“Frozen hotpot balls” is a trade description, not one HS code. Fish balls have a dedicated 1604.20.30 branch; shrimp balls 1605.29.20; squid balls follow prepared-squid branches; chicken, pork and beef balls branch under heading 16.02 by species and formula. For mixed meat–seafood balls, animal-ingredient ratios can change the heading, duty and veterinary treatment.

The main control points are BOM %, species, processing and frozen state. Lock them before shipment so C/O, Veterinary/Health Certificate, food-safety dossier and customs declaration follow one consistent product logic.

Operational reference for import-export businesses · Updated through 10 Sep 2026.

1. QUICK SUMMARY & SCOPE

PRODUCT GROUP

Frozen animal-origin hotpot balls

Fish, shrimp, squid, chicken/pork/beef or mixed balls, normally formed/prepared and frozen.

REFERENCE HS

16.02 / 1604.20.30 / 1605.29.20 / 1605.54

No universal code; branch by predominant animal ingredient, species and preparation.

SPECIALIZED CONTROL

Terrestrial AQ / aquatic AQ + food safety

Meat branches follow terrestrial-animal quarantine; frozen fish/seafood branches follow aquatic quarantine. Food-safety control also applies.

MARKET CIRCULATION

Self-declaration + label + cold chain

Ordinary processed prepacked food requires Decree 15 self-declaration review, Vietnamese supplementary labeling and consistent storage temperature.

TAX

By final HS branch

Fish ball 1604.20.30 reference MFN 30%; shrimp ball 1605.29.20 30%; prepared squid 1605.54 25%; meat balls branch by species.

KEY BLOCKER

BOM % + species + process + frozen state

Lock BOM %, species, process, frozen state, exporting country and establishment. For frozen animal products subject to quarantine, plan for border-area holding while awaiting a compliant quarantine result.

Scope: frozen fish, shrimp, squid, chicken/pork/beef and mixed hotpot balls imported for food. Vegetarian balls, cheese balls, unprepared surimi material, flour-wrapper dimsum or soup dumplings require separate classification.

Warning: “meat ball”, “seafood ball” and “hotpot ball” are insufficient for HS. Chapter 16 Note 2 uses a more-than-20%-by-weight threshold for listed animal ingredients; where two or more animal groups occur, classification follows the component(s) predominating by weight, subject to the Note’s exceptions.

2. KEY TERMS & WHY THE PROCEDURE MATTERS

BOM %

Formula by weight

Quantified meat/fish/shrimp/squid/starch/oil/water/seasoning/additive composition; critical for Chapter 16 Note 2.

PREDOMINATE

Predominant animal component

For qualifying mixed Chapter 16 preparations, the heading follows the animal component(s) predominating by weight.

TERRESTRIAL AQ

Terrestrial animal quarantine

Circular 01/2026 applies to terrestrial meat/animal products; commercial cooked meat balls are not automatically exempt.

AQUATIC AQ

Aquatic-product quarantine

Circular 03/2026 Appendix I includes aquatic animal products in fresh, chilled or frozen form.

VHC

Veterinary/Health Certificate

Official veterinary/health certificate from the exporting competent authority where required by the applicable quarantine pathway.

COLD CHAIN

Cold chain

Temperature conditions from origin warehouse through transport, border and destination storage; they must match the product specification and label.

Why this matters: a visually similar white ball can be 1604.20.30 fish ball, 1605.29.20 shrimp ball, 1605.54 squid preparation or a mixed preparation classified by predominance.

Key reminder: 1602.10 “homogenised preparations” is not a default code for finely minced meat balls. It is narrowly defined for infant/young-child or dietetic retail food in containers ≤250 g.

