting businesses in preparing documents related to the cosmetic product circulation declaration;
- Drafting related legal dossiers;
- Representing businesses to carry out cosmetic product circulation declaration procedures at competent state agencies.
