“Red date”, “Chinese date” and “jujube” are frequently confused with apples or date-palm fruit in HS classification. For dried jujube that is not sweetened or further processed, the main Vietnam HS reference is 0813.40.90 – “Other dried fruit”, not 0813.30.00 for apples.

Operational reference for import-export enterprises. Scope: whole or sliced dried jujube, without added sugar/seasoning, imported for food or food-manufacturing use in Vietnam.

1. OVERVIEW & SCOPE

The common botanical identification is Ziziphus jujuba / Ziziphus spp.. Before shipment, lock whether the product is merely dried, whether sugar or another processing step is added, whether it is bulk or retail packed, and whether the intended use is food or medicinal material.

0813.40.90

Vietnam’s current nomenclature has no separate jujube line under 08.13; dried jujube is mainly reviewed under 0813.40.90 – other dried fruit.

Plant-quarantine review

Circular 01/2024 marks 0813.40.90 for quarantine and includes a group-08.13 exception note for certain processed dried fruits packed in sealed, labeled packaging.

FOOD

State food-safety inspection

Circular 01/2024 also marks 0813.40.90 for food-safety inspection. The actual method is reviewed under Decree 15/2018 and the 2026 decentralization framework.

DUTY

MFN 30%

Reference MFN import duty is 30%; ordinary duty 45%. China-origin goods may reach 0% under ACFTA/RCEP where origin requirements are met.

VAT

May be non-taxable

If the product is only sun-dried/dehydrated and not processed into another product, review non-taxable VAT treatment at import under current VAT rules.

MEDICINAL

Separate intended-use branch

Circular 09/2024/TT-BYT lists “Đại táo – Fructus Jujubae/Fructus Ziziphi jujubae” at HS 0813.40.90 when imported as medicinal material.

Not automatically covered: fresh jujube, candied/sweetened jujube, flavored product, syrup/paste/powder/tea blends, deeply processed goods, or shipments imported as medicinal material.

2. KEY TERMS & WHY THE PROCEDURE MATTERS

JUJUBE

Jujube / Chinese red date

Fruit of the genus Ziziphus, different from apple (Malus). A commercial name containing “date” or “apple” is not enough for HS classification.

0813.40.90

Reference line for other dried fruit where the product remains dried jujube and has not become another prepared food.

Plant quarantine

Inspection of quarantinable objects for quarantine pests, regulated harmful organisms and new harmful organisms.

PHYTO

Phytosanitary Certificate

Certificate issued by the competent export-country authority; product/botanical name, origin and shipment quantity should align.

FSI

State Food-Safety Inspection

Specialist inspection of imported food under agricultural management; reduced, normal and tightened methods exist.

ETA

Estimated Time of Arrival

Operational deadline for locking HS, C/O, Phyto, food-safety dossier and labeling before storage/container exposure.

Why this matters: bulk dried-only jujube, processed sealed retail product, and jujube imported as medicinal material may follow three different regulatory paths.

Remember: “Chinese red date” is not date-palm fruit. Include the botanical name where shipment descriptions could be ambiguous.

3. DETAILED PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Before locking HS and specialist requirements, review specification, botanical name, process flow, ingredients, added-sugar content, moisture, packaging, original label, intended use and actual photos.

