Vietnam (VN)
1.1 Establishment registration
| Initial listing procedure | Required? |
|---|---|
| Export Registration | Yes |
| Establishment listing required for Vietnam | No |
Exceptions (ship stores)
Export certification is not issued for ships stores as the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021 do not apply. Ships stores are milk and milk products on ships or aircraft for the use of passengers and crew or for the service of the ships or aircraft on a voyage from Australia.
1.2 Overseas listing
1.3 Prohibited products
There are no known products that are prohibited for export to this market.
1.4 General information
2.1 Milk and milk products
Milk and milk products of bovine origin are defined as prescribed goods under the Export Control Act. Production of these products for export is regulated under the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021.
Milk and milk products manufactured from non-bovine species, for example buffalo, goat and sheep, may also need to be regulated through the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021, though this is only required when export registration and health certification from the Department is required by Vietnam.
We are not aware that Vietnam has any known additional requirements for the production and export of non-bovine milk and milk products.
2.2 Compositional requirements
2.3 Further information
3.1 Technical grade and pharmaceutical products
Unless technical products and pharmaceutical material are prepared at an establishment that produces milk and milk products for export as food, these products are non prescribed goods. They are not regulated by the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021.
3.2 Animal feed
Unless animal food is prepared at an establishment that produces milk and milk products for export as food, these products are non prescribed goods.
In accordance with the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021, animal food must be clearly identified as animal food and not for human consumption. It must also be segregated from and not contaminate milk and milk products that are for human consumption.3.3 Manufacturing grade products
Vietnam has no known additional requirements for Manufacturing Grade milk and milk products that differ from the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021.
3.4 Processing
3.5 Further information
4.1 Microbial and residue sampling
Vietnam's microbiological requirements for certain dairy products are set out in Vietnam's Circular 5/2012/TT-BYT of 1 March 2012 Promulgating the national technical regulations on microbiological contaminants in food.
The Department is aware that Vietnamese authorities may undertake port-of-entry testing of imported food, including dairy products, to verify compliance with the Circular 5/2012/TT-BYT. The table below outlines the maximum limits of micro-organisms allowed for certain dairy products (Circular 5/2012/TT-BYT). The Circular including maximum limits for all foods is available at this Attachment.pdf
Breaches of microbiological limits may result in the consignment being seized and ordered for re-export or destruction, and the importer may be fined.
| No. | Product | Norm | Sampling plan | Allowed limit (CFU/ml or CFU/g) | Norm rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| n | c | m | M | ||||
| 1.1 | Liquid dairy | Enterobacteriaceae | 5 | 2 | < 1 | 5 | A |
| L. monocytogenes(1) | 5 | 0 | 102 | A | |||
| 1.2 | Powdered dairy | Enterobacteriaceae | 5 | 0 | 101 | A | |
Staphylococci positive for coagulase | 5 | 2 | 101 | 102 | A | ||
| Staphylococcal enterotoxin | 5 | 0 | KPH (2) | B | |||
| L. monocytogenes(1) | 5 | 0 | 102 | A | |||
| Salmonella | 5 | 0 | KPH (2) | A | |||
| 1.3 | Cheese | ||||||
| 1.3.1 | Cheese from raw milk | Staphylococci positive for coagulase | 5 | 2 | 104 | 105 | A |
| Staphylococcal enterotoxin | 5 | 0 | KPH(2) | B | |||
| L. monocytogenes(1) | 5 | 0 | 102 | A | |||
| Salmonella | 5 | 0 | KPH (2) | A | |||
| 1.3.2 | Cheese from thermo-processed milk | E. coli | 5 | 2 | 102 | 103 | A |
| Staphylococci positive for coagulase | 5 | 2 | 102 | 103 | A | ||
| Staphylococcal enterotoxin | 5 | 0 | KPH (2) | B | |||
| L. monocytogenes(1) | 5 | 0 | 102 | A | |||
| Salmonella | 5 | 0 | KPH (2) | A | |||
| 1.3.3 | Whey Cheese (From thermo-processed whey | E. coli | 5 | 2 | 102 | 103 | A |
