“Meat/fish floss” is a trade name, not a legal classification. Before considering headings 16.02/16.04, Chapter 16 Note 2 must be tested: the total weight of the relevant meat/fish/animal ingredients must exceed 20%, and the preparation must not fall under the exceptions in 19.02, 21.03 or 21.04. Only then should species, animal-content ratio, shredding–drying–seasoning process, packing and import purpose be used to lock HS, quarantine, food-safety, VAT and dossier requirements.

This guide separates pork floss, chicken floss and fish floss, and distinguishes terrestrial-animal quarantine from the 2026 aquatic-product framework so one procedure is not incorrectly applied to all three.

Operational reference for importers and logistics teams · Updated to 10 Sep 2026.

1. QUICK SUMMARY & SCOPE

PRODUCT GROUP

Processed animal-derived food

Pork/chicken floss are terrestrial-animal products; fish floss is processed aquatic food. Formula, process and packing must be locked before filing.

REFERENCE HS

1602.49 · 1602.32 · 1604.20

Branches 16.02/16.04 are considered only after Chapter 16 Note 2 is satisfied: total relevant meat/fish/animal ingredients must exceed 20% by weight and the 19.02/21.03/21.04 exceptions must be excluded. If so, pork commonly requires review of 1602.49.91/.99; chicken 1602.32.90; fish 1604.20.91/.99.

SPECIALIZED CONTROL

Pork/chicken: veterinary + food safety; fish: food safety focus

Commercial pork/chicken floss is not generally exempt from terrestrial quarantine under Circular 01/2026; processed/dried fish floss is not automatically within aquatic quarantine under Circular 03/2026.

MARKET CIRCULATION

Self-declaration + labeling where applicable

Processed prepackaged foods generally follow self-declaration under Decree 15/2018; the original import label and Vietnamese supplementary/mandatory label contents must be reviewed under Decree 37/2026/ND-CP, effective 23 Jan 2026.

TAX

Reference MFN 22% / 22% / 30%

Pork 1602.49: 22%; chicken 1602.32.90: 22%; fish 1604.20: 30%. FTA treatment follows final HS and origin.

GATE

Species + formula + process + packing

Obtain species, each ingredient percentage and the total percentage covered by Chapter 16 Note 2, other matrix ingredients (soy/cereal/starch where relevant), heat/drying process, moisture, retail/bulk status, airtight packing, origin country and manufacturer.

Scope: pork, chicken or fish floss imported for sale or use as ingredients in Vietnam. It does not automatically cover whole dried meat/fish, pate, sausages, fish paste, multi-ingredient snacks or health supplements.

Warning: the trade name “floss” does not automatically place a food in Chapter 16. If the total qualifying animal ingredients do not exceed 20% by weight, or an exception under 19.02, 21.03 or 21.04 applies, classification must be reassessed outside Chapter 16. Only after this test should pork/chicken and fish be split into their respective quarantine frameworks.

2. KEY TERMS & WHY THE PROCEDURE MATTERS

HS CODE

Commodity classification

First test Chapter 16 Note 2: a food preparation is considered in Chapter 16 only when the total relevant meat/fish/animal ingredients exceed 20% by weight, subject to the exceptions in 19.02, 21.03 and 21.04. Then classify by species, the ingredient(s) with greater weight, processing and packing; never infer HS from the word “floss”.

ANIMAL QUARANTINE

Veterinary quarantine

Pork/chicken use Circular 01/2026 as amended by Circular 22/2026; aquatic products use Circular 03/2026.

FOOD SAFETY

Food-safety compliance

Covers self-declaration, state inspection, testing and labeling under Decree 15/2018 during the 2026 transition.

HEALTH CERT.

Export-country veterinary certificate

For pork/chicken within import-quarantine scope, the declaration file includes the export-country quarantine certificate under current rules.

C/O

Proof of origin

Supports special preferential tariff treatment when the relevant FTA rules are satisfied.

ETA

Estimated Time of Arrival

HS, quarantine, food-safety, label, C/O and commercial data should be locked before ETA to reduce storage/demurrage risk.

