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

May 23, 2025

How to Import Facial Serum into Vietnam in 2025 – Avoid Common Mistake

Published by admin at May 24, 2025

Is Facial Serum Considered a Cosmetic in Vietnam?

Yes. According to current Vietnamese cosmetic regulations, facial serums — including essences, skincare concentrates, ampoules, and other intensive treatment products — are officially classified as cosmetic products. As such, facial serum products must undergo Cosmetic Product Notification (CPN) with the Drug Administration of Vietnam (DAV), which operates under the Ministry of Health (MOH).

Without a valid CPN number, no facial serum or essence product can be legally imported, circulated, marketed, or sold in Vietnam. This requirement applies to all skincare serums regardless of their origin, formulation, or target market segment (e.g., anti-aging, hydrating, brightening).

Legal Framework:

To ensure regulatory compliance, facial serum importers must adhere to the following key legal documents governing cosmetic product management in Vietnam:

Decree No. 110/2017/NĐ-CP – Establishes the overarching framework for cosmetic product management, including import, notification, and post-market control.
Circular No. 29/2020/TT-BYT – Provides detailed procedures for the Cosmetic Product Notification (CPN) process, dossier requirements, and digital submission via the DAV portal.
Circular No. 32/2019/TT-BYT – Updates and supplements earlier cosmetic regulations, including changes related to CPN validity, labeling requirements, and post-market surveillance for skincare and beauty products.

Who Can Apply for the Cosmetic Product Notification (CPN)?

In Vietnam, to import facial serum, only a Vietnamese legal entity is authorized to submit the mandatory Cosmetic Product Notification (CPN) application. This requirement is strictly enforced under the regulations of the Vietnam Ministry of Health (MOH).

There are two types of eligible applicants:

Vietnamese Distributor:
A local company that has been granted the commercial rights by the foreign brand to distribute the facial serum in Vietnam.
Cosmetic Notification Holder (CNH):
A third-party professional service provider based in Vietnam who is legally appointed by the foreign cosmetic brand to act on their behalf in completing the cosmetic registration (CPN) and handling regulatory compliance.

Important Note: Foreign companies cannot apply for cosmetic notification directly. To register facial serum products in Vietnam, international brands must either:

Partner with a licensed Vietnamese distributor, or
Appoint a Cosmetic Notification Holder (CNH) through a notarized and consular legalized Power of Attorney (POA).

Required Documents for Import Facial Serum Cosmetic Product Notification (CPN)

To complete the cosmetic product notification for facial serum, the following documents must be prepared and submitted via the Vietnam Cosmetic Product Notification Portal managed by the Drug Administration of Vietnam (DAV):

Document	Description
Online CPN Application Form	Submitted digitally through the DAV portal. Includes product name, function, packaging, ingredients, manufacturer, and responsible party in Vietnam.
Power of Attorney (POA)	Issued by the foreign brand owner or manufacturer, authorizing the Vietnamese distributor or CNH to act on their behalf. Must be notarized and consular legalized (unless exempt under an FTA).
Certificate of Free Sale (CFS)	Issued by the competent authority in the product’s country of origin, confirming that the facial serum is legally marketed there. Consular legalization is typically required.
Full Ingredient List (INCI format)	The complete list of ingredients using International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI). Must comply with the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive regarding prohibited and restricted substances.
Product Information File (PIF)	A dossier that includes product claims, formulation data, manufacturing process, labeling, packaging, and safety assessment. Not submitted during the notification but must be available upon inspection by the MOH.
Enterprise Registration Certificate (ERC)	A copy of the Vietnamese company’s business license or ERC, confirming its legal status to act as the CNH or importer.

HS Code and Import Duties for Facial Serum

When importing facial serums into Vietnam, it’s essential to classify the product correctly using the Vietnam Harmonized System (HS Code). This classification affects the applicable import tax rates, including VAT, MFN duties, and preferential FTA rates.