| Staphylococci positive for coagulase | 5 | 2 | 102 | 103 | A | ||
| Staphylococcus(Staphylococcal enterotoxin) | 5 | 0 | KPH (2) | B | |||
| L. monocytogenes(1) | 5 | 0 | 102 | A | |||
| 1.3.4 | Fresh cheese from milk or whey(thermo-processed milk or whey) | Staphylococci positive for coagulase | 5 | 2 | 101 | 102 | A |
| Staphylococcal enterotoxin | 5 | 0 | KPH (2) | B | |||
| L. monocytogenes(1) | 5 | 0 | 102 | A | |||
| Other products from cheese | L. monocytogenes(1) | 5 | 0 | 102 | A | ||
| 1.4 | Fat products from milk | ||||||
| 1.4.1 | Cream and butter | E. coli | 5 | 2 | 101 | 102 | A |
| L. monocytogenes(1) | 5 | 0 | 102 | A | |||
| Salmonella | 5 | 0 | KPH (2) | A | |||
| 1.4.2 | Milk fat, butter, dehydrated milk fat, dehydrated butter | L. monocytogenes(1) | 5 | 0 | 102 | A | |
| 1.5 | Fermented dairy | ||||||
| 1.5.1 | Thermo-processed fermented dairy | Enterobacteriaceae | 5 | 2 | < 1 | 5 | A |
| L. monocytogenes(1) | 5 | 0 | 102 | A | |||
| 1.5.2 | Fermented dairy not being thermo-processed | L. monocytogenes(1) | 5 | 0 | 102 | A | |
(1) for instant-use products
(2) in 25g or 25ml
| No. | Product | Norm | Sampling plan | Allowed limit (CFU/ml or CFU/g) | Norm rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| n | c | m | M | | |||
| 5.1 | Powdered nutrition products for kids up to 12 months old | Salmonella | 30 | 0 | KPH (2) | A | |
| Enterobacter sakazakii | 30 | 0 | KPH (4) | A | |||
| Enterobacteriaceae | 10 | 0 | KPH (4) | B | |||
| Bacillus cereus | 5 | 1 | 5x101 | 5x102 | B | ||
| 5.2 | Special medical-use nutrition products for kids up to 12 months old | Salmonella | 30 | 0 | KPH (2) | A | |
| Enterobacter sakazakii | 30 | 0 | KPH (4) | A | |||
| Enterobacteriaceae | 10 | 0 | KPH (4) | B | |||
| Assumed Bacillus cereus | 5 | 1 | 5x101 | 5x102 | B | ||
| 5.3 | Nutrition products for supplementary feeding for kids from 6 to 36 months old | Enterobacteriaceae | 5 | 0 | KPH (4) | B | |
| Salmonella | 30 | 0 | KPH (2) | A | |||
| 5.4 | Food from cereals for kids from 6 to 36 months old | Coliform | 5 | 2 | < 3 | 20 | A |
| Salmonella | 10 | 0 | KPH (2) | A | |||
(1) for instant-use products
(2) in 25g or 25ml
(4) in 10g or 10ml
Abbreviations
n: the number of samples from the consignments to be tested.
c: the maximum amount of samples of which the test results are allowed to lie between m and M. For n samples tested, only c samples are allowed to have the test results lie between m and M.
m: lower limit, it is considered passed if all the test results of n samples do not exceed m.
M: upper limit, it is considered failed if only one test result of n samples exceeds M.
KPH: not detected
Norm A: is the norm required to be tested during the conformity assessment.
Norm B: is the norm not being required to be tested during the conformity assessment if the producers already take risk control measures in the production (HACCP or GMP). If the producer omits to take risk control measures, these norms are compelled to be tested.
Vietnam residue standards
Maximum residue limits (MRLs) or import tolerances for residues of specific agricultural and veterinary chemicals approved for use in Australia may not exist in Vietnam or may be established at levels lower than those established in Australia. Maximum Limits (MLs) for contaminants may also vary between Vietnam and Australia.
Food business operators should note that:
- These differences can be interrogated case-by-case by considering the Vietnam standards and the Australian standards.
- Any detection of a residue above the Vietnam MRLs/MLs (as applicable) at the border may result in rejection of the consignment.
- Note
- Importing country residue standards can usually be found via the official webpages of their competent authority. Links to a limited number of export markets and Australia are provided on the DAFF website.
4.2 Operational requirements additional to Australia's export legislation
Vietnam has no known additional requirements for general operations that differ from those required in the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021.
4.3 Hygiene
Vietnam has no known additional hygiene requirements that differ from those required in the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021.
5.1 Milk and milk products
Milk and milk products that are prescribed under Australia's export rules
- are milk or milk products derived from a bovine animal; and
- are intended to be exported as food.