Why this matters: floss products are shredded, dried and often seasoned, so teams may wrongly treat them as ordinary processed food with no veterinary control. For pork/chicken, Appendix I to Circular 01/2026 still covers meat, meat products and processed terrestrial-animal products.

Remember: the personal-use exemption for processed prepacked animal products up to 5 kg does not apply to commercial consignments. Fish floss requires a separate aquatic-scope review under Circular 03/2026.

3. DETAILED PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION & CLASSIFICATION

DETAILED PRODUCT CLASSIFICATION TABLE

Product/scenario	What to check	Example	Evidence	Possible policy	Documents	Application note
Retail pork floss	Pork main ingredient; shredded/dried; airtight retail pack	Packaged pork floss	Formula, process, label, pack photo	1602.49.91; terrestrial quarantine; food safety; self-declaration; label	Commercial, veterinary, food-safety files	Use .91 only if the airtight-retail description is met.
Bulk pork floss	Pork main ingredient; bulk/non-retail packing	5–20 kg pork floss bag	Spec, process, pack photo	1602.49.99; quarantine; food safety; review Article 14 if not processed-prepacked	Commercial + veterinary + food-safety docs	Do not assume the Article 14 exception for bulk goods.
Chicken floss	Gallus domesticus is the main animal ingredient	Chicken floss	Species statement, formula, process, label	1602.32.90; terrestrial quarantine; food safety; label	Veterinary certificate, spec, food-safety file	Other poultry species may require 1602.39 or another branch.
Retail fish floss	Processed shredded fish in airtight retail pack	Fish floss retail	Species, ingredients, process, packing	1604.20.91; food safety; self-declaration; label; no automatic aquatic quarantine if genuinely processed/dried	Food-safety + commercial docs	Crosswalk HS-management list with Circular 03/2026 substantive scope.
Bulk fish floss	Processed fish, non-airtight retail packing	Fish floss bulk	Species, formula, process, packing	1604.20.99; food safety; Article 14 depending on packing	Commercial + food-safety docs	Fish paste should review 1604.20.40 instead.
Product marketed as floss but qualifying animal ingredients ≤20% or a Chapter 16 exception applies	Low meat/fish ratio; soy/cereal/starch matrix dominates; or product falls under 19.02/21.03/21.04	Composite food / meat-flavoured floss	Formula/BOM %, process, intended use	Do not automatically use 16.02/16.04; reassess Chapter 19/21 or another chapter based on the actual product	Formula, spec, label, sample/photo	Do not automatically assign 1901/2106; classification must restart from composition and use.
Mixed pork/chicken/fish floss	Total ingredients covered by Chapter 16 Note 2 must exceed 20%; if two or more animal groups are present, compare their relevant weights only after that threshold is met.	Mixed floss	BOM %, process	Once Chapter 16 applies, classify in the heading corresponding to the ingredient or ingredients with the greater weight; also review all quarantine/food-safety layers triggered by the actual species.	Formula, species, certificates	Do not apply the “greater weight” rule before testing the >20% threshold and the 19.02/21.03/21.04 exceptions.

4. HS CODE – TAX – C/O

HS BRANCH

Pork 1602.49 · Chicken 1602.32 · Fish 1604.20

Classification follows species/main ingredient and preparation; airtight retail packing affects 8-digit pork/fish lines.

CLASSIFICATION BASIS

BOM + species + process + packing

First test Chapter 16 Note 2: the total relevant meat/fish/animal ingredients must exceed 20% by weight and the exceptions in 19.02, 21.03 and 21.04 must be excluded. Only after this gate is passed should formula %, species statement, process flow, product/packing photos and retail/bulk status be used to lock 16.02/16.04 branches.

MFN

22% · 22% · 30%

Reference MFN rates from Chapter 16; recheck the tariff in force and amendments to Decree 26/2023 on declaration date.

VAT

Review 10% → 8% reduction eligibility

Floss is processed food; it is not automatically non-taxable like ordinarily pre-processed raw materials. Review the 2% reduction through 31 Dec 2026 where eligible.

