January 18, 2007

Vietnam chicken importers face problems on licence regulation in Ho Chi Minh

Chicken importers in Ho Chi Minh City (HCM) are complaining of inadequate procedures in issuing licences for importation. 

Dao Hai Van of Mai Thanh Trading Company, an importer of chicken from Brazil since last year laments the licence given by HCM government is not recognised in Hai Phong customs.

The importation law mandates companies who import chicken entering HCM City must submit a licence to the customs agency. The customs agency holds the original licence and gives a duplicate copy to the importing company to present it to Hai Phong entry point.

However, Hai Phong authorities are now demanding for authentic copies and rejecting duplicates. Van's items are still held at Chua Ve Port in Hai Phong and will still be withheld until he presents the original licence.

Van said importers should have been informed on sudden changes in importation regulations to avoid predicaments.

Distribution has also become a problem as importers are only issued a single certificate to present to several authorities which are demanding for the authentic document. Failure to show the original licence will have authorities seized their products.

According to the HCM City Veterinary Sub-department, original licences should stay  with HCM customs to avoid smuggling in the wake of the bird flu outbreak as HCM is adjacent to the three stricken provinces--Ca Mau, Bac Lieu and Hau Giang.

The department said live chickens coming from other provinces entering HCM city decreased by 31.60 percent last week, or by nearly 15,000 birds.