Procedure for Issuing A Certificate of Origin for Exploited Fishery Products

The procedure for issuing a certificate of origin for exploited fishery products plays an important role in ensuring transparency and traceability for fishery shipments. Full compliance with the dossier appraisal process by the management agency helps enterprises confirm the legality of products and enhance their reputation in the supply chain. This article summarizes current regulations and provides specific instructions to help clients perform procedures quickly, lawfully, and with peace of mind during business operations.

The competent authority issues certificates of origin for harvested seafood.

Based on Clause 2, Article 10 of Circular 81/2025/TT-BNNMT, the authority competent to issue the certificate of origin for exploited fishery products is the provincial state management agency for fisheries.

Specifically, the provincial state management agencies for fisheries are stipulated in Appendix IV of Circular 81/2025/TT-BNNMT, allocated by provinces and cities, such as: Sub-department of Sea, Islands and Fisheries, Fisheries Surveillance of Quang Ninh; Sub-department of Fisheries and Livestock Veterinary of Hai Phong; Sub-department of Sea, Islands and Fisheries of Da Nang City; Sub-department of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance of Ho Chi Minh City, etc.

>>> See more: Conditions for being granted a fishing license

Documents required when applying for a certificate of origin for harvested seafood.

The required documents for the procedure to issue certificates of origin for harvested aquatic products are specified in detail in Clauses 1 and 2 of Article 12 of Circular 81/2025/TT-BNNMT Classification based on the maximum length of the fishing vessel, specifically:

Required documents for applying for a Certificate of Origin for harvested seafood from fishing vessels with a maximum length of 6 meters or more.

The dossier components for the procedure of issuing a certificate of origin for exploited fishery products are detailed in Clause 1 and Clause 2, Article 12 of Circular 81/2025/TT-BNNMT, classified based on the maximum length of the fishing vessel, specifically:

For fishing vessels with a maximum length of 06 meters or more For this group, management requirements are stricter due to the larger scale and scope of operation. According to Clause 1, Article 12 of Circular 81/2025/TT-BNNMT, the dossier includes:

• Confirmation of Exploited Fishery Raw Materials: Describing the materials used (according to Part B, Form No. 01, Appendix III of Circular 81/2025/TT-BNNMT).
  • Note: If materials are not fully used, submit the original for confirmation of the remaining amount. If fully used, the authority collects the original for archiving.
• Certificate of Origin for Exploited Fishery Products: Depending on the export market:
  • European Market: Use Form No. 02, Appendix III.
  • ICCAT Markets (International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas): Use Form No. 05, Appendix III.
  • Other Markets: Use the form required by the competent authority of the importing country or the export market.
• Supplementary Information: For fishery products processed from Vietnamese fishing vessels (Form No. 03, Appendix III).
• Transport Information: (Form No. 04, Appendix III).

Required documents for applying for a Certificate of Origin for harvested seafood from fishing vessels with a maximum length of less than 6 meters.

For fishing vessels with a maximum length of under 06 meters this group usually operates near the shore and is directly managed by local commune authorities. The dossier components are simplified under Clause 2, Article 12 of Circular 81/2025/TT-BNNMT:

• Receipt of Unloaded Exploited Fishery Products: Issued by the Commune People’s Committee where the vessel is registered.
• Certificate of Origin for Exploited Fishery Products: According to Form No. 02, Appendix III of Circular 81/2025/TT-BNNMT.

Procedure for issuing certificates of origin for harvested aquatic products.

Based on Clause 4, Article 12 of Circular 81/2025/TT-BNNMT, the procedure is carried out in the following sequence:

Step 1: Submission of Dossier There are 2 methods:

• Online: Organizations and individuals declare and submit dossiers online via the National Public Service Portal (Procedure Code: 003666.). Dossier components are original copies established electronically or certified scans. The original Confirmation of Raw Materials must be sent to the provincial fishery agency for verification of unused materials or archiving.
• Direct Submission: If the locality has not applied online procedures, submit 01 set of dossiers directly at the One-Stop Shop of the provincial state management agency for fisheries.

Step 2: Receipt and Check The provincial state management agency for fisheries:

• Responds immediately regarding dossier completeness for direct submissions.
• Responds in writing regarding dossier completeness within 01 working day for submissions via post or online.

