Registration of Food & Beverage Exported to Vietnam

The food and beverage industry in Vietnam is one of the most profitable. It contributes a lot to the growth of GDP, which increases every year. This sector is extremely attractive for companies that want to expand their presence in Vietnam. To start food export to Vietnam they must comply with internal regulations and understand the process of registration and other procedures. In this article we will tell you about the situation in food & beverage industry in the country. You will also learn about all the requirements for products registration.
Food & Beverage industry in Vietnam

According to BMI’s Vietnam Food and Drink report, food sales during the period of 2017-2021 had been increasing by 11% annually. More than 40% of the total revenue is made up of the rice, cereals, and bread. According to the same BMI, Vietnam food & beverage market was ranked 10th in the rating of the most attractive markets in Asia.

Vietnamese food retail industry is developing very rapidly. For instance, there are about 9000 traditional markets, 150 shopping centers, 800 supermarkets, and 2.2 million of small business entities in Vietnam.

Companies from other countries show great interest in Vietnamese beverage sector and export to Vietnam a lot of their commodities. More than 50% of the beverage market in Vietnam is currently supplied by them.

A lot of factors contributed to increased interest of foreign items. Continuing economic growth, trade agreements (as a result, low customs duties), and improved demographic situation are ones of them. Prospering middle class is also an important factor. Statistics say that around 56 million people (57%) of the total population made up middle class. It is also worth to mention that income level in Vietnam is increasing, so people have relatively high purchasing power to buy imported items.
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Food export to Vietnam: registration and main requirements

Depending on categories, food and beverages are regulated by three separate ministries in Vietnam: Ministry of Health (MOH), Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT), and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD). The strongest power is possessed by MOH. All imported food (regardless of their category) must be registered in Vietnam Food Administration (VFA), which is the agency of MOH.

After this, company owner will get a Certificate of Conformity Declaration (CCD). Certificate allows them to export products to Vietnam and sell them on the internal market.

On February 2, 2018, the VFA established the new regulation Decree 15/2018/ND-CP, which outlines a lot of issues. It includes advertising and labeling of food and beverage, product safety certificates, packaged food self-declaration procedures. It also covers specialized food (for children and GMO products) registration, manufacturing and trading requirements.
Labeling

Decree 43/2017/ND-CP defines labels as “inscriptions, prints, drawings, images, or signs that are imprinted or embossed directly on or affixed, stuck or pinned firmly to goods or their packaging to display necessary and principal information about such goods”.

According to this decree, all imported commodities sold directly to consumers must have labels. Unpacked raw and fresh foods are exception. Violation of the terms will lead to hefty fine or even withdrawal from the market.


Application dossier for registration products

The application dossier must include the following documents:
  • Certificate of Free Sale or Health Certificate
  • Certificate of HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points)
  • ISO 22000 certificate
  • Certificate of Analysis (including microbial, chemical, heavy metal analysis)
  • Certificate of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)
  • Registration Certificate (IRC)
  • Importer’s business registration certificate including Enterprise Registration Certificate (ERC) and Investment
  • Product label
  • Product samples
The whole process of registration usually lasts from 3 to 4 weeks after application dossier submission. After approval, the MOH will give you the certificate.


Safety and Hygiene

All companies that want to start food export to Vietnam must follow conditions on food safety and hygiene. Mainly, they have to obtain the Certificate on Satisfaction of Standards on hygiene and safety. If their food & beverages fulfill the standards of the MOH, they can start selling them in Vietnam.

Moreover, all employees that take part in the manufacturing and sales process must go for health check-up periodically.


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