HS Code for Facial Serum in Vietnam

In 2025, facial serums and other skincare concentrates are typically classified under:

HS Code	Description	VAT (%)	MFN Duty (%)	Normal Import Duty (%)
3304	Cosmetics or make-up preparations and skin care preparations (excluding medicaments), including sunscreen or sun-tan preparations; manicure or pedicure preparations.
330499	— Other types:
33049930	– – – Creams and lotions for application to the face or other parts of the skin	10%	18%	27% (non-WTO nations)

The HS code 33049930 covers a wide range of cosmetic skincare products, including moisturizers, anti-aging serums, whitening essences, and other facial treatments.

Preferential Duties Under Free Trade Agreements (FTAs)

Vietnam is a member of multiple Free Trade Agreements, which allow reduced or zero import tariffs for facial serum products imported from partner countries — provided that a valid Certificate of Origin (C/O) is submitted.

Below are the preferential tariff rates for facial serum (HS 33049930) under key FTAs:

Exporting Country/Region	Preferential Duty	Applicable Trade Agreement(s)
China	0% or 12%	ACFTA (0%) or RCEP (12%)
India	5%	AIFTA
United States	18%	No FTA with Vietnam (MFN Import Duty rate applies)
ASEAN countries	0% or 12%	ATIGA (0%) or RCEP (12%)
South Korea	0% or 5% or 12%	VKFTA (0%), AKFTA (5%), or RCEP (12%)
Japan	0% or 12.7%	AJCEP, VJEPA, or CPTPP (0%) or RCEP (12.7%)
United Kingdom	5%	UKVFTA
European Union (EU)	5%	EVFTA
Australia	0% or 12%	AANZFTA (0%) or RCEP (12%)
Russia	0%	VN-EAEUFTA
Canada	0%	CPTPP
Mexico	0%	CPTPP

Important: To claim these preferential duties, importers must present a correctly completed Certificate of Origin (C/O) with the customs declaration. Inaccurate or missing documents will result in MFN or normal duty rates being applied.

Customs Clearance Process for Serum Imports

To successfully import facial serum (essence, skincare concentrate) into Vietnam, importers must complete the customs clearance process via VNACCS/VCIS – Vietnam’s official electronic customs clearance system. This process ensures legal compliance for all cosmetic product imports and allows for efficient processing at the border.

Key Documents:

When importing facial serum into Vietnam, you must submit a full set of legal and commercial documents through the VNACCS (Vietnam Automated Cargo and Port Consolidated System). Missing or incorrect documents may lead to penalties, delays, or rejection.

Document Name	Purpose & Description
Import Declaration Form	Must be submitted online via the VNACCS portal. Includes HS code, product description, CIF value, origin, and consignee/importer details.
Commercial Invoice	Lists the unit price, total value, currency, quantity, and description of the serum shipment.
Packing List	Details packaging specifications: number of cartons, units per carton, net/gross weight.
Bill of Lading (B/L) or Airway Bill (AWB)	Issued by the carrier; serves as shipment proof and ownership document.
Cosmetic Product Notification (CPN) Certificate	Confirms that the serum is registered with the Ministry of Health as a cosmetic product.
Certificate of Origin (C/O)	Required for claiming preferential tariff rates under FTAs (e.g., Form E, D, EUR.1).

Clearance Time:

Normal clearance: 2–3 business days if all documents are accurate and the shipment is not selected for inspection.
Random inspection or document discrepancies may extend the process to 5–7 working days or more, depending on the case.

Important: Customs may request additional information, particularly for cosmetic imports, such as the PIF (Product Information File) or clarification on labeling compliance. Keeping these documents ready can reduce delays.

Pro Tips for Smooth Customs Clearance of Facial Serums in Vietnam

Double-check that the CPN certificate is valid and matches the product packaging and content.
Make sure the Certificate of Origin is issued correctly and corresponds with the trade agreement Vietnam has with the exporting country.
Use consistent information (HS code, product name, country of origin) across all documents to avoid customs flagging.

