Vietnam’s new customs regulations rattle exporters

Local exporters have voiced concern over new customs regulations in Vietnam that require the submission of phytosanitary certificates for agricultural and livestock transshipments, arguing that they represent a significant barrier to trade.

Local exporters have voiced concern over new customs regulations in Vietnam that require the submission of phytosanitary certificates for agricultural and livestock transshipments, arguing that they represent a significant barrier to trade.

According to a circular issued by the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, agricultural goods and livestock being shipped to a third country through Vietnam must be placed under quarantine.

As per the regulation, exporters are also required to present phytosanitary certifications at the loading port (Phnom Penh) as well as the Vietnamese port through which the shipment will be conducted.

The regulation was issued in June 2015, but became effective in October this year. According to Cambodian exporters, Vietnamese customs authorities started applying the regulation to shipments along the Phnom Penh-Ho Chi Minh city route last week.

“The main documents that must be submitted are the phytosanitary certificate at the port of loading, the sales contract and the transportation contract, as well as the invoice and the packing list,” a barge operator in Ho Chi Minh city said.

Cambodian exporters say the measure amounts to a non-tariff barrier that negatively impacts local exports.

Amru Rice’s managing director, Kunthy Kann, told Khmer Times that this is the first time the document is required for transshipments.

“We do not know what is going on exactly now. They did not used to ask for this document. We are afraid now our shipments will get stuck in Vietnam.

“We call this a non-tariff barrier. It does not affect Amru Rice only, it affects the exports of the whole country,” Mr Kann said.

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