How to bring Vietnamese fresh coconuts to the international market? In this article, Viet Linh will mention the latest fresh coconut export procedures to help customers better understand the documentation process when bringing Vietnamese products to the international market.
1. Discovering Vietnamese fresh coconuts
Coconut is considered a perennial agricultural crop grown with the 4th largest area after pepper, rubber, and cashew. According to statistics, the country’s coconut area is about 175,000 hectares, concentrated in the Central Coast provinces and the Mekong Delta. With abundant supply, Vietnam has been one of the largest exporters of whole fresh coconuts and coconut water to the international market, particularly several strong consumer markets such as Europe, China, America, Australia…
The US market’s acceptance of Vietnamese coconut imports significantly fosters the export of coconut agricultural products to the international market. Below is a detailed guide to exporting to international markets.
2. HS code and tax rate for fresh coconut export
2.1 HS code of fresh coconuts
According to the 2023 import-export tariff, fresh coconut belongs to Part II, chapter 08, group 01. Below is the HS Code for fresh coconut and HS Code for some coconut products. Reference details:
- 0801: Coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews, fresh or dried, whether or not shelled or peeled
- 08011100: Coconut has gone through the drying process
- 08011200: Coconut with intact skull
- 080119: Other
- 08011910: Young coconut
- 08011990: Other types
2.2 Tax rate for exporting fresh coconuts
- Fresh coconut export tax rate: 0%
- VAT: 0%
3. Procedures for exporting fresh coconuts
According to Appendix II of Decree No. 69/2018/ND-CP dated May 15, 2018 of the government. Fresh coconuts are not on the list of goods banned from import and export. Thus, coconut export procedures will proceed normally.
According to Circular 15/2018/TT-BNNPTNT dated October 29, 2018, imported coconut products will have to undergo plant quarantine. When carrying out coconut export procedures, the buyer will require the seller to provide them with quarantine documents. Below are the latest fresh coconut export procedures in 2024
3.1 Process of exporting fresh coconuts abroad
Step 1: After packing goods into refrigerated containers, do plant quarantine. Can be quarantined at the port of export or quarantined at the warehouse.
Step 2: Do customs procedures.
Step 3: Clear the shipment and prepare a full set of documents to send to the importer.
3.2 Customs documents when exporting coconuts
Customs documents for exporting fresh coconuts based on Clause 5, Article 1 of Circular No. 39/2018/TT-BTC (amending Article 16 of Circular 38/2015/TT-BTC) include:
- Customs declaration
- Goods input documents (invoices, purchasing statements)
- Commercial Invoice
- Sales Contract (if any)
- Bill of Lading
- Packing List
- Phytosanitary Certificate (Phytosanitary)
- Certificate of origin of the shipment and other documents and licenses, if any (C/O – Certificate of Origin)
- Certificate of Health
- Certificate of Quality/Quantity
3.3 Instructions on plant quarantine procedures when exporting fresh coconuts
2-3 days before delivering the fresh coconut shipment, businesses need to register plant quarantine for the exported fresh coconut shipment with the plant quarantine agency.
– Plant quarantine registration documentation includes:
- Application for plant quarantine registration (according to form)
- Packing List
- Authorization letter to entrust quarantine procedures (if any)
- Sample of fresh coconut export shipment
– The plant quarantine process is as follows:
- Quarantine registration: Exporters submit the export plant quarantine registration dossier to the plant quarantine agency and declare online on the National Single Window Portal.
- Sampling: Goods owners need to register for quarantine at least 1-2 days before bringing goods to the port. The quarantine agency conducts sampling. Samples can be quarantined at the port or at the factory.
- Declare information: Declaring information about the shipment to the system to issue a draft certificate.
- Add documents and get deed: After checking the information on the draft deed, confirming or correcting it with the quarantine agency, add documents and get the original deed.
- Note: The first time the plant quarantine team may return to the facility to check the goods or check at the port. Next time, businesses can transfer goods to the quarantine department for inspection, depending on the business’s choice.
3.4 Certificate of Origin for fresh coconuts (Certificate of Origin)
This certificate is not mandatory during the customs clearance process for the shipment. However, buyers can request businesses to make certificates of origin for some markets that have signed trade agreements between the importing country and Vietnam. Therefore, importers can use certificates of origin to get preferential import tax rates.
For example, if exporting to Asean markets is form D (certificate of Origin Form D), the Chinese market uses form E, the US market uses form B, etc.
Note when transporting and exporting fresh coconuts
Depending on the market to which fresh coconuts are exported, the fresh coconut shipment will be required by the buyer to be packaged and transported in a refrigerated container at a suitable temperature to avoid damaging fresh coconuts. Currently, there are two popular types of fresh coconut exports: whole coconuts and diamond-cut coconuts. Specific requirements for these two product lines are as follows:
- Whole coconuts are transported in cold containers, the average temperature is 0 degrees Celsius, the ventilation is 10, and the humidity is 50-60%.
- Diamond-cut coconuts are packed into containers according to the following specifications: temperature maintained above 2 degrees Celsius, ventilation level 10, and humidity 50-60%.
- For exported coconut products, to ensure convenient transportation and customs procedures, businesses should affix shipping marks on the packages.
- For containerized goods, due to the short cut-off time and free power connection, businesses need to time the quarantine and customs inspection of goods to avoid exceeding the cut-off schedule of the shipping line/port.
This article helps customers understand the procedures for exporting fresh coconuts complying with current regulations. If your business is in need of exporting fresh coconuts but is having difficulty with customs documents and transportation, or your companies are foreign businesses that want to cooperate with fresh coconut export suppliers in Vietnam, please contact Viet Linh for the fastest and most accurate support.
- Address: LK07-C14 Ministry of National Defense, Bui Xuong Trach Street, Hoang Mai District, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Phone: 0345.128.188
- Email: sales@vietlinhagrimex.vn
