Issue CFS certificates for exported food products

A CFS Certificates for exported food products is an important document issued by a competent authority, certifying that the product is allowed to circulate freely in the exporting country. This certificate meets the requirements of the importing country, helping businesses facilitate food export activities. This article will provide detailed information about the process, procedures and notes when applying for a CFS certificate for exported foods.

What is a CFS certificates for exported food products?

Certificate of Free Circulation (CFS) for exported food products is a document issued by a competent state agency, certifying that the product is allowed to circulate freely in the exporting country. CFS is issued at the request of the exporting trader or the regulations of the importing country.

The main purpose of CFS is to prove that the product meets food safety regulations and is allowed to be produced and circulated in Vietnam. CFS helps businesses make the export process more convenient, meeting the requirements of customs authorities and foreign partners.

CFS often includes information such as product name, manufacturer, applicable standards, and confirmation that the product is allowed to circulate freely. The certificate is valid for a certain period of time, usually 2 years from the date of issue.

Issuing CFS for exported food helps create favorable conditions for export activities, while ensuring the quality and safety of Vietnamese food products in the international market.

List of food products requiring CFS certificate

The list of goods and authority to manage CFS certificates for exported food products are specified in Appendix V issued with Decree 69/2018/ND-CP. Exported food products that require a CFS certificate include:

• Pre-packaged processed foods: Confectionery, canned goods, soft drinks, processed milk, vegetable oil…;
• Food additives: Preservatives, coloring agents, sweeteners…;
• Food processing aids: Enzymes, flour treatment agents…;
• Food packaging and storage tools and materials: Plastic boxes, food wrap…;
• Bottled drinking water, natural mineral water;
• Functional foods: Vitamin supplements, herbs…;
• Medical nutritional foods: Formula milk for sick people…;
• Foods for special diets: Dietary foods, foods for diabetics…;
• Formulated nutritional products for young children: Powdered milk, baby food powder…

Businesses need to carefully check the list published by ministries to determine whether the product is required to have CFS when exported or not. Applying for a CFS helps businesses proactively meet the requirements of import partners, avoiding the risk of being refused import due to lack of required certification documents.

Therefore, businesses should proactively apply for CFS certificates for exported food products, even when not required, to improve competitiveness in the international market.

Process of issuing CFS certificates for exported food products

Prepare registration documents

CFS certification dossiers for exported food products are specified in Clause 3, Article 11 of Decree 69/2018/ND-CP including:

• The written request for issuance of CFS clearly states the name of the goods, HS code of the goods, product standard certification number or registration number, standard number (if any), composition and compound content (if any), water Imported goods: 1 original, expressed in Vietnamese and English. The application form for CFS is specified in Appendix III issued with Circular 12/2018/TT-BCT;
• Investment certificate or business registration certificate, enterprise registration certificate: 1 copy with the trader’s seal;
• List of production facilities (if any), including name, address of the facility, and items produced for export: 01 original copy;
• The published standard applicable to products and goods, along with the way of presentation (on the label or on the packaging of goods or documents accompanying the product or goods): 01 copy with the seal of the brand. core.

>>> Download: Application form for issuance of CFS

Application procedures and fees

Enterprises can submit applications in the following forms:

• Submit directly to the competent authority issuing CFS;
• Send by post to the address of the CFS issuing agency;
• Submit online via the National Public Service Portal or the Public Service Portal of the Ministry/sector (if any).

Agencies competent to issue CFS include:

• Department of Food Safety – Ministry of Health: For functional foods, medical nutritional foods…;
• Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Quality Management – Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development: For agricultural and food products, fisheries…;
• Department of Science and Technology – Ministry of Industry and Trade: For beverages, processed milk, vegetable oil…;

CFS issuance fees are specifically regulated in Circular No. 279/2016/TT-BTC. The current fee is 500,000 VND/certificate. Businesses need to pay fees before receiving results.

Application and processing process:

• Step 1: Enterprise submits application in one of the above forms;
• Step 2: The receiving agency checks the completeness of the dossier;
• Step 3: If the application is complete, the receiving agency will issue a receipt receipt;
• Step 4: If the dossier is incomplete, the receiving agency shall guide the business to supplement it;
• Step 5: Competent authority evaluates the dossier;
• Step 6: Issue CFS certificate or notice refusal to issue (specify reason).

Processing time and receiving results

According to the provisions of Decree 15/2018/ND-CP, the time limit for processing CFS certificates is no more than 3 working days from the date of receipt of complete and valid documents.

However, in some cases, processing time may take longer:

• If physical inspection is needed at the production facility: Additional 5-7 working days;
• If additional testing samples are needed: Additional 5-10 working days depending on the type of indicator;
• If you need to seek professional advice from relevant agencies: Additional 3-5 working days..

Important notes when applying for a CFS certificates for exported food products

Some important notes when applying for CFS:

• Carefully check the list of products that require CFS when exported: Enterprises need to regularly update the list announced by specialized management ministries;
• Prepare complete documents according to regulations, avoid errors causing delays: Documents need to ensure legality, completeness and accuracy;
• Ensuring products meet announced applicable standards: Enterprises need to strictly implement production processes and quality control according to announced standards;
• Note the validity period of the CFS to apply for re-issue promptly: Procedures for re-issuance should be carried out at least 1 month before the CFS expires;
• Comply with regulations on labeling and product packaging: Information on labels must be complete and accurate according to current regulations;
• Update information when there are changes in products and production facilities: If there are changes, businesses need to notify and re-issue CFS;

Consulting services for CFS certificates for exported food products

Currently, there are many units providing consulting services and supporting businesses in the process of applying for CFS certificates for exported food products. Services include:

• Consulting on the process and procedures for applying for CFS: Providing detailed information about regulations and instructions on implementation steps;
• Support in preparing and completing documents: Review and check the completeness and accuracy of documents;
• Representative submits documents and monitors results: Carry out administrative procedures on behalf of the enterprise;
• Support to explain and supplement documents as required: Coordinate with management agencies to complete documents if additional requests are required;
• Consulting on issues related to product standards: Guidance on developing and applying appropriate standards;
• Translation and consular legalization CFS: Support translation and carry out consular legalization procedures if required.

For detailed advice on CFS certificates for exported food products, please contact hotline 0906735386. We are ready to support customers in completing procedures quickly and effectively, contributing Part of promoting food export activities of enterprises.