3. PRODUCT CLASSIFICATION & DETAILED IDENTIFICATION

DETAILED PRODUCT CLASSIFICATION

Product/scenario	What to check	Example	Evidence	Potential policy	Dossier	Application note
Frozen fish ball	Fish is the main animal component; formed prepared/preserved product	Fish ball	BOM %, species, process, photos, package	Review 1604.20.30; the 2026 tariff further expands to 1604.20.30.10 (airtight containers) / 1604.20.30.90 (other); aquatic AQ due frozen state; FS	Formula, process, VHC/AQ, FS, label	1604.20.30 is the Fish ball branch; crosswalk to .10/.90 by packaging where the detailed tariff/FTA schedule uses those lines.
Frozen shrimp ball	Shrimp/prawn predominates among animal ingredients	Shrimp ball	BOM %, species, package, process	Review 1605.29.20 – Shrimp ball; aquatic AQ + FS	Formula, VHC/AQ, FS, label	Distinguish from shrimp paste or a non-ball product.
Frozen squid/mollusc ball	Squid/cuttlefish or another mollusc predominates	Squid ball	BOM %, species, process, retail package	Review 1605.54.10/.90 for squid by packaging; other molluscs use the relevant subheading	VHC/AQ, formula, package, FS	Do not use the shrimp-ball code where squid predominates.
Chicken/poultry ball	Prepared chicken/poultry predominates	Chicken ball	BOM %, species, heat process, frozen spec	Review 1602.32.90 where appropriate; terrestrial AQ + FS	VHC, establishment, formula, process, FS	Do not default to 1602.10 because the meat is finely minced.
Pork / beef ball	Pork or bovine meat predominates	Pork ball, beef ball	BOM %, species, package, process	Pork: review 1602.49.91/.99; bovine: 1602.50.10/.90; terrestrial AQ + FS	VHC, establishment, formula, package	Airtight packaging is a later branch, not the primary species decision.
Mixed meat–fish–seafood ball	At least two animal groups; total listed animal ingredients >20%	Pork + fish; fish + shrimp	Full BOM %, process, intended use	Apply Chapter 16 Note 2: heading follows predominant animal component(s); veterinary pathway requires separate review	Full formula + veterinary/health documents	HS predominance does not itself erase specialized-control relevance of another animal ingredient.
Animal ingredients ≤20% / different essential nature	Listed animal ingredients do not exceed 20%, or product is mainly starch/cheese/vegetable	Imitation/starch/cheese-filled ball	BOM %, cross-section, process	Do not automatically use Chapter 16; review Chapters 19/21/04 or another heading	Formula, catalogue, label	Exclude Note 2 exceptions for 19.02 and 21.03/21.04.

4. HS CODE – TAX – C/O

The classification anchor is Chapter 16 Notes 1–2 and the 1602.10 Subheading Note. Preparations with more than 20% by weight of listed animal ingredients may fall in Chapter 16; mixed preparations are classified according to the animal component(s) predominating by weight. “Frozen hotpot ball” itself is not an HS conclusion.

HS BRANCH

1602 / 1604.20.30 / 1605.29.20 / 1605.54

Separate meat, fish, shrimp and squid/mollusc balls by BOM and species.

CLASSIFICATION BASIS

Chapter 16 Note 2

The >20% threshold and predominance rule are central for mixed products.

MFN / ORDINARY

22–35% / 33–52.5% by branch

Reference: fish/shrimp balls 30%; squid preparations 25%; chicken/pork 22%; bovine 35%.

VAT

10% base → review 8% in 2026

Processed meat/seafood balls should be reviewed under Decree 174/2025 for 8% where an otherwise-10% product is eligible.

C/O / FTA

By origin + final HS

ACFTA/ATIGA/RCEP/VKFTA/AJCEP/VJEPA/CPTPP/EVFTA etc. differ by heading and PSR.

LOCK BEFORE DECLARATION

HS first → tax/FTA second

Do not use a 0% FTA line or special-preferential statistical code as a substitute for base HS classification.

