Procedure for Import of Food

You should follow this procedure if you are intending to import any food products. Food products are products of animal or vegetable origin that have been processed or packaged. If you are importing livestock or fresh or frozen fish please refer to the relevant procedures for these products. Click here to view these procedures.

Note 1

A trader wishing to import food products must present various documents to the Department of Food of the Ministry of Health in order to obtain an Import Permit. The trader must use the prescribed form. Click here to view a sample.

Note 2

Click here to view an application form.

Note 3

The application must be accompanied by a number of supporting documents that will enable the Ministry of Health to assess the product. These documents may include an Analysis Certificate or other certificates. These certificates are usually listed on the application form but, if in doubt, you should seek guidance from the relevant department of the Ministry of Health.

Note 4

The Ministry of Health will issue the Import Permit. This document must be presented to Customs and to the Ministry of Health Inspector at the border when importing the goods.

Note 5

The trader may now proceed with the normal Import procedure (click here to view).

Note 6

When the goods arrive at the border the trader must present himself to the Ministry of Health Officer who will check the documents and will carry out a physical inspection of the products to allow the consignment to be cleared.

Forms

Showing 1 to 2 of 2 entries

#	Title	Description	Issued By	File
1	Request for Food Import Permit	Request for Food Import Permit	Ministry of Health	PDF
2	Import Permit (Food)	Import Permit (Food)	Ministry of Health	PDF

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Measures

Showing 1 to 10 of 29 entries

#	Name	Description	Measure Type	Agency	Comments	Legal Document	Validity To	Measure Class
1	Requirement to obtain an import permit - Food	For all food it is necessary to obtain an import permit for every importation from the Department of Food of the Ministry of Health.	Permit Requirement	Ministry of Health	To ensure the quality and safety of product to consumer.	Decision on the Control on Production, Exportation-Importation of Food, No. 856/MoH, date 12 May 2006	9999-12-31	Good
2	Certificate requirement from exporting country for imported food	the import of food, importers must obtain a certificate issued by the exporting such as a Free Sale Certificate, GHP, GMP, HACCP, ISO 22000 or other certificates for a consideration of approval by the department of food and drug, ministry of health or the provincial/capital department of food and drug.	SPS	Ministry of Health	To ensure the quality and safety of products for consumers	Decision on Food Inspection No. 297/MOH	9999-12-31	Good
3	Composition of Ingredients in Iodized Salt	Imported iodized salt must contain prescribed quantities of certain substances and conform to various minimum quality standards.	SPS	Ministry of Health	To ensure the safety of product to consumer in order to eradicate iodine deficiency disorder.	Provision On Iodized Salt standard No. 102/MOH	9999-12-31	Good
4	Packaging requirements for Iodized Salt	Imported iodized salt must be packed into specific types of containers.	SPS	Ministry of Health	To maintain the quality of salt for the safety of consumers.	Provision On Iodized Salt standard No. 102/MOH	9999-12-31	Good
5	Labelling Requirement for Iodized Salt	Imported iodized salt must conform to prescribed labelling requirements.	TBT	Ministry of Health	To provide information of quality and application to customer for the safety of consumers	Provision On Iodized Salt standard No. 102/MOH	9999-12-31	Good
6	Storage Requirements for Iodized Salt	Imported iodized salt should be stored under certain prescribed conditions.	SPS	Ministry of Health	To maintain the quality of salt for the safety of consumer’s health.	Provision On Iodized Salt standard No. 102/MOH	9999-12-31	Good
7	service fees - export certificate of foods and drugs	fees charged on issuing the export certificate of foods and drugs in english is 50,000 kip/time	Duty/Tax Payable	Ministry of Health	For technical management and to support expenditure of state budget	The President of Lao PDR’s Decree on Fee and Service Charge, No. 002/POL, date 17 June 2021	9999-12-31	Good
8	service fee - import license of foods	- fees charged on issuing the import license of foods for company is 50,000 kip/invoice/time. - service fees charged on issuing the import license of foods for retail traders is 20,000 kip/time. - service fees charged on issuing the registration of imported foods (supplementary foods) is 50,000 kip/time	Duty/Tax Payable	Ministry of Health	For technical management and to support expenditure of state budget	The President of Lao PDR’s Decree on Fee and Service Charge, No. 002/POL, date 17 June 2021	9999-12-31	Good
9	service fee - import document scrutiny	- service fees charged on the scrutiny of import documents of foods at the department of food and drug or the provincial department of food and drug is 50,000 kip/invoice/time - service fee charged on the scrutiny of import documents of foods including attaching barcode, 1 barcode equals 1 time at border is 20,000 kip/invoice/time	Duty/Tax Payable	Ministry of Health	For technical management and to support expenditure of state budget	The President of Lao PDR’s Decree on Fee and Service Charge, No. 002/POL, date 17 June 2021	9999-12-06	Good
10	Labelling Requirement for Imported Food	All food imported into Laos must be labelled indicating the correct details and information about the food	TBT	Ministry of Health	For the protection of consumers' health	Law on Food (Amended) No. 33/NA, dated 24 July 2013	9999-12-31	Good

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Step-by-Step Guide

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#	Process name	Process short name	Activity
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