URGENT: FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2026, CHANGE OF IMPORTED FOOD SAFETY INSPECTION AUTHORITY – SPECIAL NOTICE FOR ENTERPRISES!

A major milestone change regarding specialized inspection procedures for imported plant and food products will officially take effect on September 1, 2026.

According to the report in Official Dispatch No. 8328/HQKV3-NVHQ dated August 21, 2026, sent by Region III Customs Branch to the People's Committee of Hai Phong City, the decentralization of state inspection for imported food safety under the new regulations brings core changes that import-export and logistics businesses must clearly understand:

1. OFFICIAL DECENTRALIZATION OF FOOD SAFETY INSPECTION TO LOCAL AUTHORITIES FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2026

Pursuant to Article 3 of Circular No. 22/2026/TT-BNNMT dated May 19, 2026, of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment:

• Effective September 1, 2026: State inspection on imported food safety under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (under normal and strict inspection methods) will be carried out by agencies assigned or designated by the Chairpersons of the Provincial-level People's Committees.
• This replaces the former focal agencies of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Department of Animal Health, Department of Plant Protection).

2. WARNINGS ON PROCEDURE BOTTLENECK RISKS & OVERLAPPING ISSUES

The Customs Branch warns of several potential obstacles during the transition period in early September 2026:

• A single shipment requires 2 procedures at 2 different agencies:
  • Previously: Regional Plant Quarantine Sub-department handled both quarantine and issued food safety inspection results.
  • From September 1, 2026: A shipment subject to both quarantine and food safety inspection will be processed by 02 separate agencies (Plant Quarantine Sub-department issues quarantine notices; Department of Agriculture & Environment or designated local units issue food safety results). This poses a risk of extended waiting times for customs clearance.
• National Single Window (NSW) Portal Bottlenecks: The National Single Window system currently connects with central specialized departments. If technical configurations for transitioning to provincial levels are not fully synchronized before September 1, 2026, data retrieval and transmission times for Registration/Food Safety Result Notices may be delayed (especially after 5 PM daily).
• Lack of Interoperable Coordination Mechanisms: Between provincial-designated agencies and Customs authorities for direct result sharing in an electronic environment.

3. CUSTOMS RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REMEDIAL SOLUTIONS

To ensure goods at border gates and seaports are not congested from September 1, 2026:

• Early Announcement of Designated Agency Lists: Provincial/municipal People's Committees are requested to promptly approve and publicize the list of focal receiving units and food safety sampling procedures in their localities.
• Transition Clause Regulations: Dossiers and shipments registered for inspection before September 1, 2026, but lacking inspection results will continue to be processed and settled by the receiving units to avoid disrupting goods clearance.

ATTACHED REFERENCE DOCUMENTS (Click on image to zoom):