C/O/FTA

Origin-specific, not one-size-fits-all

Review ATIGA, ACFTA/RCEP, AKFTA/VKFTA, Japan agreements, CPTPP, EVFTA/UKVFTA, etc., based on final origin and HS.

LOCK POINT

Do not use an FTA tariff line as the base HS

Crosswalk the national/MFN code with the detailed FTA schedule before calculating special preferential duty.

REFERENCE HS – TAX – C/O TABLE

Reference HS	Suitable product	Classification basis	Conditions	Ordinary duty	MFN	VAT	C/O/FTA	Documents
1602.49.91	Pork floss – other pork preparation, airtight retail pack	Heading 16.02 – pork, other	Pork main animal ingredient + airtight retail pack	Check current tariff	22% reference	Review 10%/8% regime	FTA by origin	Formula, species, process, packing, label
1602.49.99	Pork floss – other, non-airtight-retail line	Heading 16.02 – pork	Does not meet 1602.49.91 packing description	Check current tariff	22% reference	Review current VAT	FTA by origin	Formula, process, packing
1602.32.90	Chicken floss from Gallus domesticus – other	Heading 16.02 – poultry	Main animal ingredient is Gallus domesticus; not chicken curry line	Check current tariff	22% reference	Review current VAT	FTA by origin	Species, formula, process, label
1604.20.91	Fish floss – other prepared fish, airtight retail pack	Heading 16.04 – prepared fish	Shredded/dried, not sausage/ball/paste; airtight retail	Check current tariff	30% reference	Review current VAT	FTA by origin	Species, process, ingredients, packing
1604.20.99	Fish floss – other prepared fish, other	Heading 16.04	Not airtight retail and not a specific line	Check current tariff	30% reference	Review current VAT	FTA by origin	Species, process, packing
UNLOCKED – outside Chapter 16 if Note 2 is not met	Preparation with qualifying Chapter 16 ingredients ≤20% or falling under the 19.02/21.03/21.04 exceptions	Chapter 16 Note 2 + GRI + nature of the non-animal matrix	Reclassify based on actual composition/use; do not infer Chapter 19/21 from the trade name alone	Only after final HS is locked	Only after final HS is locked	Review under final HS	Review FTA only after final HS	Formula/BOM %, process, label, sample/photo

FTA/C/O REVIEW BY ORIGIN ROUTE

Origin/route	FTA	Origin proof	Special rate	Conditions	Documents	Note
ASEAN	ATIGA	Form D/origin proof	Review final HS	Meet PSR/document rules	C/O, invoice, transport docs, HS	Do not assume 0% before HS/origin are locked.
China	ACFTA / RCEP	Form E or RCEP origin proof	Review 2026 schedule	Origin criterion + transport + documents	C/O, invoice, packing, transport docs	Check whether meat/fish input satisfies PSR.
Korea	AKFTA / VKFTA / RCEP	Agreement-specific	Compare on same final HS	PSR + documents	Origin proof, HS, invoice	Do not compare rates across different HS branches.
Japan	AJCEP / VJEPA / CPTPP / RCEP	Agreement-specific	Review staging	PSR + documents	Origin proof, HS, transport docs	Multiple FTAs may exist; choose after data is complete.
EU / UK	EVFTA / UKVFTA	EUR.1/origin statement as applicable	Review 2026 staging	Origin + documentation	Origin proof, invoice, transport docs	Use the correct certification mechanism.

Lock the Chapter 16 gate before calculating duty: test the >20% threshold in Note 2 and exclude 19.02/21.03/21.04. Only then classify pork/chicken under 16.02 or fish under 16.04 and determine the 8-digit line by species/packing. Do not copy one HS or duty rate across all products sold as “floss”.

C/O checklist: form/origin proof; HS; description; origin criterion; third-party invoice if any; transport; quantity/weight; origin; issuance/validity; verification mechanism.

5. DOCUMENT SET & PREPARATION

Commercial file

Invoice, Packing List, B/L/AWB, Contract/PO where relevant, C/O if claiming FTA preference; description should state species and processed floss nature.

