In the context of growing global trade, the Southeast Asian market has become an important target for many food export companies due to its fast-growing economy and large consumer groups, however, how to ensure that food can enter the Southeast Asian market smoothly and comply with local laws and regulations?Export foodThe key steps needed to get to Southeast Asia are to help enter this market full of opportunities.

a) whether the exporting country has obtained access qualifications;

When considering exporting food to Southeast Asia, the first thing to check is whether our country has obtained the access qualification of the target country.Southeast Asian countries usually have access qualification requirements for animal and animal products, plant and plant products, while for general pre-packaged processed foods, import restrictions are less.

Decision on Access Qualifications

The entry qualifications of exporting countries are usually assessed by the target countries according to their own health, safety and other criteria. In the Philippines, for example, the country has implemented national access controls for meat and meat products, plant foods, and a list of countries permitted to export to the Philippines. Similarly, Vietnam and Thailand also have specific access requirements for food exporting countries, such as Vietnam has established access lists for terrestrial animal products, aquatic animal products and plant products used as foods, while Thailand has clear national access requirements for imports of meat and its products.

Impact of Trade Agreements

The entry qualification of the exporting country depends not only on the import policies of the target country, but also on the trade agreements between the two countries. Therefore, when determining whether the exporting country has access qualifications, enterprises cannot rely solely on the regulations of the importing country, but must also combine relevant bilateral or multilateral trade agreements to ensure that exported food meets all requirements.

b) Qualification requirements of enterprises

Even if China has obtained the market access qualification of the export target country, it does not mean that all enterprises can export products smoothly.Southeast Asian countries often have strict requirements for the qualification of importing enterprises and producing enterprises, enterprises need to have the corresponding qualification to export food.

Qualification requirements for importers

In many Southeast Asian countries, importers must be registered or registered in order to qualify for food imports. For example, in the Philippines, enterprises that first import food must apply for a License to Operate (LTO) and be eligible for imports after review by relevant departments. Vietnam requires food importers to register with the relevant departments before engaging in food trade and apply for a food safety certificate to ensure that they meet good production qualifications.

Qualification Requirements for Production Enterprises

In addition to the qualifications of the importer, the qualifications of the food-producing enterprise are also critical. For example, food-producing enterprises exporting to the Philippines need to be reviewed by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to obtain the relevant certification in order to export food. In addition, Thailand requires importers to inspect their storage locations before obtaining an import license and pay the corresponding fee to ensure that products meet local storage and sales requirements after importation.

Requirements for Product Registration

On the basis of confirming the qualifications of the exporting country and enterprise, exported food must also meet the registration and certification requirements of the product itself.

Necessity of Product Registration

Product registration is one of the general requirements for access in Southeast Asian countries, with almost all Southeast Asian countries requiring imported foods to be registered. For example, the Philippines requires all processed foods to obtain a Certificate of Product Registration (CPR) before imports, while Cambodia requires processed foods to be registered with the Cambodian Standards Agency before imports and to enter the market after obtaining a product registration mark.

Inspection of sanitary standards

In Vietnam, all pre-packaged foods must be checked by the Vietnam Food Safety Authority before they are marketed and have obtained a food safety declaration to ensure that the product complies with local inspection and sanitary standards.

Special Registration Requirements

In addition to the above basic requirements, should also consider the specific circumstances of the target market, such as religious beliefs and other factors that may affect product imports. Some Southeast Asian countries have special requirements for religious certification of food, such as Malaysia and Indonesia, where Islam is the national religion, which requires authentication of imported food. This means that food must be authenticated before entering those markets to ensure that it meets the religious needs of local consumers.

in conclusion

Exporting food to the Southeast Asian market is a complex and rigorous process, and need to ensure that they meet the requirements of the target country at every stage. From the access qualifications of the exporting country, the qualifications requirements of the enterprise to the registration and special certification of products, each step is crucial. By understanding and complying with these requirements in detail, enterprises can ensure product export compliance and smooth entry into the Southeast Asian market. This will not only help enterprises gain a favorable position in the international market, but also gain more business opportunities and growth space for enterprises.Export agentOur service customers provide valuable references and guidance to help you succeed in your food export process.