On June 11, 2024, Vietnam’s Ministry of Health (MOH) issued Circular 09/2024/TT-BYT, updating the Harmonized System (HS) codes for imported and exported drugs, medicinal ingredients and cosmetics, aiming to supersede the previous Circular 06/2018/TT-BYT.

The application principles of Circular 09/2024/TT-BYT are:

i. In case of differences or inconsistencies in the classification and determination of HS codes for goods in the Lists issued with this Circular, the determination of HS codes shall be implemented in accordance with the Law on Customs.

ii. Goods not listed in this Circular shall have their codes determined per the Law on Customs. Following customs clearance, organizations and individuals involved in import and export shall provide relevant documents to the Ministry of Health.

Circular 09/2024/TT-BYT will come into force on July 26, 2024, with List 14 involving changes to the cosmetic HS codes.