Importing from Vietnam

This page will provide guidance on how to import seafood products from Vietnam, including navigating the unique regulatory requirements for trade.

General guidance

Requirements for importing from the Vietnamese market include:

Commercial invoice: A commercial invoice must be provided including the Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number, agreed international commerce terms, transaction value, product quantities, and detailed descriptions of the goods.

Packing list: Providing an itemized breakdown of the contents, including weights, dimensions, and packaging details.

Bill of lading, consignment note, or airway bill: Acts as proof of shipment and provides details about the transportation method and consignment.

Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing documentation: Includes a validated catch certificate (CC) to confirm compliance with the illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing regulations. Catch certificates must specify the fishing vessel, species, volume, and fishing zones.

Certificates of origin: These documents establish whether the goods qualify for preferential tariffs under the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement or the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Customs declaration: all information about your shipment and the documentation will be evidenced on your export declaration.

Importer registration and approval

Before importing seafood from Vietnam, UK businesses must be registered as food business operators (FBOs) with their local authority.

Registering is a legal requirement to ensure compliance with UK food safety regulations. Importers should consult the relevant port health authority (PHA) if necessary for further guidance on their import procedure.
The products coming from Vietnam must be from a registered Vietnamese establishment to be authorised to export to the UK. This applies to seafood exports to the UK from all countries. For more information on becoming a registered establishment, view the following guidance regarding establishments approved to export animals and animal products on the Gov.uk website.
Further guidance on the FBO registration process is available on the GOV.UK website.

Health certification requirements

Vietnamese seafood products must be accompanied by the appropriate health certification to demonstrate compliance with UK import regulations.

The responsibility for obtaining these certificates lies with the Vietnamese exporter, but UK importers must ensure all necessary documentation is in place before shipping.
The certificate verifies that the fish products have been produced and processed in accordance with Vietnams regulations and meet the UK’s import standards.
For wild-caught seafood, a catch certificate is often required to satisfy the illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing regulations. However, some seafood products are exempt from requiring a catch certificate such as aquaculture products.
Depending on the type of product, further documentation may be required. Importers should work closely with their Vietnamese counterpart to ensure that all the required documents are complete for dispatch to the UK.
More information about catch certificates can be found on the DAERA-NI.Gov website.

UK border control and inspection

Seafood imports from Vietnam must enter the UK through a designated border control post, where they are inspected to ensure compliance with UK food safety and veterinary regulations.

Importers must submit a Common Health Entry Document through the import of products, animals, food and feed system (IPAFFS) before the shipment arrives, allowing authorities to process and assess the shipment in advance.
Upon arrival, all shipments are subject to documentary checks, which involve verifying key documents such as the export health certificate and, where applicable, a catch certificate. Identity checks ensure that the products correspond with the details recorded in the documentation, including species, quantities, and packaging.
Checks involve direct inspection of the seafood, which may include sampling and laboratory testing for things like contaminants and heavy metals. These physical inspections help confirm that the products meet UK food safety standards.
The level of identity and physical checks varies depending on the assessed risk of the product. While documentary checks are carried out on every shipment, identity and physical checks are applied at rates relevant to the risk category of the product.

Trade agreements with Vietnam

The UK’s trade agreement with Vietnam and its recent membership in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) significantly reduce trade barriers.

The trade agreement already allows preferential tariffs for seafood products meeting the rules of origin.
Importers can choose which trade agreements rules they wish to use when importing from Vietnam. Importers should be aware of the different tariff rates and rules of origin of the different trade agreements before assessing which rules apply best to their shipment.
The CPTPP ensures zero or reduced tariffs on most seafood exports. For more information about the benefits of exporting to CPTPP member countries, visit our blog for seafood traders.

Advice and support from Seafish

Our regulation experts can provide bespoke advice and support to your business. They have been responding to issues raised with us by businesses and individuals throughout the seafood supply chain and are working with government, local authorities and industry groups to find solutions.

For further assistance email regulation@seafish.co.uk.