Importing perfumes into Vietnam in 2025 presents a lucrative opportunity for global fragrance brands, cosmetic companies, and international distributors. With growing consumer demand for high-end personal care products—especially in major urban markets like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi—Vietnam is rapidly emerging as a strategic destination for both luxury and mass-market perfume imports.

However, importing perfumes into Vietnam requires strict compliance with local regulations, including cosmetic product notification with the Ministry of Health (MOH), HS code classification, labeling in Vietnamese, and customs clearance procedures regulated by the General Department of Vietnam Customs.

In this comprehensive guide, we walk you through the step-by-step process of legally importing perfumes into Vietnam in 2025—covering key legal requirements, registration procedures, taxes, import duties, and best practices for compliance.

Table of Contents

• 1. Cosmetic Product Notification (CPN) for Perfume in Vietnam
• 2. HS Code and Import Duties for Perfume
• 3. Customs Clearance Procedures for Perfume
• 4. Labeling Requirements for Imported Perfume
• 5. Conclusion

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

To legally import and distribute perfumes in Vietnam, international brands and distributors must first complete the Cosmetic Product Notification (CPN) process. This is a mandatory registration requirement under Vietnam’s cosmetic law. Without a valid CPN number, your perfume products cannot clear customs and cannot be sold in the Vietnamese market.

This procedure ensures that all cosmetic products—including perfumes and fragrances—meet Vietnam’s health, safety, and labeling standards before being allowed into circulation.

Legal Basis for Cosmetic Notification in Vietnam

The Cosmetic Product Notification system in Vietnam is based on a unified legal foundation aligned with ASEAN standards. The key regulatory documents include:

• Decree No. 110/2017/NĐ-CP – Governs the management of cosmetic products in Vietnam

• Circular No. 29/2020/TT-BYT – Provides detailed guidance on how to file a Cosmetic Product Notification

• Circular No. 32/2019/TT-BYT – Offers updates and clarifications on cosmetic regulations, including electronic notification procedures and document requirements

⚠️ Important Notice: Without an approved CPN, your perfume shipment will be detained at customs and may be subject to confiscation, return, or destruction. Vietnamese authorities require CPN approval before customs clearance and commercial sale.

Who Can Apply for CPN?

According to current Vietnamese regulations, only a legal entity established in Vietnam can act as the Cosmetic Notification Holder (CNH) and submit the CPN application.

The CNH can be one of the following:

• A Vietnamese trading or cosmetic distribution company with a valid enterprise registration certificate

• A foreign-invested enterprise (FIE) licensed to import and distribute cosmetics in Vietnam

Foreign manufacturers or exporters cannot directly apply for the CPN without appointing a Vietnamese CNH.

Tip: Many global perfume brands choose to work with a local Vietnamese consulting firm or authorized importer who can act as their CNH and handle all CPN formalities on their behalf.

Legal Responsibilities of the Cosmetic Notification Holder (CNH)

The CNH is legally responsible for the perfume products being circulated in Vietnam. Their obligations include:

• Ensuring that the product formulation and packaging comply with ASEAN Cosmetic Directive and Vietnam MOH regulations

• Keeping all CPN information updated and accessible in case of inspection

• Making sure product claims (e.g. “long-lasting fragrance”) match the product classification as a cosmetic

• Ensuring that labeling, ingredients, and safety meet Vietnamese standards

• Cooperating with Vietnam’s Drug Administration and Health Department in case of product recall, safety alerts, or regulatory inspections

Documents Required for CPN:

Here is the list of documents you must prepare to successfully register a perfume product under the CPN system in Vietnam:

All documents must be in Vietnamese or English and must be accurate and consistent across all files.

CPN Validity Period & Reusability

• A Cosmetic Product Notification (CPN) is valid for 5 years from the date of approval.

• The same CPN can be used for unlimited import shipments of the exact same perfume product, provided there are no changes to:

  • Product name

  • Composition

  • Packaging

  • Intended use

If any changes occur, a new CPN application must be submitted.

2. HS Code and Import Duties for Perfume

Properly classifying your perfume products under the correct HS (Harmonized System) Code is a critical step when importing perfumes into Vietnam. It ensures accurate calculation of import duties, value-added tax (VAT), and determines whether your shipment qualifies for preferential tariff rates under Vietnam’s Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).

Mistakes in HS code classification can lead to customs clearance delays, penalties, or loss of tariff preferences—so it’s essential for foreign exporters and local importers to get it right.

Suggested HS Code for Perfume:

Preferential Tariff Rates under Vietnam’s FTAs

Vietnam is a member of several bilateral and multilateral FTAs, offering reduced import duties for qualifying goods. The actual rate applied depends on the product’s origin and submission of a valid Certificate of Origin (C/O).

Example: A French perfume brand importing into Vietnam under the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) may enjoy a significantly reduced duty rate if a valid EUR.1 Certificate of Origin is submitted at customs.

