Policy changes from two major markets, the EU and the United States, are creating significant hurdles for Vietnamese enterprises exporting exploited seafood. Although regulatory authorities have issued numerous guiding documents, practical implementation still faces a series of obstacles regarding documentation and procedures, leading to stalled shipments and rising costs.

Confusion over changes in the EU market

According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), over the past nearly four months, the EU's adjustment of regulations regarding catch certification dossiers has directly impacted the export activities of Vietnamese enterprises. Specifically, the Catch Certificate (C/C) template has been modified, and a supplemental requirement for a Processing Statement (P/S) has been added, even for domestic raw materials.

Although the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and relevant units quickly issued circulars and guidelines, practical application remains inconsistent across different localities. This has caused major difficulties for businesses trying to finalize their dossiers.

Currently, several shipments from Vietnamese enterprises have arrived at EU ports but cannot be cleared because partners have not received complete C/C and P/S documentation. Goods held at ports lead to high container storage costs, directly affecting business efficiency.

Beyond exported shipments, even those currently in production are in a state of confusion. Many businesses report uncertainty about how to declare information correctly under the new regulations, particularly regarding the volume and origin of raw materials in the various documents.

Faced with this situation, VASEP recommends that regulatory authorities quickly review and issue unified guidelines on templates and declaration methods for C/C and P/S certificates. Furthermore, they should consider re-issuing certificates for shipments exported before April 13, 2026, that are currently facing obstacles to ensure consistency and facilitate customs clearance.

In the long term, the Association proposes amending and supplementing Circular No. 81/2025/TT-BNNMT to better align with reality and minimize risks for enterprises.

CoA obstacles when exporting to the United States

In addition to the EU, the U.S. market is imposing stricter requirements on imported exploited seafood through the enforcement of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). Accordingly, exploited seafood products entering this market must have a Certificate of Admissibility (CoA) confirmed by the competent authority of the exporting country.

However, during the process of implementing CoA issuance procedures under Circular No. 74/2025/TT-BNNMT, many businesses are struggling because the dossier requirements do not align with international practices. Specifically, documents related to imported raw materials, such as the Captain’s Statement, differ across various countries.

The case of Hai Trieu Co., Ltd. is a typical example. The company imports raw materials from multiple countries, including the Philippines, Ecuador, Nauru, and Vanuatu. The accompanying dossiers contain full information such as vessel name, registration number, flag state, and fishing time and area, but lack the vessel's fishing license number—a specific requirement under Vietnamese regulations.

As a result, the enterprise's CoA application was returned by authorities. This means shipments already exported or being prepared for the U.S. market risk failing customs clearance, disrupting production and business activities.

According to VASEP, this is not an isolated case but a widespread issue because the Captain’s Statement templates are not standardized across nations. Some documents lack information on fishing gear, while others omit the fishing license number, making it difficult for businesses to fully comply with current regulations.

To resolve these difficulties, VASEP has issued an urgent petition to prevent supply chain disruptions and capitalize on market opportunities.

VASEP recommends that regulatory authorities promptly amend and supplement Circular 74/2025/TT-BNNMT toward greater flexibility and alignment with international practices. While waiting for amendments, a temporary mechanism should be established to allow CoA confirmation for specific cases where the legality and traceability of raw materials can be proven.

Additionally, it is essential to increase training for local officials, businesses, and relevant parties on new market regulations and provide guidance on preparing compliant documentation. This will not only minimize errors but also enhance the compliance capacity of enterprises as technical barriers continue to rise.

Source: Tap chi Kinh te - Tai chinh