IMPORT PROCEDURE GUIDE FOR PLANT-BASED FOODS
Plant-based food shipments often face delays due to wrong HS classification, missing phytosanitary documents, unclear food safety dossiers, incomplete Vietnamese labeling or invalid C/O for preferential duty. This guide provides an end-to-end review map before ETA: HS, duties, C/O, plant quarantine, food safety, dossier, timeline, customs workflow and post-clearance obligations.
Operational reference for importers, procurement, legal, compliance, operations and logistics documentation teams. This is not an official legal translation.
TERMS AND WHY THIS PROCEDURE MATTERS
Plant-based foods include foods, food ingredients and processed products mainly derived from plants, fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains, tea, coffee, herbs, spices or plant-origin materials. The compliance review must cover food safety, plant quarantine, labeling, HS classification, C/O and post-clearance distribution conditions.
Review product declaration/self-declaration, state inspection of imported foods and documents required before circulation.
Applies to regulated plant articles, especially fresh fruits, vegetables, seeds, grains, herbs and raw plant materials.
For many conventional food products, the importer self-declares and keeps the dossier under Decree 15/2018/ND-CP.
Certificate of Origin used to claim FTA preferential duty if the form, origin criteria and direct consignment rule are satisfied.
Control point: review before ETA: HS, food safety dossier, plant quarantine, original/supplementary label, C/O, ingredient list, intended use and shipment purpose.
DETAILED PRODUCT CLASSIFICATION AND IDENTIFICATION
This article applies to plant-based foods under F&B – Food & Beverage, including fresh, dried, frozen, raw plant ingredients and processed plant-origin foods. It does not automatically apply to health supplements, food additives, alcoholic beverages, animal-origin foods or plant seeds used for cultivation.
Review the actual catalogue, specification, label, ingredient list, packaging, intended use and import documents. Fresh goods, dried goods, powder, extract, heat-treated products and products with health-related claims may trigger different controls.
DETAILED PRODUCT CLASSIFICATION TABLE
| Product group/situation | Technical signs to check | Example/use | Evidence document | Possible policy | Documents to compare | Application note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh fruits and vegetables | Fresh or not deeply processed; origin; pest risk | Apples, grapes, oranges, potatoes, onions | Phytosanitary certificate, invoice, packing list, label, photos | Plant quarantine; food safety inspection; supplementary label | B/L/AWB, C/O, phytosanitary certificate, food safety documents | Check permitted origin and current quarantine list. |
| Nuts, grains and raw materials | Food use vs seed use; moisture; post-harvest treatment | Chia seed, cashew, soybean, wheat, corn | COA, phytosanitary certificate, specification | Plant quarantine; food safety; possible specialized control by HS | COA, C/O, phytosanitary certificate, contract | Do not confuse edible seed with seeds for cultivation. |
| Tea, coffee, herbs and dried spices | Leaf/bean/powder form; roasting/drying; food use | Tea, coffee beans, pepper, cinnamon, star anise | Specification, COA, label, ingredient list | Food safety; labeling; quarantine if regulated | COA, original label, C/O, ingredient list | Health claims may move the product toward health supplement review. |
| Powder, starch and plant premixes | Powder form; compound ingredients; additives | Wheat flour, rice flour, tapioca starch, matcha powder | Ingredient list, specification, production flow | Food safety; self-declaration; labeling; additive review if any | Ingredients, additive level, original label, COA | Separate food ingredient from food additive or additive premix. |
| Processed plant foods | Heat-treated, canned, dried, ready-packed or mixed | Canned vegetables, jams, plant snacks, plant-based sauces | Label, ingredient list, production method, shelf-life | Food safety; self-declaration; supplementary label; import inspection | Invoice, PL, label, ingredient list, C/O | Mixed products need review of additives, preservatives and claims. |
Warning: generic names such as “plant food”, “powder”, “herbal product” or “dried fruit” may lead to wrong HS, wrong food safety/quarantine route and rejected C/O benefit.
