Jump to:
- Trade agreements with Vietnam
- Purpose of sanitary and phytosanitary measures
- Import procedures and paperwork
- Pest and disease controls
- Equivalence
- Notification of SPS measures
- Notification of emergency measures
- Consultation and recourse
- Finding country-specific information
- Useful resources
- Department for Business and Trade support
Trade agreements with Vietnam
The UK has 2 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with Vietnam:
- the UK-Vietnam FTA which entered into force on 1 January 2021
- the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), a trade agreement including 12 countries (Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the UK and Vietnam), which entered into force between the UK and Vietnam on 15 December 2024
The UK-Vietnam FTA should be read in conjunction with the EU-Vietnam FTA because the UK-Vietnam FTA incorporates provisions of the EU-Vietnam FTA.
The following Parliamentary report provides information about significant differences between the two.
The UK-Vietnam FTA will remain in force alongside CPTPP. At times, you will need to specify which agreement you choose to trade under (notably when applying rules of origin), but benefits from either agreement will mostly apply automatically. Our guides attempt to highlight where businesses may need to make an explicit decision.
CPTPP entry into force and ratification
As of 15 December 2024, CPTPP is in force between the UK and:
- Brunei
- Chile
- Japan
- Malaysia
- New Zealand
- Peru
- Singapore
- Vietnam
This means that the UK can access CPTPP provisions with said countries.
On 24 December 2024, CPTPP will enter into force between the UK and Australia; this means that the UK will be able to access CPTPP provisions with Australia from and including 24 December 2024.
The following countries have not yet ratified the terms of the UK’s accession:
Canada and Mexico.
This means that the UK cannot yet access CPTPP provisions with those countries.
This guidance will be updated following each of the remaining countries’ ratification of the terms of the UK’s accession to CPTPP and will include when CPTPP will enter in force between the UK and the relevant remaining country.
Purpose of sanitary and phytosanitary measures
Sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures seek to facilitate trade between countries whilst protecting human, animal and plant life and health, ensuring that food traded is safe to eat, and that animals and plants are free from pests and disease.
CPTPP is consistent with the UK’s existing approach to SPS controls. All food and drink products imported into the UK will still have to meet the respective food safety and biosecurity standards for the UK. Under the agreement parties have the right to take necessary measures to address risks to food safety, animal or plant life or health whilst also requiring that these measures do not create unjustified trade restrictions.
CPTPP includes structures and commitments to allow our governments to work together to tackle SPS-related market access barriers and improve understanding of each other’s systems. This will ultimately help businesses move agrifood goods between 2 markets.
See the SPS chapter of the CPTPP agreement for more information. Please note that this link directs you to the New Zealand Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry which is responsible for the CPTPP agreement text.
For more information on SPS checks for both importing to the UK and exporting from the UK, check out the Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs trade portal.
Import procedures and paperwork
The UK joining CPTPP means we have shared commitments to follow principles regarding import checks and notification in cases of non-compliance at the border. This enhances the transparency and cooperation, which will benefit UK agri-food exports and enhance processes for importers.
The 12 CPTPP countries agree to promote the use of electronic certification and other technologies to facilitate trade. Once implemented, this would reduce administrative processes and improve document security – enabling smoother trade for businesses.
Pest and disease controls
An important part of SPS measures is regionalisation. This is where an area (whether it is a whole country or part of it) is being identified as free of pests or diseases or has low levels of pests or diseases and is subject to relevant control measures.
The CPTPP SPS chapter sets out the principles and concepts relevant for regionalisation that will apply to trade between the UK and the 11 other CPTPP countries. These provide greater transparency, clarity, and timeliness when either country is assessing the other’s measures in place to control pest or disease outbreaks. This will help avoid unnecessary trade restrictions and facilitate the safe movement of goods even during outbreaks.
Equivalence
The CPTPP SPS chapter sets out principles on agreeing equivalence for SPS measures. This could make it easier for UK exporters to secure approvals or require less administrative checks for their goods if individual CPTPP countries agree that UK SPS measures achieve the same level of protection.
The CPTPP agreement is consistent with the UK’s existing approach to SPS controls. All food and drink products imported into the UK will continue to have to comply with our import requirements.
Notification of SPS measures
The CPTPP agreement goes beyond the World Trade Organization (WTO) SPS agreement. Where feasible and appropriate it requires the UK and other CPTPP members to notify new measures (except emergency measures) at least 6 months before they enter into force, allowing businesses time to adapt and plan for their implementation.
Notification of emergency measures
CPTPP members have committed to promptly notify any new emergency SPS measures that are necessary for the protection of human, animal or plant life or health.
Consultation and recourse
Membership of CPTPP gives the UK new avenues to address SPS market access barriers. CPTPP includes clear governance structures to engage the SPS Committee, work collaboratively in working groups, as well as the ability to hold Cooperative Technical Consultations to resolve issues effectively.
Finding country-specific information
CPTPP members have agreed to communicate processes and information in a timely and clear manner. If any import SPS requirements for a specific good are not publicly available, they are to be supplied upon request.
You can find more information about SPS measures in Vietnam from the Vietnam Sanitary and Phytosanitary Notification Authority and Enquiry Point. Please be aware most of the webpage is only available in Vietnamese but relevant Vietnam Government Circulars on SPS measures are available in English.
You can find the relevant Export Health Certificates for Vietnam on the gov.uk site.
Useful resources
You can find more information about export opportunities, business culture and any existing trade barriers on our Vietnam market guide.
Prior to export, you must be aware of local regulations and import conditions in Vietnam that apply to your goods or services. This can include tax considerations, labour laws, intellectual property rules, labelling and packaging regulations, among others. The export guide above provides an introduction to Vietnam’s tax system.
To seek further information related to local regulations, business culture, or to find a local lawyer, translator, importer or distributor, you can use the following contacts:
- DBT’s Export Support Service International Markets team
- get in touch with DBT at the local British Embassy
- get in touch with the British Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam
To see information on political, economic and security risks when trading with Vietnam, please see:
Department for Business and Trade support
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) helps businesses export, drives inward and outward investment, negotiates market access and trade agreements, and champions free trade. Helpful links, tools and services available from DBT and wider government include:
Export Support Service (ESS) team
Get support on how to do business abroad. You may also be eligible for 1-2-1 support from a local International Trade Adviser. Businesses in Wales can also access support from Business Wales.
Export Support Service – International Markets (ESS-IM)
DBT's overseas in-market export support service for SMEs with high-export potential. Our International Market Advisers provide tailored support and market introduction information to new and current UK exporters looking to enter or expand into new markets. The service may be accessed globally with International Markets teams in South Asia, China, the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, North America and Latin America.
Sign up to access free training on how to grow your international sales.
Information on finance and insurance for UK exports.
Trade and investment factsheets
The latest statistics on trade and investment between the UK and individual overseas partners.
Overseas business risk profiles
Information for UK businesses on political, economic and security risks when trading overseas.
Advice and warnings about travel abroad, including entry requirements, safety and security, health risks and legal differences.
Check or report a trade barrier
If you encounter an issue when exporting to any country – report the issue and UK government officials will be able to assess the issue and consider the options we have open to addressing it as appropriate
Search for your specific product to find applicable tariffs for each market, explore rules of origin and step-by-step help on customs procedures
Check import duties and allows you to check the status of available tariff rate quotas
Exporting food, drink, and agricultural products
Find further information on exporting food, drink, and agricultural products on: