Vietnam Seafood — #3 Worldwide Exporter
Your trusted partner in
Vietnam seafood export
& import
MEH connects global markets — from the Mekong Delta shrimp farms to dining tables across 5 continents. Vietnam’s seafood export revenue reached USD 10.07 billion in 2024, up 12.1% year-on-year.
10.07B
Export Revenue 2024 (USD)
↑ 12.1% vs 2023 · 106% of plan
#3
World Ranking
After China & Norway
4B
Shrimp Export 2024 (USD)
↑ 16.7% — Top commodity
42.6%
Growth Rate Feb 2025
vs same period last year
Industry Data
Export Revenue & Product Mix Analysis
Vietnam Seafood Export Revenue (USD billion, 2020–2024)
Export Product Mix 2024
Shrimp39.7%
Pangasius19.9%
Other seafood24.8%
Marine fish15.6%
Product Portfolio
Key Export Commodities
All products carry international HS codes and comply with HACCP, ASC, BAP, and EU Food Safety Regulations.
Whiteleg Shrimp
HS 0306.17 · 0306.27
USD 4.0B
↑ 16.7% · Commodity #1
Raised in HDPE-lined ponds with high-tech RAS systems. ASC certified. Exported to 90+ countries. Size range: 10/20 – 100/200 pcs/kg.
Pangasius / Basa
HS 0304.62 · 0304.87
USD 2.0B
↑ 8.9% · Strong EU demand
Frozen fillet, IQF & block frozen. GlobalG.A.P. and BAP 4-star certified. Produced in An Giang, Dong Thap provinces.
Squid & Octopus
HS 0307.43 · 0307.99
USD 850M
↑ 11.2% · Japan & Korea
Wild-caught squid tube, cuttlefish and octopus. IQF quick-frozen, MAP/vacuum packed for premium markets.
Crab & Swimming Crab
HS 0306.14 · 0306.24
USD 320M
High potential — China market
Live mud crab and processed crab products. Official border trade to China via formal customs clearance channels.
Tuna
HS 0302.31 · 0303.41
USD 950M
↑ 14.5% · USA & EU
Yellowfin & bigeye tuna from deep-sea offshore fishing. Loins, steaks & sashimi grade. MSC certified supply chains.
Lobster & Premium Shellfish
HS 0306.11 · 0306.21
USD 420M
Premium segment surging
Ornate spiny lobster and freshwater lobster. Live or whole frozen. Primarily exported to China’s premium hospitality sector.
Global Markets
Export Market Analysis 2024
Top Export Destinations
🇨🇳
China
USD 1.9B · Rank #1
18.9%
🇺🇸
United States
USD 1.67B · ↑ 21%
16.6%
🇯🇵
Japan
USD 1.3B
12.9%
🇰🇷
South Korea
USD 760M
7.5%
🇪🇺
European Union
EUR 408M
4.1%
Market Signals Q1/2025
February 2025
+42.6%
Industry-wide export growth vs Feb 2024
Shrimp — Jan & Feb 2025
USD 542 million
↑ 30.8% vs same period
MEH Outlook: Strong momentum driven by recovering demand in the US and China markets. Major opportunity for businesses holding international certifications to capture early growth.
Trade Operations
Seafood Export Customs Procedure
Per Decision 2538/QD-TCHQ/2024 — MEH’s optimized 6-step standardized process.
STEP 01
Electronic Customs Declaration
VNACCS/VCIS system. Business tax code + accurate HS code required.
STEP 02
Document & Dossier Review
Commercial Invoice, Packing List, C/O Form B or RCEP certificate.
STEP 03
Quarantine & Food Safety
NAFIQPM issues Health Certificate. Processing time: 3–5 business days.
STEP 04
Clearance & Duty Payment
Most seafood export tariffs at 0%. Green-lane auto-clearance available.
STEP 05
Loading & Freight
Reefer containers at -18°C to -22°C. Bill of Lading issued post-loading.
STEP 06
Payment & VAT Refund
L/C at sight or T/T 30 days. VAT refund processed within 40 days.
Mandatory Export Documentation
Commercial Invoice (CI)
Packing List
Bill of Lading / AWB
Certificate of Origin
Health Certificate (NAFIQPM)
Phytosanitary Certificate
HACCP / Food Safety Cert
Electronic Customs Declaration
Strategic Analysis
Challenges & Opportunities 2025
Challenge
Anti-dumping duties pressure in the US market
Vietnam shrimp anti-dumping margins range from 1.97% to 25.76%. Businesses must optimize cost structures and diversify toward EU, Japan and South Korea markets.
Opportunity
RCEP expands China quota access from 2025
RCEP reduces tariffs to 0% for 72% of seafood categories entering China from 2025. Major opportunity for shrimp, pangasius and crab via formal trade channels.
Challenge
EU IUU fishing rules & traceability requirements
EU mandates end-to-end traceability from catch to export. Compliance costs are high, but certification is mandatory for accessing Europe’s 450 million consumer market.
Opportunity
Deep-processing & value-added products
Value-added products (surimi, chilled ready-to-eat, marinated) are growing rapidly. Profit margins are 30–45% higher than raw commodities. MEH is investing in automated processing lines.
Regulatory Framework
Key Legal & Trade Instruments
Law 18/2017/QH14
Vietnam Fisheries Law 2017
Governs fishing, aquaculture, processing and seafood export activities
Decree 26/2019/ND-CP
Fisheries Law Implementation Decree
Production facility conditions, food safety certification, HACCP requirements
Circular 48/2013/TT-BNNPTNT
Seafood Export Quarantine Circular
Health Certificate procedure, port-side inspection process
Decision 2538/2024
Import/Export Customs Procedure
Standardized VNACCS electronic declaration for seafood
RCEP 2022
Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership
Tariff reductions across 15 ASEAN+ nations; seafood export benefits
EVFTA 2020
EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement
0% tariff for majority of Vietnam seafood entering all 27 EU member states
News & Updates
Latest Market & Policy Developments
Market
Feb 2025 seafood exports surge 42.6% — shrimp leads with USD 542 million in two months
07 Apr 2025 · VASEP
Positive signals from the US and China markets are driving the entire industry’s breakthrough performance early in the year. Frozen whiteleg shrimp saw the strongest volume growth at 38% year-on-year.
Policy
RCEP 2025 opens major China access for crab and lobster categories
02 Apr 2025 · MOIT
New RCEP tariff schedule takes effect, cutting duties to zero for high-value shellfish entering China through formal trade channels.
Regulation
EU updates IUU fishing criteria: businesses must secure new certification before Q3/2025
28 Mar 2025 · EU Commission
Exporters to the EU market must update traceability documentation and fishing vessel records to comply with revised IUU regulations effective July 2025.
Get In Touch
Connect with MEH Seafood
Ready to discuss import/export requirements, request a product catalog, or get a price quote? Reach our team directly through your preferred channel.
Response time: WhatsApp & Zalo within 1 hour · WeChat & Email within 24 hours · Mon–Sat 08:00–18:00 ICT