Service 01
Importing and selling your product in Vietnam
Vietnam is an attractive market and an administratively demanding one. Almost every consumer product needs a registration or declaration before it can be sold, the label has to carry specific information in Vietnamese, and someone established in Vietnam has to stand as the importer. We can be that partner.
- Importer of record
- Product registration support
- Vietnamese labelling
- Retail, distributor and e-commerce routes
The usual first question is whether to establish a local entity. For most companies testing the market, the answer is not yet. Appointing a local partner who can import, register and distribute lets you find out whether the product sells before you commit to a company, a lease and a payroll.
What the regulation requires depends heavily on the category. Food and health-supplement products, cosmetics, medical devices, machinery and general goods each follow a different route, and the rules have moved repeatedly in recent years. We check the current requirement for your specific product rather than repeating what was true a few years ago.
Distribution is the part most often underestimated. Getting an approval is not the same as getting shelf space. We discuss honestly which route fits your product — modern-trade retail, specialist distributors, e-commerce platforms, or direct B2B — and what each one realistically demands in terms of margin, promotion and stock.
What this includes
Regulatory check before you commit
We confirm which registration or declaration route your product falls under, and what evidence the authorities will expect, before you ship anything.
Importer of record
We can act as the importing party in Vietnam so you do not need a local entity to begin.
Customs clearance
HS classification, import documentation and clearance handled locally.
Product registration support
Preparation and submission of the declaration or registration dossier your category requires, with the supporting documents translated.
Vietnamese labelling
Secondary labels that carry the information Vietnamese law requires, checked against the approved dossier.
Distribution and sales
Introduction to distributors and retailers, e-commerce listing, and reporting back on how the product is actually moving.
How it works
- 01 Product and market review We look at the product, the category and your target buyer, and tell you what Vietnam will require.
- 02 Route and role agreed We agree who imports, who registers and who sells, and put the commercial terms in writing.
- 03 Registration and labelling Dossier prepared and submitted; label drafted against what is approved.
- 04 First import Customs clearance and the first shipment into the market.
- 05 Distribution and feedback Placement with the agreed channels, and regular reporting on sales and market response.
What we do — and the promises we keep
We put both in writing, so you know exactly what to expect from us.
We do
- Confirm the current regulatory route for your specific product
- Act as importer of record and handle customs clearance
- Prepare and submit registration or declaration dossiers
- Produce compliant Vietnamese labelling
- Introduce and manage distribution channels, and report back
What we will not do
- We do not guarantee an approval outcome or an approval date — those belong to the authorities
- We do not promise sales volumes before the product has been tested in the market
- We do not make health, medical or efficacy claims that Vietnamese advertising rules forbid
Before you write to us
You do not need all of this to start a conversation — but the more of it you have, the faster we can give you a real answer instead of a range.
- Product name, full ingredient or component list, and intended use
- Existing label artwork and packaging specification
- Certificates you already hold (free-sale, GMP, ISO, test reports)
- Country of manufacture and HS code if you know it
- Target price positioning and the channel you have in mind
- Whether you already have any presence or partner in Vietnam
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to set up a Vietnamese company to sell here?
Not to begin with. A local partner can import, register and distribute on your behalf. Many companies establish an entity later, once the product has proven itself.
How long does product registration take?
It varies by category and by how complete the dossier is, and the authority controls the timing. We will tell you the procedure and what usually causes delay, but we do not quote a guaranteed date.
Who owns the product registration?
This matters and should be agreed in writing at the start. We discuss it openly with you before any dossier is filed, including what happens if the relationship ends.
Can you distribute through e-commerce platforms?
Yes. Online marketplaces are a significant channel in Vietnam and are often a sensible way to test demand before committing to physical retail.
My product makes health claims that are allowed in my country. Can I use them here?
Not automatically. Vietnamese advertising and labelling rules restrict what may be claimed, particularly for foods, supplements and cosmetics. We review your existing claims against the local rules before anything is printed.
Health supplements are foods, not medicines, and are not a substitute for medical treatment. Regulatory information on this page is general and reflects our understanding at the time of writing. Requirements differ by product category and change over time. We confirm the current position for your specific product before any filing, and this page is not legal advice.
Guides for this service
Practical, step-by-step notes written from Ho Chi Minh City, with sources and the date we checked them.
Contact
Tell us what you want to buy or sell — in Vietnam or Japan
Selling into Vietnam or Japan, sourcing from either, or a product made under your own brand. One Japanese-managed team in Ho Chi Minh City, working in English, Japanese and Vietnamese.