Product/situation	Features to check	Example	Evidence	Possible policy	Documents	Application note
Whole dried jujube – bulk	Ziziphus; cleaned/sun-dried/dehydrated only; no added sugar	Dried whole jujube in cartons/bags	Spec, botanical name, process, COA, photos	HS 0813.40.90; quarantine; food-safety inspection where applicable	Phyto, Invoice, PL, C/O, food-safety dossier	Primary scope.
Sliced/halved dried jujube	Still dried fruit; mechanical cutting only	Dried jujube slices	Process, ingredients, photos	Usually still review 0813.40.90 if not transformed into another preparation	Spec, Phyto, label	Cutting alone does not automatically change the nature.
Sealed labeled retail dried jujube	Retail packaging; determine processing before packing	Retail packed dried jujube	Label, packing, process, ingredients	Review the 08.13 exception note in Circular 01/2024; food-safety/self-declaration may apply by product status	Label, self-declaration pack if applicable, test report	Sealed packaging does not equal exemption from every control.
Sweetened/candied jujube	Sugar, syrup, honey, glazing or sugar preservation	Candied jujube	Formula, Brix/sugar, process	Reclassify under the appropriate Chapter 20 line; processed-food rules	Ingredients, process, label, tests	Do not default to 0813.40.90.
Powder/paste/tea blend	Ground, pureed or blended with other ingredients	Jujube powder/paste/tea mix	BOM, formula, process	HS/policy depends on final preparation	BOM, spec, label	Requires separate product review.
Imported as medicinal material	Declared/intended for medicinal use; Fructus Jujubae	Medicinal jujube raw material	Medicinal COA, intended use, pharmacopeial/spec evidence	Circular 09/2024/TT-BYT + pharmaceutical rules; HS may remain 0813.40.90	Medicinal dossier + commercial docs	Food procedure does not replace medicinal dossier.
Fresh jujube	Not dried	Fresh Ziziphus	Photos, moisture, packing	Outside 08.13; fresh-fruit classification/market-access review, potentially 0810.90.94 where applicable	Phyto, fresh-fruit docs	Separate from this article.

Classification warning: generic “red dates” wording can misclassify jujube as apples or date-palm fruit and create errors in HS, duty, C/O, quarantine, food safety and medicinal-material controls.

4. HS CODE – TAX – C/O

Vietnam heading 08.13 covers dried fruit. Under 0813.40, the nomenclature lists longans, tamarinds and “other”; dried jujube that remains simply dried fruit is therefore mainly reviewed under 0813.40.90.

PROPOSED HS – TAX – C/O TABLE

Reference HS	Description	Classification basis	When applicable	Ordinary duty	MFN	VAT	C/O/FTA review	Evidence
0813.40.90	Other dried fruit – dried jujube	Ziziphus dried fruit not covered by apricot/prune/apple/longan/tamarind and not further prepared	Whole/sliced; no processing that changes product nature	45%	30%	Non-taxable at import where merely ordinarily pre-processed such as drying and statutory conditions are met	ACFTA/RCEP especially for China; ATIGA, AIFTA, EVFTA, CPTPP etc. by origin	Botanical name, process, ingredients, Phyto, C/O
Reclassify	Sweetened/candied jujube	Preserved/prepared with sugar	Added sugar/syrup/honey/glaze	Check new HS	Check new HS	Check VAT for processed food	FTA by new HS	Formula, Brix, process, label
Reclassify	Jujube paste/powder/compound preparation	No longer merely dried fruit	Ground/pureed/blended	Classify by final preparation	Check new HS	Check VAT by product	FTA by new HS	BOM, process, spec
Reclassify	Fresh jujube	Not dried	Fresh Ziziphus spp.	Review fresh-fruit line, potentially 0810.90.94 if applicable	Check final HS	Check by status	FTA by new HS	Botanical name, Phyto, fresh-fruit docs

“Non-taxable VAT” applies only where the actual production process remains within ordinary pre-processing. Added sugar or transformation into another product requires a fresh VAT review.

SPECIAL PREFERENTIAL C/O/FTA ROUTES TO REVIEW

Origin/route	FTA	Origin proof	Special preferential rate	Conditions	Documents	Application note
China	ACFTA / RCEP	Form E / RCEP origin proof	HS 0813.40.90 may reach 0% under 2026 schedules when eligible	Meet PSR, origin and transport/documentary conditions	C/O, Invoice, B/L, HS, origin	Primary route for Chinese red dates; MFN 30% → 0% is a major landed-cost difference.
ASEAN	ATIGA	Form D / e-Form D	May reach 0% under 2026 schedule	Meet ASEAN origin and PSR	C/O + transport docs	Form D is not valid merely because the seller is in ASEAN.
India	AIFTA	Form AI / applicable proof	May reach 0% under 2026 schedule where eligible	Meet PSR	C/O, invoice, transport docs	Verify final HS in the AIFTA schedule.
EU/UK	EVFTA / UKVFTA	EUR.1/REX/applicable proof	May reach 0% under 2026 schedule	Meet origin-certification mechanism and PSR	Origin proof, Invoice, transport docs	No preference merely because China-origin goods are traded through EU/UK.
Australia/NZ/Korea/Japan	AANZFTA/CPTPP/RCEP; AKFTA/VKFTA/RCEP; AJCEP/VJEPA/RCEP	Applicable proof	Review the most beneficial 2026 schedule	Meet PSR and documentary conditions	C/O + commercial docs	Do not assume one fixed rate where multiple FTAs coexist.
Hong Kong	AHKFTA / actual origin	Eligible proof	AHKFTA is not automatically 0% for this code; review 2026 schedule	Must satisfy origin, not only seller-location, conditions	Origin proof + commercial docs	Distinguish trading location from country of origin.

