Pet food import procedures in Vietnam are among the most complex categories in the animal feed sector, as this product type is subject to either animal quarantine or plant quarantine, and must also be registered for circulation with the specialized management authority before it can be sold on the market. Vietnam’s pet market is growing strongly, driving increasing demand for dry kibble, pate, and wet food imported from Thailand, South Korea, the US, and Europe.
This article by 3W Logistics presents the complete pet food import procedure under current regulations – covering legal conditions, 8-digit HS codes, how to calculate tax, required documentation, step-by-step process, and real-world risks, from the perspective of a forwarder experienced in handling imported animal feed products.
1. Legal Conditions for Importing Pet Food into Vietnam
Pet food is not on the list of prohibited imports under Decree 187/2013/ND-CP (amended by Decree 69/2018/ND-CP), however this product category is directly linked to animal quarantine, plant quarantine, and falls under the specialized management of the Ministry of Agriculture.
| Condition | Detailed Content |
|---|---|
| Animal quarantine | Mandatory for products containing animal-derived ingredients, under the 2015 Veterinary Medicine Law and Circular 25/2016/TT-BNNPTNT; registered at the regional Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sub-Department before goods reach the port/airport |
| Plant quarantine | Mandatory for animal feed of plant origin, under Circular 30/2014/TT-BNNPTNT and Circular 33/2014/TT-BNNPTNT; the Plant Protection Department issues the permit within 10 business days |
| Quality inspection | Under Decree 39/2017/ND-CP and Circular 66/2011/TT-BNNPTNT, meeting QCVN 01-190:2020/BNNPTNT on animal feed safety limits |
| Product circulation registration | Under the 2018 Livestock Law and Decree 13/2020/ND-CP; products already on the approved circulation list only need self-declaration, while products not yet listed must undergo technical assessment registration with the Department of Livestock Production |
| Product labeling | Vietnamese sub-labels must be complete under Decree 43/2017/ND-CP and 111/2021/ND-CP: ingredients, usage instructions, origin, expiry date, name/address of the responsible entity |
Practical note: The most important point in pet food import procedures is distinguishing between two product groups: complete/concentrated feed mixtures (main dry kibble, pate) only require self-declaration and can circulate immediately once completed; whereas supplementary feed (treats, snacks, functional pet supplements) must go through technical assessment registration at the Department of Livestock Production, with a processing time of around 20 business days. Many businesses mistakenly apply the self-declaration process to both groups, leading to products being suspended from circulation after they’ve already gone to market.
2. 8-Digit HS Codes and Import Tax on Pet Food
Pet food falls under group 2309 (Preparations used in animal feeding), subgroup 230910 – Dog or cat food, put up for retail sale, under Chapter 23 of the Import-Export Tariff Schedule.
| Product Type | 8-Digit HS Code | Detailed Description | Import Tax (MFN) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meat-containing food | 2309.10.10 | Dog/cat food put up for retail sale, containing meat or meat by-products | 7% |
| Non-meat food | 2309.10.90 | Dog/cat food put up for retail sale, other types not containing meat (plant-based formula kibble, seafood-based…) | 7% |
Important note on HS codes: Each product form (dry kibble, pate, wet food, reward treats) may fall under a different HS code depending on the specific composition, so it’s necessary to cross-check the catalogue and ingredients carefully before declaring under pet food import procedures. For goods imported from countries with an FTA with Vietnam (Thailand, China under ACFTA, South Korea under VKFTA, the EU under EVFTA…), a valid C/O may reduce the special preferential import tax rate to 0%. Declaring the wrong HS code not only results in incorrect tax calculation but also risks a tax reassessment and administrative penalties under Decree 128/2020/ND-CP.
3. Documentation for Pet Food Import Procedures
The documentation set for pet food import procedures includes an additional layer of quarantine and circulation registration documents compared to ordinary goods, requiring simultaneous coordination between customs and the veterinary/livestock authority.
