On January 26, 2026, the Government issued Decree No. 46/2026/ND-CP providing guidance on the implementation of the Law on Food Safety. This Decree sets out the procedures for food safety inspection applicable to imported food products.
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Image 1. “Procedures for Food Safety Inspection of Imported Food from January 26, 2026”_ Hotline: 097 211 8764
Pursuant to Article 25 of Decree No. 46/2026/ND-CP, the procedures for state food safety inspection of imported food are prescribed as follows:
(1) Procedures for reduced inspection:
Before or upon the arrival of the goods at the border gate, the goods owner shall submit the inspection registration dossier as prescribed in Clause 1 Article 24 of Decree No. 46/2026/ND-CP to the state inspection authority, either online (via the National Public Service Portal, the National Single Window Portal, or the ministerial/provincial administrative procedure processing information system), by postal service, or by direct submission;
Within 03 working days from the date of receipt of a complete dossier, the state inspection authority shall review the dossier and issue a Notice of Results confirming whether the food meets or fails to meet import requirements, using Form No. 02 in Appendix I issued together with Decree No. 46/2026/ND-CP. In case supplementation of the dossier is required, the reasons must be clearly stated. The state inspection authority may request amendments or supplementation only once for each submission of an amended or supplemented dossier by the goods owner;
The dossier review must confirm the consistency and conformity of all information related to the imported goods as presented in the entire dossier;
The goods owner is responsible for submitting the Notice of Results confirming whether the food meets or fails to meet import requirements (Form No. 02, Appendix I issued together with Decree No. 46/2026/ND-CP) to the customs authority as a basis for customs clearance, except where such Notice is issued via the National Single Window Portal or systems connected thereto, in which case the customs authority shall access the system to process customs clearance.
Image 2. “Procedures for Food Safety Inspection of Imported Food from January 26, 2026”_ Hotline: 097 211 8764
(2) Procedures for normal inspection:
Before or upon the arrival of the goods at the border gate, the goods owner shall submit the inspection registration dossier as prescribed in Clause 2 Article 24 of Decree No. 46/2026/ND-CP to the state inspection authority, either online (via the National Public Service Portal, the National Single Window Portal, or the ministerial/provincial administrative procedure processing information system), by postal service, or by direct submission;
Within 02 working days from the date of receipt of a complete dossier, the state inspection authority shall review the dossier in accordance with Point c Clause 1 of this Article, determine food quality and safety criteria based on product classification, risk level, and the product declaration dossier, and designate a food testing laboratory assigned to serve state management of food safety for testing purposes. Where supplementation of the dossier is required, the reasons must be clearly stated. The state inspection authority may request amendments or supplementation only once for each submission of an amended or supplemented dossier by the goods owner;
Within 07 working days from the date the goods arrive at the border gate, the designated testing laboratory referred to in Point b of this Clause shall complete sampling, inspection of the actual condition of the goods, and issue a Testing Result Sheet for state management purposes to the state inspection authority;
Within 01 working day from the date of receipt of the Testing Result Sheet, the state inspection authority shall review and sign the Notice confirming whether the food meets or fails to meet import requirements, using Form No. 02 in Appendix I issued together with Decree No. 46/2026/ND-CP;
The goods owner is responsible for submitting the Notice confirming whether the food meets or fails to meet import requirements (Form No. 02, Appendix I issued together with Decree No. 46/2026/ND-CP) to the customs authority as a basis for customs clearance, except where such Notice is issued via the National Single Window Portal or systems connected thereto, in which case the customs authority shall access the system for customs clearance.
(3) Procedures for strict inspection:
Before or upon the arrival of the goods at the border gate, the goods owner shall submit the inspection registration dossier as prescribed in Clause 3 Article 24 of Decree No. 46/2026/ND-CP to the state inspection authority, either online (via the National Public Service Portal, the National Single Window Portal, or the ministerial/provincial administrative procedure processing information system), by postal service, or by direct submission;
Within 02 working days from the date of receipt of a complete dossier, the state inspection authority shall review the dossier in accordance with Point c Clause 1 of this Article, determine food quality and safety criteria based on product classification, risk level, and the product declaration dossier, and designate a food testing laboratory assigned to serve state management of food safety for testing purposes. Where supplementation of the dossier is required, the reasons must be clearly stated. The state inspection authority may request amendments or supplementation only once for each submission of an amended or supplemented dossier by the goods owner;
Within 09 working days from the date the goods arrive at the border gate, the designated testing laboratory referred to in Point b of this Clause shall complete sampling, inspection of the actual condition of the goods, and issue a Testing Result Sheet for state management purposes to the state inspection authority;
Within 01 working day from the date of receipt of the Testing Result Sheet, the state inspection authority shall review and sign the Notice confirming whether the food meets or fails to meet import requirements, using Form No. 02 in Appendix I issued together with Decree No. 46/2026/ND-CP;
The goods owner is responsible for submitting the Notice confirming whether the food meets or fails to meet import requirements (Form No. 02, Appendix I issued together with Decree No. 46/2026/ND-CP) to the customs authority as a basis for customs clearance, except where such Notice is issued via the National Single Window Portal or systems connected thereto, in which case the customs authority shall access the system for customs clearance.
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