Seafood (shrimp, tuna, squid, octopus, pangasius) is export industries top of Vietnam to Japan with approximately 358 million USD year 2024 (+11,6% YoY). This also is industries strict most about cold chain, documentation and compliance. Articles total combined the entire: reefer rate 40’RF, MAFF registration + NAFIQAD + Catch Certificate IUU, pre-cool + data logger, 5 pain case from the field (antibiotics Nitrofurans, temp breach tuna histamine) and 7 FAQ.
Set -18°C to -22°C for frozen; -1°C to 0°C for shrimp fresh (chilled). Pre-cool 6-8h empty before load.
Carton absorb wax moisture-proof when thawing. Bao PE 2 layer + ice dry if requires. In squid food-grade.
No only record temperature door. Japan require temperature log continuously — temp breach 2h = reject 100%.
Must east solid center product before load. Tuna very sensitive histamine when temp breach.
Detailed per lot, batch, day product exporting, limit use. Match with Health Cert.
Record clearly container temperature setting + pre-cool record + PTI report.
VJ (VJEPA) 0% preferential-3,5%; AJ (AJCEP) equivalent. Tuna HS 0303 yes able 0%.
Required. Grade by NAFIQAD, a company must achieve HACCP. Fee 200-500k VND/shipment.
Factory must located within list MAFF Japan approved. Not yet register = no exporting can be.
Per IATTC/WCPFC anti- IUU. Required for tuna. ASC/MSC for client Japan tier-1 (Aeon, Itochu).
MAFF (Set Agriculture-forestry Fisheries Japan): Quarantine food at port. Test random natural antibiotics, heavy metals, histamine (tuna).
MHLW (Set Health Japan): Grade license for client Japan. Other must yes Food Sanitation License to import seafood.
Violates = inspection upgrade: Shipment fail → the shipment next of a company automation inspect 100% within 6-12 month → increases fee + delay severe. Should test independent before packing cont.
| Route | Container | Market rates (USD) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| HCM → Tokyo | 40'RF | $2.200 – $3.500 | Reefer high due to electrical reefer + low capacity |
| HCM → Yokohama | 40'RF | $2.200 – $3.500 | Equivalent Tokyo |
| HCM → Osaka/Kobe | 40'RF | $2.200 – $3.500 | Other Kansai |
| Haiphong → Tokyo | 40'RF | $2.000 – $3.200 | Distance shorter than HCM |
⚠️ Indicative rates, subject to BAF fluctuation/CAF/peak season. Accurate quote — contact ShipAsia.
| Step | Task | Timing | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Book reefer space + require pre-cool | T-21 (peak) / T-14 (low) | Sales |
| 2 | Confirm cont 40'RF + report location pickup empty | T-19 day | ShipAsia + carrier |
| 3 | Pickup empty cont + Pre-Trip Inspection (PTI) | T-7 day | Trucking + plant |
| 4 | Pre-cool cont 6-8h at plant | T-2 day | Factory |
| 5 | Load shrimp east solid -18°C + mounted data logger | T-1 day | Factory |
| 6 | Truck ra Cat Lai + plug in electrical reefer | T-1 day | Trucking |
| 7 | Cut-off SI/VGM + delivery Health Cert + CO | T-1 day | ShipAsia |
| 8 | Load onto vessel | T0 (ETD) | Port + carrier |
| 9 | Transit HCM-Tokyo | 9-11 day | Carrier |
| 10 | MAFF quarantine (5-30% shipment) | T+10 → T+12 | MAFF + broker |
| 11 | Trucking inland Japan, ensure cold chain | T+11 → T+13 | Trucking JP |
a company shrimp exporting 5 cont/month to Tokyo. Shipment month 3 is MAFF issue current residue Enrofloxacin (antibiotics banned) → reject the entire + a company is inspection upgrade 100% within 6 month → each shipment after held inspect 7-14 day, fee increases $300-500/cont. Loss total ~$50.000. Article study: Test independent 100% shipment before packing cont. Cost test $50-100/shipment — cheaper than very many vs reject.
Cont 40’RF tuna HCM-Tokyo. To port Cat Lai plug in electrical reefer slow 2h (fault equipment) → temp increases -18°C up -10°C within 2h. Logger record receive. MAFF inspect histamine at Tokyo → fail → reject. Loses ~$30.000 cargo + fee destroy. Article study: Pre-cool complete + check PTI cont carefully + yes backup logger independent (no only logger carrier) + green staff port plug in electrical ngay when cont arrive.
a company shrimp new startup, sales can be client Japan, packing 1 cont 40’RF send to. To Tokyo → MAFF inspect finds plant no yes within list MAFF approved → hold Wu deadline, no clear can be. Other Japan must re-export about VN. Total loss $25.000. Article study: Verify MAFF registration (NAFIQAD audit + the embassy + MAFF approve, loses 6-12 month) before contract. Within lead time wait, produce for a company already yes MAFF code.
Fee electrical reefer ~$15-25/day at port (load + wait vessel). PTI (Pre-Trip Inspection) ~$50-100. Health Cert NAFIQAD 200-500k VND. Logger ~$50-100/container if rented. Total surcharges reefer usually additional $200-400 outside ocean freight. Door-to-door rates 40’RF HCM-Tokyo approximately $2.500-4.000.
No able. Must register plant with MAFF before. Process: NAFIQAD audit → send dossier via the embassy → MAFF approve. Loses 6-12 month. Within lead time wait, can produce for businesses already with MAFF code (rent a registered factory for packaging + labeling).
Per work approximately IUU (Illegal Unreported Unregulated fishing), tuna must have Catch Cert proving legal fishing, yes quota, yes ICCAT/WCPFC tracking. Japan check very carefully. Missing Catch Cert or signature WCPFC → hold cargo. Form per template MARD VN.
Approximately 25-27 tons net (depends on packaging). 40’RF container is lighter than 40’GP due to refrigeration equipment taking ~3 tons dead weight. Volume ~67 m³ (vs 40’GP ~76 m³).
Randue tom check 3-7 day. If a company yes track record good + broker quen MAFF → 2-3 day. If inspection upgrade (after violates) → 7-14 day, ratio inspect 100%. Quick clearance: prepare independent test report + work with reputable broker familiar with MAFF officials.
Difficult more than dry. Reefer requires plug electrical continuously, cannot wait for next sailing too 3-5 days. If is roll, requires prefer reefer slot higher than but cont hot → recommend book early 3-4 week peak season + yes backup plan transship.
High more than 30-50%. Longer distance + Tokyo Bay congestion + Japan port charges higher + Japan reefer capacity limited vs Korea. Rates from HCM-Busan reefer ~$1.500-2.500; HCM-Tokyo ~$2.200-3.500.
ShipAsia — independent Asia container shipping advisor. Free consultation, no binding contracts, response within 4h.
