Consulting and guidance on procedures for applying for a Food Import License

Article overview

Issuing a Food Import License is a procedure in the process of ensuring food safety and hygiene and managing international trade activities, helping businesses master and comply with the legal process, while also is a key factor to ensure business operations run smoothly and legally. The following article will provide information on procedures for applying for a Food Import License. We welcome you to follow us.

Instructions on the procedure for applying for a Food Import License
Instructions on the procedure for applying for a Food Import License

Conditions for applying for a food import license

To be granted a food import license, products used as food must comply with the requirements in Article 14 of Decree 15/2018/ND-CP.

  • Originates from a country or territory with a food safety control system that meets Vietnamese regulations and is included in the list of countries and territories registered for export by a competent Vietnamese agency. Exporting food of animal, plant, and aquatic origin to Vietnam;
  • For terrestrial animal products used as food, aquatic animal products used as food: Must be produced by production and business establishments recognized by competent Vietnamese agencies to fully meet the requirements. Fully meets the requirements for ensuring food safety according to Vietnamese regulations;
  • Each batch of imported goods originating from animals or imported aquatic products must be accompanied by a certificate of compliance with food safety regulations issued by the competent authority of the exporting country (except in the case of seafood shipped by ship). foreign fish caught and processed at sea and sold directly to Vietnam).

Documents need to be prepared to apply for a Food Import License

Pursuant to Clause 1, Article 15, Clause 1 and Clause 2, Article 18 of Decree 15/2018/ND-CP (amended and supplemented by Decree 155/2018/ND-CP), to apply for a Food Import License Products must undergo imported food inspection by an agency assigned or designated by the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development or the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Inspection registration dossier includes:

1. Registration dossier for inspection under the reduced inspection method includes:

  • Product self-declaration;
  • 03 (three) Notification of results confirming that food meets consecutive import requirements according to normal inspection methods or a certified copy or original consular legalization of one of the GMP, HACCP, ISO Certificates 22000, IFS, BRC, FSSC 22000 or equivalent valid at the time of submission;
  • In the case of products originating from aquatic and terrestrial animals, except for processed and pre-packaged products, there must be a certificate of compliance with food safety regulations issued by a competent authority. issued by the exporting country (original).

2. Registration dossier for inspection under normal inspection methods and strict inspection methods includes:

  • Registration certificate for imported food inspection according to regulations in Form No. 04 Appendix I issued with Decree 15/2018/ND-CP;
  • Product self-declaration;
  • 03 (three) Notification of results confirming that food meets consecutive import requirements according to the strict inspection method for shipments and items converted from strict inspection to normal inspection (original copy) );
  • Copy of Packing list;
  • In the case of products specified in Article 14 of this Decree, there must be a certificate of compliance with food safety regulations issued by the competent authority of the exporting country (original), except in the case of seafood. caught and processed by foreign fishing vessels and sold directly to Vietnam.
 What do you need to prepare to apply for a Food Import License?
What do you need to prepare to apply for a Food Import License?

Procedures for applying for a Food Import License

Pursuant to Article 19 of Decree 15/2018/ND-CP, Clause 2, Article 9 of Decree 69/2018/ND-CP, the steps to carry out the procedures for applying for a Food Import License are:

Step 1: The establishment submits a food inspection registration application to the state inspection agency for imported food

Step 2: Within 03 (three) working days from the date of receipt of the dossier, the customs authority is responsible for checking the dossier and clearing the goods. In case of requesting additional documents, the reason and legal basis for the request must be clearly stated.

In case of strict inspection, within 07 (seven) working days from the date of receiving the dossier, the state inspection agency is responsible for checking the dossier, taking samples, and testing safety criteria. food as required and issue notification of food that meets or does not meet import requirements. In case of requesting additional documents, the reason and legal basis for the request must be clearly stated.

Step 3: For issuance of import licenses, it must comply with the provisions of the Law on Foreign Trade Management, that is, based on Clause 2, Article 9 of Decree 69/2018/ND-CP, unless the law has other provisions on time. Within a maximum period of 10 working days from the date of receipt of complete and prescribed dossier, the Ministry or ministerial-level agency shall respond in writing to the trader.

 Steps to apply for a Food Import License
Steps to apply for a Food Import License

Consulting services and guidance on procedures for applying for a Food Import License

During the process of applying for a Food Import License, you may encounter many difficulties because of the legal system on import-export processes and inspection of imported food. To save time and minimize risks, you can use consulting services related to this procedure at Long Phan. With our experience, we will help you:

  • Consulting on issues surrounding procedures for applying for a Food Import License appropriate to the customer’s case;
  • Help prepare complete and most accurate documents according to the provisions of law on food import;
  • Analyze risks when carrying out procedures for applying for a food import license;
  • Customer representatives work with state agencies and hand over results to customers.

If you have any questions regarding the procedures for applying for a Food Import License, please contact us immediately via hotline. 090.673.5386. Long Phan is always ready to support you enthusiastically and quickly.