Milk and milk products that are not prescribed under Australia's export rules
Milk and milk products which do not meet the criteria under the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021 are classified by Australia as non-prescribed goods. It is the responsibility of the exporter to confirm with Vietnam if there are any specific requirements for the import of these products. Typically, non-prescribed goods include, ice-cream, non-bovine milk and milk products, colostrum and products with a minor component of dairy.
Further information on exporting non-prescribed goods from Australia is available on the Department's website.
In some cases, an importing country requires specific health certification and government oversight for what would typically be non-prescribed milk and milk products. When required, these products become prescribed under export legislation and must meet all export and importing country requirements. This includes the products being manufactured and stored at an export registered establishment and must have a valid export permit and health certificate for each consignment. Guidance on export registration can be found at Dairy export registered establishments.
5.1.1 Health certificate for all milk and milk products
For milk and milk products produced for human consumption (including milk and milk products classified as a prescribed good by Vietnam), use Health Certificate template ZD035.
- Note
- Exporters must ensure that the product description listed on the health certificate exactly matches the product labelling. When raising a Request for Export (REX), exporters must enter the product description as printed on the product label in the ‘manual product description’ field for each product line.
ZD035 Dairy Health Certificate
The ZD035 Certificate contains the following attestations:
I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge the conditions or restrictions applicable under the particular inspection system prescribed under the Export Control Act have been complied with in respect of the prescribed good described above, being goods that are:
- In sound condition
- Fit for human consumption
- Of Australian origin.
Endorsement 343 - DAIRY - VIETNAM The above products are available for sale in Australia.
The above products are available for sale in Australia.
For milk and milk products, the ZD035 Health Certificate can be used with optional endorsements; 435, 436, 437, 1192, 1193 or 1194.
Optional Endorsement 435 – DAIRY - VIETNAM radioactivity & available for sale
The goods described in this certificate have not been contaminated by radioactive elements from nuclear fallout. Analysis of representative samples of similar products has shown that the radioactivity level does not exceed 50 Bq/kg.
The above products are available for sale in Australia.
Optional Endorsement 436 - DAIRY - VIETNAM radioactivity, disease & available for sale statements
The goods described in this certificate have not been contaminated by radioactive elements from nuclear fallout. Analysis of representative samples of similar products has shown that the radioactivity level does not exceed 50 Bq/kg.
The above products are available for sale in Australia.
Animals from which these products were taken were free from clinical diseases caused by the agents listed in the Office International des Epizooties List A for the species concerned, and live in an area free of these diseases. I further certify that Foot and Mouth Disease, Rinderpest and Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy do not exist in Australia.
Optional Endorsement 437 - DAIRY - VIETNAM disease and available for sale statement
The above products are available for sale in Australia.
Animals from which these products were taken were free from clinical diseases caused by the agents listed in the Office International des Epizooties List A for the species concerned, and live in an area free of these diseases. I further certify that Foot and Mouth Disease, Rinderpest and Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy do not exist in Australia.
Optional Endorsement 1192 - DAIRY - VIETNAM radioactivity
The goods described in this certificate have not been contaminated by radioactive elements from nuclear fallout.
Analysis of representative samples of similar products have shown that the radioactivity level does not exceed 50 Bq/Kg.
Optional Endorsement 1193 - DAIRY - VIETNAM radioactivity & disease
The goods described in this certificate have not been contaminated by radioactive elements from nuclear fallout.
Analysis of representative samples of similar products has shown that the radioactivity level does not exceed 50 Bq/Kg.
Animals from which these products were taken were free from clinical diseases caused by the agents listed in the Office International des Epizooties List A for the species concerned and live in an area free of these diseases.
I further certify that Foot and Mouth Disease, Rinderpest and Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy do not exist in Australia.
Optional Endorsement 1194 - DAIRY - VIETNAM disease
Animals from which these products were taken were free from clinical diseases caused by the agents listed in the Office International des Epizooties List A for the species concerned and live in an area free of these diseases.
I further certify that Foot and Mouth Disease, Rinderpest and Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy do not exist in Australia.
Fresh milk statements
On September 1 2010, Vietnamese authorities released new regulations for imports of raw food products including meat, seafood and dairy derived from animals (Circular 25). For dairy products, Vietnam has advised that milk under HS0401 (milk and cream, not concentrated or sweetened) must meet Circular 25 requirements, but processed dairy products under HS0402-0406 are exempt.
Exporters must obtain a statement from Department that the product is made from ‘fresh cows' milk’ if the product is:
- Labelled or sold as ‘sterilised fresh milk’ and
- Contains fresh milk (as defined by Vietnam’s standards) at min 99% of the total weight (less than 1% of weight can be milk powder and additional milk fat)’.