Technical/specialized file

Formula/BOM %, species declaration, process, spec/COA, tests, label; pork/chicken add terrestrial-quarantine and export-country veterinary documents.

Registration & cross-check file

Self-declaration where applicable; imported-food inspection; pork/chicken quarantine registration/declaration; Article 14 country/establishment/certificate data when triggered.

Document-control principle: one source of truth. Species, ingredient %, producer, origin, net weight, process, packing and HS must align across commercial documents, C/O, health certificate, food-safety file, label and customs declaration.

DOCUMENT CHECKLIST BY WORKSTREAM

Document group	Required documents	Used for	Typical owner	Common error	Pre-ETA check
Commercial	Invoice, PL, B/L/AWB, Contract/PO	Customs/value/shipment matching	Importer + supplier/forwarder	Generic “meat floss” with no species	Compare species, description, packages, weights, origin and producer.
Product classification	Formula %, species, process, spec, pack photo	HS + policy	Manufacturer/supplier	No evidence of animal-content % or retail/bulk	Lock BOM, species, drying/heat and packing before booking.
Pork/chicken quarantine	Forms under Circular 01/2026; export-country veterinary certificate; other required instruments	Import quarantine	Importer + foreign competent authority	Certificate content/model does not match shipment	Review quarantine guidance and certificate before ETA.
Food safety	Self-declaration where applicable; test; state inspection; Article 14 certificates if triggered	Food safety + circulation	Importer + manufacturer	Treating bulk as processed-prepacked	Lock packing and market purpose before choosing the file set.
Label	Original label + Vietnamese supplementary label draft	Market circulation	Brand/manufacturer + importer	Missing origin/ingredients/dates/importer	Review Decree 43/2017 as amended by Decree 111/2021 and food-label requirements.
C/O	Origin proof	Preferential duty	Exporter + importer	Wrong HS/description/PSR	Lock HS first, then review PSR and form.

6. LEGAL BASIS – SPECIALIZED POLICY MATRIX

TABLE 1 – LEGAL BASIS TO REVIEW

Instrument group	Instrument	Issuer	Effect/application	Role	Key provision/appendix	Review note
HS nomenclature / classification basis	Circular 31/2022/TT-BTC; Circular 72/2022/TT-BTC only suspended it from 1–29 Dec 2022	Ministry of Finance	AHTN 2022 nomenclature currently used; recheck rules in force on declaration date	Basis for commodity descriptions/codes and Chapter 16 notes	Chapter 16 Note 2; branches 16.02 and 16.04	Chapter 16 applies only when the Note 2 animal-ingredient total exceeds 20% by weight; exceptions 19.02, 21.03 and 21.04 must be screened first.
Veterinary law	Law 79/2015/QH13; amended by Law 146/2025/QH15	National Assembly	Law 146 effective 1 Jan 2026	Veterinary framework	Import quarantine provisions	Apply with terrestrial/aquatic circulars by product type.
Terrestrial quarantine – 2026	Circular 01/2026/TT-BNNMT + Circular 22/2026/TT-BNNMT; consolidated 67/VBHN-BNNMT dated 12 Jun 2026	MAE	Circular 01 effective 1 Jan 2026; Circular 22 amends some items from 19 May 2026	Pork/chicken quarantine	Appendices I–II; Articles 10–12; Appendix XII	Use the consolidated text operationally.
Aquatic quarantine – 2026	Circular 03/2026/TT-BNNMT	MAE	Effective 13 Jan 2026	Defines fish-floss aquatic scope	Appendices I–II	Mandatory aquatic-product quarantine focuses on live/fresh/chilled/frozen products.
HS specialized-management list	Circular 01/2024/TT-BNNPTNT as amended by 18/2024	MARD	Partially in force	HS crosswalk for quarantine/food-safety checks	Appendix II, relevant 16.02/16.04 lines	Do not use an old “x” marker instead of reading substantive 2026 rules.
Food Safety Law	Law 55/2010/QH12 and current amendments	National Assembly	Review current consolidated status	Food-safety framework	Imported-food obligations	Apply with Decree 15 during the 2026 suspension.
Food safety – 2026 transition	Decree 15/2018/NĐ-CP + Resolution 15/2026/NQ-CP	Government	Resolution 15 effective 6 Apr 2026; Decree 15 continues during suspension of Decree 46/2026	Self-declaration, inspection, Article 14	Articles 4–5, 13–19, 14	Processed prepacked food is excluded from Article 14(1) country/establishment/certificate conditions, but still review declaration/inspection.
Food-safety decentralization – 2026	Circular 22/2026/TT-BNNMT	MAE	Article 3 effective 1 Sep 2026	Updates competent bodies for pre-clearance food-safety inspection	Authority provisions replacing former agencies in Circular 01/2024	Article date is 10 Sep 2026, so the new allocation is relevant.
Import duty	Decree 26/2023/NĐ-CP incl. amendments such as Decree 199/2025	Government	Decree 199 effective 8 Jul 2025	MFN basis	Chapter 16 tariff lines	Recheck tariff on declaration date.
VAT	Decrees 181/2025, 359/2025, 144/2026 and 174/2025	Government	Decree 144 effective 20 Jun 2026; reduction policy through 31 Dec 2026 if eligible	VAT and 2% reduction	Current VAT rules	Do not state 8% absolutely without checking exclusions.
Goods labeling – 2026 update	Decree 37/2026/ND-CP	Government	Effective 23 Jan 2026; Decrees 43/2017 and 111/2021 ceased to apply from that date, subject to transition rules	Original import label, supplementary/e-label and mandatory contents for market circulation	Articles 40 and 42; Appendix I (Food); Article 97 on effectiveness/transition	For new Sep 2026 imports, apply Decree 37/2026; any transitional goods/labels/printed packaging require verification of the actual production, import or printing date.
Customs	Customs Law 54/2014/QH13 and current guidance	National Assembly/Government/MOF	Check current text	Declaration/inspection/clearance	Customs dossier	Apply with quarantine/food-safety results and taxes.

