Procedures for Importing Food Containers

1. General introduction

Food packaging is a type of product used to contain and package food, to protect the value of food. Packaging not only protects, describes and introduces products, but it also contains many factors that affect customers and their purchasing decisions.

Packaging containing and in direct contact with domestically produced and imported food must meet food safety conditions and must register for quality declaration at a competent authority.

2. Legal basis and policy on importing food packaging

1. Decree No. 15/2018/ND-CP dated February 2, 2018.
2. Circular No. 28/2021/TT-BYT dated December 20, 2021.
3. Circular 38/2015/TT-BTC dated March 25, 2015.
4. Circular 39/2018/TT-BTC dated April 20, 2018.

3. Import tax regime and policies for food packaging

Determine HS Code and import tariff

Based on ingredients, properties, structure, food packaging is divided into many different types corresponding to HS codes. When looking up the exact HS code of the shipment you import, businesses will clearly understand the current policies and tax regulations applicable to that item.

4. Process for importing food packaging

          Due to specific characteristics, the import of food packaging must comply with regulations on imported food safety. Accordingly, for imported food packaging, it is necessary to meet food hygiene and safety regulations.

          To check the hygiene and safety of imported food, food packaging needs to be self-declared.

Step 1: Import samples to perform testing

First, your business needs to import food packaging samples to perform testing. Testing records include:

• Sample of food packaging.
• Business registration of the enterprise.

Step 2: Carry out self-declaration procedures for food packaging

Self-declaration for food packaging will be done at the Food Hygiene and Safety Department or the Food Hygiene and Safety Management Board where the business is registered or the manufacturing factory is located.

Records of food packaging:

• Test results card for food packaging.
• Product main label.
• Notarized translation of product labels.
• Business Registration.
• Product announcement.

Step 3: Register to check the quality of food packaging products

After obtaining the product self-declaration, the enterprise must register to check the quality of food packaging in each batch at a unit designated by the Ministry of Health.

Registration dossier includes:

• Application for inspection of food packaging quality.
• Self-declaration of food packaging.
• Bill of lading.

Declare online on the national 1-stop system https://vnsw.gov.vn/ . After filling in the state quality inspection registration number on food hygiene and safety in the declaration, submit an additional import customs declaration. The results of quality inspection on food hygiene and safety of food packaging will be available immediately. Submit results to customs authorities & proceed with customs clearance of goods,

5. Carry out customs procedures to import food packaging

Step 1: Fill out the customs declaration

          After registering for state quality inspection on food hygiene and safety, businesses proceed to declare customs declarations.

          Set of documents for customs procedures when importing food packaging in particular, and procedures for importing other items in general according to the provisions of Circular 38/2015/TT-BTC dated March 25, 2015 ; Amended and supplemented 39/2018/TT-BTC dated April 20, 2018. Specifically:

• Customs declaration;
• Commercial Contract i (Sale Contract);
• Commercial Invoice/Packing List ;
• Bill of Lading;
• Arrival notice;
• Certificate of Origin (C/O) (if any);
• State quality inspection registration certificate on food hygiene and safety for packaging.

Step 2: Register customs declaration

After completing the customs declaration, the Electronic Customs Data System will return the declaration classification results. If there is a flow of declaration, print out the declaration and bring the import dossier set to the Customs Branch to continue the customs procedures. Depending on the results of the green, yellow, and red channel classification by the customs authority, the steps to carry out customs procedures will be carried out.

Step 3. Clear customs declaration

After customs officers check the customs declaration information (for yellow and red channels), and physically inspect goods, if any (for red channels), the enterprise submits the results of state inspection on hygiene. food safety, food packaging, and quality food for customs clearance.

6. Conclusion

Above is an article clarifying procedures for importing food packaging, HS code for food packaging, import tax for food packaging, import process for food packaging and registration. Sign food hygiene and safety inspection for food packaging. The article is based on the practical experience of importing food packaging for customers of DOLPHIN Company. In addition to procedures for importing food packaging, to update good articles on import and export or ship freight rates; train schedule. Customers can follow the fanpage to be updated with the latest articles.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact our DOLPHIN Company hotline or email according to the information below:

• DOLPHIN SEA AIR SERVICES CORPORATION
• Hotline: 1900986813
• Email: saleshan6@dolphinseaair.com
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