PROPOSED HS – TAX – C/O

Reference HS	Description/group	Classification basis	Conditions	Ordinary duty	MFN duty	VAT	C/O/FTA review	Evidence
1604.20.30 2026 tariff: 1604.20.30.10/.90	Fish ball; .10 = in airtight containers, .90 = other in the 2026 tariff schedule	Dedicated Vietnam tariff description	Fish predominates; prepared/preserved fish ball; lock packaging before detailed FTA/tariff comparison	45% if ordinary-duty mechanism applies	30%	10% base; review 8% in 2026 if eligible	FTA by origin	BOM %, species, process, package
1605.29.20	Shrimp ball	Dedicated prepared/preserved shrimp branch	Shrimp predominates; correct ball form	45% if ordinary-duty mechanism applies	30%	10% base; review 8% if eligible	FTA by origin + 1605.29 PSR	BOM, species, package, process
1605.54.10/.90	Prepared cuttlefish/squid – airtight retail / other	1605 + species + package	Squid predominates and product is prepared/preserved	37.5% if ordinary-duty mechanism applies	25%	10% base; review 8% if eligible	FTA by origin	BOM, species, package proof
1602.32.90	Prepared Gallus domesticus – other	1602 by species	Chicken predominates; not curry .10 or 1602.10 homogenised preparation	33% if ordinary-duty mechanism applies	22%	10% base; review 8% if eligible	FTA by origin	BOM, species, process, VHC
1602.49.91/.99	Other prepared pork	1602.49 + package	Pork predominates; not another ham/shoulder/cold-cut branch	33% if ordinary-duty mechanism applies	22%	10% base; review 8% if eligible	FTA by origin	BOM, process, package, VHC
1602.50.10/.90	Prepared bovine meat	1602.50 + package	Bovine meat predominates	52.5% if ordinary-duty mechanism applies	35%	10% base; review 8% if eligible	FTA by origin	BOM, species, process, VHC
Other HS – mixed/≤20%	Mixed preparation or starch/cheese/vegetable-heavy product	Chapter 16 Note 2 + actual nature	Insufficient facts to lock a heading	By final HS	By final HS	By final HS	FTA by final HS	Full BOM %, process, photos, use

C/O / FTA REVIEW BY IMPORT ROUTE

Route/origin	FTA	Origin proof	Special preferential rate if supported	Conditions	Dossier	Application note
China	ACFTA / RCEP	Form E / RCEP proof	Check the 2026 schedule at final HS	Meet PSR/document/transport rules	C/O, Invoice, B/L, BOM, HS crosswalk	1602, 1604 and 1605 may have different PSRs/schedules.
ASEAN	ATIGA	Form D / ATIGA proof	Check 2026 schedule	Meet origin rules	C/O + commercial docs	Shipping country does not replace origin proof.
Korea / Japan	AKFTA/VKFTA/RCEP; AJCEP/VJEPA/CPTPP/RCEP	Relevant origin proof	Check 2026 schedule	Meet selected FTA PSR	Origin dossier + BOM	Mixed balls require careful CC/CTH/RVC and animal-material review.
Australia / New Zealand	AANZFTA / CPTPP / RCEP	Relevant proof	Check 2026 schedule	Meet PSR/transport rules	Origin + shipping docs	Lock final HS, then choose the eligible agreement.
EU / UK	EVFTA / UKVFTA	EUR.1 / permitted origin statement	Check 2026 schedule	Meet PSR/certification	Origin + Invoice/B/L + BOM	Do not infer 0% from a Made in EU/UK label alone.

C/O CHECKLIST: proof type; final HS; fish/shrimp/squid/chicken/pork/beef-ball description; BOM %; WO/RVC/CC/CTH/CTSH criterion; third-party invoice; transport; origin; quantity/weight; issue date/validity; authentication. For fish balls, crosswalk 1604.20.30 → 1604.20.30.10/.90 by packaging where the tariff/FTA schedule uses the detailed level.

5. DOSSIER & PREPARATION

Manage frozen hotpot balls under a “one source of truth – multiple procedures” model. Animal ingredient %, species, heat/process, frozen state, manufacturer/establishment, exporting country and package must align across HS, terrestrial/aquatic quarantine, food safety, VHC, C/O, label and customs.

Commercial dossier

Invoice, Packing List, B/L/AWB, Contract/PO, C/O, reefer instructions and temperature records where relevant.

Technical / specialized dossier

BOM %, species, process, heat parameters, frozen storage, package, shelf life, photos, establishment, VHC/Health Certificate, food-safety test.

Registration & cross-check dossier

Quarantine dossier under Circular 01/2026 or 03/2026 as applicable; FS inspection; self-declaration/test; labels; customs dossier.

