Viet Nam Expands Animal Product Quarantine Rules for Terrestrial and Aquatic Species

Viet Nam has issued draft quarantine regulations for animals and animal products, including terrestrial and aquatic species, to strengthen disease control and livestock health protection

Compliance Analysis: Vietnam’s Draft Quarantine Regulations for Animals and Animal Products

Vietnam has issued two draft circulars to strengthen quarantine controls for terrestrial animals and animal products and aquatic animals and animal products, replacing multiple existing circulars and aligning with international standards. The regulations aim to enhance animal health, food safety, and protection against transboundary diseases. Below is a structured analysis of the key provisions, timelines, and compliance requirements.

1. Overview of Draft Regulations

Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (now referred to as the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) in practice, though the drafts use "Ministry of Agriculture and Environment") has proposed two draft circulars:

1. Draft Circular on Quarantine of Aquatic Animals and Animal Products¹
   • Replaces: Circular No. 26/2016/TT-BNNPTNT, Circular No. 36/2018/TT-BNNPTNT, Circular No. 06/2022/TT-BNNPTNT, and annuls Article 23 of Circular No. 09/2025/TT-BNNMT¹.
   • Aligns with OIE Aquatic Animal Health Code (chapters 8.1, 9.1, 9.3–9.5, 9.7–9.9, 10.2, 10.4–10.9, 11.1, 11.5–11.6)¹.
   • Objective: Animal health, food safety, and protection of humans from aquatic animal diseases¹.

1. Draft Circular on Quarantine of Terrestrial Animals and Animal Products²
   • Replaces: Circular No. 25/2016/TT-BNNPTNT, Circular No. 35/2018/TT-BNNPTNT, Circular No. 09/2022/TT-BNNPTNT, Circular No. 04/2024/TT-BNNPTNT, and annuls Article 22 of Circular No. 09/2025/TT-BNNMT².
   • Aligns with OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code (chapters 1.1–1.3, 4.2–4.3, 4.14, 5.1–5.13, 6, 8–16)².
   • Objective: Animal health and protection of humans from terrestrial animal diseases².

Both drafts apply to all trading partners and are classified as trade-facilitating measures^{1, 2}.

2. Key Compliance Requirements

2.1 Scope and Coverage

2.2 Quarantine Procedures and Obligations

While the full text of the drafts is not provided, the notifications outline the following general requirements based on the replaced circulars and OIE alignment:

• Pre-Import Requirements:
  • Import Permits: Likely required for high-risk species (e.g., live animals, genetic materials), as per OIE guidelines^{1, 2}.
  • Health Certificates: Must accompany shipments, issued by the competent authority of the exporting country, certifying compliance with OIE standards^{1, 2}.
  • Risk Assessment: Vietnam may conduct risk assessments for new trading partners or high-risk products^{1, 2}.

• Border Quarantine:
  • Inspection at Designated Points: All consignments must enter through approved border checkpoints (e.g., ports, airports) with quarantine facilities^{1, 2}.
  • Sampling and Testing: Random or targeted sampling for diseases (e.g., African swine fever for terrestrial animals, white spot syndrome for aquatic animals)^{1, 2}.
  • Quarantine Periods: May apply for live animals (e.g., 14–30 days for terrestrial animals, variable for aquatic species)^{1, 2}.

• Post-Import Monitoring:
  • Traceability: Importers may be required to maintain records of distribution and use (e.g., for breeding, processing)^{1, 2}.
  • Disease Reporting: Suspected outbreaks must be reported to the Department of Animal Health and Production (DAHP) within 24 hours^{1, 2}.

2.3 Exemptions and Special Cases

• Low-Risk Products: Processed products (e.g., canned seafood, cooked meat) may be exempt from quarantine if they meet food safety standards^{1, 2}.
• Transit Shipments: May be subject to reduced requirements if sealed and not entering Vietnam’s territory^{1, 2}.

3. Timeline and Implementation

Note: The drafts specify that the regulations will enter into force at least 45 days after publication, with no additional grace period^{1, 2}.

4. Enforcement and Penalties

While the drafts do not detail penalties, the Veterinary Law of Vietnam (Law No. 79/2015/QH13)² provides the legal basis for enforcement, including:

• Fines: For violations such as falsifying health certificates or evading quarantine (e.g., VND 50–200 million for individuals, VND 200–500 million for organizations)².
• Suspension/Revocation: Of import permits for repeat offenders².
• Criminal Liability: For severe cases (e.g., introducing a notifiable disease)².

5. Stakeholder Engagement

• Comment Submission:
  • Deadlines: 12 January 2026 (aquatic)¹ and 9 December 2025 (terrestrial)².
  • Channels:
  • Vietnam SPS Office: `spsvietnam@mae.gov.vn` or +(84 4) 3734 4764^{1, 2}.
  • DAHP: `kiemdich.cty@gmail.com` or +(84 4) 3734 544^{1, 2}.
  • Website:¹(http://www.spsvietnam.gov.vn/en/notification-of-viet-nam)^{1, 2}.

• Public Consultation:
  • The drafts are available in Vietnamese and English^{1, 2}.
  • Stakeholders (e.g., exporters, importers, industry associations) are encouraged to submit feedback on:
  • Clarity of quarantine procedures.
  • Alignment with OIE standards.
  • Potential trade impacts.

6. Summary Answer

Vietnam’s draft quarantine regulations for aquatic¹ and terrestrial² animals and animal products aim to modernize disease control by replacing outdated circulars and aligning with OIE standards. Key requirements include:

1. Pre-import permits and health certificates for high-risk products^{1, 2}.
2. Border inspections and testing at designated checkpoints^{1, 2}.
3. Post-import traceability and reporting for live animals^{1, 2}.
4. Compliance with OIE chapters (e.g., Aquatic Code chapters 8.1–11.6¹; Terrestrial Code chapters 1.1–16²).

The drafts are open for public comments until 12 January 2026 (aquatic)¹ and 9 December 2025 (terrestrial)², with proposed entry into force ≥45 days post-publication. Enforcement will rely on the Veterinary Law of Vietnam (2015)², with penalties for non-compliance ranging from fines to criminal liability. Stakeholders should submit feedback to the Vietnam SPS Office or Department of Animal Health and Production^{1, 2}.

Sources

1. ↩ Draft Circular Regulations on quarantine of aquatic animals and animal products by the Minister of Agriculture and Environment https://docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/SS/directdoc.aspx?filename=Q:/G/SPS/NVNM174.pdf&Open=True
2. ↩ Draft Circular Regulations on quarantine of terrestrial animals and animal products by the Minister of Agriculture and Environment https://docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/SS/directdoc.aspx?filename=Q:/G/SPS/NVNM172.pdf&Open=True