How To Import Octopus From Vietnam? The Ultimate Guide 2023

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Humans have been fascinated by the octopus, a boneless aquatic creature, for millennia. It’s a common protein source in seaside areas worldwide, and several cultures regard it as a delicacy.

That’s why investing in this commodity might be a big deal for many enterprises. If you are searching for an ideal import destination, look no further than Vietnam. 

How to import octopus from Vietnam? It’s time to dive into this article to learn more about international freight! Let’s get started!

The Origin

History 

Octopuses, like squid and cuttlefish, are cephalopods and invertebrates. Their heads are bulbous, their eyes are enormous, and they have eight beneficial arms.

The word “octopus” comes from the Greek word, which means “eight feet.” The words “okto” and “pus” come from Ancient Greek, and “okto” means “eight” and “pus” means “foot.”

Georges Cuvier, Father of Paleontology, was the first to define the octopus. This species is widespread on almost every continent except for Antarctica and Australia.

Octopus has up to three hearts. Its blood is blue, which is known as hemocyanin. That’s because it doesn’t contain red blood cells like in human blood. 

The brains of octopuses are impressive, despite their small size. They’re escape artists, wizards of camouflage, and simply the most incredible animals on the planet.

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The history of this species

>> More: So, how to import fish from Vietnam? Keep reading to see more!

Common Species

There are thousands of species of octopus in the world. Here are some common ones:

  1. Common octopus

This species is available in the tropical, subtropical seashores like South Africa’s southern coast and eastern Atlantic. 

  1. Giant Pacific Octopus

It is the world’s largest octopus species, weighing up to lbs and reaching a length of approximately 15 feet.

It can be found in various places, from shallow areas down 6,600 feet under the surface of the ocean.

  1. Coconut Octopus

It collects and shelters in coconut husks that drop on the Pacific coast’s tree-lined coastlines.

  1. Blue-Ringed Octopus

It is among the most beautiful octopus varieties on the planet. Although most octopuses contain venom, this one’s toxicity is 1,000 times stronger than cyanide.

  1. Dumbo Octopus

This species has fins that look like the ears of Dumbo elephants. They lack ink bags, unlike many other octopus varieties.

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Dumbo species

>> Read More: How to Import Fish From Vietnam? All Things You Need to Know in 2023

Health Benefits

This type of seafood contains many nutrients and offers many health benefits such as:

  • It’s high in omega-3 acids, linked to a variety of heart-healthy effects.
  • This seafood contains taurine, which has antiviral and anti-cancer properties.
  • Magnesium, a mineral, is beneficial to memory, learning, and brain activity. 
  • Docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid are helpful to prevent depression.
  • This food contains sodium, which is essential for healthy neuronal function.

Vietnam’s Octopus Exporting Current Market

According to Vietnam Customs data, squid and octopus exports in November 2021 were over US$543 million, increasing 7% over the same time in 2020.

The exports reached over US$60 million in December 2021, an increase of 10%. As a result, exports will exceed US$600 million in 2021, rising 7% over 2020.

Similar to the production and export trend of Vietnam’s seafood in general in 2021, exports of these commodities decreased in August and September. 

From October onwards, the exports recovered thanks to the flexible policy of the Government.

Regarding the structure of export products, the export value of octopus accounts for 48%, and squid accounts for 52%.

The top 10 markets that import the most of this seafood in the first 11 months of 2021 are South Korea, Japan, Thailand, China, Hong Kong, Italy, the US, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Australia. 

Korea is still Vietnam’s largest import market, accounting for 41% of total export value. In November 2021, exports to South Korea reached US$25.3 million, up 22% over the same period in 2020.

Accumulated in the first 11 months of 2021, the export of these commodities to the Korean market reached US$219.8 million, up 5% over the same period.

In November 2021, Japan came in second, importing US$12.3 million from Vietnam, an increase of 19%. Exports to this market totaled US$101.4 million in the first eleven months of 2021, decreasing 8% from the same period in 2020.

Aside from Korea and Japan, Vietnam’s exports of these products grew in November 2021 to Thailand, the EU, China, the United States, Taiwan, and Israel.

>> See More: Import Squid From Vietnam and Potential production market

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Current market

Import Octopus From Vietnam: Shipping Process

Many firms want to import seafood from Vietnam but are unsure of the essential procedures and documentation. 

Step 1: Check whether this item is on the List of aquatic products banned from export or the List of aquatic products subject to conditional export.

Step 2: Fill out an application for animal quarantine.

Dossier for registration of animal quarantine includes:

  • Quarantine registration form.
  • Quarantine requirements of the importing country (if any).
  • For aquatic animal products under the management of other relevant competent state agencies, documents or permits must be submitted according to regulations.
  • Certificate of disease safety of the aquaculture establishment where the aquatic products originate for the consignment (if any).

Step 3: Carrying out customs declaration procedures.

This step involves several necessary paperwork, including:

  • Commercial Invoice
  • Sales Contract
  • Packing List
  • Certificate of Origin
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Shipping process

About Vncomex

If you perform the importing yourself, the process might be complex. Vncomex is one of the most outstanding import-export freight companies on the market, with approximately ten years of expertise in logistics.

Why should you choose us? Here are the reasons:

  • We have a lot of experience with customs declarations and processes, and we always put our customers’ needs first.
  • We make every attempt to satisfy the requirements of our consumers, no matter how basic or complex they may be.
  • We consistently strive to provide the most competitive and affordable prices available on the market.
  • Our staff has several years of business expertise and a thorough understanding of tax laws, regulations, and circulars.

The Bottom Line

After reading this article, we are sure that you ultimately know how to import octopus from Vietnam, right? As you can see, international shipment is considerably challenging without a third-party company. 

Vncomex boasts of being the most reliable among the import-export firms on the market. We are committed to offering the best service to our customers. 

Thanks for taking your time reading this post!

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