Dossier principle: maintain one master data sheet per SKU: product name – animal ingredient % – species – manufacturer/establishment – country – process – cooked/raw – frozen temperature – package – lot. Avoid an Invoice saying “seafood ball”, VHC saying “fish ball”, while BOM shows shrimp predominance.

OPERATIONAL DOSSIER CHECKLIST

Dossier group	Documents	Used for	Owner	Common errors	Pre-ETA check
Commercial	Invoice; PL; B/L/AWB; Contract/PO	Customs/value/shipment match	Importer + supplier + forwarder	Generic hotpot-ball description; weight/package/origin mismatch	Lock SKU, lot, net/gross, reefer temperature and animal-source description before SI.
Technical/HS	Full BOM %; species; process; photos; package	HS classification/explanation	Manufacturer	No quantitative formula	Obtain percentages or equivalent evidence of predominance.
Terrestrial AQ – meat	VHC; establishment/country data; Circular 01/2026 file	Chicken/pork/beef balls	Supplier + competent authority + importer	Wrong plant/certificate/SKU; cooked=exempt assumption	Review approval/certificate/process/risk group pre-shipment.
Aquatic AQ – fish/seafood	Export-country certificate; registration/declaration; transport docs	Frozen fish/shrimp/squid balls	Supplier + competent authority + importer	AQ omitted because cooked; species/VHC mismatch	Circular 03/2026 App.I includes frozen aquatic products.
Food safety/circulation	Import FS; self-declaration/test; label	Food safety + Vietnam market	Importer + lab + manufacturer	Test not matching SKU/formula; missing allergen/storage	Cross-check formula, manufacturer, origin, allergen and temperature.
C/O/FTA	Origin proof + supporting BOM	Preferential duty	Exporter + importer	C/O HS follows fish while BOM predominance is pork/shrimp	Crosswalk HS + PSR + BOM + invoice + route.