TABLE 2 – POLICY MATRIX BY SCENARIO

Scenario	Legal basis	Possible policy	Authority (high level)	Trigger
Commercial pork/chicken floss	Circulars 01/2026 + 22/2026 + consolidated 67	Terrestrial-animal quarantine applies	Animal Husbandry & Veterinary / border quarantine authority	Meat-derived product not within import exemption list.
Pork/chicken sample under 50 kg	Consolidated 67 – Article 12	Mechanism to waive export-country quarantine certificate and sampling for samples under 50 kg	Border quarantine authority	Sample purpose + weight under 50 kg; other conditions still reviewed.
Processed/dried fish floss	Circular 03/2026 + Circular 01/2024 crosswalk	No automatic aquatic quarantine; food safety is primary	Food-safety/veterinary authority as applicable	Genuinely processed/dried, not live/fresh/chilled/frozen.
Retail prepacked floss	Decree 15/2018 + Resolution 15/2026	Self-declaration; state food-safety inspection unless exempt	Food-safety authority under 2026 allocation	Processed prepacked food for Vietnam market.
Bulk/ingredient floss	Article 14 Decree 15 + specialized rules	Review export-country/recognized-establishment/shipment certificate if outside the processed-prepacked exception	MAE/food-safety authority	Does not meet “processed, prepackaged food” exception.
Formula/species/supplier change	Chapter 16 notes + food-safety/quarantine law	May change HS, veterinary certificate, declaration, C/O and label	Customs + specialized bodies	BOM/spec/process differs from prior file.
Qualifying animal ingredients ≤20% or Chapter 16 exception applies	Circular 31/2022 – Chapter 16 Note 2 + GRI	Do not automatically use 16.02/16.04; reclassify the preparation before duty/specialized policy is determined	Customs + specialized authority according to final HS	Formula/BOM shows the >20% threshold is not met or 19.02/21.03/21.04 applies.

