On April 16, 2025, Vietnam and China signed a new protocol on quarantine and food safety for raw and clean bird’s nest products.
This document not only opens up broader export opportunities to the billion-consumer Chinese market but also imposes strict control requirements that exporting businesses must pay close attention to.

China Tightens Import Standards for Vietnamese Bird’s Nest

According to the protocol signed between the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of Vietnam and China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC), the export of raw and clean bird’s nest from Vietnam to China must meet a series of stringent quarantine, inspection, and veterinary hygiene criteria. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is the authorized body to issue export quarantine certificates and is also responsible for monitoring food safety and product health standards.

Mandatory Technical Requirements for Raw and Clean Bird’s Nest

Exported products must pass organoleptic inspections, comply with nitrite and aluminum residue limits, and be free from avian influenza or Newcastle disease viruses. Specifically:

• Raw Bird’s Nest: Must be preliminarily processed to remove bird droppings, mold, and impurities without the use of chemicals.
• Clean Bird’s Nest: Must be fully cleaned of feathers and dust, and undergo heat treatment at a minimum of 70°C for at least 3.6 seconds to eliminate viruses.

Additionally, packaging must use new materials, be sealed, and clearly labeled in both Chinese and English, including information on origin, weight, production date, and expiration date.

Enterprises Must Register and Comply with Traceability Systems

Only facilities that process raw bird’s nest and produce clean bird’s nest registered with GACC are eligible to export to China. Businesses must establish a quality management and traceability system to ensure that the entire production and transportation process meets quarantine requirements.

Each export batch must be accompanied by an original Veterinary Quarantine Certificate in both Chinese and English. Furthermore, production facilities must be inspected and certified by an official Vietnamese veterinarian to meet hygiene and food safety standards.

China May Conduct Both Remote and On-site Inspections

To ensure compliance, GACC reserves the right to conduct periodic inspections via remote video calls or send experts for on-site checks in Vietnam. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will be responsible for coordinating and providing up-to-date information, including signature samples of authorized officials and quarantine certificate templates.

If any shipment is found to be non-compliant, China may reject the import, destroy the goods, and request an investigation. The Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is responsible for cooperating in the investigation and providing feedback on the findings.

Only 12 Vietnamese Companies Currently Authorized to Export Bird’s Nest to China

At present, only 12 Vietnamese enterprises are officially approved to export bird’s nest to China. This not only gives these companies a competitive advantage but also serves as motivation for other businesses to quickly complete their management systems and register with GACC if they want access to this market.

Huge Export Potential, But Requires Professionalization

China’s bird’s nest market is vast and has high demand, particularly for products with clear origin and strong biosecurity. However, to seize this opportunity, exporters must:

• Standardize production and quarantine processes as per bilateral requirements.
• Set up robust traceability systems and technical documentation.
• Proactively update legal information and work closely with relevant authorities.

EximGPT: Your Trusted Partner in Bird’s Nest Export

As an intelligent import-export assistant, EximGPT helps businesses:

• Automatically draft export emails, contracts, and quarantine documents.
• Advise on target market standards using AI technology.
• Provide suggested procedures for GACC registration and up-to-date regulatory information.

Amid strict regulations and rigorous quarantine standards from China, bird’s nest exporters need more than just preparation — they need an optimized, accurate, and timely support system. EximGPT is not just a tool, but a comprehensive solution to help standardize your processes, manage documentation, and speed up handling times.