Rice import procedures

Posted on: 11/12/2024

Vietnam is the world's second largest rice exporter after India, but domestic enterprises still import rice to increase the choice for domestic consumers. So how is the rice import procedure carried out? Let's follow the details in the content below.

1. Regulations on rice import to Vietnam

Rice is the main food in the meals of families in Vietnam and many Asian countries. This is not a product on the list of prohibited imports, but when importing, businesses must comply with the conditions specified in Decree 187/2013/ND-CP dated November 20, 2013 of the Government.

Rice is on the list of products managed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, so when importing, businesses must complete the procedures for announcing the list of imported goods subject to food safety inspection according to Decision No. 4069/QD-BNN-QLCL dated October 14, 2015 of this agency.

In addition, according to Circular No. 2515/QD-BNN-BVTV dated June 29, 2015 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development promulgating the HS code of rice subject to plant quarantine. Therefore, when importing into the country, businesses must also conduct quarantine for this item.

2. HS code of rice

The HS code of rice belongs to Part II: Plant products and Chapter 10: Cereals.

Any item when imported or exported must have its HS code determined. Based on this, documents, policies, and import taxes on goods will be determined, and rice is no exception.

In the import tax schedule, the HS code of rice belongs to Part II: Plant products and Chapter 10: Cereals.

HS Code	Description
100610	Rice:
10061010	Suitable for planting
100620	Brown rice:
10062010	Hom Mali Rice (SEN)
10062090	Other
100630	Semi-milled or wholly milled rice, whether or not polished or glazed:
10063030	Glutinous rice (SEN)
10063040	Hom Mali Rice (SEN)
10063050	Basmati Rice (SEN)
10063060	Malys Rice (SEN)
10063070	Other fragrant rice (SEN)
	Other types:
10063091	Parboiled rice (1)
10063099	Other

Determining the detailed HS code of the product will have to be based on the actual composition and structure of the goods. According to current regulations, to apply the HS code to the product, it will be based on the catalogue, technical documents (if any) or/and inspection at the Customs Inspection Department. From there, this result will be used to apply the code to the goods.

3. Announcement of imported rice quality standards

Documents announcing imported rice quality standards

When importing, enterprises will have to declare rice standards with the following types of documents in accordance with the regulations in Decree 15/2018/ND-CP, including:

Self-declaration of rice quality standards;
Test certificate of quality standards of rice products (valid for 12 months from the date of filing);
Product samples and labels of rice products of the enterprise.
Detailed information table of rice products of the enterprise.

Procedure for self-declaration of quality standards of rice products

Procedure for self-declaration of quality standards of rice

When importing goods, enterprises must declare their products and be responsible for the products they import. And to declare rice products, enterprises will follow these steps:

Step 1: Conduct product testing and complete self-declaration dossiers according to regulations.

Step 2: Enterprises submit product declaration dossiers to competent state management agencies.

Step 3: The management agency will receive dossiers, review and post information on rice product declaration on their official website.

Step 4: Business units will log directly into the website to view their declaration dossiers. At the same time, they can also start sending dossiers to customs to clear goods.

4. Customs procedures for importing rice

Goods imported from abroad to Vietnam must undergo customs clearance procedures, and the same goes for rice products. Enterprises must prepare a scanned copy of an electronic file or an original file with the following documents:

Commercial Invoice;
Packing List;
Bill of lading;
Certificate of origin (if you want to receive tariff incentives when importing);
Other documents (if any);
Self-declaration of standards for imported rice.

5. Labeling of goods when importing

Labeling of goods is mandatory information for all types of exported goods, and rice is no exception. Enterprises must fully display the content on the label of goods, including:

Name of goods;
Name and address of the organization or individual responsible for the goods;
Origin of goods;
Other contents according to the nature of each type of goods.

6. Rice import tax policy

Rice import tax policy

When importing rice to Vietnam, businesses will have to pay two mandatory taxes, which are preferential import tax and value added tax.

VAT on imported rice is 5%.
Preferential import tax rate on rice according to current regulations is 40%.

If importing rice from countries that have signed FTAs with Vietnam, businesses may enjoy preferential tariffs when importing goods if they fully meet the conditions of the agreement. Therefore, businesses should pay attention to this so as not to miss out on the incentives they receive.

If you have difficulty with customs procedures, you can choose Just In Time as your companion.

Just In Time's staff is always enthusiastic to support you to handle your work quickly and professionally.