Imported Goods Labeling Regulations 2026: Have Businesses Updated Yet?

As we enter 2026, a series of new legal regulations are being introduced and implemented, leading many importing businesses to ask: will the regulations on imported goods labeling change? Do current product labels comply with the requirements, and are any adjustments needed before bringing goods into Vietnam?

These concerns arise from the fact that Decree 37/2026/ND-CP officially takes effect on January 23, 2026, containing a number of provisions related to product labeling and the indication of origin. At the same time, Vietnam Customs has issued Document No. 11816/CHQ-GSQL, providing further guidance on how the origin and other required information should be presented on labels of imported goods.

So what changes do these new regulations bring, and what should importing businesses pay attention to in order to ensure compliance with Vietnamese law? In this article, Green NRJ will highlight the key points related to labeling imported goods under Decree 37/2026.

Regulations on font size on product labels are tightened.

According to Article 37 of Decree 37/2026/ND-CP, mandatory information on labels must be clearly visible, easy to read, and appropriately sized for the product packaging. In practice, many businesses previously printed mandatory information in very small font, almost illegible to the naked eye. This rendered the information on the label ineffective for consumers.

According to the new guidelines, if the goods or packaging are small and cannot fully display the mandatory information with a minimum font size of 0.9 mm, businesses must still include some basic information on the physical label of the goods or packaging. The remaining information can be shown in accompanying documents or through electronic labels. For small imported goods, if it is not possible to include all mandatory information with a minimum font size of 0.9 mm, the required information must be displayed on the packaging using a physical label. This means that importing businesses need to review label design and content layout on product packaging, especially for small items such as cosmetics, electronic devices, or accessories.

How should businesses correctly indicate the origin of goods?

According to regulations on labeling imported goods, the origin indicated on the label must accurately reflect the nature of the production process. If the goods are entirely produced in a single country, businesses can use familiar phrases such as “Made in,” “Product of,” “Manufactured in,” or “Country of origin,” followed by the name of the country or territory where the goods were produced.

However, in the current global supply chain context, many products are manufactured by multiple producers in various countries. Therefore, businesses can no longer simply indicate the origin as before. According to this regulation, in cases where the origin cannot be determined, the product label must indicate where the final processing stage of the product was carried out. This can be expressed using phrases such as: “Assembled in”, “Finished in”, or “Assembled by”. These phrases must be accompanied by the name of the country or territory where the final processing stage of the product was performed. Additionally, the name of the country or territory on the label may be abbreviated according to TCVN 7217-1 standard. This regulation aims to limit misleading labeling regarding product origin, especially for products manufactured in multiple countries.

For example, for products imported from Korea, the country of origin should be declared in accordance with the way country names are expressed under the TCVN 7217-1 standard. Instead of simply stating “Korea”, the product label may indicate the origin using forms such as “Made in Korea, Republic of”, “Made in KR”, or “Made in KOR”.

Clearly declaring the origin in this way helps identify the exact country of origin of the product and ensures that the information presented on the label is consistent with the requirements on country name representation under TCVN 7217-1.

In practice, if the product label or manufacturing address only states “Korea”, importers may need to review and adjust how the origin is presented to ensure compliance with the current regulations.

Manufacturer Information Must Be Complete and Transparent

In addition to requirements regarding font size on product labels and origin information, the new regulations also emphasize the requirement for transparent information about the organization or individual producing the product, or the organization or individual responsible abroad. Accordingly, product labels must show the name and address of the organization or individual producing the product. In cases where the original label does not fully show this information, businesses must still ensure that relevant information is included in the accompanying documents or in the shipment’s documentation. Providing complete information helps regulatory agencies trace the origin of goods when necessary, while also increasing transparency for consumers.

Electronic Labels and QR Codes Are Being Accepted

Another notable update in the regulations on imported goods labeling is the acceptance of electronic labels. Businesses may use QR codes or other electronic traceability methods to provide additional product information.

By scanning the code, consumers can access information such as product details, origin, instructions for use, or manufacturer information.

However, when applying electronic labels, businesses must ensure that consumers are able to access complete information and that the data remains stable, accurate, and continuously accessible without being altered or becoming unavailable.

What should importing businesses prepare for before the new regulations come into effect?

Given the changes in regulations on imported goods labeling, businesses should proactively review their entire product labeling system. This review should include how origin is indicated, mandatory label content, font size, and manufacturer information. In many cases, businesses need to work directly with foreign suppliers to adjust label design right from the production stage.

In practice, Green NRJ has encountered many cases where businesses only discovered labeling issues after the goods had arrived at the port, leading to the need to correct labels or supplement documents in a rush, resulting in increased costs and delays in customs clearance.

Conclusion

The changes in regulations on imported goods labeling under Decree 37/2026/ND-CP show a trend towards stricter management of product information and origin. For businesses, reviewing and standardizing imported product labels from the outset will help reduce risks during customs procedures and post-inspection checks. If businesses need to assess the suitability of imported product labels before bringing products into Vietnam, Green NRJ can assist with the review and provide advice to ensure product labels comply with current legal regulations.