State Inspection of Imported Salt Guide

The State inspection of imported salt is a mandatory legal procedure for businesses in this sector. This process is established to control the quality and safety of salt products before they are permitted to circulate in the Vietnamese market, thereby protecting consumer health. This article by Long Phan Consulting will analyze in detail the regulations and steps for this procedure.

State Inspection Agency for Imported Salt

According to Article 4 of Circular No. 39/2018/TT-BNNPTNT, the agency responsible for quality and food safety inspection of imported salt is the sub-department under the provincial Departments of Agriculture and Environment (formerly the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development). This unit is the primary contact and holds comprehensive responsibility for the local inspection process. Its authority includes:

• Dossier Reception and Processing: The sub-department receives the quality inspection registration dossier (at the locality of the warehouse) and the food safety inspection registration dossier (at the locality of the import border gate).
• Organizing Inspections: This agency decides the inspection method (normal, reduced, or tightened) and presides over the sampling of imported salt shipments for testing.
• Handling Results: Based on test results and dossier compliance, the sub-department issues a notice of state inspection results for the salt shipment. This is the key legal document for the Customs authority to make a customs clearance decision.
• Resolving Issues: If a shipment fails to meet requirements, the sub-department is authorized to handle it according to Article 20 of Decree No. 15/2018/ND-CP, which may include re-export, destruction, or change of use purpose.

Furthermore, under the guidance of the Department of Cooperative Economics and Rural Development, these local sub-departments ensure the State inspection of imported salt procedure is implemented uniformly nationwide.

Legal Basis for State Inspection of Imported Salt

The State inspection of imported salt is based on specific legal and technical foundations, not arbitrary decisions. These grounds are detailed in Article 5 of Circular No. 39/2018/TT-BNNPTNT.

• For Food-Grade Salt (Edible Salt) and Refined Salt: The core basis is the business’s Product Self-Declaration, made in accordance with Articles 4 and 5 of Decree No. 15/2018/NĐ-CP. This document must conform to national technical regulations (QCVN) and national standards (TCVN), such as QCVN 9-1:2011/BYT for iodized salt and TCVN 9639:2013 for refined salt, including limits on heavy metal contamination as per QCVN 8-2:2011/BYT.
• For Industrial Salt Quality Inspection: The basis for inspection is the Certificate of Conformity or Inspection Certificate from a certification or inspection body registered or recognized under Vietnamese law. This certificate must confirm the imported industrial salt shipment complies with National Standard TCVN 9640:2013.

Understanding these bases allows businesses to prepare legal and technical dossiers accurately, which is crucial for a smooth State inspection of imported salt process.

Procedure for State Inspection of Imported Salt

The procedure is a strictly regulated sequence of steps.

Inspection Registration Dossier

Based on Article 18 of Decree No. 15/2018/NĐ-CP, a dossier for food safety inspection of imported salt includes:

• The registration form for imported food inspection (Form No. 04, Appendix I, Decree No. 15/2018/NĐ-CP).
• The business’s Product Self-Declaration.
• A Certificate of Free Sale (CFS), Certificate of Exportation, or Health Certificate from the exporting country’s competent authority (if applying for reduced inspection).
• A copy of the packing list.
• Inspection results from three consecutive compliant shipments (if applying for reduced inspection).

This dossier is submitted to the sub-department of the Department of Agriculture and Environment at the import border gate.

Sampling and Inspection Process

Following a valid dossier submission, the sampling and physical inspection process begins. This procedure is detailed in Article 19 of Decree No. 15/2018/NĐ-CP and Article 7 of Circular No. 39/2018/TT-BNNPTNT:

• Step 1: Dossier Receipt and Review: Within 01 working day, the agency confirms receipt. Within 03 working days, it reviews the dossier’s validity and notifies the importer.
• Step 2: Sampling: For normal or tightened inspections, the inspection agency determines the sampling location and time. The sampling must be witnessed by representatives of the importer and the border gate Customs authority. A sampling record is created and signed on-site.
• Step 3: Sending Samples for Testing: Sealed samples are sent to a designated or recognized testing laboratory (with VILAS accreditation for salt analysis) as per Article 8 of Circular No. 39/2018/TT-BNNPTNT.
• Step 4: Notification of Results: The state inspection agency issues a “Notice of State Inspection Results.” A “Pass” result is the basis for customs clearance. A “Fail” result leads to further action as prescribed by law.

Strict adherence to this process is essential to complete the State inspection of imported salt.

>>> See more at: The quality inspection procedure for imported salt in 2025

Consulting Services for State Inspection of Imported Salt

Navigating the State inspection of imported salt procedure requires deep legal knowledge. Long Phan Consulting offers a comprehensive service package to represent and support your business throughout this process.

Our legal experts will assist with the following:

• Provide comprehensive advice on salt import regulations and applicable TCVN/QCVN standards.
• Review the legality and suitability of your documents (contracts, invoices, C/O).
• Assist in creating a professional Product Self-Declaration.
• Prepare and complete the food safety inspection registration dossier.
• Represent you in submitting the dossier to the competent sub-department.
• Work directly with inspection and customs authorities to schedule and supervise the sampling process.
• Monitor the testing progress at the designated laboratory.
• Receive the official inspection results and coordinate with Customs to complete clearance.
• Advise on legal solutions if the shipment fails inspection or other issues arise.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Food Safety Inspection of Imported Salt

How are the three inspection methods (normal, reduced, tightened) for imported salt differentiated?

The method depends on the product’s and manufacturer’s compliance history. Reduced inspection (dossier check only) applies to shipments with 3 consecutive compliant imports within 12 months. Normal inspection (dossier check and sampling) is the default for first-time imports. Tightened inspection (increased sampling frequency) is applied if a previous shipment failed or if there is a warning from authorities.

What is the estimated total time for the entire state food safety inspection process?

The estimated total time can range from 7 to 10 working days. This includes 1-3 days for dossier review, 1-2 days for sampling, and about 5-7 days for laboratory analysis and results.

What should a business do if its inspection registration dossier is returned for amendment?

Upon receiving a notice for revision, the business must quickly review the documents based on the officer’s guidance. Common errors include inconsistent information, missing signatures, or an improper Product Self-Declaration. The dossier should be completed and resubmitted promptly to avoid delays.

Besides the inspection procedure, must imported salt comply with labeling regulations?

Yes, this is mandatory. According to Decree No. 43/2017/NĐ-CP, imported salt circulating in Vietnam must have a supplementary label in Vietnamese. This label must include key information such as product name, responsible organization’s name and address, origin, quantity, and production/expiry dates.

What are the main costs a business must cover during the inspection process?

Businesses typically cover two main costs. First is the sample testing fee, paid directly to the designated laboratory, which varies based on the analytical parameters. Second is the fee for issuing the state inspection result notice, paid to the inspection agency as regulated by the Ministry of Finance.

Can the Product Self-Declaration be modified after submission to the inspection agency?

Yes, it can be modified. If there are any changes to the product name, origin, or composition, the business must make a new self-declaration and notify the competent state management agency in writing. This must be done before producing or importing the new batch.

Conclusion

A deep understanding of the legal process is necessary to ensure the salt import process is smooth, compliant, and cost-effective. The State inspection of imported salt has complex requirements. Please contact Long Phan Consulting via Hotline: 1900636389 to receive professional, accurate, and effective advice from our team of experts.