HS CODE – DUTIES – C/O
The HS code for plant-origin food must be determined by the commercial/scientific name, processing level, ingredient composition, preservation form, packing format, intended use and the actual import dossier. The importer should avoid generic descriptions such as “plant-based food” or “food ingredient”; the goods should be separated into fresh, dried, powdered, processed or blended products.
Control principle: the table below is a practical HS screening framework before ETA. The final duty treatment must be confirmed by the 8-digit HS code, the effective preferential import tariff schedule and any amendments in force on the customs declaration date. If a valid C/O is available, the applicable special preferential tariff under each FTA must be checked separately.
PROPOSED HS CODE – DUTIES – C/O TABLE
This HS–duty–C/O table contains multiple operational columns; on narrow article layouts, scroll horizontally inside the table to view all HS, duty and dossier fields.
| Reference HS code | Suitable goods group | Classification basis | Application conditions | Ordinary import duty | MFN preferential duty | VAT | Dossier to cross-check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0709.99.90 | Other fresh/chilled edible vegetables. | Chapter 07; by vegetable type and condition. | Not for mixed or deeply processed products. | Check against 0709.99.90 on declaration date. | Verify MFN under final HS. | Check non-VAT/5%/10%. | Invoice, PL, C/O, phytosanitary, labels/cartons. |
| 0813.40.90 | Other dried fruit, not deeply mixed. | Chapter 08; distinguish dried fruit and fruit/nut mixes. | Not for sugar-added/additive products under Ch. 20/21. | Check 0813.40.90 or specific fruit code. | MFN differs by fruit/nut line. | Check 5%/10%. | C/O, ingredients, drying process, original label. |
| 0902.30.90 | Black/fermented tea in suitable packing. | Chapter 09; by tea type and processing. | Not for ready-to-drink or health-claim products. | Apply where the goods remain tea in substance. | Verify MFN line of the specific tea code. | Check 5%/10%. | COA, label, ingredient list, C/O. |
| 0910.99.90 | Other vegetable spices/herbs. | Chapter 09; by ingredient and ground/powder form. | Not for sauces or Ch. 21 preparations. Confirm ingredient name and mixing ratio. | Check current tariff by final HS. | Verify MFN by final HS. | Check 5%/10%. | Specification, COA, ingredients, C/O, label. |
| 1106.30.00 | Flour/powder of relevant fruits/nuts/vegetables. | Chapter 11; by material and powder form. | Not for additive premixes or formulated products. For single-ingredient plant powder. | Check under 1106.30.00. | Verify current MFN. | Check 5%/10%. | Ingredient list, process flow, COA, C/O. |
| 2008.99.90 | Prepared vegetables/fruits/nuts, packed for use. | Chapter 20; by processing, preservation, packing. | Not for fresh/dried unprocessed goods. Need ingredients, process and heat treatment. | Check 2008.99.90 or detailed line. | MFN depends on product. | Usually check 10%. | Label, declaration dossier, process, C/O. |
| 2106.90.99 | Other food preparations of plant origin. | Chapter 21; for formulated preparations. | Not for single raw material classifiable elsewhere. Review claims, additives, function, ingredients. | Check under 2106.90.99. | MFN differs from raw material groups. | Usually check 10%. | Formula, ingredients, declaration, label, C/O. |
| 1211.90.99 | Plants/parts for flavouring, food or herbal use. | Chapter 12; by use and form. | Not for medicinal or health supplement claims. Confirm food/tea/spice/extract use. | Check under 1211.90.99. | Verify MFN by actual dossier. | Check 5%/10%. | Scientific name, COA, label, quarantine, C/O. |
Duty note: for this broad group, MFN duty, ordinary duty and VAT may change by tariff line and by amendment date. For landed-cost control, prepare a separate tax worksheet by 8-digit HS code – origin – C/O form – CIF value – food-safety/quarantine status.
