Effective July 1, 2026, Decree 37/2026/NĐ-CP officially replaces Decree 74/2018/NĐ-CP, marking a significant reform in Vietnam’s product quality management framework for imported goods.

Rather than applying the same inspection procedures to most products, the new regulation classifies imported goods according to their level of risk, allowing authorities to implement more efficient and targeted quality control measures.

Three risk levels under Decree 37

The cornerstone of Decree 37 is the classification of imported products into three risk categories: low, medium, and high. Each category is subject to different compliance and inspection requirements, ensuring that regulatory efforts focus on products with greater potential risks while reducing unnecessary procedures for low-risk goods.

Low-risk products

For low-risk products, businesses are only required to self-declare the applicable product standards. This simplified approach reduces administrative burdens and allows importers to complete compliance procedures more efficiently.

Medium-risk products

Medium-risk products must still comply with conformity declaration requirements based on either self-assessment or certification from an accredited conformity assessment body. However, Decree 37 removes mandatory import quality inspections for this category. Instead, authorities will conduct post-market surveillance, helping businesses shorten customs clearance time while maintaining effective regulatory oversight.

The decree also simplifies repeated imports. If a subsequent shipment is identical to a previously declared one in terms of origin, brand, and product specifications, businesses are not required to submit another conformity declaration.

High-risk products

High-risk products remain subject to strict regulatory control. Importers must obtain conformity certification from a designated certification body and register quality inspections through Vietnam’s National Single Window before customs clearance. Goods can only be released after meeting all inspection requirements.

Reduced inspection for compliant importers

To encourage regulatory compliance, Decree 37 introduces a reduced inspection mechanism for high-risk products. Businesses that successfully import the same product through three consecutive compliant shipments may apply a reduced inspection regime for up to two years. They can determine their own eligibility and retain supporting documents without requesting additional administrative approval.

By replacing blanket inspections with a risk-based management system, Decree 37 reduces compliance costs, speeds up customs clearance, and improves regulatory efficiency. The new framework supports trade facilitation while ensuring that products posing greater risks continue to receive the appropriate level of quality control.

How businesses should prepare for Decree 37

Businesses should review their imported product portfolio to identify the applicable risk category under Decree 37 and update their compliance procedures accordingly. They should also ensure that conformity declarations, certification documents, and technical records are properly maintained. 

For high-risk products, companies need to register quality inspections through the National Single Window before customs clearance. Preparing early will help businesses minimize delays and adapt smoothly to the new regulatory framework.

Decree 37 marks a major shift in Vietnam’s import quality inspection system by replacing uniform inspections with a more practical risk-based approach. The new regulation simplifies procedures for low- and medium-risk products, maintains strict oversight for high-risk goods, and rewards compliant businesses with reduced inspections. 

Understanding these changes will help importers improve compliance, reduce operational costs, and ensure smoother customs clearance from July 1, 2026.

Source: Ministry of Industry and Trade

01/07/2026