In recent times, Vietnamese shrimp and seafood exporting enterprises have demonstrated a commitment to complying with the rigorous regulations enforced by Chinese Customs. As per statistics provided by the Department of Quality, Processing and Market Development (NAFIQPM) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, up to the end of March 2024, Vietnam had successfully exported 1,517 shipments of live seafood to China. Notably, no warnings pertaining to chemical or antibiotic residues have been issued for any of these shipments.

China’s Regulatory Framework

China’s regulations pertaining to live seafood cover the entire spectrum of the production chain, encompassing farming and exploitation, harvesting, transportation, packaging, and export. Presently, the General Department of Customs of China is soliciting feedback on the draft protocol governing Vietnam’s live seafood exports to the Chinese market. Key stipulations include the necessity of acquiring a code, maintaining designated farming areas, ensuring stringent control measures, and implementing comprehensive traceability protocols.

China imposes stringent requirements on exported aquatic products, mandating inclusion on its recognized list and adherence to food safety and veterinary hygiene standards. Additionally, farming facilities must undergo thorough inspection and certification by local aquaculture and veterinary management agencies. Of particular note are the regulations surrounding spiny lobsters, with China imposing bans on the capture, utilization, and trade of wild spiny lobsters, while imposing strict regulations on farmed counterparts.

Challenges and Recommendations

Despite concerted efforts to adhere to regulations, Vietnamese seafood exporters encounter challenges during the appraisal and certification process for live seafood shipments destined for China. These challenges primarily revolve around insufficient evidence for cross-border exports and inconsistencies in verifying the origin of raw materials. To address these issues, NAFIQPM recommends the establishment of a comprehensive chain of links, updating quality management programs, and the implementation of a robust information and data system for farming facilities.

Efforts are underway, spearheaded by NAFIQPM and the Regional Center for Quality of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, to identify shipments originating from the harvesting and purchasing process. This initiative seeks to streamline origin verification activities, ensure the retention of production and export evidence, and foster collaboration among live seafood export production facilities across the nation.