SPECIAL PREFERENTIAL C/O/FTA TABLE BY IMPORT ROUTE
| Route/origin | FTA/agreement | C/O form or origin proof | Special preferential duty if supportable | Conditions | Dossier to cross-check | Application note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASEAN | ATIGA | Form D | Many food tariff lines may be reduced to 0% if origin criteria are met. | WO/RVC/CTH/CTSH under PSR; direct transport. | C/O, B/L, invoice, packing list, HS, goods description, origin country. | Check HS and description consistency, especially for blended goods. |
| China | ACFTA or RCEP | Form E or RCEP C/O | May be lower than MFN; many lines may reach 0%, subject to HS check. | Valid origin criteria and documents. | C/O, third-party invoice if any, B/L, origin criterion, goods description. | Form E requires close review of description, HS, third-party invoice and direct transport. |
| Korea | AKFTA/VKFTA/RCEP | Form AK, VK or RCEP C/O | Special preferential rate depends on HS; may be materially lower than MFN. | Origin criteria and transport requirements must be met. | C/O, invoice, packing list, production/processing details, ingredients. | For processed goods, review RVC/CTH when materials are not wholly obtained in Korea. |
| Japan | VJEPA/AJCEP/CPTPP/RCEP | Form VJ/AJ, CPTPP origin document where eligible, or RCEP | Compare multiple tariff schedules to use the lowest eligible rate. | PSR, origin document and transport conditions. | C/O/origin proof, invoice, production statement if needed. | One HS may have several FTA options; choose according to actual dossier. |
| EU | EVFTA | EUR.1 or origin statement under EVFTA conditions | Many processed food lines have a reduction schedule; check the relevant year. | EVFTA origin rule and compliant origin proof. | EUR.1/statement on origin, invoice, transport documents, ingredient list. | Review ingredient origin and direct consignment for processed goods. |
| UK | UKVFTA | EUR.1 or origin statement under UKVFTA | Preferential rate applies if the UKVFTA conditions are met. | Origin rule, origin proof and transport conditions. | C/O/origin proof, invoice, packing list, B/L. | Do not use EVFTA evidence for the UK route if not compliant. |
| Australia/New Zealand | AANZFTA or CPTPP/RCEP | Form AANZ or origin proof under CPTPP/RCEP | Compare AANZFTA, CPTPP and RCEP for the actual HS. | PSR and documentary rules of the selected agreement. | C/O, invoice, transport documents, production information. | Pay attention to nuts, cereals, dried fruits and processed plant foods. |
| India | AIFTA | Form AI | Preferential rate may apply if the HS is covered. | AIFTA origin rule and direct transport. | Form AI, invoice, packing list, B/L, goods description. | Spices, herbs, seeds and plant powders often require careful review. |
| Hong Kong | AHKFTA | Form AHK | Only when AHKFTA requirements are fully met. | Valid origin rule and origin document. | Form AHK, invoice, B/L, transit documents if any. | Distinguish Hong Kong origin from mere transshipment via Hong Kong. |
C/O pre-declaration checklist: correct C/O form; origin criterion WO/RVC/CTH/CTSH; third-party invoice; direct transport; goods description; HS; quantity; weight; origin country; stamp/signature; issue date and validity.
DOCUMENT SET AND FILING METHOD
Documents should be split into commercial documents, technical/specialized documents and documents submitted to the competent authority. For plant-based foods, preparation should be made before ETA to avoid quarantine, food safety and labeling delays.