Labeling Requirements for Facial Serum in Vietnam

To legally import and sell facial serum (essence, skincare concentrate) in Vietnam, cosmetic products must fully comply with the Vietnamese cosmetic labeling regulations. Proper labeling ensures regulatory compliance, smooth customs clearance, and consumer protection.

Legal Basis for Cosmetic Labeling in Vietnam

Facial serums are regulated under the following key Vietnamese laws:

Decree No. 43/2017/NĐ-CP – Governs goods labeling requirements
Decree No. 111/2021/NĐ-CP – Amends and supplements labeling rules for imported goods
ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (ACD) – Applicable via Vietnam’s commitment to ASEAN cosmetic harmonization

All imported cosmetic products, including serums and essences, must display labels that are clear, accurate, and in the Vietnamese language.

Mandatory Label Information for Facial Serum in Vietnam

Every facial serum product imported into Vietnam must include the following information printed directly on the primary and/or secondary packaging:

Label Element	Description & SEO Notes
Product Name and Brand	Clearly state the facial serum’s name and cosmetic brand
Intended Use	Describe the product’s function/purpose (e.g., hydrating, anti-aging, brightening)
Usage Instructions and Warnings	Provide clear directions for use and any safety precautions (e.g., avoid eye contact)
Full Ingredient List (INCI Format)	Must list all cosmetic ingredients in International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients format
Net Volume or Weight	Indicate volume in milliliters (ml) or weight in grams (g) (e.g., 30ml, 50g)
Manufacturing & Expiry Dates	Clearly show date of manufacture (MFG) and expiry date (EXP) in a readable format
Batch Number (Lot No.)	Required for traceability of cosmetic imports
Country of Origin	Clearly state the origin of manufacture (e.g., “Made in Korea”)
Manufacturer and CNH Contact	Include full name and address of the manufacturer and the Vietnamese Cosmetic Notification Holder (CNH)

All labeling information must be in Vietnamese or include a Vietnamese overlay sticker if the original packaging is in a foreign language.
If multilingual, the Vietnamese text must be the most prominent and easily visible to consumers.
Labels must be durable, waterproof, non-smudging, and legible throughout the product’s shelf life.

7. Conclusion

Successfully import facial serum (also known as essence or skincare concentrate) into Vietnam in 2025 by strictly complying with Vietnam’s cosmetic import regulations. Whether you are a global skincare brand or a local distributor, the following essential steps will ensure a smooth and legal import facial serum process for market entry:

Complete the Cosmetic Product Notification (CPN)
→ Submit the CPN dossier to the Drug Administration of Vietnam (DAV) under the Ministry of Health before you can import facial serum or sell it in Vietnam.
Apply the Correct HS Code for Facial Serum
→ Use HS Code 33049990 to determine applicable import duties, VAT, and preferential FTA rates for your import facial serum shipment.
Secure a Valid Certificate of Origin (C/O)
→ To benefit from 0–5% preferential tariffs under Vietnam’s Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), submit the correct C/O form (e.g., Form E, AK, EUR.1) when you import facial serum.
Prepare All Required Customs Clearance Documents
→ Include a complete import declaration, commercial invoice, bill of lading, packing list, and CPN certificate when submitting via the VNACCS/VCIS system for your import facial serum shipment.
Ensure Full Compliance with Vietnamese Labeling Laws
→ All labels for imported facial serum products must include mandatory cosmetic product information in Vietnamese, following Decree 43/2017/NĐ-CP and Decree 111/2021/NĐ-CP.

By following these steps, foreign cosmetic brands and their Vietnamese partners can confidently import facial serum and distribute it in Vietnam’s fast-growing skincare market. For expert regulatory support or Cosmetic Notification Holder (CNH) services, partnering with a trusted local expert is highly recommended.

Need Help Importing Facial Serum into Vietnam?

Green NRJ supports foreign brands with:

CPN application and MOH approval
Duty optimization and HS code classification
Certificate of Origin (C/O) preparation
End-to-end customs clearance
Label translation, design, and compliance checking

📩 Contact Green NRJ today to simplify your cosmetic import process into Vietnam.