| Document | When to Prepare | Important Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sales Contract | Before deposit payment | Clearly state ingredients, origin, packaging specifications, and terms for providing C/O and Health Certificate |
| Commercial Invoice & Packing List | Before goods are shipped | Fully list product name, ingredients, number of cartons/packages for each product type |
| Bill of Lading | After loading onto vessel | Pet food is usually shipped in standard 20’/40′ dry containers; wet food/pate requires proper temperature storage per the manufacturer’s recommendations |
| Health Certificate (Animal Quarantine Certificate) | Before goods are shipped | Issued by the veterinary authority of the exporting country; mandatory for products of animal origin, and serves as the basis for registering quarantine in Vietnam |
| Quarantine registration application | While goods are en route to port | Under Clause 1, Article 45 of the Veterinary Medicine Law (animal) or Circular 33/2014/TT-BNNPTNT (plant); submitted to the regional Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sub-Department |
| C/O (Certificate of Origin) | Before goods are shipped | To obtain the special preferential import tax rate under the relevant FTA, potentially reducing it to 0% |
| Product circulation confirmation/declaration | Before goods arrive at port (do early) | Self-declaration (complete feed mixture) or technical assessment registration (supplementary feed) under Decree 13/2020/ND-CP; circulation validity of up to 5 years |
| Quality inspection registration | When goods arrive at port | Sampling is done at the same time as animal quarantine sampling; the quality inspection certificate must be submitted to both customs and the veterinary authority |
| Electronic Customs Declaration (VNACCS/VCIS) | Once documentation is complete | Declare the correct HS code under group 230910, enter the C/O number and circulation registration receipt number on the declaration |
4. Step-by-Step Pet Food Import Procedure
Step 1: Register product circulation
Before importing the official shipment, the business needs to determine whether the product falls under complete feed mixture (self-declaration) or supplementary feed (technical assessment registration), then submit the declaration/circulation application to the Department of Livestock Production via the Ministry of Agriculture’s Public Service Portal.
Step 2: Negotiate the contract and determine the HS code
Sign the sales contract, clearly specifying the product’s composition to correctly determine HS code 2309.10.10 or 2309.10.90, and request C/O and Health Certificate in the contract terms if the product is of animal origin.
Step 3: Ship the goods to a Vietnamese port
Dry pet food is usually shipped in standard dry containers; for wet food/pate products, proper temperature storage conditions must be maintained as recommended to avoid spoilage during long-distance transport.
Step 4: Register animal/plant quarantine
While goods are en route to port, register quarantine with the regional Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sub-Department. Authorities take samples at the port, conducted simultaneously with quality inspection sampling to shorten processing time.
Step 5: Wait for quality inspection results and declare customs
Once quarantine and quality inspection results meet requirements, open the VNACCS/VCIS declaration with the complete HS code, C/O number, and circulation registration number. Submit the quality inspection certificate to both customs and the veterinary authority.
Step 6: Clear customs and transport goods to the warehouse
Once customs confirms clearance of the declaration, the business pays import tax and VAT, receives the goods, and transports them to the storage warehouse. While waiting for quarantine/quality inspection results, the business may request to move the goods to a storage warehouse pending the certificate.
5. How to Calculate Pet Food Import Tax
Unlike beer and spirits, pet food is subject to only two tax layers – import tax and VAT, with no special consumption tax. For example, with a dry kibble shipment imported from Thailand (HS code 2309.10.90), CIF value of 400 million VND, comparing scenarios with and without Form D C/O:
| Tax / Cost Item | No C/O (MFN 7%) | With Form D C/O (0%) |
|---|---|---|
| CIF value | 400,000,000 VND | 400,000,000 VND |
| Import tax | 7% × 400M = 28,000,000 VND | 0% × 400M = 0 VND |
| VAT (5%) | 5% × (400+28)M = 21,400,000 VND | 5% × (400+0)M = 20,000,000 VND |
| Total tax payable | 49,400,000 VND (~49.4 million) | 20,000,000 VND (~20 million) |
| Savings with C/O | ~29,400,000 VND – a significant difference from just one valid C/O, especially meaningful for businesses that regularly import large volumes. | |
From 3W Logistics’ practical experience: For pet food, the most common mistake isn’t related to tax but to businesses skipping the product circulation registration step before importing, particularly for supplementary feed/treat lines that must go through technical assessment registration taking up to 20 business days rather than simple self-declaration. Many shipments get “stuck” at port for weeks because businesses mistakenly assume they can self-declare in the same way as complete feed. We always recommend clients clearly identify the product type and complete the circulation documentation before signing a large-volume import contract. – Ms. Apple, CCO, 3W Logistics
6. Common Risks in Pet Food Import Procedures
| Risk | Manifestation | Prevention |
|---|---|---|
| No product circulation license | Product not yet on the approved circulation list and technical assessment registration not completed – clearance cannot be finalized, goods are held at port | Check the product list and complete circulation registration before signing a large-volume import contract |
| Missing Health Certificate for animal-origin products | Cannot register animal quarantine due to a missing quarantine certificate from the exporting country – goods cannot be cleared | Request the Health Certificate directly in the supplier contract terms before shipping |
| Incorrect HS code between 2309.10.10 and 2309.10.90 | Confusing meat-containing products with non-meat types – customs reclassifies, resulting in retroactive tax collection and penalties for misdeclaration | Cross-check actual composition against the catalogue before declaring the HS code; consult a forwarder experienced in the animal feed category |
| Confusing self-declaration with technical assessment registration | Applying self-declaration to supplementary feed that requires technical assessment – product gets suspended from circulation after already being sold on the market | Clearly determine whether the product is a complete/concentrated feed mixture or supplementary feed before choosing the appropriate declaration process |
| Label missing mandatory information | Missing usage instructions or nutritional composition on the Vietnamese sub-label – customs holds the goods and requires re-labeling at port | Prepare complete sub-label samples under Decree 43/2017/ND-CP and 111/2021/ND-CP before goods arrive at port |
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about Pet Food Import Procedures
Question 1: What documents are needed for pet food import procedures?
