Vietnam Fresh Lychee Import Guide for Global Buyers (Updated 2025)
- kalinhnd
- May 7
- 4 min read
Vietnam fresh lychee export is booming thanks to the fruit’s premium quality, natural sweetness, and safe cultivation under VietGAP/GlobalGAP standards. Global buyers looking to import Vietnamese lychee benefit from a reliable supply, competitive pricing, and rising demand in markets like the US, EU, and Australia. Don’t miss the chance to tap into this trending product and bring authentic Vietnamese premium lychee to your market.
I. Vietnam Fresh Lychee Import Overview
Varieties Available
Vietnam is renowned for its premium lychee varieties, especially Thanh Hà (Hai Duong) and Lục Ngạn (Bắc Giang), which are highly favored in global markets for their superior sweetness, thin skin, small seeds, and aromatic flavor. These varieties are top choices for importers seeking high-quality lychee from Vietnam.
Harvest Seasons
The main lychee harvest season runs from late May to mid-July. Thanh Hà lychee typically peaks in early June, while Bắc Giang lychee follows shortly after. This seasonal window ensures a stable supply of fresh lychee for export when global demand is highest.
Fruit Specifications
Vietnamese premium lychee meets strict export standards:
Size: 25–35 mm diameter
Color: Bright red or pink skin, uniform color
Brix/TSS (Total Soluble Solids): ≥ 17%, ensuring sweetness
Flesh: Juicy, fragrant, firm, with a small seed
Pesticide Residue: Within Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) required by major markets (e.g., EU, US, Japan)
Certifications
Leading lychee exporters in Vietnam provide products certified under VietGAP, GlobalGAP, and sometimes Organic standards. These certifications ensure food safety, traceability, and compliance with international import requirements — key for businesses importing fresh lychee from Vietnam.
Post-Harvest Treatments
To meet phytosanitary requirements of high-standard markets, fresh lychee undergoes necessary post-harvest processes:
Irradiation treatment (for USA, Australia, New Zealand) to eliminate pests
Cold treatment (for EU and select markets)
Careful sorting, grading, and packing in ventilated cartons with moisture-proof liners to preserve premium quality during international shipping
II. Vietnam Fresh Lychee Export Standards & Compliance
Phytosanitary Requirements
Vietnamese lychee must comply with phytosanitary regulations of the destination markets, including:
EU: Requires official phytosanitary inspection and certification; strict checks on pests and diseases.
US & Japan: Mandatory phytosanitary certificate and pre-approved treatment (such as irradiation for the US).
Australia & New Zealand: Special import permits and specific treatment protocols (irradiation or vapor heat treatment).
Maximum Residue Levels (MRL) for Pesticides
Exported lychee must meet the maximum residue limits (MRL) for pesticides and agrochemicals as set by the importing country.
Example: Japan has some of the strictest MRLs globally, often as low as 0.01 mg/kg for certain compounds.
Exporters must ensure proper farming practices and allow sufficient pre-harvest intervals to comply.
Packaging and Labeling Standards
Lychee packaging must protect the fruit’s delicate skin and preserve freshness. Export packaging typically includes:
Perforated plastic bags (1–2 kg) for inner packing.
Ventilated carton boxes with partitions to avoid crushing.
Required labeling (in the importing country’s language) includes:
Product name
Country of origin (Vietnam)
Grower/exporter code, packing facility code
Packing date, best-before date
Storage instructions and, if applicable, traceability QR code or barcode.
III. Vietnam Fresh Lychee Import for Foreign Buyers
1. Partner Selection
To successfully import Vietnamese lychee, it’s crucial to identify reliable suppliers or exporters in Vietnam. Buyers should:
Work with certified growers and packhouses that hold VietGAP, GlobalGAP, or Organic certifications. This ensures that the fruit meets international food safety and quality standards.
Verify the exporter’s experience in handling premium lychee shipments for global markets, with a proven track record and references.
2. Contract & Documentation
- An international purchase contract should clearly define:
Product specifications (variety, grade, quantity, packaging)
Pricing, Incoterms, payment terms
Delivery timeline and responsibilities
- Essential documents typically include:
Commercial Invoice
Packing List
Phytosanitary Certificate (issued by Vietnam’s Plant Protection Department)
Certificate of Origin (C/O)
Bill of Lading or Airway Bill
3. Logistics & Transportation
Vietnamese lychee is highly perishable, so buyers must plan carefully:
Choose appropriate shipping methods: air freight (for speed and freshness) or sea freight with cold chain containers for larger volumes.
Ensure strict cold chain management during transit, maintaining temperatures between 1–4°C to preserve fruit quality.
4. Customs & Clearance
Importers must prepare required documents for customs clearance in their country, typically including:
Import Permit (if required)
Phytosanitary Certificate
Certificate of Origin
Invoice and Bill of LadingFor smooth clearance, buyers should work with an experienced customs broker familiar with fresh fruit imports and ensure all documents are error-free and compliant with the destination country’s regulations.
Importing Vietnamese lychee not only offers international businesses a premium, unique agricultural product but also helps diversify their product portfolio to meet the growing consumer demand for high-quality fresh fruit. To fully tap into this market’s potential, importers must partner with reliable suppliers who ensure standardized sourcing, post-harvest treatment, and complete legal documentation. KVN Logistics is ready to be your trusted bridge, supporting you through supplier sourcing, quality control, smooth shipping, and seamless customs clearance.
-----------------------------------------------------
KVN Logistics
Head Office: No. 41 Nguyễn Trãi Street, Phan Đình Phùng Ward, Nam Định City, Nam Định Province, Vietnam
Hanoi Office: 36th Floor, Discovery Complex, 302 Cầu Giấy Street, Dịch Vọng Ward, Cầu Giấy District, Hanoi, Vietnam
Hai Phong Office: Room 740, Thành Đạt 3 Building, No. 4 Lê Thánh Tông Street, Ngô Quyền District, Hai Phong, Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City Office: 6th Floor, UOA Tower, No. 6 Tân Trào Street, Tân Phú Ward, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tel: +(84) 02871013998
Email: info@kvnlogistics.vn
Tax ID: 0601231322.
Comments