The Vietnam market for Indian herbal cosmetics & personal care
ASEAN Cosmetic Directive notification per country (e.g. Indonesia BPOM, Singapore HSA); Indonesia is phasing in mandatory halal for cosmetics (date per our research is an ASSUMPTION).
Indian community in Vietnam (Ministry of External Affairs estimate): 2,700 NRIs.
Herbal Cosmetics & Personal Care specification for Vietnam orders
| Parameter | Typical export value |
|---|---|
| Formats | Hair oils 100-500 ml, shampoos 100-1,000 ml, soaps 75-125 g, creams 50-100 g (typical) |
| Formulation basis | Botanical extracts and oils; preservative systems acceptable under EU Annex V for EU buyers (typical) |
| Stability | Accelerated stability 3-6 months at 40 °C/75% RH (typical) |
| Microbiology | Per ISO 17516 limits (typical) |
| Claims | Cosmetic claims only unless registered as a medicine (typical) |
Final values are agreed per contract, then confirmed by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Shipping herbal cosmetics & personal care to Vietnam
Typical sea transit Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) → Ho Chi Minh City: 11-16 days. Via Singapore/Port Klang
Supply window: Indian herbal cosmetics & personal care is mainly produced or harvested Mustard flow Dec-Feb; litchi Apr; eucalyptus/multiflora Mar-May (ASSUMPTION; ICRIER lists mustard/litchi/eucalyptus as main flows); Year-round; herb harvests seasonal (ASSUMPTION). Allow 11-16 days at sea plus 5–10 days for inspection, export clearance and Vietnam customs when you set delivery dates.
Container loading (estimate): 20' ~10 pallets; volume-limited (liquids may hit ~14-18 MT), 40' HC ~20-21 pallets.
Quoted on FOB, FCA, CIF, DAP; CIF Ho Chi Minh City is the common choice for first orders.
Where buyers are in Vietnam
| City | Port / airport | Buyer sectors |
|---|---|---|
| Ho Chi Minh City | Cat Lai (Saigon Port); Cai Mep-Thi Vai deep-water port (Ba Ria-Vung Tau, now merged into H | Indian restaurants/HORECA, garment & textile input importers (cotton/yarn/fabric), pharma/API |
| Hanoi | Haiphong (Lach Huyen / Dinh Vu), ~120 km · Noi Bai International (HAN) | Indian HORECA, electronics & engineering inputs, pharma/API |
| Da Nang | Tien Sa Port (Da Nang); Lien Chieu port under development · Da Nang International (DAD) | HORECA & hospitality suppliers, IT/electronics, seafood processing equipment |
Frequently asked questions
How long does shipping from India to Vietnam take?
Typically 11-16 days port-to-port from Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) to Ho Chi Minh City, plus 5–10 days for stuffing, export clearance and destination clearance (estimates).
Does Vietnam have a trade agreement with India?
ASEAN–India AITIGA 2010 (review ongoing); no bilateral FTA [S7] A preferential certificate of origin is needed to claim any reduced duty.
Which HS code applies to herbal cosmetics & personal care from India?
Usually HS 330590. Vietnam applies its own national tariff extension to the 6-digit code; confirm the full line with your broker.
Who is the 'Responsible Person' for my brand?
In the EU and UK, a legal entity based in that market, usually the brand owner or importer. We provide the plant's documents needed for the product information file.
Can I use 'Ayurvedic' claims?
Cosmetic products should make cosmetic claims only. Therapeutic claims can turn a product into a medicine that needs registration.
What is the minimum order?
Usually 3,000-10,000 units per SKU, depending on the packaging components.
Related guides
Request a quote: herbal cosmetics & personal care to Vietnam
Tell us grade, quantity and your port in Vietnam. We quote CIF/CFR with full export documentation.