6. LEGAL BASIS – SPECIALIZED POLICY MATRIX

LEGAL BASIS TO REVIEW

Instrument group	Instrument	Issuer	Effective time	Role	Key article/appendix	Review note
HS – current nomenclature	Circular 31/2022/TT-BTC – Chapter 16	Ministry of Finance	Effective 1 Dec 2022	Vietnam import-export nomenclature/classification notes	Chapter 16 Notes 1–2; 1602.10 Subheading Note	>20% animal-content/predominance rule; 1602.10 is not the ordinary meat-ball code.
Specialized HS list	Circular 01/2024/TT-BNNPTNT – Appendix II	Former MARD	Effective 20 Mar 2024; currently partially expired	HS mapping for AQ/FS controls	Row 235: 1602.32.90; rows 243–246 pork/bovine; row 738: 1604.20.30; row 750: 1605.29.20; rows 758–759: 1605.54	Relevant animal-food rows show quarantine and food-safety control; read with current Circular 01/2026 or 03/2026.
Terrestrial AQ – CURRENT	Circular 01/2026/TT-BNNMT, amended by Circular 22/2026/TT-BNNMT; consolidated text 67/VBHN-BNNMT	Ministry of Agriculture and Environment	Circular 01 effective 1 Jan 2026; Circular 22 effective 19 May 2026; consolidated text issued 12 Jun 2026	Current terrestrial animal/product quarantine list and procedure	Arts.2, 3, 10, 12; Apps.I, II, IV, XII	Art.2(5) classifies animal products in frozen form as high-risk. Appendix XII lists frozen/chilled/preliminarily processed meat and meat products in the high-risk group; processed meat products outside that frozen/chilled/preliminary form are listed low-risk. For this article’s frozen meat balls, do not classify them low-risk merely because cooked.
Terrestrial AQ – OLD	Circulars 25/2016, 35/2018, 09/2022, 04/2024, 28/2025	Former authorities	Replaced from 1 Jan 2026	Historical/transition only	Arts.29–30 Circular 01/2026	Do not operate 2026 shipments under the old regime.
Aquatic AQ – NEW	Circular 03/2026/TT-BNNMT	Ministry of Agriculture and Environment	Effective 13 Jan 2026	Current aquatic animal/product quarantine	Art.2(7–8); Arts.3, 11–12; Apps.I–II	Appendix I II.1 includes aquatic animal products in fresh, chilled or frozen form.
Aquatic AQ – OLD	Circular 26/2016/TT-BNNPTNT and amendments	Former MARD	Replaced from 13 Jan 2026	Historical/transition only	Arts.23–24 Circular 03/2026	Do not use the old regime as the primary 2026 basis.
Food safety – CURRENT	Decree 15/2018/NĐ-CP + Resolution 15/2026/NQ-CP	Government	Resolution effective 6 Apr 2026	Suspends Decree 46/2026 and Resolution 66.13/2026; Decree 15 framework continues	Arts.4–5; 13–19	Processed-prepacked food generally requires self-declaration review. A FS exception does not itself remove veterinary quarantine.
Food-safety procedure 2026	Circular 22/2026/TT-BNNMT + Decision 1908/QĐ-BNNMT	Ministry of Agriculture and Environment	Procedures apply from 1 Sep 2026	Current authority/time for import FS inspection	Normal 3 working days; tightened 7 working days	Used for timeline.
MFN duty	Decree 26/2023/NĐ-CP	Government	Effective 15 Jul 2023; read with current amendments	Preferential import tariff	1604.20.30 30%; 1605.29.20 30%; 1605.54 25%; 1602.32.90/1602.49 22%; 1602.50 35%	Apply only the final branch rate.
Ordinary duty	Decision 15/2023/QĐ-TTg	Prime Minister	Effective 15 Jul 2023	Ordinary import-duty mechanism	Check statutory conditions	45%, 37.5%, 33%, 52.5% are references under 150%-of-MFN mechanism where applicable.
VAT – 2026	VAT Law 48/2024/QH15 amended by 149/2025/QH15; Decree 174/2025/NĐ-CP	National Assembly / Government	Amendment from 1 Jan 2026; 2-point reduction through 31 Dec 2026	VAT for processed food	Review Decree 174 Art.1 and exclusions	Do not apply the unprocessed-animal non-taxable rule; review 8% where otherwise 10% and eligible.
Labeling	Decree 43/2017/NĐ-CP amended by 111/2021/NĐ-CP	Government	Decree 111 effective 15 Feb 2022	Imported-goods/Vietnamese supplementary label	Mandatory content + food rules	Check name, ingredients, allergens, origin, storage and dates.

POLICY MATRIX BY GOODS SCENARIO

Goods scenario	Legal basis	Potential policy	Authority	Trigger
Frozen fish ball – fish predominates	1604.20.30 + Circular 03/2026 + Circular 01/2024	Aquatic AQ + FS; self-declaration/label for circulation	Customs + aquatic AQ + FS	BOM/process supports fish ball; frozen state.
Frozen shrimp ball – shrimp predominates	1605.29.20 + Circular 03/2026	Aquatic AQ + FS	Customs + aquatic AQ + FS	Shrimp predominates; ball form; frozen.
Frozen squid/mollusc ball	1605.54 or relevant mollusc subheading + Circular 03/2026	Aquatic AQ + FS	Customs + aquatic AQ + FS	Lock species + package + frozen state.
Frozen chicken/pork/beef ball	1602 species branch + Circular 01/2026	Terrestrial AQ + FS; risk/sampling by process/App.XII	Customs + terrestrial AQ + FS	Terrestrial meat; commercial import; no applicable exemption.
Mixed meat + fish/seafood	Chapter 16 Note 2 + Circulars 01/2026 and 03/2026	HS by predominance; veterinary pathway reviewed separately due mixed animal origins	Customs + veterinary/FS authority	Full BOM %, species, process, frozen state; lock treatment pre-shipment.
Animal ingredients ≤20% / exception	Chapter 16 Note 2 + competing heading	May fall outside Chapter 16; specialized control follows final nature	Customs + relevant authority	Does not meet Chapter 16 threshold or falls under Note 2 exceptions.

