The Vietnam market for Indian frozen fish
Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia buy whole frozen fish for reprocessing and wet markets; Singapore accepts only SFA-approved source establishments.
Indian community in Vietnam (Ministry of External Affairs estimate): 2,700 NRIs.
Frozen Fish specification for Vietnam orders
| Parameter | Typical export value |
|---|---|
| Form | Whole round, gutted, or HGT; block or IQF (typical) |
| Size grading | Per species, e.g. ribbonfish 200-300 / 300-500 / 500 g up; pomfret 4-6 / 6-8 pcs/kg (typical) |
| Glaze | 5-10% (typical) |
| Storage | -18 °C or colder |
| Histamine (scombroid species) | Within destination limits (EU ≤ 100-200 mg/kg sampling plan) (typical) |
Final values are agreed per contract, then confirmed by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Shipping frozen fish to Vietnam
Typical sea transit Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) → Ho Chi Minh City: 11-16 days. Via Singapore/Port Klang
Supply window: Indian frozen fish is mainly produced or harvested Two crops/yr; main harvest Apr-Jul and Oct-Dec (ASSUMPTION); Fishing season Aug-May (monsoon ban Jun-Jul both coasts) (ASSUMPTION - statutory ban dates vary by coast). Allow 11-16 days at sea plus 5–10 days for inspection, export clearance and Vietnam customs when you set delivery dates.
Container loading (estimate): 20' about 18-22 MT, 40' HC about 25-27 MT.
Quoted on CFR, CIF, FOB; CIF Ho Chi Minh City is the common choice for first orders.
Where buyers are in Vietnam
| City | Port / airport | Buyer sectors |
|---|---|---|
| Ho Chi Minh City | Cat Lai (Saigon Port); Cai Mep-Thi Vai deep-water port (Ba Ria-Vung Tau, now merged into H | Indian restaurants/HORECA, garment & textile input importers (cotton/yarn/fabric), pharma/API |
| Hanoi | Haiphong (Lach Huyen / Dinh Vu), ~120 km · Noi Bai International (HAN) | Indian HORECA, electronics & engineering inputs, pharma/API |
| Da Nang | Tien Sa Port (Da Nang); Lien Chieu port under development · Da Nang International (DAD) | HORECA & hospitality suppliers, IT/electronics, seafood processing equipment |
Frequently asked questions
How long does shipping from India to Vietnam take?
Typically 11-16 days port-to-port from Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) to Ho Chi Minh City, plus 5–10 days for stuffing, export clearance and destination clearance (estimates).
Does Vietnam have a trade agreement with India?
ASEAN–India AITIGA 2010 (review ongoing); no bilateral FTA [S7] A preferential certificate of origin is needed to claim any reduced duty.
Which HS code applies to frozen fish from India?
Usually HS 0303. Vietnam applies its own national tariff extension to the 6-digit code; confirm the full line with your broker.
Which frozen fish species do you supply?
Ribbonfish, croaker, Indian mackerel, sardine, pomfret, reef cod, seer fish, barracuda and threadfin bream, subject to seasonal availability.
Is there a fishing ban season in India?
Yes, an annual monsoon fishing ban applies on each coast (roughly June-July on the west coast), so shipments are planned around it.
Do you provide catch certificates for the EU?
Wild-caught fish for the EU is shipped with an IUU catch certificate and an EIC health certificate from an EU-listed plant.
Related guides
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