C/O checklist: proof/form; WO/RVC/CTH/CTSH criterion; HS 0813.40.90; botanical/product description; third-party invoice; direct transport; quantity/weight; country of origin; issue date and validity.

5. DOCUMENT SET & SUBMISSION PRINCIPLES

Manage three layers: commercial documents, product-identification evidence, and quarantine/food-safety specialist records. The key is to prove that the product is Ziziphus, whether the process is only drying or further preparation, and whether the use is food or medicinal.

Commercial documents

Commercial Invoice, Packing List, B/L/AWB, Contract/PO if any, C/O where preference is claimed; use dried jujube/Chinese jujube plus botanical name where needed.

Technical/specialist documents

Specification, COA, ingredients, process statement, botanical name, original label/photos, Phytosanitary Certificate; quarantine permit only where legally triggered.

Registration/cross-check pack

Quarantine registration, food-safety dossier under the applicable method, product self-declaration where legally applicable, and evidence for exemption/reduced inspection if any.

Document-control principle: product name – Ziziphus – dried status – process – ingredients – origin – net weight – lot/batch should align across Invoice, PL, B/L/AWB, C/O, Phyto, label, food-safety records and customs declaration.

OPERATIONAL DOCUMENT CHECKLIST

Document group	Required document	Used at	Usually prepared by	Common error	Pre-ETA check
Commercial	Invoice, PL, B/L/AWB, Contract/PO	Customs/shipment matching	Supplier/Buyer/Docs	Only says “red dates”, creating date-palm/jujube ambiguity	Use “dried jujube (Ziziphus…)” where distinction is needed
HS classification	Spec, ingredients, process, photos, botanical name	Confirm 0813.40.90	Supplier + Importer	Added sugar/process not disclosed; mistaken for dried apple	Review formula + process + botanical identity
Plant quarantine	Registration; Phyto; permit if required	Shipment quarantine where applicable	Exporter + Importer/Forwarder	Wrong botanical name/origin/weight; no review of 08.13 exception note	Pre-check draft Phyto + packaging/process
Food safety	Dossier for reduced/normal/tightened method	Specialist clearance condition	Importer/Compliance	Using pre-2026 authority; missing method evidence	Review Decree 15 + Circular 22/2026 + current procedure
Self-declaration – if applicable	Self-declaration + test report and Decree 15 dossier	Processed prepacked food falling under Article 4	Importer/Compliance	Assuming every bulk dried lot requires self-declaration or the opposite	Determine processed/prepacked status and market use
C/O	FTA-compliant origin proof	Preferential duty	Exporter	Form E HS/description mismatch; seller vs origin confusion	Cross-check 0813.40.90 + origin + invoice
Medicinal material – if applicable	Pharmaceutical/medicinal-material dossier + Circular 09/2024	Import as Đại táo medicinal material	Licensed medicinal importer/Compliance	Using food dossier for a medicinal-use shipment	Lock intended use at contract/PO stage

Pre-ETA confirmation point: Circular 01/2024 contains an 08.13 note excluding certain “processed dried fruits packed in sealed, labeled packaging”. Do not convert this note into a blanket exemption from quarantine + food safety + self-declaration.

