Veterinary Medicine Export Procedures is one of the most specialized export procedures in Vietnam’s agriculture-livestock sector, as veterinary medicine belongs to a strictly regulated specialized goods group, subject to direct control by veterinary authorities from the production stage all the way through customs clearance.
Unlike most agricultural products or frozen food, businesses cannot export veterinary medicine simply through standard customs declaration – they must obtain an export license issued by the specialized veterinary authority before the shipment is permitted to leave Vietnam.
Vietnam currently has hundreds of veterinary medicine manufacturing and processing enterprises meeting GMP-WHO standards, with many products already exported to markets in Southeast Asia, South Asia, Africa, and some Middle Eastern countries. The article below compiles the complete legal basis, conditions, HS codes, procedures, costs, and common risks involved in veterinary medicine export procedures, updated according to the latest current regulations.
1. Characteristics and Export Potential of Vietnam’s Veterinary Medicine Industry
Vietnam’s domestic veterinary medicine manufacturing industry has developed significantly, with many factories meeting GMP-WHO standards, producing a diverse range of product groups: antibiotics, vaccines, disinfectants, biological preparations, and nutritional supplements for livestock. This is an important foundation for businesses to carry out veterinary medicine export procedures to regional markets.
Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and several African countries are promising markets due to their large livestock farming demand but limited domestic veterinary medicine production capacity; meanwhile, markets with stricter veterinary pharmaceutical management standards such as the EU, Japan, and South Korea require businesses to register product circulation in the destination country before exporting officially in large quantities.
2. Legal Basis Governing Veterinary Medicine Export Procedures
| Legal Document | Content Governed |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Law 2015 (79/2015/QH13) | General regulations on veterinary medicine management, production conditions, trading, import-export |
| Decree 35/2016/ND-CP | Detailed guidance for implementing certain articles of the Veterinary Law |
| Circular 13/2016/TT-BNNPTNT, amended by Circular 18/2018/TT-BNNPTNT | Regulations on veterinary medicine management, circulation registration dossiers, circulation certificates for export (Appendix XIV) |
| Decree 105/2021/ND-CP | Detailed regulations on export/import licenses for veterinary medicine and veterinary medicine raw materials containing narcotics or precursor substances |
| Circular 38/2015/TT-BTC, amended by Circular 39/2018/TT-BTC | Customs procedures, inspection and supervision for exported goods |
This is the fundamental legal framework that businesses need to understand clearly in order to properly carry out veterinary medicine export procedures and avoid mistakes when working with specialized management authorities.
3. Conditions for Exporting Businesses and Products
| Condition | Issuing/Managing Authority | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Veterinary practice certificate (export operations) | Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health | The technical staff in charge at the facility must hold an appropriate practice certificate |
| GMP-WHO certificate for the manufacturing plant | Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health | A mandatory condition for products to be accepted in most importing markets |
| Certificate of veterinary medicine circulation for export | Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health | Mandatory for medicine not yet holding a circulation certificate in Vietnam but produced specifically for export, per the template in Appendix XIV of Circular 13/2016/TT-BNNPTNT or per the importing country’s requirements |
| Export license (for medicine containing narcotics, precursor substances) | Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) | Applies specifically to the veterinary medicine group containing special controlled substances under Decree 105/2021/ND-CP |
4. HS Codes and Export Duties for Veterinary Medicine
Veterinary medicine falls under Chapter 30 – “Pharmaceutical products,” heading 30.04 – the general code group for medicinal products, whether or not mixed, used for prevention or treatment of disease, put up in measured doses or in forms intended for such use. Correctly determining the HS code is a critical step in veterinary medicine export procedures, as it directly affects customs declaration and cross-referencing with the specialized management list.
| Goods Type | HS Code (Vietnam) | VN Export Duty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antibiotic-type veterinary medicine (containing penicillin, streptomycin…) | 3004.10 | 0% | Requires careful cross-checking of the active ingredient to avoid confusion with the raw material group |
| Other finished veterinary medicine (supplements, disinfectants, multivitamins) | 3004.90 | 0% | The most common code group for retail-packaged finished veterinary medicine |
| Veterinary vaccines | 3002.xx | 0% | Falls under the biological preparations group, requires checking the detailed subheading according to vaccine type |
| Veterinary medicine raw materials (active ingredients not yet dosed) | 2933.xx/2941.xx | 0% | Different group from finished medicine, needs to be re-determined based on chemical nature |
Practical note: Vietnam’s export duty on veterinary medicine is currently 0% for most HS codes under Chapter 30. However, import duties and circulation registration requirements at the destination country vary completely by market – some countries require the product to be registered for circulation in that country before customs clearance, regardless of whether the product already holds a circulation certificate in Vietnam. Businesses should work directly with the veterinary authority or importing partner in the destination country to confirm requirements before each shipment.
