Import Eyeshadow into Vietnam (2025): Full Procedure & Compliance Guide

Vietnam’s cosmetic market is rapidly growing, with increasing demand for premium makeup products — especially eyeshadow. As one of the most popular imported cosmetics, eyeshadow offers foreign brands major opportunities in Vietnam. However, to successfully import eyeshadow into Vietnam, companies must strictly comply with local cosmetic regulations and procedures to enter this competitive, high-potential market.

1. Cosmetic Product Notification (CPN) for Eyeshadow in Vietnam

Is Eyeshadow a Regulated Cosmetic in Vietnam?

To legally import eyeshadow into Vietnam, foreign cosmetic brands must complete the Cosmetic Product Notification (CPN) process — a mandatory regulatory procedure under Vietnamese law. Eyeshadow is officially categorized as a cosmetic product according to the Ministry of Health (MOH), and must be registered before it can be imported, distributed, or sold within the country.

The CPN application must be submitted to the Drug Administration of Vietnam (DAV), which operates under the MOH. Once approved, the product will receive a unique CPN number. This number serves as proof that the eyeshadow product complies with Vietnam’s cosmetic safety and labeling standards.

Legal Framework:

The key legal documents governing cosmetic notification in Vietnam include:

• Decree No. 110/2017/NĐ-CP: Governs cosmetic product management in Vietnam

• Circular No. 29/2020/TT-BYT: Details procedures for cosmetic product notification

• Circular No. 32/2019/TT-BYT: Provides updates on cosmetic product registration and notification

Who Can Submit the Cosmetic Product Notification (CPN) for Eyeshadow in Vietnam?

Under Vietnamese law, only a Vietnamese legal entity is permitted to submit the Cosmetic Product Notification (CPN) application for eyeshadow or any other cosmetic product. Foreign companies are not allowed to file the CPN directly and must instead appoint a qualified local representative.

There are two types of entities that can legally submit the CPN dossier to the Drug Administration of Vietnam (DAV):

1. Local Distributor
   A Vietnamese company with the commercial rights to import and distribute the eyeshadow product within Vietnam. This distributor will act as the product’s local representative and is responsible for ensuring full compliance with local cosmetic regulations.

2. Cosmetic Notification Holder (CNH)
   A third-party service provider based in Vietnam that is authorized by the foreign brand owner to manage the entire product registration and compliance process. A CNH is commonly used when foreign cosmetic brands do not have a physical presence or trusted distributor in Vietnam.

Important: A valid CPN number will only be issued in the name of the Vietnamese legal entity (distributor or CNH). This entity will also be held accountable for post-market surveillance, product recalls, or regulatory violations.

Documents Required:

To successfully register eyeshadow under the CPN process, the following documents are mandatory:

2. HS Code and Import Duties for Eyeshadow

Eyeshadow products imported into Vietnam are classified under the Harmonized System (HS) Code 33042000, which specifically covers color cosmetics and makeup products. Correct classification under this HS code is essential for determining applicable import duties and customs regulations.

Applicable Taxes and Duties for Imported Eyeshadow

• Value Added Tax (VAT):
  The standard VAT rate applied to imported eyeshadow in Vietnam is 10%. VAT is calculated based on the total value of the goods including import duties and other fees.

• Most Favored Nation (MFN) Import Duty:
  The MFN import duty rate for eyeshadow is currently 22%. This rate applies to goods imported from countries without a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Vietnam.

• Normal Import Duty:
  The normal import duty rate of 33% is applied when importing eyeshadow from countries that are non-WTO members or those without trade agreement privileges with Vietnam.

Preferential Import Duty Rates Under FTAs

Vietnam has established multiple Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with key trading partners, offering preferential import duty rates for eyeshadow products imported from these countries. To benefit from these reduced or zero tariffs, importers must provide a valid Certificate of Origin (C/O) proving the goods’ origin and compliance with FTA rules.

