Does imported seafood need to be labeled?

Processing exported seafood. Photo: T.H

Under the specific guidance of the Department of Animal Health, the goods are aquatic animals (mackerel, whole tuna, frozen ...) that are packed in refrigerated containers or bulk stowage from fishing vessels importing directly into Vietnam will be subjected to adjust under Clause 1, Article 1 of Decree No. 43/2017 / ND-CP dated 14/4/2017 of the Government on the labeling of goods.

The fact that some seafood enterprises have stated that the imported aquatic animals are regulated as above is under points đ and e, Clause 2 of Article 1 of Decree 43 which is subject to exemption from labeling are misunderstood. The reason is that goods which are subjected to be exempted from labeling are types sold directly to consumers.

Specifically: "The goods are fresh and raw food, processed food without packaging and sold directly to consumers"; "Goods are fuels, raw materials (agricultural products, fisheries, minerals...) without packaging and direct sale to consumers ".

In addition, this provision only allows the exemption of Vietnamese labeling for food, food ingredients, food additives, food processing aids, tools, packaging materials and containing imported foods into Vietnam only to be used to produce, processing export goods, not consumed in the domestic market.

In order to remove difficulties and facilitate enterprises, by implementing the provisions of Article 36 of the Law on Product Quality in 2007 and the Official Letter No. 556 / QLXLVPHC & TDTHPL-XLHC dated 20/11/2017 of the Department of management to handle administrative violations related to trademarks. Accordingly, "goods ... do not meet the label requirements, the goods quality inspection agency shall request the importer to correct before verifying for implementing import procedures to Customs authority"...

The Department of Animal Health recommended to enterprises to provide additional information to the border animal quarantine agency in accordance with law, including: A copy certified by the owner, certificate of the captain or certificate of salesperson; Content of the certificate must show the following information such as the name of the fishing vessel, the registration number of the vessel, the flag of state, the fishing method, the fishing time, the fishing area.

Currently, the Ministry of Science and Technology is the agency assigned by the Government to develop and submit to the Government a Decree on the labeling of goods, thus the development of guidance circulars on the labeling of goods is under the jurisdiction of this ministry. However, in order to facilitate business, the Department of Animal Health will report timely to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on the difficulties of enterprises in the process of implementation to guide and timely remove.