PROCEDURES FOR AQUATIC PRODUCT QUARANTINE FOR IMPORTS – WHAT BUSINESSES SHOULD KNOW BEFORE CARGO ARRIVES

Aquatic product quarantine is a mandatory procedure for most seafood products imported into Vietnam. Failure to register or registering incorrectly may cause shipments to be held at the port, delayed in customs clearance, and incur significant additional costs.

The article below helps businesses understand the applicable subjects, required documents, procedures, and important notes.

I. AUTHORITY RESPONSIBLE FOR AQUATIC PRODUCT QUARANTINE

• Department of Animal Health – Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

• Receiving and processing unit: Regional Animal Health Sub-Departments at ports/airports/border gates

• Registration is conducted via the Vietnam National Single Window (NSW) system.

II. PRODUCTS SUBJECT TO IMPORT QUARANTINE

Businesses must register for quarantine when importing:

• Live aquatic animals

• Fresh, chilled, or frozen seafood

• Unprocessed or minimally processed aquatic products

• Aquatic products used as food or raw materials for food production

📌 This requirement applies regardless of whether the goods are for commercial purposes, samples, or testing purposes.

III. DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR AQUATIC PRODUCT QUARANTINE REGISTRATION

1. Quarantine Registration Documents (submitted online via NSW)

• Application for aquatic product import quarantine (electronic form)

• Import permit for aquatic products (if required)

• Invoice

• Packing List

• Bill of Lading / Airway Bill

• Health Certificate (HC) issued by the competent authority of the exporting country

2. Documents to Present During Inspection

• Original Health Certificate (HC)

• Import documentation set

• Goods ready for inspection (if physical inspection is required)

IV. PROCEDURE FOR AQUATIC PRODUCT IMPORT QUARANTINE

Step 1: Register quarantine on the National Single Window system

➡️ https://vnsw.gov.vn

Select the procedure:
“Registration for quarantine of imported aquatic animals and aquatic animal products” – Department of Animal Health

Step 2: Veterinary authority reviews the application

• Check the validity of documents

• Risk classification:

  • Document inspection only, or

  • Document inspection + physical inspection of goods

Step 3: Conduct quarantine inspection

Depending on the shipment, the Regional Animal Health Sub-Department may:

• Review documents

• Take samples for laboratory testing

• Conduct sensory inspection, packaging checks, and storage condition inspection

Step 4: Receive quarantine results

• If compliant:
  ➝ Quarantine Approval Notice will be issued

• If non-compliant:
  ➝ Shipment must be handled according to regulations (re-export, destruction, or technical treatment)

Step 5: Customs clearance

• Use the quarantine result to complete customs clearance procedures.

V. PROCESSING TIME

• Document review: 1 – 3 working days

• If laboratory testing is required: processing time may be longer depending on the type of aquatic product.

VI. COMMON MISTAKES MADE BY BUSINESSES

❌ Health Certificate not in the correct format or containing incorrect information
❌ Scientific name not matching the import permit
❌ Foreign manufacturing facility not approved by the Department of Animal Health
❌ Late quarantine registration after the shipment has already arrived at port

➡️ Consequences: cargo delays, storage and container detention charges, and disruption of business plans.

VII. IMPORTANT NOTES WHEN IMPORTING AQUATIC PRODUCTS

• Register quarantine before the shipment arrives at port

• Carefully verify the Health Certificate issued by the exporting country

• Ensure consistent information across Invoice – Packing List – HC – Import Permit

Contact Information

SONGWIN INTERNATIONAL LOGISTICS VIETNAM CO., LTD

Address: 344 Nguyen Trong Tuyen Street, Tan Son Hoa Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Hotline: 083.681.3969 – 0373.262.105
Email: Sales2@songwinlog.com

Songwin International Logistics – Your trusted partner for import and export procedures.