Management over Temporary Import, Re-export of Frozen Foods

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has recently issued the Circular No. 21/2011/TT-BTC, regulating the temporary import and re-export of frozen foodstuffs through border provinces. The transit trading of frozen foodstuffs is disallowed by means of road.

 

To avoid congestion at ports and border gates and ensure food safety requirements, traders shall reduce or halt temporary imports upon order of authorised agencies. A failure to complete customs requirements will require traders to re-export the freight back to the exporting countries. After 45 days dating from the date of temporary import traders fail to re-export the goods, customs authorities will not take on procedures for next frozen imports of such traders and notify the Ministry of Trade and Industry for further market regulation. At the request of customs offices or competent agencies, traders shall re-export the goods to third countries or back to exporting countries if the goods have been stored in with an excessive time in Vietnam.

 

Traders will clear customs procedures for temporarily imported frozen foodstuffs for re-export at international border gates and other border gates. Only authorised traders are allowed to store their frozen goods at bonded warehouses in border provinces.

 

In addition, the Circular provides regulations on warehousing, deposit, sanitation and environment standards, and outdated goods. The Circular took effect on July 3.