A complete documentation set for pet food import procedures includes: Sales Contract; Commercial Invoice and Packing List; Bill of Lading; C/O (if seeking FTA preferential treatment); Health Certificate (for animal-origin products); Quarantine registration application; Product declaration/circulation registration certificate; Quality inspection registration; Electronic customs declaration (VNACCS/VCIS).
Question 2: Is quarantine mandatory for pet food?
Yes. Most pet food contains animal-derived ingredients, so animal quarantine under the Veterinary Medicine Law is mandatory; for products of plant origin, plant quarantine under Circular 30/2014/TT-BNNPTNT is required. This is an indispensable step in pet food import procedures, carried out in parallel with quality inspection registration.
Question 3: How many types of tax must be paid when importing pet food?
Pet food is subject to only two tax layers: (1) Import tax, calculated on CIF value, with an MFN preferential rate of around 7%, which can drop to 0% with a valid FTA C/O; (2) VAT, typically 5% (in some cases eligible for exemption), calculated on total CIF value plus import tax. Pet food is not subject to special consumption tax.
Question 4: How long does pet food import take?
The total time from circulation registration to goods arriving at the warehouse typically ranges from 30-55 days. This includes: product self-declaration, 3-5 days, or technical assessment registration for supplementary feed, around 20 business days; animal quarantine, about 3 days; transport from Asia, 10-15 days, from Europe/the US, 25-35 days; quality inspection and customs clearance, 5-10 days. Shipments that already have circulation documentation on file from a previous import will clear significantly faster.
How 3W Logistics Supports Pet Food Import Procedures
With experience handling a diverse range of imported animal feed products and registration as an OTI-NVOCC with FMC bond (Federal Maritime Commission) in the United States, 3W Logistics offers a full-service package for businesses covering pet food import procedures – from circulation registration consulting to delivery at the distribution warehouse.
- Consulting on product classification and the appropriate circulation registration process: Determine whether the product is a complete feed mixture or supplementary feed, avoiding an incorrect process that could lead to circulation suspension.
- HS code determination and actual tax calculation before ordering: Accurately classify between code 2309.10.10 and 2309.10.90; calculate import tax and VAT based on origin to give businesses an accurate cost figure before negotiation.
- Support with animal/plant quarantine registration: Prepare documentation, coordinate with the regional Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sub-Department to shorten processing time at port.
- Support obtaining the correct FTA C/O form from suppliers: Guide Thai suppliers in obtaining Form D, Korean suppliers Form VK/AK, and EU suppliers Form EUR.1 to optimize import tax costs.
- Electronic customs declaration (VNACCS/VCIS) and resolving issues at the border checkpoint: Declare the correct HS code, coordinate submission of quarantine and quality inspection certificates within the required deadlines.
Why choose 3W Logistics for your pet food shipment? Pet food import procedures require simultaneous handling of multiple layers of regulation – animal/plant quarantine, product circulation registration under the correct category, accurate HS code classification, and optimizing FTA C/O. We accompany you from the circulation registration stage through to warehouse delivery – helping businesses shorten clearance time and avoid unnecessary costs. Contact 3W for specific consultation before signing your import contract.
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Hotline: +84 28 3535 0087
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Address: 8A Lot 28 Le Hong Phong, Gia Vien Ward, Hai Phong
Hotline: +84 225 355 5939
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3W LOGISTICS CO., LTD – We here serve you there!
Email: quote@3w-logistics.com
Website: www.3w-logistics.com
Ms. Apple is the CCO (Chief Commercial Officer) at 3W Logistics, with over 10 years of experience in sales and business operations management.
At 3W Logistics, Ms. Apple is responsible for commercial strategy, corporate customer development, managing a team of more than 50 sales professionals, and improving business performance in the logistics sector.
With practical experience in sales management and market development, Ms. Apple shares professional insights on business logistics solutions, international transportation, freight forwarding, customer management, trade lane development, and growth strategies in the logistics industry.
