WHY IS IT DIFFICULT FOR VIETNAMESE ENTERPRISES TO REGISTER FOR GACC?

In the context of increasingly stringent international regulations on quality and traceability—particularly in China, one of Vietnam’s largest agricultural import markets—obtaining GACC certification has become a mandatory requirement for exporters. This certification is not only a necessary permit for customs clearance but also serves as a “quality visa” that enables Vietnamese products to gain deeper access to the vast and promising billion-people market.

What is GACC?

GACC (General Administration of Customs of China) is the registration code issued by the General Administration of Customs of China for foreign enterprises seeking to export food products to the country. Only businesses that have successfully registered and been granted a GACC code are eligible for customs clearance and the legal distribution of their products in the Chinese market.

Why is GACC Certification Important?

1. Ensures Legal Compliance
   Possessing a GACC code allows enterprises to demonstrate that their products fully comply with the legal requirements and inspection standards of Chinese Customs. This helps minimize the risk of customs rejection or product returns due to violations of food safety and hygiene regulations.
2. Enhances Credibility and Trust with Partners
   GACC certification serves as a quality commitment to international customers and distributors. Products granted a GACC code have passed strict inspections, enabling businesses to build trust, strengthen credibility, and elevate their brand in the market.
3. Expands Export Markets
   Beyond facilitating exports to China—one of the world’s largest agricultural importers—the GACC code also provides a competitive advantage when entering demanding markets such as Japan, South Korea, the EU, and the US, where products with clear international certifications are increasingly prioritized.

GACC Registration Status of Vietnamese Enterprises

According to statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), Vietnam currently has nearly 6,500 cultivation areas and 1,600 packaging facilities across 33 provinces and cities that have been granted export codes by China. However, the number of Vietnamese food enterprises holding GACC certification remains relatively limited, primarily concentrated in a few products such as durian, frozen passion fruit, and certain processed fruit items.

Challenges in the GACC Registration Process

Although GACC certification offers significant benefits, the registration process remains a major challenge for many Vietnamese enterprises.

The most common difficulties include:

• Complex registration procedures, with stringent requirements for quality management systems, food safety standards, facilities, and supply chain control.
• Lack of clear guidelines, leaving many businesses struggling with application preparation or failing to fully understand technical requirements.
• Lengthy approval timelines, as applications may be returned multiple times if they do not meet the criteria, causing serious disruptions to production and export plans.

Therefore, to access the Chinese market in a sustainable and effective manner, enterprises require a comprehensive support ecosystem—ranging from process consulting and workforce training to guidance on preparing internationally compliant documentation.

As one of the pioneers in agricultural processing and export, HungHau Foods is currently among the Vietnamese enterprises holding the largest number of GACC codes in the frozen fruit sector, covering a wide range of strategic products.

GACC – HungHau Foods’ Quality Certification for the Chinese Market

Currently, HungHau Foods has obtained GACC certification for the following products:

1. Frozen Durian – GACC Code: CVNM 32012503100028
   This product fully meets stringent food safety standards and is produced under modern processing procedures. It is now widely distributed in the Chinese market and trusted by consumers for its consistent quality and distinctive flavor.
2. Frozen Passion Fruit Puree – GACC Code: CVNM 24022307070171
   Certified to international standards in raw material sourcing, processing, and preservation, this product is ready to serve not only the Chinese market but also other countries with strong demand for convenient, high-quality products.
3. Frozen Pineapple Core with Sugar – GACC Code: CVNM 31012208030058
   As part of our value-added product line, this item fits well with modern consumption trends in China while contributing to the diversification of HungHau Foods’ export portfolio.
4. Frozen Taro – GACC Code: CVNM 19012207140037
   This product further affirms HungHau Foods’ processing capacity and quality control in the IQF agricultural product category—our strategic direction aimed at increasing value and winning over demanding markets.

 

Future Direction: GACC Certification for Frozen Mango

Building on its current achievements, HungHau Foods is actively finalizing documentation and procedures to obtain GACC certification for frozen mango—one of the company’s core products. Securing this certification will not only strengthen HungHau Foods’ leading position in the Chinese market but also expand export opportunities to countries and regions with high demand for premium-quality mango.

