The process of carrying out the latest import quality inspection procedures

Quality inspection of imported goods is a mandatory condition for items on the list of inspection. Procedures for quality inspection of imported goods require enterprises to comply with the following regulations. Please continue reading the article below for details on the process

General introduction to the procedures for quality inspection of imported goods

The procedure for quality inspection of imported goods is a mandatory process for items on the inspection list, in order to ensure quality and safety for consumers. This process is carried out based on the current regulations and standards of Vietnamese law.

Legal basis for registration of quality inspection

The following are legal documents related to the quality of products and goods:

Law 05/2007/QH12 – Quality of products and goods.
Decree No. 132/2008/ND-CP – Detailed guidance on the implementation of a number of articles of the Law on Product and Goods Quality.
Decree 43/2017/ND-CP.
Decree 154/2018/ND-CP – Amending, supplementing and annulling a number of regulations on investment and business conditions in the field of state management of the Ministry of Science and Technology and a number of regulations on specialized inspection.
Decree 74/2018/ND-CP.

These documents provide for the quality of products and goods and provide detailed guidance on the process, conditions and regulations on quality inspection according to technical regulations and standards announced for application.

Groups of imported products and goods

Products and goods are defined in accordance with Vietnamese law as follows:

Product: It is the result of the production or provision of services, for business or consumption purposes.
Commodity: It is a product that is put on the market for consumption through exchange, sale and marketing activities.

According to Clause 3 and Clause 4, Article 3 of the Law on Product and Goods Quality 2007, there are definitions of products and goods of groups 1 and 2:

Group 1: Products and goods that do not cause unsafety.
Group 2: Products and goods that are likely to cause unsafety.

Procedures for quality inspection of imported goods

The importer is fully responsible before law for the quality of imported goods. The dossier to be prepared includes:

Register for state inspection of the quality of imported goods.
A copy of the contract and the list of goods (if any).
Bill of lading, invoice, declaration of imported goods (if any).
Quality certificate of the exporting country (if any).
Certificate of origin (if any), photo or description of the goods.
CFS free circulation certificate (if any).

import-quality-inspection-procedures — import quality inspection procedures

Order of conducting inspection procedures

Step 1: Receive the dossier

The importer shall send the dossier to the Sub-Department for Standards, Metrology and Quality of the province or centrally run city where the border gate is located.

Step 2: Processing the dossier

The dossier processing process is divided into two types based on the conformity assessment method of the goods.

For imported group 2 goods subject to self-assessment of conformity:

For group 2 goods imported according to certification and assessment results:

The inspection agency receives the dossier of registration for quality inspection. Within one working day, the agency will confirm the registration and the importer submits the confirmed registration to the customs office for customs clearance. Within 15 working days from the date of customs clearance, the importer must submit an exact copy of the original quality certificate (Certificate of conformity with technical regulations of the certifying organization or Certificate of conformity with technical regulations of the inspecting organization). If the goods have been assessed by a certification organization in the exporting country, the importer must submit an exact copy of the original certificate of conformity with technical regulations to the inspecting agency within 03 working days from the date of customs clearance. The importer is responsible for and ensures that the goods conform to the published technical regulations and standards. If the goods are not suitable, the importer must immediately report to the inspection agency and handle and recall the goods according to regulations.

Step 3: Return Results

The test results will be returned directly at the inspection agency’s headquarters or by post, or on the National Single Window Portal.

Procedures for inspecting the quality of imported goods to protect the interests of consumers and develop the national economy. Consumers can be assured of the quality of goods and the risks related to their safety are minimized.