Classification
Product TypeProcessed Food
Product FormShelf-stable clarified dairy fat (ghee/butter oil)
Industry PositionValue-added dairy fat product
Market
In Vietnam, ghee (clarified butter/butter oil; anhydrous milkfat) is treated as a dairy fat product subject to Ministry of Health technical regulation (QCVN 5-4:2010/BYT). The market is import-dependent and appears niche, with retail availability concentrated in specialty/expat grocers and e-commerce rather than mass-market staples. Market access is shaped more by food-safety inspection documentation and labeling compliance than by domestic production dynamics. Nutrition facts labeling requirements under Circular 29/2023/TT-BYT have entered the mandatory phase from January 1, 2026, increasing relabeling and clearance risk for non-conforming packs. Vietnam’s trade portal lists HS 04059030 (ghee) with MFN duty and VAT entries that influence landed cost for importers.
Market RoleImport-dependent niche consumer market
Domestic RolePrimarily an imported specialty cooking fat; no significant domestic ghee production footprint was identified in reviewed public sources.
Market GrowthNot Mentioned
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighNon-compliance with Vietnam’s food-safety regime (including product self-declaration/inspection dossiers under Decree 15/2018/ND-CP and technical requirements for dairy fat products under QCVN 5-4:2010/BYT) can block customs clearance, trigger enforced corrective actions, and create administrative penalty exposure.Use an experienced Vietnam importer-of-record; run a pre-shipment compliance checklist against Decree 15 procedures and QCVN 5-4 scope; align product dossier, label, and supporting certificates before booking shipment.
Labeling MediumFrom January 1, 2026, Vietnam’s Circular 29/2023/TT-BYT prohibits importing and using non-conforming nutrition-facts labels for foods covered by its scope, creating relabeling, delay, or recall risk for legacy packaging.Update label artwork to Circular 29/2023 requirements (nutrients, units, per-100g/100ml basis as applicable) and validate Vietnamese-language label panels before printing.
Documentation Gap MediumState inspection of imported foods can require specific forms and supporting documents (e.g., product self-declaration and inspection registration dossier); missing or inconsistent paperwork can delay the issuance of a satisfactory inspection notice needed for clearance.Prepare the inspection dossier early (including packing list and required certificates where applicable) and ensure product/HS description consistency across invoice, packing list, label, and declaration.
Tariff Classification MediumIncorrect HS classification between ghee (HS 04059030) and other dairy fat products can change duty/VAT treatment and trigger customs queries or post-clearance adjustments.Confirm HS code with the Vietnam customs broker/importer and align product description (ghee/butter oil/anhydrous milkfat) with Vietnam’s tariff and dairy-fat technical regulation terminology.
Standards- GMP
- HACCP
- ISO 22000
- IFS
- BRC
- FSSC 22000
FAQ
What HS code is commonly used for ghee imports into Vietnam, and what taxes are shown on Vietnam’s trade portal?Vietnam’s trade portal lists ghee under HS 04059030. On that listing, the MFN customs duty is shown as 15% (effective from 01-09-2016) and VAT is shown as 10% (effective from 01-01-2012); preferential rates may apply by origin and proof of origin.
Which Vietnam technical regulation is most directly relevant to ghee/butter oil as a dairy fat product?Vietnam’s National Technical Regulation QCVN 5-4:2010/BYT covers dairy fat products, including butter and butter oil/anhydrous milkfat, and sets food-safety criteria and management requirements for importers, producers, and sellers in Vietnam.
What is the most important labeling change importers should account for when selling ghee in Vietnam now?Vietnam’s Circular 29/2023/TT-BYT sets mandatory nutrition-facts labeling requirements and an implementation roadmap. From January 1, 2026, organizations and individuals must not import and use labels that are not conformable with this Circular for foods within its scope.