QUALITY CONTROL FOR IMPORT AND EXPORT GOODS

Many professionals in the import-export industry, even though they have handled various types of goods, often resort to groups, forums, and import-export communities to ask whether a new and unfamiliar shipment requires quality inspection (specialized inspection). We have observed numerous such inquiries. To gain a clearer understanding of the quality control of import and export goods, please refer to the following article.

What is quality control for import and export goods? Why is it necessary?

You might still wonder about the quality control of import and export goods and why your shipment needs to undergo this process. To understand better, you need to grasp the concept of specialized inspection (quality inspection).

Before exporting or importing a shipment, the most crucial thing is to check if the goods are allowed for import-export. If permitted, you need to determine whether the goods are subject to specialized inspection. Only then can you decide whether to proceed with exporting or importing that shipment.

If specialized inspection is required, you must prepare documents, costs, and personnel knowledgeable about this process in advance to avoid being caught off guard, which can lead to significant time and cost.

Specialized inspection for import and export goods involves relevant authorities (such as the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Information and Communications, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, etc.) taking samples of the goods to check whether they meet the required or technical standards of the respective industry.

If the inspection results are satisfactory, the shipment will be granted a certificate and all necessary documents for export or import. Conversely, if the results are unsatisfactory, the goods will not be certified and will not meet the standards for export or import.

Which goods require specialized inspection (quality inspection)?

One of the biggest challenges for import-export businesses is not knowing whether their shipment is subject to quality inspection, and if so, which authority or ministry is responsible.

There is currently no comprehensive document listing all goods that require specialized inspection. Therefore, businesses need to refer to the regulations of each ministry regarding quality inspection of goods. Below are some documents for your reference:

Circular 30/2015/TT-BYT: List of medical equipment requiring state quality inspection
Decision 4758/QĐ-BNN-TY: Issuing the HS code table for the list of animals and terrestrial animal products subject to quarantine.
Circular 30/2014/TT-BNNPTNT: List of items subject to plant quarantine before being imported into Vietnam
Decision 4758/QĐ-BNN-TY: HS code table of the list of animals and terrestrial animal products subject to quarantine.
Official Letter 613/CB-CD-BNNPTNT: List of agricultural machinery requiring state quality inspection upon import
Decision 4755/QĐ-BCT: List of export and import goods requiring quality and food safety inspection before clearance under the management of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (effective from January 1, 2018).
Decision 3482/QĐ-BKHCN: List of imported goods requiring quality inspection before clearance under the management of the Ministry of Science and Technology
Inter-Ministerial Circular 58/2015/TTLT-BCT-BKHCN: List of steel products requiring quality inspection upon import
Circular 03/2010/TT-BLĐTBXH: List of group 2 goods and the procedures for state quality inspection of goods under the management of the Ministry of Labour – Invalids and Social Affairs

This list is not exhaustive but will be useful for you in conducting quality inspections of goods, as these documents apply to many import and export goods in Vietnam today.

Procedures and processes for quality inspection of imported goods

Documentation for registering quality inspection of imported goods:

“State Quality Inspection Registration” form for imported goods.
Certified copy of the quality certificate.
Relevant technical documents, including:
- Certified copy of the importer
- Bill of Lading
- Invoice
- Import goods declaration form
- Certificate of origin (if available)
- Photos or description of the goods
- Sample label of the imported goods with conformity mark and supplementary label (if the main label does not contain sufficient information as per regulations)
- Copy of the sales contract and list of goods attached to the contract (Packing list)

Upon receiving the documents, the relevant authority will check their validity and completeness. If the documents are complete, the authority will proceed with the inspection as per regulations. If not, a notice will be sent for supplementation.

Within 3 days, the authority will inspect, evaluate the results, and return the documents.

Quality inspection of import and export goods is a mandatory procedure for goods listed under the regulations. We hope that the shared insights about the concept and procedures for goods subject to these regulations will be helpful to you.

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If you require assistance with international import and export of goods, please contact our team at Smartlink Logistics. We are available to provide you with professional guidance on our services and the necessary customs procedures.

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