HungHau Foods remains committed to continued investment in technology, production standardization, and quality enhancement to deliver the very best of Vietnamese agricultural products to global consumers—safe, convenient, and rich in natural flavor.

Solid Positioning on the Global Export Map

Holding multiple GACC codes for its key product lines not only enables HungHau Foods to expand its market share in China but also reaffirms its production capacity, product quality, and brand reputation in the international arena.

Currently, HungHau Foods proudly owns three modern processing factories with a total capacity of tens of thousands of tons per month, creating a solid foundation for the company to lead the agricultural and food processing industry in Vietnam.

In Dong Thap, HungHau Vegetable Co., Ltd is recognized as one of the most advanced IQF fruit and vegetable processing facilities. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, the factory specializes in producing a wide range of IQF fruits and vegetables, vegetable tempura, and frozen fruit juices, meeting the diverse demands of even the most demanding markets. Its product portfolio includes durian, mango, passion fruit, dragon fruit, pineapple, banana, and many other value-added products certified with HACCP, ISO 22000, and BRC standards.

Also in Dong Thap, Nha Man Co., Ltd (Sa Dec) stands out with value-added products from Vietnamese agricultural ingredients such as dried fruits and vegetables, macaroni, and especially the Ochao rice straws – a green, eco-friendly product aligned with global sustainable consumption trends.

Meanwhile, Ochao Corporation brings a rich world of flavors with a wide variety of products such as crackers, cookies, soft cakes, waffles, snacks, and candies, all produced under a closed-loop process that ensures consistent quality and internationally recognized taste.

These three factories not only represent the large-scale production capacity of HungHau Foods but also reflect its comprehensive development strategy: linking raw material areas – standardizing processes – enhancing processing value – integrating international standards. This solid foundation enables HungHau Foods to affirm its leading position in agricultural export processing and to continuously expand the global footprint of Vietnamese brands.

In addition, owning multiple GACC registration codes for key agricultural products allows HungHau Foods to expand its market share in China – one of the world’s largest consumer markets – while further reinforcing the company’s production capacity, product quality, and brand reputation on the international stage.

With three modern factories, large total capacity, and a sustainable development strategy focused on raw material linkages, standardized processes, and value-added processing, HungHau Foods is firmly maintaining its role as a pioneer in Vietnam’s agricultural export processing industry.

The combination of three factories has created a closed-loop ecosystem of production – processing – and export, ensuring the ability to fulfill large orders while meeting the highest international standards.

HungHau Foods is now a strategic partner of many leading importers, distribution groups, and supermarket chains from Japan, Korea, the EU, the United States, and the Middle East. The company regularly participates in prestigious international trade fairs such as Anuga China, Anuga Germany, and the Summer Fancy Food Show (USA) to expand its partner network, promote the Vietnamese agricultural brand—especially mangoes—and bring products closer to global consumers. In addition, HungHau Foods continuously invests in product standardization, packaging innovation, and brand development to enhance competitiveness against top exporting countries.

In today’s context of global integration and competition, GACC certification is not only a “passport” to enter the Chinese market but also a guarantee of HungHau Foods’ quality commitment. It is a key factor in strengthening the company’s position, building trust with partners, and conquering other demanding markets. HungHau Foods stands as a prime example of standardized production – international integration – and sustainable development, contributing to the journey of bringing Vietnamese agricultural products further on the global export map.

Cooperation Contact Information: 

HungHau Foods Joint Stock Company
Address: 642 Au Co, Bay Hien Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Email: sales@hunghau.vn
Email: hana@hunghau.vn
Hotline: (+84)79 721 3333
Email: yenn@hunghau.vn
Hotline: (+84)78 520 3333
Website: www.hfoods.vn

References

GACC là gì? Tìm hiểu về Tổng cục Hải quan Trung Quốc – Công Ty TNHH Chứng Nhận KNA

ViTEST ĐÀO TẠO VÀ TƯ VẤN QUẢN LÝ CHẤT LƯỢNG