Exporter declaration
Whenever export documentation is obtained, the exporter must provide a declaration stating that all the information provided in the permit is true and complete. They must also state that they are in possession of a declaration of compliance that:
- applies to the milk and milk products
- complies with the requirements of the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021.
Transit Certification Requirements
Milk and milk products transiting the European Union or the United States may require transit documentation. These certificates are available as additional certificates through the EXDOC system. If the product is transiting the United States, standard certification is required and the exporter should contact the Department for advice on how this certification may be issued. If the product is transiting a European Union member state, see the particular European Union member state regarding the certificate template to select.
5.2 Manufacturing grade products
For Manufacturing Grade milk and milk products, use the ZD016 Certificate as to Condition for Manufacturing Grade products.
The ZD016 Certificate as to Condition contains the following attestations:
I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge the conditions or restrictions applicable under the particular inspection system prescribed under the Export Control Act have been complied with in respect of the prescribed good described above, being goods that are:
- In sound condition
- Of Australian origin.
5.3 Technical grade and pharmaceutical products
The ZD001 Certificate as to Condition may be issued for technical products and pharmaceutical material.
The ZD001 Certificate contains the following attestations:
I certify to the best of my knowledge that the information on this form is true and correct in every particular details and that the product described above is of Australian origin and is acceptable for sale in Australia.
5.4 Animal feed
The ZD015 Certificate as to Condition for Stockfood can be issued for stockfood made from milk and milk products.
The ZD015 Certificate contains the following attestations:
I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge the conditions or restrictions applicable under the particular inspection system prescribed under the Export Control Act have been complied with in respect of the prescribed good described above, being goods that are:
- In sound condition
- Of Australian origin.
Pet milk and processed milk-based petfood
There is no agreed certification for import of pet milk and processed milk-based petfood into Vietnam.
Certificate ZD015 is not an agreed certificate for pet milk and processed milk-based petfood and exporters should be aware that any trade is at commercial risk and the Department may not be able to intervene in case of detained consignments.
5.5 Consignments under 10 kilograms and trade samples
It is the responsibility of exporters to determine through their importers if export certification is required for consignments and trade samples that are less than 10 kilograms or 10 litres, as an export permit is not required.
5.6 Additional certification/letters
The ZX01 Certificate as to Dioxin Status of Australian Dairy Products is available on request.
European Union (EU) transit certificates are available for consignments transiting the EU. Refer to the EU documentation requirements for edible products for the reference numbers and attestations in these certificates.
6.1 Import permit
Exporters should ensure that their importer complies with any requirements to obtain a permit for imports into Vietnam.
6.2 Port-of-entry inspection and testing
7.1 Packaging
If a product is labelled as ‘sterilised fresh milk’ the exporter should obtain a statement from Department stating the product is made from ‘fresh cow’s milk’.
Vietnam has no other known specific requirements for packaging in addition to those provided in the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021.
7.2 Labelling
If a product is labelled as ‘sterilised fresh milk’ the exporter should obtain a statement from Department stating the product is made from ‘fresh cow’s milk’.
Vietnam has no other known specific requirements for labelling in addition to those provided in the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021.
7.3 Shelf life
Vietnam has no known specific requirements for shelf life restrictions other than those provided in the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021.
7.4 Shipping marks
Vietnam has no known specific requirements for shipping marks (port marks).
7.5 Further information
Use-by dates
Vietnam has no known specific requirements for use-by dates other than those provided in the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021.
Vietnam has no known specific requirements for shipping and airfreight. Milk and milk products must be transported to ensure their condition and integrity is maintained in accordance with the requirements of the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021.
8.1 Refrigeration, transfer and loadout
02/04/2026 - Updated pet milk and processed milk-based petfood access (section 5.4).
18/12/2025 - Product description on the health certificate for milk and milk products (section 5.1.1).
04/08/2023 - Updated residue statement to refer to importing country standards (section 4.1).
20/02/2022 - Content on this page may have changed location to conform to standard Dairy headings.
16/09/2021 - Removal and replacement of Dairy by Definition wording.
10/06/2021 - References to export legislation have been updated.
18/12/2025 - Product description on the health certificate for milk and milk products (section 5.1.1).
04/08/2023 - Updated residue statement to refer to importing country standards (section 4.1).
20/02/2022 - Content on this page may have changed location to conform to standard Dairy headings.
16/09/2021 - Removal and replacement of Dairy by Definition wording.
10/06/2021 - References to export legislation have been updated.