7. TIMELINE, FEES & RISK COSTS

SEVEN-STAGE TIMELINE

Stage	Main task	Timing/basis	Cost/fee	Delay risk
1. Preparation	Lock species, formula, process, HS branch, retail/bulk; request veterinary/food-safety documents	Before booking/pickup; no fixed statutory duration	Internal/testing costs if any	Wrong HS; no usable health certificate; shipment rescheduling.
2. Registration/acceptance	Pork/chicken quarantine registration; prepare food-safety inspection file	Consolidated 67: authority issues consent/guidance within 4 working days for a complete valid registration	Current veterinary/food-safety fees	No quarantine guidance before ETA.
3. Inspection/assessment	Physical/document check; food-safety inspection by applicable method	Depends on method and shipment condition	Inspection/testing costs	Label/certificate/spec mismatch.
4. Supplement/sampling if any	Pork/chicken quarantine sampling under Appendix XII; food-safety sampling if applicable	Depends on tests/results	Testing + storage	Storage/demurrage/detention increase.
5. Specialized result	Quarantine certificate and food-safety result	Consolidated 67: animal-product import with sampling – 5 working days from quarantine if compliant	Current fee schedule	Cannot finalize clearance.
6. Customs	File declaration, specialized results, C/O, tax; handle channel	Shipment-specific	Import duty + VAT + logistics costs	HS/C/O/policy mismatch causes query/inspection.
7. Post-clearance	Supplementary label before circulation where needed; retain declaration/quarantine/food-safety/customs file	Per record-retention and market rules	Warehousing/relabeling/compliance	Post-audit mismatch or unmanaged product changes.

Cost principle: separate official fees, testing/certification costs and logistics delay costs. Do not apply one fixed fee to all shipments.

8. PRACTICAL E2E PROCESS

STEP 01

Identify product/data

Identify pork/chicken/fish floss; species, formula %, total percentage covered by Chapter 16 Note 2, non-animal matrix, process, moisture, seasoning, packing, retail/bulk status, origin and manufacturer.

STEP 02

Lock HS/tax/C/O branch

First test the Chapter 16 gate (>20% and exceptions). If met: review pork 1602.49, chicken 1602.32, fish 1604.20, then lock the 8-digit line by packing. If not met, reclassify outside Chapter 16 before calculating MFN/VAT/FTA.

STEP 03

Review specialized policy

Pork/chicken terrestrial quarantine; fish Circular 03/2026 crosswalk; all three food safety, self-declaration and labels.

STEP 04

Complete registration/product file

Self-declaration/test where applicable; pork/chicken quarantine file and health certificate; state food-safety inspection scope.

STEP 05

Lock documents before ETA

Cross-check Invoice–PL–B/L/AWB–C/O–health cert–spec–label–food-safety data.

STEP 06

Declare customs/handle channel

Declare HS/value/origin; submit specialized documents; handle Green/Yellow/Red as applicable.

STEP 07

Complete inspection/tax/clearance

Receive results, settle tax/C/O, complete clearance and pickup.

STEP 08

Circulate/retain/audit

Complete the Vietnamese supplementary/mandatory label contents under Decree 37/2026, retain files and control formula/supplier/origin changes.

Pre-ETA milestone: for pork/chicken, lock the veterinary certificate and quarantine registration before arrival; for all three, complete formula/process/label/test review as early as possible.

Main blockers: no acceptable veterinary certificate for pork/chicken; species omitted or mismatched; formula differs from declaration; HS chosen by trade name; C/O uses a different final HS branch.

9. FAQ

1. Is cooked and dried pork floss exempt from quarantine?

Do not assume so. Circular 01/2026 covers meat, meat products and processed terrestrial-animal products; the commercial import exemption list does not provide a general cooked/dried exemption.

2. Is chicken floss handled the same as pork floss?

They share the terrestrial-quarantine and food-safety framework, but HS differs by species. Gallus domesticus chicken typically reviews 1602.32.90, while pork typically reviews 1602.49.91/.99.

3. Does fish floss require aquatic quarantine?

Genuinely processed/dried fish floss is not listed in Circular 03/2026’s core mandatory aquatic-product quarantine list, which focuses on live/fresh/chilled/frozen products. Still crosswalk the HS-management list and actual file.