OPERATIONAL DOCUMENT CHECKLIST
| Document group | Required documents | Used for | Prepared by | Common error | Pre-ETA check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial documents | Commercial Invoice, Packing List, B/L or AWB, Sales Contract/PO | Customs declaration, value and quantity review | Exporter, procurement, docs, forwarder | Wrong name, unit, package or weight | Compare invoice, PL, B/L and contract line by line. |
| Origin documents | Preferential C/O or origin proof | FTA duty claim | Exporter, docs team, importer | Wrong form, origin criterion, description or HS | Check form, HS, description, invoice, issue date and transport route. |
| Food safety dossier | Self-declaration/registration if required, test report, ingredient list, original label | Food safety import inspection and market circulation | Importer, regulatory, QA, manufacturer | Missing ingredients, test criteria or excessive claims | Review Decree 15/2018/ND-CP and product group. |
| Plant quarantine dossier | Phytosanitary certificate, quarantine registration, photos, shipment list | Quarantine at border or as guided | Exporter, importer, quarantine agent | No original certificate or wrong description | Check regulated article list, origin, goods form and packaging. |
| Labeling dossier | Original label, Vietnamese supplementary label, ingredients, MFG/EXP, storage/use instruction | Market circulation and inspection | Importer, regulatory, marketing | Missing Vietnamese content or wrong units | Review Decree 43/2017 and 111/2021 before distribution. |
| Technical/quality documents | COA, specification, test report, production flow if any | HS/food safety/quality explanation | Manufacturer, QA, importer | COA does not match batch or is incomplete | Compare lot/batch, product name, parameters and issuer. |
100% consistency rule: product name, quantity, specification, batch/lot, origin, ingredients and weight must match across invoice, PL, B/L/AWB, C/O, label, food safety dossier, quarantine documents and customs declaration.
LEGAL BASIS – SPECIALIZED POLICY MATRIX
The following legal basis is an operational checklist for plant-based food imports. Enterprises should re-check validity and detailed applicability according to final HS code, product ingredients, processing status, country of origin and import purpose.
LEGAL BASIS TABLE TO REVIEW
| Document group | Name/number of legal document | Issuing authority | Effective date / application time if identified | Role in the procedure | Key article/clause/appendix to review | Review note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Law | Law on Food Safety 55/2010/QH12 | National Assembly | Effective from 01/07/2011 | Framework law on food safety conditions, production, trading and import of food | Provisions on imported food, food safety conditions, traceability and recall | Review according to the specific product group and use. |
| Law / plant quarantine | Law on Plant Protection and Quarantine 41/2013/QH13 | National Assembly | Effective from 01/01/2015 | Framework for plant quarantine applied to import, export and transit plant-related goods | Rules on plant quarantine objects and plant quarantine procedures | Important for fresh goods, seeds, grains, herbs and plant materials. |
| Decree | Decree 15/2018/NĐ-CP | Government | Issued and effective on 02/02/2018 | Details the Food Safety Law, including self-declaration, product registration and state inspection of imported food | Chapters on product declaration and state inspection for imported food | Core legal document for imported F&B products. |
| Circular | Circular 01/2024/TT-BNNPTNT | Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development | Effective from 20/03/2024 | HS code table and specialized inspection list under MARD management | Appendices on HS codes and specialized inspection scope | Review final HS code; do not rely solely on commercial name. |
| Plant quarantine circular | Circular 14/2024/TT-BNNPTNT | Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development | Effective from 15/12/2024 | List of regulated articles subject to plant quarantine and items requiring pest risk analysis before import | Regulated article list and PRA list | Replaces/updates prior quarantine list logic; review current list before shipment. |
| Procedure circular | Circular 33/2014/TT-BNNPTNT | Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development | Effective from 01/01/2015 | Procedures for import, export, transit and post-import plant quarantine | Application dossier, inspection, sampling and result handling | Review amendments and current operational guidance if any. |
| Goods labeling | Decree 43/2017/NĐ-CP and Decree 111/2021/NĐ-CP | Government | Decree 43 effective 01/06/2017; Decree 111 effective 15/02/2022 | Rules on goods labels and Vietnamese supplementary labels for imported goods | Mandatory label contents, origin, importer information, use/storage instructions | Apply before goods are circulated on the Vietnamese market. |
| Foreign trade management | Decree 69/2018/NĐ-CP | Government | Issued on 15/05/2018 | General framework for import/export management, prohibited/restricted/conditional goods | Appendices on goods requiring permits/conditions if relevant | Do not conclude permit status without reviewing final HS and product dossier. |
| Tariff and VAT | Current import tariff, preferential tariff schedules and VAT policy | Government / Ministry of Finance | According to applicable year | Determine ordinary duty, MFN duty, VAT and special preferential duty under FTAs | Final HS code, C/O form and origin rule | Apply the schedules effective at customs declaration time. |
Original legal documents to view/download
Application note: before applying, enterprises should compare the official text, amendments and instructions of the competent authority according to the actual product group.
