Vietnam Suspends Food Safety Rules After Port Delays
21. May 2026Vietnam’s temporary suspension of new food safety regulations has drawn attention from importers and exporters facing severe customs delays under the country’s updated CR compliance framework. The Government announced that Decree 46 and Resolution 66.13, both introduced in late January to strengthen food safety enforcement, will be placed on hold until April 15 after widespread disruption at ports and border crossings.
The decision came after thousands of food shipments were reportedly stranded at seaports and land checkpoints due to confusion surrounding the implementation of the new requirements. Authorities confirmed that, during the suspension period, Vietnam will revert to procedures under Decree 15, the food safety regulation framework that has been in effect since 2018. Food products usually require CR certification in order to be approved for import and sale in Vietnam.
Import Delays Highlight Concerns Over CR Compliance Rules
Businesses and logistics operators reported significant operational challenges immediately after Decree 46 entered into force on January 26 without a transition period or detailed implementation guidance. At HCM City’s Cát Lái Port alone, customs officials recorded more than 1,800 containers awaiting clearance as of February 4.
Industry representatives said one of the most controversial elements of the regulation involved food safety certification procedures linked to CR approval requirements. Under the decree, imported food products were still required to obtain certification from Vietnamese authorities confirming compliance with domestic food safety conditions, even when products already met internationally recognised standards.
Companies argued that the duplication of certification increased administrative costs, prolonged customs processing times and added financial pressure during a period of elevated transport and supply chain expenses. Concerns were also raised regarding mandatory testing documentation formats specific to Vietnam, which businesses said reduced acceptance of results issued by internationally accredited laboratories operating in the country.
Authorities Review Enforcement Approach for Imported Food Products
Regulatory officials and industry associations have questioned whether the new measures appropriately target higher-risk product categories. While the decree strengthened controls on self-declared food products commonly sold in retail markets, critics noted that sectors with a history of safety violations, including health supplements, functional foods and dairy products, were not subjected to equivalent increases in oversight.
Phạm Khánh Phong Lan, director of HCM City’s Food Safety Authority, warned that stricter licensing procedures alone would not necessarily improve food safety outcomes. Industry stakeholders instead called for stronger post-market surveillance, clearer accountability mechanisms and more practical enforcement procedures.
During a government meeting on February 4, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính instructed ministries to urgently prepare revisions addressing the issues created by Decree 46. He also emphasized the importance of introducing future regulatory changes with clear transition timelines to reduce disruption to businesses, import operations and international supply chains.
Further updates regarding Vietnam’s food safety regulations and CR certification requirements may be issued as authorities continue reviewing the implementation framework.
Feel free to contact us any time if you need assistance or have any questions regarding the Vietnamese CR Certification or VR Certification.
Tel. Europe: +49-69-271 37 69 259
Tel. US: +1 773 654-2673
Email: info@vietnam-certification.com
