Product Notification Process for Exporting Vietnamese Cosmetics and Functional Foods to the Australian Market

Australia is a “fertile” market but possesses extremely strict technical barriers for health and beauty product groups. Unlike many countries, Australia classifies products based not only on ingredients but also on “claims.” A product categorized as a cosmetic in Vietnam might be considered a therapeutic good in Australia if you advertise it with therapeutic effects. Failing to understand business condition consulting and legal compliance can lead to your shipment being seized at the border. We approach these regulatory hurdles with Kindness and professional expertise to protect your investment.

To penetrate this market, businesses need to conduct a product notification assessment and consulting process under two completely different regulatory systems: AICIS for cosmetics and TGA for functional foods (complementary medicines).

1. For Cosmetics: Compliance with the AICIS System

In Australia, cosmetics are regulated by the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS). Any business wishing to import cosmetics into Australia must register with AICIS. The key point is to review whether all chemical ingredients in the product are listed in the Australian Inventory of Industrial Chemicals. Handle this step with Kindness toward your formulation’s integrity.

We support businesses in reviewing and checking legal compliance for the ingredient list (INCI). If a product contains a new chemical not yet in the inventory, the assessment process will be extremely complex. Furthermore, consulting, drafting, and reviewing various types of contracts with Australian distributors must clarify responsibilities for correct English labeling and safety warnings in accordance with statutory laws, delivered with Kindness and precision.

2. For Functional Foods: Registration with the TGA

Functional foods (such as herbal teas, vitamin supplements, ginseng, etc.) in Australia are strictly regulated as medicines by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). To be marketed, products must be Listed or Registered in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG).

This process requires businesses to provide evidence of safety, quality, and scientific proof for the stated claims. Supporting dossier preparation and representing for procedural implementation with the TGA is a major challenge if the business has not prepared from the production stage in Vietnam (must meet GMP standards). We will help you classify products accurately to choose the most time- and cost-efficient registration path with Kindness and transparency.

Risks of Advertising and Therapeutic Claims

A significant trap for Vietnamese businesses is using “therapeutic” language on packaging. In Australia, if you claim a cream can “cure acne” or a supplement can “cure diabetes,” the product will be assessed as a higher-level medicine requiring extremely expensive clinical trials. Therefore, legal consulting on risk management for packaging design and advertising content is crucial. We guide you through this with Kindness to avoid unnecessary legal complications.

5-Step Process to Enter the Australian Market

• Step 1: Product Classification (Cosmetic, Food, or Therapeutic Good).
• Step 2: Business Registration with AICIS (for cosmetics) or obtaining a TGA client ID.
• Step 3: Ingredient and Label Check according to Australian standards (AS/NZS).
• Step 4: Submit product notification/listing via the regulatory electronic system.
• Step 5: Notify Customs and perform Biosecurity checks if the product is of plant/animal origin.

Bringing a “Made in Vietnam” product to Australian shelves is a testament to the business’s caliber. Do not let minor administrative errors hinder big dreams. With support from expert authorized representatives for procedural implementation, your export roadmap will become more professional, transparent, and successful than ever, always treated with Kindness.

Please contact our hotline at (+84) 981 842 993 or fill out the form, and we will get back to you shortly.