SPECIALIZED POLICY MATRIX BY GOODS SITUATION
| Goods situation | Legal basis / document to review | Possible policy to apply | Authority / portal if identified | Policy trigger condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard processed plant-based food | Food Safety Law; Decree 15/2018/NĐ-CP; labeling regulations | Food safety dossier, self-declaration/product registration if applicable, supplementary label | Food safety competent authority; customs system; business dossier archive | Product is used as food and circulated in Vietnam. |
| Fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, seeds and plant materials | Law on Plant Protection and Quarantine; Circular 14/2024/TT-BNNPTNT; Circular 33/2014/TT-BNNPTNT | Plant quarantine registration, inspection, sampling/result handling | Plant quarantine authority / relevant one-stop or specialized system if available | Goods are regulated articles or require pest risk analysis. |
| Deeply processed plant food | Decree 15/2018/NĐ-CP; tariff; labeling regulations | Food safety dossier, self-declaration, labeling; quarantine may be reduced depending on processing | Food safety authority / customs | Processing level changes quarantine and HS classification. |
| Products with health-related claims | Food safety regulations on special foods; product label and ingredient dossier | May move to health supplement/special food procedure | Competent food safety authority | Label, ingredients or marketing claims indicate special health function. |
| Goods imported as samples, testing lots, project goods | Customs law, food safety and quarantine regulations | Policy depends on use, quantity and whether goods are circulated/consumed | Customs and specialized authorities | Samples are not automatically exempt; actual use must be documented. |
| Goods imported for EPE/FDI/factory use | Customs regime, food safety/quarantine and warehouse-use purpose | May require separate review of customs regime, use purpose and internal traceability | Customs authority; specialized authority if applicable | Import purpose, consumption/circulation and processing location differ from trading imports. |
PROCESSING TIME, FEES AND COST RISKS
Processing time depends on dossier completeness, inspection results, quarantine status, food safety inspection method and whether the enterprise has prepared documents before ETA. F&B shipments should not be assumed ready for immediate release if quarantine, food safety or labeling documents have not been locked.
PROCESSING TIMELINE, FEES AND COST RISK TABLE
| Processing step | Recommended preparation time | Time/fee reference | Cost risk if delayed | Control point |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Review HS, policy, C/O, quarantine and food safety | Before booking or at least before ETA | No fixed duration; depends on supplier data and product complexity | Wrong HS, wrong policy path, loss of C/O preference | Lock expected HS, quarantine scope, food safety inspection and original label. |
| Prepare phytosanitary certificate from export country | Before cargo leaves export port/airport | According to export-country quarantine authority | Missing or unsuitable certificate may lead to hold, treatment, re-export or destruction depending on case | Check goods description, botanical/scientific name if any, origin, quantity, container/seal. |
| Register quarantine / specialized inspection in Vietnam | Before or immediately upon arrival depending on process | According to competent authority and current fee rules | Storage, DEM/DET and longer clearance time | Prepare electronic/paper dossier, original certificate and draft declaration. |
| Document review and/or sampling/testing | After registration according to authority arrangement | Depends on authority, testing indicators and laboratory if any | Container/storage/testing/open-container costs may arise | Follow inspection schedule, sampling, test indicators and result release. |
| Post-clearance / market circulation completion | After clearance and before sale | Depends on label, declaration and dossier completion | Market inspection, recall or sanction risk if label/dossier is wrong | Archive shipment dossier, supplementary label, declaration and test records. |
Cost note: state fees, testing fees, quarantine fees and logistics costs must be reviewed according to the actual authority, laboratory, port and shipment status. This article identifies possible cost points for budgeting before ETA.
