Importing Vietnamese avocado into Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong
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Short answer. Malaysia: the importer obtains an import permit from MAQIS and we send a phytosanitary certificate with every lot. Singapore: the importer holds an SFA licence and declares each lot through TradeNet; fruit for consumption needs no phytosanitary certificate. Hong Kong: no import licence or phytosanitary certificate. Sea transit from Cat Lai is 2–6 days.
What does each market require?
| Market | The importer arranges | We send | Carton | Sea transit from Cat Lai (indicative) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malaysia | Import permit from MAQIS | Phytosanitary certificate with every lot; C/O form D | 10 kg | Port Klang 3–5 days |
| Singapore | SFA licence; import permit for each lot through TradeNet | C/O form D; phytosanitary certificate on request | 10 kg | 2–4 days |
| Hong Kong | Registration as a food importer (Cap. 612) | Shipping documents; other documents confirmed with the quotation | 4 kg or 10 kg | 3–6 days |
Every lot also carries the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, the reefer temperature setting record and a lot code on every carton.
Malaysia: what does the importer arrange?
Plant products, fresh fruit included, enter Peninsular Malaysia under an import permit issued by MAQIS, the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services, and the importer applies online. Sabah and Sarawak issue their own permits through the state Departments of Agriculture. We send a phytosanitary certificate with every lot. Ask MAQIS or your forwarder to confirm the conditions for avocado before the first shipment. We pack 10 kg two-layer cartons and quote CFR or CIF Port Klang on request. Other fruit for this market is on our Malaysia page.
Singapore: what does SFA ask for?
The importer holds a Singapore Food Agency licence for fresh fruits and vegetables and obtains an import permit for each consignment through TradeNet. NParks states that fruits and vegetables for consumption do not need a phytosanitary certificate. SFA's rules ask that every carton shows the producer's name and address, a product description and the date of export or packing, and that pesticide residues stay within the limits of the Food Regulations or Codex. Our label is printed to your layout, so these three items are set there. Other fruit for this market is on our Singapore page.
Hong Kong: is any licence needed?
Hong Kong licenses plant imports under Cap. 207, and Hong Kong Customs states that the exemption covers fruits and vegetables for consumption. So avocado needs no import licence and no phytosanitary certificate. The importer registers as a food importer with the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene under the Food Safety Ordinance (Cap. 612). We ship 4 kg or 10 kg cartons and quote CFR or CIF Hong Kong on request. Other fruit for this market is on our Hong Kong page.
Which variety and carton suit a short sea route?
Booth 7, from September to November, is our lead variety for reefer shipments. 034, from May to August, is offered for sea freight after storage tests on each season's fruit; the season calendar shows each month. Fruit is packed hard and mature-green. The 10 kg carton loads 2,400 per 40' reefer, about 24 t net, and smaller programmes ship by the pallet of 120 cartons (1,200 kg net). See avocado cartons and container loading.
How do first orders and payment work?
Trial lots by air are paid 100 % by T/T before release of the shipping documents. For first sea orders to these markets, payment is 50 % by T/T within 3 working days after the Proforma Invoice is confirmed and 50 % against scanned shipping documents, before release of the original B/L or telex release. FOB Cat Lai is standard; CFR or CIF to your port is quoted on request. How the wholesale price is built lists what we need for a firm quotation.
Frequently asked questions
Do you have Hass for Singapore or Malaysia?
No. Hass is not grown in export volume in Vietnam. We offer green-skin Booth 7 and 034; see green-skin avocado or Hass.
Can avocado share a reefer with other fruit?
Not with ethylene-producing cargo, and not with limes, which travel at 9–10 °C. Booth 7 is set at 7 °C.
Are your orchards GlobalGAP-certified?
Not yet, and we say so up front. We check every lot at packing and send photos of every lot before shipment.
How fast is a quotation?
We reply within 1 business day and send a firm quotation within 2 business days, valid for 7 days.
The full specification is on the fresh avocado product page. To ask for a price, use the avocado quotation form.
Sources
- WTO import licensing notification, Malaysia: plants, plant products and regulated articles
- Singapore Food Agency, commercial food imports
- Singapore Customs, TradeNet requirements for fruits and vegetables
- NParks, plant health requirements for fresh produce (updated 19 November 2024)
- Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department, import of plants and food
- Centre for Food Safety, registration of food importers and distributors
Last reviewed 12 November 2026 by VIET FARM EXPORT COMPANY LIMITED, Ho Chi Minh City. Import rules change: confirm them with the authority or your forwarder before a first shipment. Figures without a source link come from our avocado specification; they are indicative and confirmed with each quotation.