Complete Guide to Customs Procedures for Importing and Exporting Vietnamese Coffee

Introduction

In the world of coffee, Vietnam holds a special place. Known for its rich flavors and high-quality beans, Vietnamese coffee has become a sought-after commodity in the global market. For businesses looking to import this valuable product, understanding the process is crucial.

Importing coffee from Vietnam is not just about purchasing and shipping. It involves navigating through various customs procedures, adhering to specific regulations, and ensuring compliance with both local and international standards. These processes can be complex and require a thorough understanding to ensure a smooth and successful import operation.

This article aims to serve as a comprehensive guide for businesses interested in importing Vietnamese coffee. It will walk you through the customs procedures involved in the import process, provide insights into the conditions for imported coffee, and offer guidance on how to self-publish your products.

Whether you’re a seasoned importer or a newcomer to the trade, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and resources you need to navigate the Vietnamese coffee import process effectively. From applying for an import license to understanding the plant quarantine process, we’ve got you covered.

Conditions for Imported Coffee

Importing coffee from Vietnam involves meeting several conditions to ensure the safety and quality of the product. Here are the key requirements:

Announcement of Regulation Conformity: Before importing, the announcement of regulation conformity must be registered at a competent state agency. This is a declaration that the imported coffee complies with all relevant regulations.
Notice of Results Certifying that Food Meets Import Requirements: For each shipment, the inspection agency must issue a “Notice of results certifying that food meets import requirements”. This notice confirms that the imported coffee has been inspected and meets all the necessary food safety requirements.
Certificate of Free Sale or Medical Certificate: Imported coffee must have a certificate of free sale or a medical certificate. This applies to functional foods, foods fortified with micronutrients, genetically modified foods, and foods that have been irradiated. These certificates attest that the coffee is safe for consumption and sale.
Adherence to International Agreements or Treaties: In case Vietnam has no corresponding technical regulations, international agreements or treaties to which Vietnam is a contracting party shall apply. This ensures that the imported coffee meets internationally recognized standards and regulations.
Compliance with Technical Regulations: The imported coffee must satisfy corresponding technical regulations and comply with regulations on limits of pathogenic microorganisms, pesticide residues, veterinary drug residues, heavy metals, pollutant agents, and more. These regulations are in place to protect consumers and maintain the high quality of Vietnamese coffee.

By meeting these conditions, importers can ensure that they are bringing in coffee that is not only of high quality but also safe for consumption.

Self-publishing Products

The process of self-publishing products is initiated before the goods arrive. It involves the following steps:

Sample Submission: The first step is to submit a product sample, which includes both the goods and packaging. This sample is used for the product self-declaration.
Testing: The product samples are then sent to licensed units for testing. This ensures that the product meets all necessary standards and regulations.
Submission of Self-declaration Dossier: After receiving the test results, a self-declaration dossier is submitted to the competent authority. This dossier includes:

Food self-declaration (according to form)
Product test result sheet according to QCVN (From Vietnam)
Certificate of business registration
Product samples; product label samples; product pictures
Foreign or domestic notarized copy of one of the following certificates (if any): GMP certificate; HACCP or equivalent certificate;
Certificate of Free Sale or Health Certificate issued by a competent state agency of the country of origin contains content certifying that the product is suitable for age or the subject of use;
Copy of commercial contract;

‍Product Announcement Process: The process of announcing coffee products is as follows:

Step 1: Enterprises prepare full product announcement documents according to the law provisions and submit them to the Department of receiving and returning results – Food Safety Management Board.
Step 2: The department receives and returns the results – the Food Safety Management Board receives the documents. If the dossier is complete and valid as prescribed, the application receipt will be received and printed. If the dossier is incomplete or not valid, the organization or individual is guided to supplement and complete the dossier.
Step 3: Within 07 (seven) working days from the date of receipt of the complete application for registration of the product announcement, The Food Safety Management Board is responsible for verifying the records and posting them on the website.
Step 4: Enterprises log in to the website and check their publication records.

Applying for an Import License

To apply for an import license, the following documents need to be filled out, scanned, and submitted:

Business Registration License: This should specify the business of importing and trading coffee.
Certificate of Free Sale: This attests that the coffee is safe for sale.
Notarized Copy of CA: This is a notarized copy of the Certificate of Analysis.
Product Standard Announcement: This announces the standards the product adheres to.
Label: This includes important product information.
Application for Import License: This is the actual application for the import license.
Animal Quarantine Declaration: This needs to be declared on one-stop and submitted for moderation.

Plant Quarantine of Imported Coffee from Vietnam Coffee Supplier

The plant quarantine process for imported coffee from Vietnam involves the following steps:

Registration: Submit a dossier for registration of imported plant quarantine, which includes a plant quarantine registration certificate and a photocopy or original copy of the Certificate of plant quarantine issued by the competent plant quarantine agency of the exporting country.
Dossier Check: The plant quarantine agency will immediately receive and check the dossier’s validity. If the dossier is invalid, the owner will be requested to supplement and complete the dossier.
Inspection Notification: Once the goods have been fully gathered at the port, the consignment owner’s border gate will notify the time and place for the quarantine specialist to inspect the shipment directly.
Phytosanitary Certificate Issuance: The plant quarantine agency will issue a phytosanitary certificate for import, transit, and inland transportation within 24 hours from the start of quarantine for the batch of objects that are not infected with the phytosanitary objects or Vietnamese-controlled objects or strange, harmful organisms.