Key Requirements to Qualify for Preferential Duty Rates:

• Presentation of a valid Certificate of Origin (C/O) issued by the exporting country’s competent authority.

• Compliance with the rules of origin under each specific FTA agreement.

• Proper customs declaration matching the HS code and product details.

3. Customs Clearance Procedures for Eyeshadow

To import eyeshadow into Vietnam, all shipments must undergo customs clearance through the VNACCS/VCIS electronic customs system—Vietnam’s official online platform for automated customs declaration and clearance. This system streamlines the import process and helps ensure compliance with Vietnamese customs regulations.

Required Documents for Eyeshadow Customs Clearance

Importers must prepare and submit the following key documents via the VNACCS/VCIS system to successfully clear eyeshadow products through Vietnamese customs:

All documents must be consistent across descriptions, HS codes, and quantities. Any mismatch can cause customs delays or rejections.

Customs Clearance Timeline

Typically, the customs clearance process for eyeshadow imports takes approximately 2 to 3 business days if no physical inspection or additional document verification is required. Delays may occur if customs authorities select shipments for random inspection or request further documentation.

4. Labeling Requirements for Imported Eyeshadow

All imported eyeshadow products must strictly comply with Vietnam’s labeling regulations to ensure legal circulation in the market. The key legal frameworks governing cosmetic labeling include:

• Decree No. 43/2017/NĐ-CP: Governs labeling for all goods circulated in Vietnam

• Decree No. 111/2021/NĐ-CP: Amends and supplements regulations specific to imported products, including cosmetics

Failure to meet these requirements can result in fines, confiscation, or a ban from circulation.

Mandatory Label Information for Imported Eyeshadow

To meet Vietnamese regulatory standards, every eyeshadow product label must include the following critical information clearly and accurately:

Note: Labels must be clear, visible, and non-erasable. Sticker labels are allowed, but must be securely affixed.

Foreign-Language Labels vs. Vietnamese Sub-Labels

Imported eyeshadow products often arrive with original labels in English, French, or Korean. These are allowed to remain but must be accompanied by a Vietnamese-language sub-label that contains all the required information listed above.

The Vietnamese label can be:

• Printed directly on the product packaging (if customized for Vietnam)

• Or attached as a supplementary label before customs clearance or distribution

Important: Products without proper Vietnamese labeling cannot be sold on the market and may be seized or fined during post-clearance audits.

5. Conclusion

To ensure a smooth and compliant import process for eyeshadow products into Vietnam in 2025, importers must:

• Complete Cosmetic Product Notification (CPN) Registration: Secure official approval from the Drug Administration of Vietnam (DAV) before importing any eyeshadow product.

• Accurately Classify Eyeshadow Under HS Code 33042000: Proper classification is crucial to apply the correct import duties and taxes.

• Leverage Preferential Tariff Benefits Under Vietnam’s Free Trade Agreements (FTAs): Submit valid Certificates of Origin (C/O) to reduce or eliminate import tariffs.

• Prepare and Submit Full Customs Documentation: Including import declarations, commercial invoices, packing lists, CPN certificates, and C/O documents via the VNACCS/VCIS system.

• Ensure Labeling Compliance with Vietnamese Regulations: Labels must meet all requirements stipulated by Decree No. 43/2017/NĐ-CP and Decree No. 111/2021/NĐ-CP for cosmetics.

Need Help Importing Eyeshadow?

Green NRJ offers professional support for cosmetic imports into Vietnam, including:

• CPN Registration
• HS Code Classification
• C/O Preparation
• Customs Clearance Assistance
• Vietnamese Labeling Compliance

📩 Contact Green NRJ today for a smooth, compliant import process.

Related Articles:

• How to Import and Sell Cosmetics in Vietnam
• Guide to Cosmetic Product Notification (CPN) in Vietnam
• Labeling Compliance for Imported Skincare Products in Vietnam