I. LEGAL BASIS
- Decree No.93/2016/ND-CP dated July 1, 2016, regulating conditions for cosmetic manufacturing;
- Decree No.155/2018/ND-CP dated November 12,2018, amending and supplementing certain regulations related to business investment conditions within the state management scope of the Ministry of Health;
- Decree No 43/2017.ND-CP dated April 14,2017 on good labels, amended and supplemented by Decree No.111/2021/ND-CP;
- Circular No.06/2011/TT-BYT dated January 25, 2011, of the Ministry of Health stipulation cosmetic management, amended and supplemented by Circular No. 29/2020/TT-BYT and Circular No. 34/2025/TT-BYT (effective from August 18, 2025);
- Circular No. 38/2015/TT-BTC on customs procedures, amended and supplemented by Circular No. 39/2018/TT-BTC and Circular No. 121/2025/TT-BTC (effective from February 1, 2026);
- ASEAN Cosmetic Directive, ASEAN Guidelines on claims of cosmetics, and Annexes on ingredients and safety limits updated and applied in Vietnam
II. CONDITIOSN FOR PRODUCT DECLARATION
- Product classification
Pursuant to Clause 1, Article 2 of Decree 93/2016/ND-CP: toothpaste belongs to the group of cosmetics/preparations used for oral hygiene. Its main purpose is to clean, perfume, or maintain the teeth and oral mucosa in good condition.
- Conditions for the declaring enterprise
According to Clause 3, Article 3 of Circular No. 06/2011/TT-BYT: Organizations and individuals responsible for bringing products to the market must have the function of conducting cosmetic business in Vietnam. For imported cosmetics, in the event that the organization or individual responsible for bringing the product to the market is not the manufacturer, the declaration dossier must include a Letter of Authorization from the manufacturer or the product owner.
III. IMPLEMENTATION PROCEDURE
Step 1: Sample testing, ingredient review, and product technical dossier preparation
Prepare the Product Information File – PIF
Content includes: administrative information and product summary, quality of raw materials, quality of finished products, safety, and efficacy of the product,
Step 2: Carry out cosmetic product declaration procedures prior to importation/ circulation
According to Article 4 of Circular 06/2011/TT-BYT, the cosmetic product declaration dossier includes the following documents:
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Cosmetic product declaration report: 01 electronic copy for cases of online submission; 02 paper copies for direct submission or submission via postal service;
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Certificate of Free Sale (CFS): if any;
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The original or a valid certified copy of the Letter of Authorization from the manufacturer or product owner authorizing the organization or individual responsible for bringing the product to the market to distribute the cosmetic product in Vietnam (applicable to imported cosmetics and domestically manufactured cosmetics where the organization or individual bringing the product to the market is not the manufacturer).
Receiving agency: For imported cosmetics, the declaration dossier is submitted to the Drug Administration of Vietnam – Ministry of Health.
Processing time: Within 03 working days from the date of receiving a valid dossier and the requisite fee, the competent management agency shall issue a receipt number for the Cosmetic product declaration report; if the dossier is not satisfactory, a notice for amendment/supplementation will be issued.
Validity: The receipt number of the Cosmetic product declaration report is valid for 05 years from the date of issuance; upon expiration, it must be re-declared if continued circulation is intended
Step 3: Carry out customs procedures for importing toothpaste
According to Circular 38/2015/TT-BTC, amended and supplemented by Circular 39/2018/TT-BTC, the basic customs dossier includes:
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Import customs declaration;
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Commercial invoice;
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Packing list;
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Bill of lading;
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Sale contract, if any;
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Cosmetic product declaration report which has been granted a receipt number by the Drug Administration of Vietnam – Ministry of Health and remains valid;
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Certificate of Origin (C/O);
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Reference HS code: toothpaste is usually classified under group 3306.10 – dentifrices, which can be further detailed into 3306.1010 or 3306.1090 depending on the ingredients, uses, and actual description of the goods.
Step 4: Complete labeling, circulation dossier, and bring the product to the market
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Imported toothpaste must comply with regulations on goods labeling in general and cosmetic labeling in particular in accordance with Decree 43/2017/ND-CP.
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The Product Information File must satisfy the conditions stipulated in Circular 06/2011/TT-BYT.
Above is our entire article regarding the Procedures for the declaration, importation, and circulation of toothpaste in Vietnam (Note: This appears to be a typographical error in the original Vietnamese source text, likely carried over from a previous template). If Clients need further advice, detailed answers, or guidance on how to directly access this service, please contact Lawyer: Nguyen Duc Trong via hotline: 0912.35.65.75, or send a service request via email: lawyer@hongbanglawfirm.com
Wishing Clients and their families health, peace, and success!
Best regards!