7. PROCESSING TIME, FEES & RISK COSTS

OPERATIONAL TIMELINE

Step/operation	Sourced time	Conditions	Fees	Logistics risk
Lock BOM/HS/control before shipment	Variable; no fixed statutory period	Full formula %, species, process, frozen temp, country, establishment	Supplier-document/test cost if any	Wrong meat/fish/shrimp/squid branch may force VHC/C/O rework.
Terrestrial AQ – pre-import registration	4 working days from complete valid dossier	Terrestrial product subject to AQ	Current veterinary/testing fees	Country/plant/VHC may block shipment.
Terrestrial AQ – border declaration	1 working day to confirm complete valid declaration	Guidance/dossier available	Current veterinary fees	Late declaration affects inspection/free time.
Terrestrial AQ – quarantine/certificate	Certificate within 5 working days from quarantine where dossier, actual condition and required test results comply	Frozen meat product: Art.2(5) + Appendix XII high-risk route; sampling under Appendix XII	Quarantine/testing fees may apply	Key blocker: high-risk frozen animal products must be held in the border area until a compliant quarantine result; allow plug-in/cold-storage/free-time buffer.
Aquatic AQ – pre-import registration	4 working days from complete valid dossier	Frozen aquatic product subject to AQ	AQ/testing fee by case	VHC/species/country mismatch delays approval.
Aquatic AQ – declaration/certificate	Declaration 1 working day; no-sample certificate 1 day; sampled lot within 5 days if compliant	Arts.11–12 Circular 03/2026	Testing may apply	Key blocker: Circular 03/2026 specifically requires frozen aquatic animal products to remain at the import border until the quarantine result is satisfactory; allow reefer/plug-in/storage buffer.
Food safety – normal	3 working days	Normal inspection method	Inspection/testing fee by case	Late FS dossier creates storage cost.
Food safety – tightened	7 working days	Tightened inspection	Testing may apply	Higher reefer/storage/DEM-DET risk.
Customs → delivery → circulation	Depends on channel and AQ/FS results	HS/tax/C/O/AQ/FS complete	Duty, VAT, local charges	Clearance does not replace labels, self-declaration and cold-chain obligations.

Timeline principle: do not add both quarantine pathways to every SKU. Frozen chicken/pork/beef balls follow the terrestrial route; frozen fish/shrimp/squid balls follow the aquatic route. Both frozen routes create a border-holding risk while awaiting quarantine results.

8. PRACTICAL E2E WORKFLOW

STEP 01

Identify product/data

Obtain full BOM %, species, process, cooked/raw status, frozen temperature, package, country and establishment.

STEP 02

Finalize HS/tax/C/O

Apply Chapter 16 Note 2: fish→1604, shrimp/mollusc→1605, terrestrial meat→1602; mixed by predominance; exclude ≤20%/exceptions.

STEP 03

Review policy & specialized dossier

Meat branch: Circular 01/2026; frozen fish/seafood: Circular 03/2026; all food SKUs: FS/Decree 15.

STEP 04

Complete product/registration file

Lock VHC/Health Certificate, country/establishment, applicable AQ file, FS, self-declaration/test and labels.

STEP 05

Lock documents pre-ETA

Cross-check Invoice – PL – B/L/AWB – C/O – BOM – spec – VHC – FS – label – declaration description.

STEP 06

File customs/handle channel

Declare SKU-level HS; support the branch with BOM %, Chapter 16 Note, species, process, package and regulatory documents.

STEP 07

Complete controls/tax/clearance

Coordinate terrestrial/aquatic AQ, FS, sampling if any, tax and reefer/cold-store schedule.

STEP 08

Circulation/records/post-clearance

Maintain cold chain; apply supplementary label; retain BOM revision, VHC, AQ, FS, C/O and customs records; reassess changes.

Before ETA: obtain full BOM % before the supplier issues C/O/VHC. It differentiates 1604.20.30 fish ball, 1605.29.20 shrimp ball, 1605.54 squid ball and 1602 meat branches.

Main blockers: BOM without percentages; using 1602.10 merely because finely minced; wrong species/SKU on VHC; unqualified country/establishment; mixed-ball predominance not locked; no cost/time buffer for frozen border holding pending quarantine; label/test formula mismatch.

9. FAQ – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Is there one HS code for “hotpot balls”?

No. Separate fish, shrimp, squid/mollusc, chicken/pork/beef or mixed balls using BOM %, species and process.

