Procedures for quarantine of imported plants, inspection of food safety for goods originating from plants used for food in Vietnam

Procedures for quarantine of imported plants, inspection of food safety for goods originating from plants used for food in Vietnam (Internet image)

On April 19, 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development issued Decision 1143/QD-BNN-BVTV on the announcement of amended administrative procedures related to plant protection under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Procedures for quarantine of imported plants, inspection of food safety for goods originating from plants used for food in Vietnam 

(1) Procedures:

- Step 1:

The owner (consignor) submits (sends) a set of documents for registration of quarantine of imported plants or registration of quarantine of imported plants and state inspection of food safety for goods originating from plants used for food at Plant quarantine bodies (quarantine of Sub-departments of quarantine of plants in regions, quarantine of plants stations at border gates) or through the National Single-Window mechanism (online).

- Step 2:

Plant quarantine bodies are responsible for receiving and immediately checking the validity of the documents according to regulations. If the documents are not valid, the owner is required to supplement and complete the documents.

- Step 3:

+ In the case of only carrying out the procedures for quarantine of imported plants 

Based on the results of document verification, Plant quarantine bodies decide on the location, confirm it in the Certificate of registration for quarantine of plants, and arrange for officials to inspect the batch of plants.

+ In the case of simultaneously implementing the quarantine of plants and state inspection of food safety for goods originating from plants used for food procedures

Based on the results of document verification, Plant quarantine bodies decide on the location, confirm it in the Certificate of Registration for quarantine of plants and inspection of food safety for goods originating from plants used for food, and arrange for officials to inspect the batch of plants;

Take samples, test food safety criteria (only applicable to strict inspection methods).

- Step 4:

+ In the case of only carrying out procedures for the quarantine of imported plants:

Plant quarantine bodies issue the Phytosanitary Certificate for import, transit, and inland transport (according to the prescribed form in Appendix II issued together with Circular 33/2014/TT-BNNPTNT) within 24 hours from the start of inspection for the batch of plants not infected with quarantined objects, controlled objects of Vietnam, or unknown harmful organisms.

If the duration exceeds 24 hours due to technical requirements or if the Certificate of quarantine of plants is not issued, Plant quarantine bodies must notify or respond in writing and provide reasons to the owner.

+ In the case of simultaneously implementing procedures for the quarantine of plants and procedures for state inspection of food safety for imported goods 

Quarantine of plants and state inspection of food safety for imported goods carried out using the normal inspection method:

Plant quarantine bodies issue the Certificate of quarantine of plants and inspection of food safety for goods originating from plants used for food (according to the prescribed form in Appendix IIa issued together with Circular 34/2018/TT-BNNPTNT) within 24 hours from the start of inspection for the batch of plants not infected with quarantined objects or controlled objects of Vietnam or unknown harmful organisms.

In cases where the duration exceeds 24 hours due to technical requirements or if the Certificate of quarantine of plants and inspection of food safety for goods originating from plants used for food is not issued, Plant quarantine bodies must notify or respond in writing and provide reasons to the owner.

In case a notification of non-compliance with import requirements is issued, Plant quarantine bodies decide on measures for handling according to the forms prescribed in Clause 3, Article 55 of the Law on Food Safety.

Quarantine of plants and state inspection of food safety for imported goods carried out using the strict inspection method:

Plant quarantine bodies issue the Certificate of quarantine of plants and inspection of food safety for goods originating from plants used for food (according to the prescribed form in Appendix IIa issued together with Circular 34/2018/TT-BNNPTNT) within 7 working days from the start of inspection and food safety inspection for the batch of plants not infected with quarantine of plants objects or controlled objects of Vietnam or unknown harmful organisms.

In the event that the Certificate of quarantine of plants and inspection of food safety for goods originating from plants used for food is not issued, Plant quarantine bodies must notify or respond in writing and provide reasons to the owner.

In case a notification of non-compliance with import requirements is issued, Plant quarantine bodies decide on measures for handling according to the forms prescribed in Clause 3, Article 55 of the Law on Food Safety.

(2) Implementation methods:

- Directly

- Post

- Online (National Single-Window mechanism)

(3) Components, quantity of documents:

- In the case of only carrying out the procedures for quarantine of imported plants 

+ Registration certificate for quarantine of plants (according to the prescribed form in Appendix I issued together with Circular 33/2014/TT-BNNPTNT);

+ Certified copy, electronic copy, or original certificate of quarantine of plants issued by the competent Plant quarantine bodies of the exporting country;

In case the owner submits a certified copy or electronic copy, they must submit the original certificate before being issued the Phytosanitary Certificate for import, transit, and inland transport for the batch of plants.

+ Original or electronic copy or certified copy of the quarantine of imported plants permit (if required).

Quantity of documents: 01 set.

- In the case of simultaneously carrying out the procedures for the quarantine of plants and the state inspection of food safety for imported goods

+ Registration certificate for quarantine of plants and inspection of food safety for goods originating from plants used for food (according to the prescribed form in Appendix Ia issued together with Circular 34/2018/TT-BNNPTNT);

+ Certified copy, electronic copy or original certificate of quarantine of plants issued by the competent Plant quarantine bodies of the exporting country;

If the owner submits a certified copy or electronic copy, they must submit the original certificate before being issued the Phytosanitary Certificate for import, transit, and inland transport for the batch of plants.

+ Original or electronic copy or certified copy of the quarantine of imported plants permit (if required);

+ Self-declaration of the product;

+ 03 (three) consecutive results of notification of compliance with import requirements for batches, items that have been converted from strict inspection to normal inspection method (original copy);

+ Certified copy of the list of goods (Packing list).

Quantity of documents: 01 set.

(4) Processing time:

- In the case of only implementing the quarantine of imported plants procedure or simultaneously implementing the quarantine of plants and state inspection of food safety for imported goods using the normal inspection method: 24 hours.

- In the case of simultaneously implementing the quarantine of imported plants and state inspection of food safety for imported goods using the strict inspection method: 07 working days.

More details can be found in Decision 1143/QD-BNN-BVTV, taking effect on May 16, 2024.

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