Why Certificate of Origin (C/O) Matters

To benefit from preferential FTA duty rates, importers must present a Certificate of Origin (Form C/O) that meets the following conditions:

• Issued by a competent authority in the exporting country

• Matches the declared HS code (33030000) and product description

• Clearly indicates the country of origin

• Must be submitted at the time of customs clearance or within the allowed submission window

Without a valid Certificate of Origin (C/O), Vietnam Customs will apply the MFN rate of 18%, even if the exporting country has a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Vietnam.

Pro Tips for Accurate Classification & Duty Reduction

1. Pre-determine HS Code with a Vietnamese customs consultant or freight forwarder to avoid misclassification.

2. Ensure the product description on your invoice and C/O matches the declared HS code.

3. Always verify that your C/O format is recognized under the relevant FTA (e.g., Form D, Form AK, EUR.1).

4. If uncertain, request a Binding HS Code Ruling from Vietnam Customs for legal certainty.

3. Customs Clearance Procedures for Perfume

After completing the Cosmetic Product Notification (CPN) process, your perfume products are legally eligible for import into Vietnam. However, to clear customs smoothly, importers must follow the correct Vietnamese customs clearance procedures, prepare all required documents, and ensure compliance with product-specific import requirements—especially for cosmetic and fragrance goods.

Perfumes, due to their alcohol content and high value, are often subject to strict scrutiny during customs clearance.

Required Documents for Import:

To clear imported perfumes through Vietnamese customs, the importer must prepare and submit the following documents:

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

Typical Timeline for Perfume Customs Clearance

Note: If your shipment is selected for inspection (red/yellow channel), the timeline may extend depending on volume, customs officer workload, and inspection results.

Common Issues That Delay Perfume Imports at Customs

Perfumes are classified as high-risk consumer goods, so Vietnam Customs pays special attention to the following areas:

1. Incorrect HS Code Classification
   Using the wrong HS code can result in overpayment of duties, rejection of C/O, or administrative fines. Perfume products should generally be classified under HS Code 33030000.

2. Missing or Invalid Certificate of Origin (C/O)
   If the C/O is missing, expired, or has inconsistent information (e.g., wrong product name or origin country), the shipment will be charged at the general duty rate (27%), not the preferential FTA rate.

3. Product Description Mismatch
   Customs checks whether the description on invoices and labels match the declared goods. Discrepancies may lead to further inspection or rejection.

4. Undeclared or Excessive Alcohol Content
   Perfumes typically contain alcohol. Customs may test products with high alcohol concentrations. Products above the threshold could be subject to additional controls or even reclassification as flammable liquids or chemicals.

Pro Tips to Ensure Smooth Customs Clearance

• Always pre-check your HS code classification with a licensed Vietnamese customs consultant

• Prepare and review all customs documents thoroughly before shipment

• If using preferential duties under FTAs, make sure the Certificate of Origin (C/O) is correctly issued and submitted on time

• Label products according to Vietnamese cosmetic labeling regulations (in Vietnamese, with key info such as name, function, country of origin, etc.)

• Consider working with a customs brokerage firm experienced in cosmetic and fragrance imports in Vietnam

4. Labeling Requirements for Imported Perfume

All imported perfume products must comply with Vietnamese labeling regulations before being circulated or sold on the market. This includes products sold in retail stores, e-commerce platforms, or duty-free channels.

Labeling compliance is governed by two key legal documents:

• Decree 43/2017/NĐ-CP on goods labeling

• Decree 111/2021/NĐ-CP (amending Decree 43), which updates and adds stricter requirements for imported goods, including cosmetics and fragrances

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

Mandatory Label Contents (in Vietnamese):

Under Vietnamese law, the outer packaging or container of every imported perfume product must include the following information in the Vietnamese language:

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 perfumes 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.

Label Placement & Inspection Tips

• The Vietnamese sub-label must be placed on the primary retail packaging (bottle box or container), not just on the shipping carton

• Labels should not cover or obscure important original information (e.g., batch code or expiration date)

• Vietnam customs and Market Surveillance Authorities may inspect labeling at entry ports and retail points

Compliance Tips for Importers and Brands

• Use a standard Vietnamese label template reviewed by a cosmetic compliance expert

• Ensure all translations are accurate, especially ingredient names and safety warnings

• Keep digital copies of all label designs for post-clearance audits or MOH inspections

• Align label info with your CPN certificate to ensure consistency across regulatory filings and packaging

5. Conclusion

Importing perfumes into Vietnam in 2025 involves various legal and procedural steps—from Cosmetic Product Notification (CPN) to HS classification, customs documentation, and Vietnamese labeling compliance.

Foreign brands can benefit greatly from Vietnam’s growing beauty and personal care market by ensuring regulatory readiness and collaborating with a trusted local partner (CNH).

✅ Need help importing perfumes into Vietnam?

Green NRJ offers full-service support including:

• CPN registration
• Certificate of Origin (C/O) consultation
• HS code verification
• Customs clearance
• Labeling compliance

📩 Contact us today to streamline your perfume importation into Vietnam.

📚 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