6. LEGAL BASIS – SPECIALIST POLICY MATRIX

6.1. LEGAL REFERENCES TO REVIEW

Area	Instrument	Issuer	Effective/application	Role	Key provision	Review note
Quarantine list – NEW/OLD	Circular 14/2024/TT-BNNPTNT / Circular 30/2014/TT-BNNPTNT	Former MARD	Circular 14 effective 15 Dec 2024	List of quarantinable/PRA objects	Arts. 1–2	Circular 14 replaced Circular 30/2014.
Plant-quarantine law	Law 41/2013/QH13, amended by Law 146/2025/QH15	National Assembly	Amendment effective 1 Jan 2026	Core PRA, permit and import-quarantine rules	Import-quarantine provisions	Use consolidated text where needed.
Quarantine procedure	Circular 33/2014/TT-BNNPTNT and effective amendments	Former MARD/MAE	Effective portions apply	Registration, inspection and quarantine certificate	Arts. 6–7/forms	Cross-check current 2026 administrative procedure.
Current quarantine procedure	Decision 3445/QD-BNNMT	Ministry of Agriculture & Environment	Applied from 1 Sep 2026	Current import-quarantine certificate procedure	24 hours from start of quarantine for a compliant lot	May extend for technical reasons.
PRA/permit	Circular 07/2026/TT-BNNMT	Ministry of Agriculture & Environment	23 Jan 2026	Import quarantine permit for PRA-trigger objects	Article 9; Appendix II	Do not assume every dried-jujube lot needs a permit.
Specialist HS list	Circular 01/2024/TT-BNNPTNT	Former MARD	20 Mar 2024	Marks 0813.40.90 for quarantine + food-safety inspection	Appendix II, item 1021; 08.13 note	Primary product-specific basis.
Food safety 2026	Decree 15/2018/ND-CP + Resolution 15/2026/NQ-CP	Government	Resolution effective 6 Apr 2026	Decree 15 remains the operational base while Decree 46/2026 is suspended	Arts. 4–5 and 16–19	Separate raw/bulk from processed/prepacked product.
Food-safety authority	Circular 22/2026/TT-BNNMT + Decision 1908/QD-BNNMT	Ministry of Agriculture & Environment	Circular 22 effective 1 Aug 2026	Updates authority/administrative procedures for imported-food inspection	Procedures 1.003814 and 2.001604	Normal/tightened inspection by agency assigned/designated at provincial level.
HS nomenclature	Circular 31/2022/TT-BTC	Ministry of Finance	1 Dec 2022	Vietnam export-import nomenclature	Heading 08.13; 0813.40.90	No dedicated current jujube sub-line under 08.13.
Import duty	Decree 26/2023/ND-CP + Decision 15/2023/QD-TTg	Government/Prime Minister	15 Jul 2023	MFN and ordinary duty	0813.40.90: MFN 30%; ordinary 45%	Special FTA schedules are separate.
VAT	VAT Law 48/2024/QH15 and amendments; Decree 181/2025/ND-CP amended by Decrees 359/2025 and 144/2026/ND-CP	National Assembly/Government	Decree 144 effective 20 Jun 2026	Ordinary pre-processing such as drying is reviewed for non-taxable import VAT	Decree 181 Article 4(1) and amendments	Further processing into another product requires a fresh VAT review.
Medicinal material	Circular 09/2024/TT-BYT	Ministry of Health	Applicable from 2024	HS-identified medicinal-material list	List 11 – Đại táo, HS 0813.40.90	Triggered only when shipment purpose/dossier is medicinal use.
Label	Decree 37/2026/ND-CP	Government	23 Jan 2026	Imported-goods labeling	Label/transitional rules	Differentiate bulk raw material from retail pack.