Customs Procedures for Importing & Exporting Coffee

Once the above steps are completed, you will have a complete set of customs documents for importing and exporting coffee. These include:

Phytosanitary Certificate: This certifies that the coffee is free from harmful organisms.
Food Safety Inspection Certificate: This confirms that the coffee meets food safety standards.
Customs Declaration: This is a document that lists and gives details of the goods that are being imported or exported.
Sale Contract: This is an agreement between the buyer and seller detailing the terms of sale.
Commercial Invoice: This is required in case the buyer must pay the seller. In some instances, the customs declarant is not required to submit a commercial invoice.
Packing Slips: These provide details about the contents of a package.
Bill of Lading or Other Transport Documents: These serve as a contract of carriage and receipt for goods.
Certificate of Origin Form AANZ, VJ, VK, AK,… (if any): This certifies the country in which the coffee was produced.

Questions about Customs Procedures for Importing Coffee

What are the conditions for imported coffee?

Register the announcement of regulation conformity at a competent state agency before importing.
Obtain a “Notice of results certifying that food passes and must be imported” for each shipment from the inspection agency.
Carry a certificate of free sale or a medical certificate for certain types of foods.
Follow international agreements or treaties to which Vietnam is a contracting party if Vietnam does not yet have a corresponding technological standard.

What does plant quarantine of imported coffee include?

Register for imported plant quarantine, which includes a plant quarantine registration certificate and a photocopy or original copy of the Phytosanitary Certificate issued by the competent plant quarantine agency of the exporting country.
The plant quarantine agency reviews the validity of the procedures. If the dossier is not valid, the object owner is suggested to supplement and complete the certificate.
After the goods have converged almost at the port, the shipment’s border gate owner informs the time and place for the quarantine specialist to inspect the shipment directly.
The Plant Quarantine Authority issues a phytosanitary certificate for import, transit, and domestic transportation within 24 hours from the start of quarantine for the batch of objects that are not contaminated with the phytosanitary thing or subject to the control of Vietnam or strange, harmful organisms.

How to import coffee from Vietnam? Once you’ve done the above, you’ve got a complete set of commercial procedures, including:

Phytosanitary Certificate
Food safety inspection certificate
Customs declaration
Sale contract
Commercial invoice (if the customer has to pay the seller)
Packing slips
Bill of lading or other loading documents
Certificate of origin (if any)

Which B2B website in Vietnam provides a list of these businesses?

Freshdi.com is a reliable B2B platform that connects buyers and sellers in the agricultural sector, especially in the field of coffee. Our platform provides various solutions and services to support international import and export activities, including the tracking and verification of the origin, quality, and history of the coffee beans. We also offer a list of top coffee exporters in Vietnam, which is approved by the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Our goal is to help you find the most reliable, reputable, and quality coffee exporters in Vietnam, and to promote the development of the Vietnam coffee industry.

Top Coffee Exporters in Vietnam 2022: A List Approved by the Ministry of Industry and Trade

Freshdi.com's Guide to Coffee Exportation

Freshdi.com's guide provides you with all the detailed information about the Vietnamese coffee industry, covering various topics from the import market and popular coffee varieties to price trends, finding exporters, and necessary considerations when exporting coffee from Vietnam. This guide helps you understand the Vietnamese coffee market, helping you succeed in trading with coffee suppliers in Vietnam.

Chapter 1: Comprehensive Overview of Vietnam’s Coffee Market Embark on a journey through Vietnam’s coffee export market, understanding its position, target markets, coffee types, cultivation areas, and more.

Chapter 2: Certified Vietnam Coffee Exporters List accredited by the Ministry of Industry and Trade - October 2023 Explore the list of coffee exporting enterprises that met the export conditions in 2022, as announced by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Chapter 3: Vietnam’s Top 10 Coffee Exporters (9 months 2022) Discover the top 10 coffee exporters in Vietnam, updated as of September 2022, and learn about their contributions to the global coffee industry.

Chapter 4: Top Vietnamese Coffee Suppliers: A Comprehensive Guide 2023 Uncover the leading Vietnamese coffee suppliers in our comprehensive guide, from sourcing to understanding the supply chain.

Chapter 5: How to Import Coffee from Vietnam: A Step-by-Step Process Learn how to import coffee from Vietnam, covering market conditions, coffee types, and the import process.

Chapter 6: How to Find Coffee Bean Suppliers in Vietnam Follow our step-by-step guide on how to find and connect with reliable coffee exporters in Vietnam for successful trade.

Chapter 7: Complete Guide to Customs Procedures for Importing and Exporting Vietnamese Coffee Navigate through the customs procedures for importing and exporting Vietnamese coffee, understanding the conditions, necessary documents, and more.

Chapter 8: Comprehensive Guide to Procedures and Taxes for Coffee Export from Vietnam Explore Vietnam’s coffee export procedures, taxes, and compare with other top coffee-exporting countries.

Chapter 9: Vietnam Rice Export: Top Types Of Coffee Exported Abroad Explore the various coffee bean types exported from Vietnam and learn how to choose the right one for your needs.

Chapter 10: Forecast for Vietnam’s 2024 Coffee Exports Get a glimpse of the future with a forecast for Vietnam’s coffee exports in 2024, including coffee prices and the potential impact on the global coffee market.

This guide provides a comprehensive understanding of the Vietnamese coffee market, from suppliers to exporters, and from import processes to future forecasts. It serves as a valuable resource for anyone interested in the Vietnamese coffee industry.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding the procedures and taxes for coffee export from Vietnam is crucial for anyone looking to venture into this business. With its favorable tax structure and efficient export procedures, Vietnam offers significant advantages for coffee exporters. By comparing with other top coffee-exporting countries, we can see that Vietnam stands out as a competitive player in the global coffee market. We hope this guide has provided valuable insights and answers to your questions about coffee export from Vietnam. As the coffee export landscape continues to evolve, staying informed and adaptable is key to success.