4. Does retail prepacked floss require self-declaration?

Generally processed prepacked food follows self-declaration under Decree 15/2018 unless it falls into a product category requiring registration or a statutory exemption.

5. Can bulk floss use the Article 14 exception?

Do not assume. The exception concerns processed, prepackaged food; bulk/ingredient goods may trigger export-country, establishment and shipment-certificate review.

6. Pork HS 1602.49.91 or .99?

First confirm that Chapter 16 Note 2 is satisfied (>20% and no exception). Only then compare 1602.49.91 and .99 by packing: .91 covers the relevant “other” swine preparation in airtight retail packing; otherwise .99 must be reviewed.

7. Fish HS 1604.20.91 or .99?

First confirm that Chapter 16 Note 2 is satisfied (>20% and no exception). Once within 16.04, .91 covers the relevant “other” fish preparation in airtight retail packing and .99 is other; fish paste/balls/sausages require separate lines.

8. Is VAT 8% or 10%?

Do not fix the rate from the product name. Determine the base VAT and then check 2026 2% reduction eligibility and exclusion lists.

9. Does a C/O guarantee preferential duty?

No. HS, description, origin criterion, transport and formal requirements must match the relevant FTA.

10. What is special about pork/chicken samples under 50 kg?

Consolidated 67 provides a mechanism for imported animal-product samples under 50 kg to be exempt from the export-country quarantine certificate and sampling; other requirements still need review.

11. Does a manufacturer/formula change require a new review?

Potentially yes. Species, ingredient %, process, additives, packing or origin changes can affect HS, declaration, quarantine certificate, C/O and label.

12. What should be locked before booking?

At minimum: formula %, species, process, packing/label, producer/origin, pork/chicken veterinary-certificate availability, test/self-declaration scope, expected HS and C/O plan.

10. REQUIRED OUTPUTS & POST-CLEARANCE OBLIGATIONS

Product/classification file

Keep species + formula/BOM + the total Chapter 16 Note 2 percentage + process + spec + photos/packing as the classification basis. The file should evidence whether the product is inside or outside Chapter 16 before 16.02/16.04 is locked.

Shipment file

Invoice, PL, B/L/AWB, Contract/PO where applicable, C/O and shipment data aligned.

Specialized file

Pork/chicken quarantine + health certificate; all three food-safety/self-declaration as applicable; fish file documents the 2026 aquatic-scope conclusion.

Customs & tax file

Declaration, channel result, valuation documents, import duty/VAT and accepted C/O where applicable.

Label/circulation

Original and Vietnamese supplementary/mandatory label contents under Decree 37/2026 aligned with the actual formula and goods.

CHECK

Retention & change control

Maintain per-shipment audit trail and reassess supplier/formula/species/process/packing/origin changes.

Required output: the importer should be able to explain (i) whether the product satisfies the Chapter 16 >20% gate and exceptions; (ii) if yes, why the selected HS branch applies; (iii) why pork/chicken requires terrestrial quarantine while processed/dried fish is not automatically aquatic-quarantine goods; and (iv) which food-safety/C/O/VAT basis applies.

Change control: any change in species, animal-content ratio, manufacturer, process, additives, packing or origin can require re-review of HS/quarantine/food safety/C/O/VAT.

11. SOLUTIONS FROM TGIMEX

The execution approach is to lock the product’s legal identity before shipment, separate pork/chicken/fish requirements and use a shipment-specific compliance checklist rather than one generic “floss” file.

Pre-ETA review

Cross-check species–formula–Chapter 16 Note 2 threshold–process–packing to determine whether the product is inside/outside Chapter 16, then lock HS, duty, quarantine/food-safety requirements and pre-arrival actions.

Compliance-file control

Cross-check commercial docs, C/O, health certificate, self-declaration, tests, labels and customs data.

Operations/customs coordination

Coordinate specialized registration, customs filing, sampling/results, C/O, tax and cargo pickup against the actual ETA.

HS, duty, VAT, FTA and specialized-policy conclusions must be rechecked against actual shipment documents and instruments in force on the declaration date.

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