Brian Jeffrey
Phan Thi Men, the CEO of SUTECH Science and Technology Consultant, highlights the two ways for Vietnamese businesses to register to export products to China. The first involves traditional registration via official letters with various state agencies, which is time-consuming. The second method is to register online on the Chinese customs system, a process that can be confusing for many businesses.
Vietnamese enterprises aiming to export to China must demonstrate thorough internal procedures related to production, quality control, and export. Compliance is essential, and Chinese agencies enforce stringent online assessments. Advice from experts is crucial, including consultancy reports and testing results.
In 2023, SUTECH advised 500 businesses on the export procedures to China, emphasizing the importance of meeting all regulatory requirements. The approval process from the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) usually takes 45-60 days, but delays have occurred due to inconsistencies in documentation and administrative inefficiencies on the Vietnamese side.
Failure to adhere to Chinese regulations can lead to repercussions, such as the revocation of export codes. Recent instances of Vietnamese enterprises facing warnings and code withdrawals have underscored China’s strict food safety standards.
Looking ahead, unofficial cross-border exports to China are projected to be phased out by 2028, emphasizing the need for official channels for all Vietnamese farm produce exports.
Digital technology emerges as a valuable tool to address these challenges and facilitate market access for Vietnamese businesses. Implementing high-tech solutions for crop cultivation and harvesting enhances product quality, ensures traceability, and reduces the risk of rejection.
While the benefits of digital technology are evident, adoption remains a hurdle for many farmers who are not accustomed to recording processes or using software. This underscores the need for education and support to enhance digital literacy among agricultural practitioners.
SUTECH is developing software that can alert businesses to potential code violations and provide real-time export status updates. Urgent measures are recommended to streamline the process of obtaining growing area and packaging unit codes for cooperatives and exporters.
In conclusion, leveraging digital technology is crucial for Vietnam’s agricultural sector to navigate regulatory complexities, improve compliance, and enhance competitiveness in the Chinese market.