5. Specific Requirements by Product Group and Market
| Group/Market | Main Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Medicine containing narcotics, precursor substances | Separate export license under Decree 105/2021/ND-CP | Maximum appraisal period of 5 working days from receipt of a valid, complete dossier |
| Veterinary vaccines | Cold chain control, batch testing records | Many countries require GMP certification and separate batch testing for each shipment |
| Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar | Product circulation registration with the local veterinary authority | Registration procedures are usually simpler compared to the EU, Japan, Korea |
| EU, Japan, South Korea | Veterinary pharmaceutical circulation registration under a separate process, residue control of active ingredients | Registration takes a long time; technical dossiers must be prepared thoroughly from the start |
| Africa, Middle East | Certificate of Free Sale (CFS); some countries require consular legalization | Recommended to confirm specific requirements through the importing partner or Vietnam’s trade office in the destination country |
6. Documentation Required for Veterinary Medicine Export Procedures
| Document | When to Prepare | Important Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application for export license (Form No. 01, Appendix of Decree 105/2021/ND-CP) | Before manufacturing the export shipment | Submitted directly or via the National Public Service Portal of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment |
| Certificate of veterinary medicine circulation (in Vietnam or for export) | Before applying for the export license | For medicine not yet circulated in Vietnam, apply according to the template in Appendix XIV of Circular 13/2016/TT-BNNPTNT |
| Sales Contract | Before manufacturing and packaging | Clearly state Incoterms, packaging specifications, and minimum remaining shelf life |
| Commercial Invoice and Packing List | After packaging, before customs declaration | Value must match the contract and bill of lading |
| Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for each batch | Immediately after completing production of the batch | Many markets require this to accompany the shipment mandatorily |
| Certificate of Origin (C/O) | After obtaining the export customs declaration | Needed to enjoy preferential duty rates under the relevant FTA with the destination market |
| Export customs declaration (VNACCS) | Before customs clearance | Declare the correct HS code, attach the export license issued by the veterinary authority |
7. Veterinary Medicine Export Procedure Process
Step 1: Standardize Product Dossiers and Factory Conditions
Businesses ensure the factory meets GMP-WHO standards and that products have complete technical and testing dossiers suited to the target market’s requirements before proceeding to the next steps in veterinary medicine export procedures.
Step 2: Apply for a Veterinary Medicine Circulation Certificate (if needed)
For medicine that does not yet hold a circulation certificate in Vietnam but is produced specifically for export, businesses submit a dossier to the Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health following the prescribed template; the standard appraisal period is around 20 working days from when the dossier is deemed valid.
Step 3: Submit the Export License Application
Businesses prepare the export license application per the prescribed template and submit it directly or via the National Public Service Portal to the Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health. For veterinary medicine containing narcotics or precursor substances, the maximum appraisal period is 5 working days; for other cases, processing typically takes 15-30 working days.
Step 4: Sign the Contract and Manufacture According to the Order
Once all licenses are in place, businesses sign the commercial contract, manufacture, and package the shipment according to specifications agreed with the importer, while also preparing the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for each batch.
Step 5: Complete Documentation and Declare Export Customs
The business or a forwarding partner prepares the Invoice and Packing List, declares the electronic customs declaration on the VNACCS/VCIS system, and attaches the export license, circulation certificate, and C/O matching the FTA applicable to the destination market.
Step 6: International Transport and Import Clearance at the Destination
After the customs declaration is cleared, the goods are handed over to the sea or air carrier depending on volume and storage requirements (some vaccines need to be kept refrigerated). The importer coordinates with the local veterinary authority to complete import procedures.
8. Modes of Transport for Veterinary Medicine
Air freight: The top priority for vaccines and biological preparations requiring cold storage, ensuring short transit time and maintaining product quality.
Sea freight: Suitable for veterinary medicine shipments in powder, tablet, or solution form that do not require strict cold storage, with large volumes, going to distant markets such as Africa and the Middle East.
Road transport: Common for neighboring markets such as Cambodia and Laos, with fast transit times, suitable for periodic delivery of small to medium quantities.
9. Time and Cost for Veterinary Medicine Export Procedures
| Stage | Estimated Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Applying for circulation certificate for export (if needed) | About 20 working days | Applies to medicine not yet circulated in Vietnam |
| Applying for the export license | 5 – 30 working days | Depending on the medicine type (regular / containing narcotics, precursor substances) |
| Export customs declaration (VNACCS) | 0.5 – 1 day | Faster if the declaration is routed to the green channel |
| Air transport | 1 – 4 days | Preferred for vaccines and biological preparations |
| Sea transport | 15 – 30 days | Depending on the destination market |
Practical note: The time and cost figures above are for reference only and vary depending on the medicine type, shipment volume, and the specific requirements of the importing country’s veterinary authority. Businesses should proactively submit their export license application early, at least 30 days before the planned export date, to avoid delays in delivery schedules.