Circular 14/2024
Circular 01/2024
Circular 22/2026
Decree 144/2026

6.2. POLICY MATRIX BY SHIPMENT SCENARIO

Shipment scenario	Reference	Possible policy	Authority level	Trigger
Bulk jujube, dried only, imported as food/food ingredient	Circular 14/2024 + Circular 01/2024 + Decree 15	HS 0813.40.90; review plant quarantine + food-safety inspection	PQ authority + assigned/designated food-safety authority + Customs	Still dried fruit; not deeply processed; imported for food
Processed dried fruit in sealed labeled packaging	08.13 note Circular 01/2024 + Decree 15	Review scope of quarantine exception; food-safety/self-declaration by product status	Relevant specialist authority + Customs	Meets processed + sealed pack + label criteria; do not broaden the exception
Reduced food-safety inspection	Arts. 16–17 Decree 15	Reduced method	Customs/current mechanism	Meets statutory reduced-inspection conditions
Normal/tightened food-safety inspection	Arts. 17–19 Decree 15 + Circular 22/2026	Document review or sampling/testing	Provincially assigned/designated authority	Not reduced or a tightened trigger exists
PRA-trigger commodity/origin	Circular 14/2024 + Circular 07/2026	PRA + import quarantine permit before import	Plant Production and Protection Department	Only when commodity/origin triggers PRA/permit
Sweetened/candied/deeply processed jujube	Decree 15 + processed-product HS	Reclassify HS; processed-food self-declaration/food-safety/label rules	Food authority + Customs	Added sugar/syrup/process means no longer simple dried fruit
Imported as Đại táo medicinal material	Circular 09/2024/TT-BYT + pharmaceutical law	Medicinal-material import dossier; HS may remain 0813.40.90 if appropriate	Medicinal/pharmaceutical authority + Customs	Shipment purpose and dossier establish medicinal use

7. TIMELINE, FEES & RISK COSTS

Stage	Operational point	Timing/basis	Cost layer	Main risk
Product/HS identification	Before PO/booking	Depends on spec, botanical identity, ingredients, process	Internal/advisory cost if any	Confusing jujube with apple/date; missing added sugar
PRA/permit where triggered	Before shipment	Applicable Circular 07/2026 permit procedure: 10 working days from valid dossier	Check current fee schedule	Shipment departs before permit/source condition is resolved
Plant quarantine	At start of quarantine	Decision 3445/2026: 24 hours for a compliant lot; longer where technically required	Quarantine/sampling/treatment fees	Phyto error; incorrect exception assumption
Normal food-safety inspection	Applicable method	Current Decree 15 procedure: 3 working days	Inspection/testing if incurred	Dossier inconsistency or supplementation
Tightened food-safety inspection	When triggered	Current Decree 15 procedure: 7 working days	Testing + logistics	Storage/DEM/DET while awaiting result
Customs	After specialist conditions	Depends on Green/Yellow/Red channel	Duty, port/warehouse/trucking	Invalid Form E loses 0% preference; HS/VAT reassessment

Main China-route cost risk: if ACFTA/RCEP eligibility exists but origin proof fails, duty may revert to MFN 30%, plus storage/DEM/DET if Phyto or food-safety documents require correction.

8. PRACTICAL E2E WORKFLOW

STEP 01

Identify product & intended use

Lock Ziziphus, dried/fresh, whole/sliced, added sugar, bulk/retail and food versus medicinal use.

STEP 02

Lock HS – tax – C/O

For simple dried jujube, review 0813.40.90; estimate MFN 30%, ordinary 45%, VAT and Form E/RCEP preference for China.

STEP 03

Prepare specialist dossier

Collect spec, COA, process, ingredients, label, botanical name and draft Phyto; determine quarantine/food-safety/self-declaration documents.

STEP 04

Determine applicable method

Review the 08.13 exception note, PRA/permit if any and reduced/normal/tightened food-safety method.

STEP 05

Freeze documents before ETA

Cross-check Invoice, PL, B/L/AWB, C/O, Phyto, HS, botanical name, origin, net weight, process and label.

STEP 06

Customs declaration & inspections

Coordinate quarantine/food safety; Green is mainly automated, Yellow reviews documents, Red may include physical inspection.

STEP 07

Complete result – tax – clearance

Provide/verify specialist results, apply C/O and VAT according to product nature, complete clearance and pickup.

STEP 08

Post-clearance & change control

Retain shipment/SKU records; supplier/process/sugar/packaging or food→medicinal changes require reassessment.

Before ETA: for China-origin shipments, lock botanical name + HS 0813.40.90 + draft Form E/RCEP + draft Phyto + ingredients/process + packaging before cargo departs.

