Vietnam's Drug Administration has fined Kotrans Co., Ltd. nearly 150 million VND and ordered the recall of eight cosmetic products, including popular K-beauty brands, for labeling infractions and incomplete product information files. The case signals stricter enforcement of cosmetic regulations in Vietnam, a key market for imported medical aesthetics and skincare products.
Regulatory action
On June 3, the Drug Administration of Vietnam's Ministry of Health issued an administrative penalty against Kotrans Co., Ltd., based in Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City. The company was fined a total of 147.5 million VND (approximately 6,300 USD) for violations committed through its Hanoi branch. The regulator also ordered the recall of eight cosmetic products distributed by the company.
Labeling violations
Kotrans was found guilty of marketing the product VT Reti-a Reedle Shot 700 with incomplete labels. The market value of this product alone exceeded 96.5 million VND. For this violation, the company was fined 22.5 million VND. Additionally, the company sold three cosmetic products with misleading labels that falsely described their nature and composition: Torriden Cellmazing Pore Perfecting ampoule (anti-aging pore-tightening serum), VT Cica Collagen mask (sheet mask), and Unove Deep Damage Repair Sweet Breeze shampoo. The total value of these mislabeled goods exceeded 353 million VND. For this act of deceptive labeling, Kotrans was fined 70 million VND.
Incomplete product information files
The Drug Administration also determined that Kotrans marketed four cosmetic products with incomplete Product Information Files (PIFs): Cosrx The Retinol 0.5 Oil, Skinfood Yuja C Dark Spot Clear Cream, Skinfood Black Cherry Retinol 0.1 Eye Cream, and Paparecipe Collagen Peptide Serum. Having four products simultaneously violate the same regulation was considered an aggravating circumstance, resulting in an additional fine of 55 million VND.
Recall and corrective measures
The regulator ordered Kotrans to recall all eight violating products and bring them into compliance with labeling regulations before they can be re-released to the market. The company must also refund all proceeds from the sale of counterfeit products. Four products with incomplete PIFs were ordered to be recalled and destroyed.
What buyers should watch
This enforcement action highlights Vietnam's tightening regulatory oversight on cosmetic imports and distribution. Importers and distributors should ensure all products have complete Vietnamese-language labels and fully compliant Product Information Files before market entry. Failure to comply can result in significant fines, product recalls, and reputational damage.
Source: Read the original report | Published: June 04, 2026