PRACTICAL E2E PROCESS
PRACTICAL E2E PROCESS TABLE
| Step | Action | Risk control point | When to do before ETA |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Pre-ETA review | Confirm product group, proposed HS code, duties, C/O, food-safety requirements, plant quarantine, labels and import purpose. | Do not wait until cargo arrival to discover quarantine/food-safety requirements or an ineligible C/O. | From quotation and purchase negotiation stage. |
| 2. Lock documents and technical data | Match Invoice, Packing List, B/L/AWB, C/O, original label, COA, specification and phytosanitary certificate if applicable. | Mismatch in goods name, lot, weight or origin may trigger document queries. | Before final document issuance and before ETA. |
| 3. Identify specialized procedures | Separate food-safety inspection, plant quarantine, supplementary labeling, product declaration and any special requirements. | Do not treat all plant-origin food as one uniform procedure. | Before ETA, so registration/certificates can be prepared in time. |
| 4. Submit/register dossiers if required | Register plant quarantine, food-safety inspection or specialized dossiers through the relevant portal/authority guidance. | Missing original certificate, ingredient data, test report or label may delay processing. | Before or immediately upon arrival, depending on the applicable workflow. |
| 5. Open customs declaration | Declare HS, customs value, duties, C/O, goods description and attached specialized documents. Green channel: system-based clearance subject to conditions; Yellow channel: document check; Red channel: document and physical inspection. | Common questions concern HS, C/O, ingredients, quarantine, label and customs value. | When commercial documents are locked and specialized dossiers are ready. |
| 6. Handle inspection and cargo release | Coordinate physical inspection, sampling/quarantine, additional submissions if requested, and cargo release to warehouse when conditions are met. | Delayed inspection schedule, repeated container opening and storage/DEM/DET exposure. | Immediately after receiving requirements from the competent authority. |
| 7. Complete post-clearance obligations | Apply Vietnamese supplementary labels, retain self-declaration/food-safety dossiers, quarantine/test results, and prepare for post-clearance or market inspection. | Goods are cleared but not ready for market circulation because label/dossier obligations remain incomplete. | Before distribution in the Vietnamese market. |
FAQ – COMMON QUESTIONS
1. Are all plant-based foods subject to plant quarantine?
No. Fresh goods, seeds, grains, herbs and not deeply processed plant materials should be reviewed against the current regulated article list.
2. Are deeply processed plant foods still subject to quarantine?
Not always, but do not conclude without checking ingredients, processing method, HS, packaging and import purpose.
3. Is product self-declaration required?
Many conventional food products require self-declaration before circulation. Special foods may require product registration.
4. Can goods be cleared without a phytosanitary certificate?
If the goods are subject to plant quarantine, missing or unsuitable phytosanitary documents create a major clearance risk.
5. Is HS classification straightforward?
No. It depends on type, state, processing level, ingredients, use and supporting documents.
6. Can C/O reduce import duty?
Yes, if the C/O is valid, the HS is covered and origin rules/direct consignment requirements are satisfied.
7. When is Vietnamese supplementary labeling required?
Imported goods circulated in Vietnam must meet labeling rules before market distribution.
8. Are samples exempt from specialized inspection?
Not automatically. The purpose, quantity, product nature and import documents must be reviewed.
9. Can the procedure be handled only after arrival?
Some steps may be done on arrival, but pre-ETA review is safer for F&B shipments.
OUTPUTS AND POST-CLEARANCE OBLIGATIONS
The output of a plant-based food import shipment is not limited to customs clearance. Enterprises should identify the complete post-clearance document set and obligations to reduce market inspection and post-clearance audit risks.