Main blockers: “red dates” without Ziziphus identification; sugar added but declared as simple dried fruit; misunderstanding the processed/sealed/labeled exception note; using food documents for a medicinal-use shipment.

9. FAQ

1. Does dried jujube use 0813.30.00 for dried apples?

No. 0813.30.00 is for apples (Malus). Jujube is Ziziphus; simple dried jujube is mainly reviewed under 0813.40.90 – other dried fruit.

2. Is “red date” date-palm fruit?

No. Chinese red date/jujube is Ziziphus, while date palm is Phoenix. Botanical identity should be locked where commercial wording is ambiguous.

3. Is dried jujube subject to plant quarantine?

Circular 01/2024 marks 0813.40.90 for quarantine but also contains an 08.13 exception note for certain processed dried fruits in sealed labeled packaging. Confirm whether the actual shipment falls within that note.

4. Is food-safety inspection required?

Circular 01/2024 also marks 0813.40.90 for food-safety inspection. Reduced/normal/tightened methods are reviewed under Decree 15/2018 and the 2026 authority framework.

5. Does sealed retail packaging exempt the product from all quarantine and food-safety requirements?

Do not assume so. The 08.13 exception note must be separated from food-safety, self-declaration and labeling duties.

6. Does dried jujube require product self-declaration?

If it is processed prepacked food within Article 4 of Decree 15, self-declaration should be reviewed. A bulk dried-only raw material should not automatically inherit the retail processed-food conclusion.

7. What is the MFN duty for 0813.40.90?

Reference MFN is 30%, ordinary duty 45%. China-origin goods with valid Form E/RCEP and origin compliance may reach 0% under 2026 schedules.

8. What VAT applies to simply dried jujube?

Drying is listed as ordinary pre-processing. If the product is not processed into another product and statutory conditions are met, review non-taxable VAT treatment at import.

9. Can sweetened/candied jujube stay under 0813.40.90?

Do not default to it. Added sugar/syrup/candied processing may move the product to Chapter 20 and change food-safety/VAT treatment.

10. Is Đại táo imported for medicinal use handled like food?

No. Circular 09/2024/TT-BYT lists Đại táo under HS 0813.40.90 in the medicinal-material list. Medicinal-use shipments require the corresponding pharmaceutical regulatory path.

10. OUTPUTS & POST-CLEARANCE OBLIGATIONS

Product file

Spec, botanical name, ingredients, process and photos/label supporting dried-jujube classification or any required reclassification.

Shipment file

Invoice, PL, B/L/AWB, C/O, declaration, duty/VAT, origin and net weight by shipment.

Quarantine file

Phyto, quarantine registration, permit if any, quarantine certificate/result or evidence supporting an applicable exception.

Food-safety file

Inspection dossier, method, result/notice and self-declaration where legally applicable.

Label & traceability

Original/supplementary label where applicable, lot/batch, origin, supplier, shelf life and traceability.

CHECK

Change management

Origin, supplier, formula, added sugar, process, packaging or food→medicinal use requires reassessment of HS – quarantine – food safety – VAT – C/O.

Target state: correct jujube identity; defensible HS/tax/C/O; correct quarantine/food-safety path; aligned documents; batch-level traceability.

Clearance is not the end: a supplier change from “dried only” to “sweetened/candied”, or a change to medicinal use, can alter the entire next-shipment compliance path.

11. TGIMEX SOLUTION

For dried jujube, the key is not one isolated procedure but alignment across botanical identity – processing level – HS – quarantine – food safety – C/O – VAT – intended use before ETA.

Pre-ETA review

Review Ziziphus, HS 0813.40.90, process/ingredients, origin, Phyto/PRA if any, VAT and Form E/RCEP/C/O.

Compliance dossier control

Align Invoice, PL, B/L/AWB, C/O, spec, COA, botanical name, Phyto, label, quarantine/food-safety records and self-declaration where applicable.

Operational/logistics coordination

Track inspection milestones and coordinate Customs, specialist authority, port/warehouse, transport and post-clearance recordkeeping.

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