The Ministry of Industry and Trade has issued a directory of imported commodities subject to state inspection for food safety under its management scope, serving as a basis for executing management tasks and inspection procedures for imported goods.

According to Circular No. 28/2026/TT-BCT enacted on June 1, the directory of imported commodities accompanied by HS codes subject to state inspection for food safety is regulated pursuant to the Law on Food Safety and the Government's Decree No. 15/2018/NĐ-CP.

The directory applies to commodity groups falling under the state management responsibility for food safety of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, encompassing beverages, soft drinks, alcohol, beer, food-grade alcohol, processed milk, vegetable oil, and several other food groups. The Circular does not apply to food equipment, packaging materials, and containers.

Under the regulations, determining commodity codes is executed in accordance with the Vietnam Nomenclature of Exports and Imports alongside relevant legal regulations. In cases where discrepancies or inconsistencies arise in determining commodity codes for goods within the directory, classification and code determination shall be executed pursuant to customs laws.

For commodities not yet listed in the directory, commodity code determination is likewise executed according to customs laws. Following customs clearance, import-export organizations and individuals may send written documents to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, serving as a foundation to coordinate with the Ministry of Finance for review, updates, and the issuance of supplementary directories.

The Circular also stipulates that state food safety inspections for imported food under the management responsibility of the Ministry of Industry and Trade shall follow the Law on Food Safety and Decree No. 15/2018/NĐ-CP. Cases falling under inspection exemption categories under current regulations will continue to enjoy the exemption mechanism.

For state food safety inspection dossiers submitted prior to the effective date of this Circular, processing will continue under the regulations applicable at the time of dossier submission, except where organizations or individuals voluntarily apply the new regulations.

Circular No. 28/2026/TT-BCT takes effect from July 17, 2026. The Ministry of Industry and Trade has assigned the Vietnam Industry Agency to preside over reviewing, updating, and publishing the directory of commodities subject to state food safety inspections within the ministry's management scope.

Source: Tap chi Kinh te Sai Gon Online