OUTPUTS AND POST-CLEARANCE OBLIGATIONS TABLE
| Output group | Possible document/result | Purpose | Post-result obligation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Customs | Cleared customs declaration, tax payment documents, HS/valuation/C/O dossier | Evidence that customs procedure has been completed | Archive shipment dossier and be ready to explain HS, C/O and customs value. |
| Food safety | Self-declaration/product registration if applicable, test report, imported food safety inspection result | Basis for market circulation and food safety compliance | Maintain dossier, control label, quality, shelf-life and ingredients. |
| Plant quarantine | Quarantine certificate/result, sampling record or treatment notice if any | Condition for handling goods subject to plant quarantine | Archive certificates and comply with treatment measures required by quarantine authority. |
| Goods labeling | Vietnamese supplementary label, original label and label artwork dossier | Market circulation, sale and distribution | Do not circulate goods until mandatory label contents are complete and consistent. |
| Internal traceability | Shipment dossier including invoice, PL, B/L/AWB, C/O, COA, specification, label and test records | Traceability for claims, recall, post-clearance audit or market inspection | Archive by lot/batch and connect to warehouse/distribution records. |
TGIMEX SOLUTIONS
For plant-origin food, operational value is not merely “opening the customs declaration”; it lies in locking risks before ETA: confirming HS, identifying quarantine/food-safety requirements, controlling C/O, Vietnamese supplementary labels, sampling schedule and cargo delivery plan. If these steps are not reviewed before shipment, the cargo may face storage, DEM/DET, dossier supplementation or distribution delays.
TGIMEX SOLUTIONS FOR PLANT-ORIGIN FOOD IMPORTS
The support scope follows an E2E control chain: supplier document review, specialized-policy positioning, customs dossier preparation, post-clearance obligations and lot-based record retention.
| Support area | What TGIMEX reviews/performs | Mandatory control point | Operational value |
|---|---|---|---|
| HS – duty – C/O review before ETA | Cross-check goods description, ingredients, processing level, proposed HS, origin, C/O form and tariff schedule. | 8-digit HS, MFN, ordinary duty, VAT, FTA preference, origin criterion. | Reduces HS misclassification, loss of C/O preference and landed-cost errors. |
| Food safety and plant quarantine review | Classify fresh/dried/processed goods; identify plant quarantine, food-safety inspection, self-declaration or registration requirement. | Phytosanitary certificate, COA, test report, declaration dossier, original label. | Controls inspection/sampling timeline before the cargo arrives. |
| Supplier document lock | Review Invoice, Packing List, B/L/AWB, C/O, COA, quarantine certificate, ingredient list, specification and original label. | Goods name, quantity, weight, batch/lot, manufacturing date, expiry date, origin and packing specification. | Reduces mismatch among commercial documents, label, C/O and customs declaration. |
| Port – warehouse – sampling coordination | Monitor ETA, arrival notice, inspection/sampling plan, container opening and warehouse preservation plan. | ETA, free time, DEM/DET, storage condition, specialized inspection schedule. | Reduces storage/container costs and limits quality deterioration risks. |
| Supplementary label and market circulation review | Check Vietnamese label content, ingredient declaration, net quantity, storage/use instructions, warning if any and responsible party. | Decree 43/2017/ND-CP, Decree 111/2021/ND-CP, self-declaration/test records. | Helps ensure the goods are ready for circulation after customs clearance. |
| Post-clearance record retention | Build a lot-based traceability file including commercial documents, food-safety/quarantine dossiers, C/O, inspection results and label photos. | Lot records, traceability data, specialized results and customs/tax documents. | Supports post-clearance audit, market surveillance and quality complaint handling. |
TGIMEX prioritizes pre-shipment review rather than waiting until the cargo arrives to check C/O, food-safety, quarantine and labeling issues.
A consistent dossier linking commercial documents, specialized documents, customs declaration and post-import market circulation records.
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