Live lobster for export is a high-value seafood product that requires keeping shrimp healthy throughout the journey from the farm to the importer. To export lobster to China officially, businesses need a registered facility with China Customs (GACC) through NAFIQPM's introduction, the shrimp species is on the list of permitted imports, a valid certificate, and the information on all documents matches.
What types of live lobsters are exported?
In Vietnam, lobsters are raised in cages and exploited mainly in the central coastal provinces. In the market, we often see names such as cotton lobster, blue lobster, rock lobster, red lobster...
The trade name is just a domestic name. When preparing export documents, businesses must use the scientific name of the species to compare with the importing country's list. A species that is widely sold domestically may not be allowed to be imported into China in live form.
- Determine the exact scientific name of each batch of shrimp.
- Check whether the species is in the list of aquatic products allowed to be imported into the destination market.
- Do not combine multiple unverified species into one shipment.
Criteria for selecting live lobsters before packing
The quality of input determines the survival rate upon arrival. Healthy shrimp often have strong reflexes, their tails are firmly tucked in, their antennae and legs are still intact, and their shells are not soft because they have just molted.
Points that need to be eliminated
- Shrimp are weak, lethargic, and react slowly when touched.
- Newly molted shrimp, soft shell, easy to die when stacked.
- Shrimp with broken claws, broken legs, wounds or strange spots on the shell.
Before packing, shrimp are often temporarily stored in clean water tanks and stopped feeding for a while to reduce waste during transportation.
Preserving and transporting live lobsters
The general rule is to lower the temperature to reduce shrimp metabolism, keep the gills moist and limit impact. The specific heat level and time depends on the species, size and distance, businesses should experiment and refer to practical experience.
| Category | Popular method | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Lower the temperature | Cool down slowly in the tank before closing | Reduce activity, avoid heat shock |
| Container | Insulated foam box with ventilation holes when needed | Keeps heat stable throughout the journey |
| Lining material | Cold sawdust, paper or damp cloth | Moisturizes the gills, resists impact |
| Refrigerant | Gel ice or dry ice is tightly wrapped and does not touch the shrimp directly | Maintain low temperature |
| Method | By air or road through the border gate | Shorten the time shrimp are out of water |
Requirements when exporting live lobsters to China
China strictly controls imported seafood. Order 280 of China Customs on registration of foreign food manufacturing enterprises takes effect from June 1, 2026, replacing Order 248; Expired Order 248 registration codes can still be used.
- Registered establishment: Shrimp farming, storage or packaging facilities must be on the GACC approved list.
- NAFIQPM introduces: Seafood belongs to the group that must be introduced by Vietnamese authorities, businesses do not register directly.
- Species allowed: Enterprises check the list of aquatic species allowed to be imported before signing a contract and before each export batch.
- Certificate: The shipment needs a certificate as required by the Chinese side, issued by a Vietnamese competent authority.
- Matching information: Species name, facility code, business name, quantity on deed, invoice, packing slip and box label must be consistent.
If the facility changes its production address or legal representative, it must re-register. China Customs does not charge registration fees; Information should only be looked up on customs.gov.cn or singlewindow.cn.
Documents need to be prepared for the lobster batch
- Contracts, commercial invoices, packing slips.
- Certificate as required by the importing country.
- Certificate of origin when the buyer needs to enjoy tax incentives.
- Export customs declarations and transport documents.
For other markets, businesses should check specific requirements on species, minimum size and quarantine with the competent authority.
Frequently asked questions
Can all types of live lobster be exported to China?
Are not. Only species in the list of permitted imports will be cleared through customs. Enterprises need to compare scientific names with the list before exporting.
Can businesses register their own GACC code for lobster?
Seafood belongs to the group that must be introduced by NAFIQPM. Enterprises prepare basic documents that meet the requirements and submit them to Vietnamese competent authorities.
Which way should live lobsters go?
Depending on distance, volume and buyer's requirements, it is possible to travel by air or road through the border gate. The most important thing is to shorten the time and keep the temperature stable.
Conclude
Successful export of live lobsters requires a combination of three factors: healthy shrimp, proper preservation and standard legal documents, especially verification of allowed species before export. Andwind supports consulting on procedures, quarantine, GACC codes and transportation for your lobster batch.
Need advice on procedures, codes or shipping? Contact Andwind – Zalo 0967948685 · andwind.vn