Step 3: Appraisal and Certification Within 02 working days from the date of receiving a complete dossier, the competent authority checks information and appraises the dossier:

• For vessels ≥ 06m: Certify if information matches the vessel data, Fishery Exploitation License, and Confirmation of Raw Materials. Confirm remaining materials (if any) in Part C of the Confirmation of Raw Materials and return the original to the applicant.
• For vessels < 06m: Certify if information matches the vessel data and Receipt of Unloaded Products. Confirm remaining materials (if any) in Part B of the Receipt and return the original to the applicant.
• Refusal: If information is incorrect, the authority refuses certification and replies in writing stating the reason.

>>> See more: Conditions for granting licenses to import live aquatic breeds

Long Phan Consulting provides consulting services for the procedures to obtain certificates of origin for harvested seafood.

Long Phan Consulting provides comprehensive support services throughout the process of applying for certificates of origin for harvested seafood. With a team of experienced experts, we offer optimal solutions, ensuring legal compliance and saving you time.

Long Phan Consulting’s services regarding the procedures for applying for a certificate of origin for harvested seafood include:

• Providing advice and evaluating applications for certificates of origin for harvested seafood;
• Assisting in preparing applications for certificates of origin for harvested seafood;
• Providing advice on drafting application forms for obtaining a Certificate of Origin for harvested aquatic products;
• Monitor the application processing progress and work directly with relevant agencies to provide explanations regarding the application.
• Receive and process any additional requests (if any);
• We will submit the application on your behalf to the competent government agency.

With our services, you can rest assured of the quality and efficiency in the process of applying for a certificate of origin for harvested seafood. You can contact us directly for detailed advice and support tailored to your specific needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below, Long Phan Consulting provides some frequently asked questions regarding the procedure for applying for a certificate of origin for harvested seafood. We invite interested clients to refer to this information:

Under what circumstances can a business request a reissue of its Certificate of Origin for harvested seafood?

Certificates of origin for harvested seafood are reissued when there are changes to the information in the previously issued certificate. This ensures the accuracy of the export shipment data compared to reality, avoiding legal risks when the goods arrive at the importing country’s port.

Legal basis: Clause 3, Article 12 of Circular 81/2025/TT-BNNMT.

How should businesses handle the original Material Confirmation Certificate when the remaining material is not fully used for a shipment?

When the raw materials are not fully used, the competent authority will confirm the remaining amount in Section C of the Certificate of Harvested Aquatic Raw Materials (or Section B for the Receipt of Unloading from Small Vessels) and return the original to the enterprise for continued use in subsequent times.

Legal basis: Point a, Clause 4, Article 12 of Circular 81/2025/TT-BNNMT.

Which agency has the authority to verify seafood raw materials before issuing certificates of origin?

The designated fishing port management organization is responsible for verifying the volume, species composition, fishing area, and fishing time of fishing vessels unloading at the port. This is a mandatory prerequisite before submitting an application for a certificate of origin to the provincial fisheries management agency.

Legal basis: Clause 1, Article 10 of Circular 81/2025/TT-BNNMT.

In what cases will the competent authority refuse to issue a certificate?

Certification will be refused if the information declared in the application does not match the information on the fishing vessel, the fishing license, or the certificate of harvested seafood. The competent authority will provide a written response stating the reasons for the refusal.

Legal basis: Point c, Clause 4, Article 12 of Circular 81/2025/TT-BNNMT.

Is transportation information a mandatory component of the application?

Yes. For fishing vessels 6 meters or longer, declared transport information is a mandatory component of the documentation to ensure traceability of the shipment process.

Legal basis: Point d, Clause 1, Article 12 of Circular 81/2025/TT-BNNMT.

If all the raw materials have been used up for a shipment, how is the original material confirmation document handled?

If the seafood raw materials have been completely used up for the shipment for which certification is requested, the competent authority will retrieve the original Certificate of Seafood Raw Material Harvesting for record keeping and will not return it to the enterprise.

Legal basis: Point a, Clause 1, Article 12 of Circular 81/2025/TT-BNNMT.

Conclusion

Compliance with the procedure for issuing a certificate of origin for exploited fishery products is a prerequisite for enterprises to maintain sustainable export activities. This process requires accuracy in monitoring data and documents proving the origin of raw materials.

Please contact Long Phan Consulting Company via Hotline  1900636389 for timely and professional legal support.