How to Import Cosmetics in Vietnam
March 11, 2025
How to Import Goods into Vietnam
March 14, 2025
Are you a foreign cosmetic brand looking to import cosmetics into Vietnam without establishing a local company? You’re not alone. Many international businesses are eyeing Vietnam’s rapidly growing beauty and skincare market but face major challenges due to strict regulatory requirements and the need for a local legal entity.
Fortunately, there’s a practical solution: partnering with a Cosmetic Notification Holder in Vietnam. This service allows foreign cosmetic companies to legally register and distribute their products in Vietnam without setting up a Vietnamese company, saving time, cost, and compliance headaches.
What Is a Cosmetic Notification Holder?
In Vietnam, all cosmetic products must undergo notification procedures at the Drug Administration of Vietnam – Ministry of Health before being released to the market. However, according to current regulations, only legally established domestic entities have the right to submit the application.
This means that foreign brands without a company in Vietnam cannot directly carry out the procedure. Instead, they need to authorize a domestic entity – known as a Cosmetic Notification Holder – to represent them and fulfill all related legal obligations.
This entity not only submits the application but also assumes legal responsibility for the product throughout its market circulation, acting as a “legal bridge” between the brand and the regulatory authority.
Why do many brands choose this model?
No need to shoulder the initial legal burden
Establishing a company in a new market is never simple. Besides costs, there are operational issues, personnel, taxes, and numerous accompanying regulations. With the registered owner model, businesses can take a “smart detour” – entering the market first, then planning for the long term later.
Reduced risk of legal errors
Cosmetic product registration dossiers in Vietnam have very specific requirements, especially regarding ingredients and how information is presented. If you’re unfamiliar with the process, the likelihood of being asked to make corrections or being rejected is quite high. Working with an experienced agency will help minimize these risks from the start.
Faster market entry
In the cosmetics industry, a delay of a few months can sometimes mean losing opportunities. A smooth process will help products receive registration numbers faster, meaning you can start selling sooner.
Confidentiality of Important Information
Product formulas or manufacturer information are always “sensitive assets.” A professional agency will have a clear commitment to confidentiality, giving businesses peace of mind when sharing data.
Having a Partner Throughout the Process
Importing cosmetics is not just about paperwork; it also involves labels, customs clearance, distribution, etc. Having a partner to provide comprehensive support will significantly lighten the burden for businesses.
Who Needs This Service?
If you don’t have a company in Vietnam but still want to bring your product to market, using a third-party entity to register the product is almost mandatory to ensure legal compliance. This applies even if you’re exporting to domestic distributors or selling through e-commerce platforms, because regardless of the channel, the product still needs to be fully registered before being released.
For startups or small businesses, this is often a more reasonable approach to market entry, as it doesn’t require large upfront costs while still allowing for better risk control. In fact, not only new businesses but even large brands adopt this model when they need to quickly launch new products, rather than waiting to complete the entire internal legal structure.
The role of a Cosmetic Notification Holder in Vietnam
In practice, a Cosmetic Notification Holder is not just the party that “files paperwork” on your behalf. They are the legal entity that takes primary responsibility for the product in front of the authorities throughout its time on the Vietnamese market. This means all declared information — from ingredients and product claims to labeling — needs to be carefully reviewed and must hold up if questioned at any point.
One aspect that is often underestimated by foreign brands is post-market control. Even after a product has been approved and is already being sold, the authorities can still request to review the dossier again or take product samples for inspection. At that stage, the Notification Holder is the one who works directly with regulators, provides documentation, and handles any explanations if issues arise. If the original dossier was not prepared thoroughly or contains inconsistencies, this is usually where problems start to surface.
Non-compliance can lead to situations most businesses would rather avoid — goods being held at customs, administrative penalties, or even product recalls. Beyond the immediate disruption, these issues can also affect how the brand is perceived in the market.
On the other hand, working with an experienced and properly licensed Notification Holder helps reduce these risks from the beginning. A careful review process upfront often makes a big difference later on. More importantly, their role doesn’t stop once the notification number is issued — they continue to support during post-market checks, helping you stay prepared if any inspection comes up. This allows brands to focus on growing their business, rather than dealing with unexpected regulatory issues.
How does the process work in practice?
The process usually starts with the product dossier. You’ll need to provide key information such as the ingredient list, product claims, Certificate of Free Sale (CFS), along with packaging design and manufacturer details. These documents form the basis for preparing the notification file in line with local requirements.
Once received, the Notification Holder will go through the entire set of documents. At this stage, ingredients, claims, and labeling are checked carefully against ASEAN guidelines and Vietnamese regulations. If anything doesn’t align, adjustments are recommended before submission to avoid delays or rejection.
After the dossier is finalized and both sides agree to proceed, the local entity will officially act as the Notification Holder and submit the application to the Drug Administration of Vietnam (DAV). They will also monitor the progress and handle any follow-up requests, including additional documents or clarifications if required.
Once the notification number is issued, the product is legally allowed to be imported and sold in Vietnam. From there, most businesses continue to rely on the same partner for support with practical steps such as Vietnamese labeling, customs clearance, and getting the product ready for market.
Why do many businesses choose Green NRJ?
Working in the cosmetics space in Vietnam is not just about knowing the regulations — it’s about understanding how things actually work in practice. Green NRJ has handled a wide range of cosmetic notification dossiers and is familiar with how the Drug Administration of Vietnam (DAV) reviews applications. This allows the team to spot potential issues early and resolve them before submission, rather than dealing with delays after the fact.
Instead of treating each step separately, Green NRJ works across the entire process — from reviewing documents and preparing the dossier to submission and follow-up. After receiving the notification number, if the business needs further support regarding import, supplementary labels, or subsequent implementation steps, Green NRJ can still provide assistance.
Timeline is another factor many clients care about. If the application is done correctly from the start, it usually progresses much faster, and that’s how Green NRJ handles it – optimizing the process while adhering to regulations to avoid future risks.
In terms of data, information such as product formulas or manufacturing details are always kept confidential. This is a fundamental working principle, as it is understood to be the most important part of every brand.
Ready to bring your products into Vietnam?
If you’re looking to enter the Vietnamese market without setting up a local company, working with a Cosmetic Notification Holder in Vietnam is often the most practical way to move forward. With Green NRJ, you can start faster, stay compliant, and focus on what really matters — building your brand. Get in touch with the team to discuss your specific case and take the next step when you’re ready.
