According to the Principles of the WTO – the World Trade Organization, of which Vietnam and New Zealand are both members, measures to restrict the number of exports and imports are completely prohibited except in a small number of exceptions with certain conditions and procedures such as prohibition or temporary restriction of exports, temporary imports to prevent or overcome food scarcity, to apply standards or regulations on distribution and reception of products in the international market, etc.1
Thus, businesses can import honey from New Zealand without restrictions. However, enterprises must meet the conditions for importing honey according to the provisions of Vietnamese law as below:
1. Conditions for importing honey products
Clause 4, Article 38 of Decree 15/2018 and Appendix III to the decree “Honey and honey-based products” is a group of products under the management of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Honey and honey products include:
- Pure, concentrated, diluted honey;
- Beeswax, pollen, royal jelly with or without honey;
- Products containing honey, beeswax, pollen, and royal jelly, except cakes, jams, candies, and honey-based beverages as soft drinks managed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Except for functional foods and pharmaceuticals managed by the Ministry of Health;
In addition, in Clause 1, Article 3, Circular 25/2016/TT-BNNPTNT and Section 15, Part II, Appendix I attached to the circular, “Honey, royal jelly, beeswax” is a product group belonging to subject to the quarantine of animal products according to regulations.
Therefore, before importing honey products to Vietnam, enterprises must apply for a license to quarantine animal products.
2. The process of applying for a license to quarantine animal products and import honey products
Step 1: Before importing animal products, the unit whose goods need to be imported shall send 01 quarantine registration dossier to the Department of Animal Health. Components of an application for quarantine registration include:
(i) The written request for guidance on the quarantine of imported animals and animal products from organizations or individuals (Form 19 Appendix V issued together with Circular 25/2016/TT-BNNPTNT);
(ii) For animals and animal products subject to the management of other relevant state agencies, documents or permits must be submitted according to regulations, for example, the Health Certificate of the exporting country, etc.
There are 02 forms of sending dossiers: via the National Single Window Portal or the public postal service, or by email or fax, then sending the original or sending it in person.
Step 2: Within 05 working days from the date of receiving the valid dossier, the Department of Animal Health shall send written consent and instructions on quarantine to the unit whose goods need to be imported, the animal quarantine agency border gate by email (in case the goods owner registers for quarantine via public postal service or by email, fax or direct delivery) or sent on the National Single Window Portal (in case the owner of the goods register for quarantine on the National Single Window Portal).
Step 3: Quarantine declaration
After the Department of Animal Health has written approval and quarantine instructions, before the goods arrive at the import border gate, the unit with the goods to be imported shall send 01 set of quarantine declaration dossiers to the border animal quarantine agency. in one of the following forms: via the National Single Window or through the public postal service, or by email or fax, then the original or send it directly.
The quarantine declaration dossier the following:
(i) Quarantine declaration form (Form 3, Appendix V issued together with Circular 25/2016/TT-BNNPTNT);
(ii) Quarantine certificate of the exporting country.
Step 4: Within 01 working day from the date of receipt of a valid dossier of declaration of quarantine of animal products, the Department of Animal Health shall decide and notify the organization or individual registering for quarantine of the location. , time to conduct quarantine.
For imported animal products, the Department of Animal Health shall carry out the quarantine as follows:
(i) Check the quarantine declaration dossier, the actual condition of the goods, if satisfactory, take samples to check the veterinary hygiene standards according to regulations;
(ii) Issue the Certificate of Import Quarantine for animal products meeting veterinary hygiene requirements and notify the veterinary specialized management agency of the destination;
(iii) Guiding goods owners to take measures to clean, disinfect and disinfect.
After the quarantine of animal products is completed, the unit with the imported goods shall be granted an import quarantine certificate for animal products meeting veterinary hygiene requirements.
Step 5: Open the customs declaration
The opening of the customs declaration can be done in parallel with Step 3, after the unit having the imported goods is granted the Certificate of Import Quarantine for animal products meeting veterinary hygiene requirements, the goods are cleared.
Above are the conditions and procedures for importing honey products from New Zealand into Vietnam. The above opinions are based on current Vietnamese laws, excluding detailed customs procedures. Therefore, in carrying out operations at the customs office, enterprises should check and implement more specific regulations of this agency. At the same time, contact us to update relevant rules at the time of need.
