Application for inspection of imported food safety in Vietnam

Application for inspection of imported food safety in Vietnam (Internet image)

Regarding this issue, LawNet would like to answer as follows:

1. Application for inspection of imported food safety in Vietnam

1.1 . Application for reduced inspection

According to Clause 1, Article 18 of Decree 15/2018/ND-CP, an application for reduced inspection consists of the following documents:

- The product self-declaration;

- 03 notices of satisfactory results of consecutive normal inspections, or certified true copies or consularly legalized copies of either GMP, HACCP, ISO 22000, IFS, BRC, FSSC 22000 certificate of an equivalent certificate that is unexpired when submitted;

- For products derived from aquatic animals and terrestrial animals, except for processed or prepackaged products, the original copy of the certificate of fulfillment of food safety requirements issued by a competent authority of the exporting country.

1.2. Application for normal inspection and tightened inspection

According to Clause 2, Article 18 of Decree 15/2018/ND-CP, an application for normal inspection and tightened inspection consists of the following documents:

- The registration form No. 04 in Appendix I of Decree 15/2018/ND-CP;

- The product self-declaration;

- Original copies of 03 notices of satisfactory results of consecutive tightened inspections (to switch over from tightened inspection to normal inspection).

- A copy of the packing list;

- For the products mentioned in Article 14 of Decree 15/2018/ND-CP, the original copy of the certificate of fulfillment of food safety requirements issued by a competent authority of the exporting country, except for fish caught and processed by foreign vessels and sold to Vietnam’s market.

2. Imported food inspection procedures in Vietnam

Specifically, in Article 19 of Decree 15/2018/ND-CP, the imported food inspection procedures in Vietnam are prescribed as follows:

* Procedures for reduced inspection:

While following customs procedures, the goods owner shall submit an application according to Clause 1 Article 18 of Decree 15/2018/ND-CP;

- The customs authority shall carry out document inspection of up to 5% of the shipments eligible for reduced inspection within 01 year.

Within 03 working days from the receipt of the application, the customs authority shall process it and consider granting customs clearance. If the application has to be supplemented, explanation and legal basis must be provided.

* Procedures for normal inspection:

- Before the shipment arrives at the border checkpoint, he goods owner shall submit the application according to Clause 2 Article 18 of Decree 15/2018/ND-CP to the inspecting authority or National Single-window Information Portal of the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development or the Ministry of Industry and Trade (if applied);

- Within 03 working days from the receipt of the application, the customs authority shall process it and issue a notice of whether the inspection result is satisfactory (form No. 05 of Appendix I of Decree 15/2018/ND-CP). If the application has to be supplemented, explanation and legal basis must be provided;

- The goods owner shall submit the notice of satisfactory inspection result to the customs authority to be granted customs clearance.

* Procedures for tightened inspection:

- The same as Point a Clause 2 of Article 19 of Decree 15/2018/ND-CP;

- Within 07 working days from the receipt of the application, the customs authority shall process it and issue a notice of whether the inspection result is satisfactory (form No. 05 of Appendix I of Decree 15/2018/ND-CP).

Notice of whether the inspection result is satisfactory

If the application has to be supplemented, explanation and legal basis must be provided;

- The goods owner shall submit the notice of satisfactory inspection result to the customs authority to be granted customs clearance.

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