10. Common Risks in Veterinary Medicine Export Procedures
| Risk | Manifestation | Prevention |
|---|---|---|
| Missing export license or circulation certificate | Customs refuses clearance, goods are held | Prepare documentation and apply early, at least 30 days before the planned export date |
| Incorrect HS code between finished medicine and raw material | Retroactive duty collection, delayed clearance, need to amend the declaration | Carefully cross-check the HS code with a customs unit/forwarder experienced in veterinary pharmaceutical goods |
| Product not registered for circulation in the importing country | Rejected for import at the destination border despite clearing customs in Vietnam | Confirm each market’s circulation registration requirements before signing the contract |
| Cold chain break for vaccines, biological preparations | Product loses potency, fails to meet standards upon inspection at the destination | Use standard-grade insulated packaging, prioritize air transport for vaccines |
| Insufficient remaining shelf life per the importer’s requirement | Goods rejected or must be re-exported | Agree clearly on the minimum remaining shelf life in the contract before manufacturing the batch |
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Veterinary Medicine Export Procedures
Question 1: Is an export license mandatory for exporting veterinary medicine?
Yes. Unlike many agricultural products, veterinary medicine is a specially-regulated good, and businesses must obtain an export license issued by the Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health before carrying out customs procedures.
Question 2: Which authority has jurisdiction to issue licenses in veterinary medicine export procedures?
The Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, is the authority that receives dossiers, conducts appraisal, and issues export licenses as well as veterinary medicine circulation certificates for export.
Question 3: How long does it take to obtain a veterinary medicine export license?
For veterinary medicine containing narcotics or precursor substances, the maximum appraisal period is 5 working days from receipt of a valid, complete dossier. For other regular types of veterinary medicine, processing time is typically around 15-30 working days.
Question 4: What is the current export duty on veterinary medicine in Vietnam?
Veterinary medicine falls under Chapter 30, mainly HS code 3004, and enjoys a 0% export duty rate in Vietnam. Duty rates and circulation registration requirements in the importing country depend entirely on that specific market’s regulations.
Question 5: What should a business prepare if its veterinary medicine does not yet hold a circulation certificate in Vietnam?
The business needs to submit a dossier applying for a veterinary medicine circulation certificate for export only, at the Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health, following the template in Appendix XIV of Circular 13/2016/TT-BNNPTNT, or according to the specific requirements of the importing country, before proceeding to apply for the export license.
How Does 3W Logistics Support Veterinary Medicine Export Procedures?
As a freight forwarding company registered as an OTI-NVOCC with an FMC bond (Federal Maritime Commission) in the United States, holding an SCAC Code to self-file AMS/ISF declarations directly, along with experience handling specially-regulated goods across diverse markets, 3W Logistics provides a comprehensive service for businesses regarding veterinary medicine export procedures – from legal dossier consultation through to customs clearance in the importing country.
- Consulting on target markets and export conditions: Identifying suitable markets for the product, advising on license requirements and each country’s specific circulation registration, calculating costs and timelines in advance so businesses have a complete plan before signing contracts.
- Support connecting and preparing export license dossiers: Guiding businesses to prepare dossiers in the correct prescribed format, coordinating and tracking appraisal progress at the Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health, ensuring information matches the Invoice, Packing List, and related certificates.
- Coordinating specialized storage transport: Arranging transport schedules suited to each product group, especially vaccines and biological preparations that require an unbroken cold chain throughout the journey.
- Booking vessels and transport across multiple modes: Arranging sea, air, or road transport depending on the market, from Vietnam’s major ports and border gates to destinations worldwide.
- Electronic customs declaration (VNACCS) and import procedures at the destination: A professional customs declaration team handles export declarations, cross-checks HS codes, and attaches all required licenses; as an OTI-NVOCC holding FMC and an SCAC Code, 3W Logistics directly issues its own House Bill of Lading (HBL) and self-files AMS/ISF for shipments to the U.S.
- Handling issues arising when goods reach the importing country: With a network of agents in numerous markets, 3W Logistics helps businesses prepare complete documentation and quickly handle any additional requirements arising from the destination country’s customs or veterinary authorities.
Why choose 3W Logistics for veterinary medicine export routes: Unlike many intermediary forwarders that must go through a third-party agent, 3W Logistics is an OTI-NVOCC with a direct FMC bond and certification in the U.S., holding an SCAC Code that allows self-filing of AMS/ISF – helping shorten documentation processing time and reduce delay risks, which is especially important for specially-regulated goods with strict licensing requirements. With an office network in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Hai Phong, along with a team experienced in handling pharmaceutical and veterinary goods across diverse markets, 3W Logistics is a suitable choice for businesses wanting to ensure their shipment clears customs on time and to standard from the very first export. – Ms. Apple, CCO 3W Logistics
Head Office – 3W Logistics Ho Chi Minh City Branch
Address: 34 Bach Dang, Tan Son Hoa Ward, Ho Chi Minh City
Hotline: +84 28 3535 0087
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3W Logistics Hanoi Branch
Address: 81A Tran Quoc Toan, Cua Nam Ward, Hanoi
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3W Logistics Hai Phong Branch
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Hotline: +84 225 355 5939
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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.