2. Reference HS for frozen fish balls?

Where genuinely a prepared fish ball and fish predominates, review 1604.20.30 – Fish ball; reference MFN 30%.

3. Can shrimp balls use the fish-ball code?

No. Vietnam has a dedicated 1605.29.20 – Shrimp ball branch; reference MFN 30%.

4. Is there a dedicated “squid ball” code?

Not by that wording. If squid predominates and the product is prepared/preserved, review 1605.54.10/.90 by packaging.

5. Does finely minced meat ball use 1602.10?

Usually no. 1602.10 is narrowly defined for homogenised infant/young-child or dietetic food in retail containers ≤250 g.

6. How is a mixed meat–fish ball classified?

For a qualifying Chapter 16 preparation with two or more animal groups, Note 2 points to the heading of the animal component(s) predominating by weight. Full BOM % is required.

7. Do cooked frozen fish/shrimp/squid balls require aquatic quarantine?

Yes. Circular 03/2026 Appendix I II.1 includes aquatic animal products in frozen form. Article 12 also specifically requires frozen aquatic products to remain at the import border until the quarantine result is satisfactory.

8. Are cooked but still frozen chicken/pork/beef balls high-risk for quarantine?

Under consolidated text 67/VBHN-BNNMT, Art.2(5) treats animal products in frozen form as high-risk; Appendix XII also lists frozen meat products in that group. For frozen meat balls, do not use the low-risk processed-product line merely because they are cooked. Non-frozen/chilled shelf-stable processed products require a separate review.

9. Mixed meat + seafood: terrestrial or aquatic quarantine?

Do not decide solely from HS. HS may follow predominance, while mixed animal origins can create separate veterinary considerations. Lock BOM, VHC and treatment before shipment.

10. VAT rate?

These are prepared foods, so do not use the unprocessed-animal non-taxable logic. Review final HS; in 2026 eligible otherwise-10% goods may receive the 8% reduction under Decree 174/2025.

11. Does China Form E guarantee 0%?

No. Fish, shrimp, squid and meat balls have different headings/PSRs. Final HS, origin criterion and 2026 ACFTA line must be checked.

12. Minimum pre-ETA data?

Full BOM %, species, cooked/raw/heat process, frozen temperature, manufacturer/establishment, country, VHC format, package, HS branch, FS/test, C/O and consistent Invoice–PL–B/L descriptions.

10. OUTPUTS & POST-CLEARANCE OBLIGATIONS

Product/classification file

Full BOM %, Note 2 analysis, species, process, photos, package, frozen state and HS rationale.

Shipment file

Invoice, PL, B/L/AWB, Contract/PO, lot, weight, origin, reefer temperature and manufacturer aligned.

Specialized file

Terrestrial or aquatic AQ by branch; VHC/Health Certificate; FS; self-declaration/test; country/establishment evidence where applicable.

Customs & tax

Declaration, HS rationale, MFN/ordinary duty, VAT, C/O/FTA and tax evidence.

Label & circulation

Original/Vietnamese label, ingredients, allergens, origin, manufacturer, storage temperature, use and dates.

CHECK

Records & change management

Manage recipe/BOM revisions, supplier, establishment, country, species, package and cold-chain changes.

Target output: each SKU has one consistent chain from BOM → HS → terrestrial/aquatic AQ → FS → VHC → C/O → label → declaration.

Change management: changing fish/pork/shrimp ratio, species, cooked/raw process, filling/coating, country or establishment can change HS, PSR, VHC, risk group, FS and labels.

11. TGIMEX SOLUTIONS

For frozen hotpot balls, the hardest task is locking BOM predominance + the correct veterinary pathway before the supplier issues certificates and C/O.

Pre-ETA review

Lock BOM %, HS branch, duty/VAT/FTA, terrestrial/aquatic AQ, VHC and FS before shipment.

Compliance dossier control

Cross-check formula, species, establishment, country, process, package, C/O, VHC, FS, tests and labels.

Operations/logistics & clearance

Plan quarantine/sampling, FS, reefer/cold storage, customs, tax, D/O and delivery.

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