In Vietnam, the Mid-Autumn Festival involves the tradition of presenting fruits and mooncakes to ancestors as part of the celebration.
Beyond this cultural aspect, according to Vietnam +, the Vietnamese mooncake market is continuously evolving. For instance, local confectionery companies and bakeries, aiming to capture and retain consumer interest, have expanded their offerings to include trendy flavors, adapting to modern market trends. And to capitalize on expanding market opportunities, they have also turned to online sales channels, such as social media, dedicated websites, and e-commerce platforms like Meta, Shopee, and Zalo, to further facilitate sales.
This strategy, however, is not just limited to domestic markets but also targets international ones so as to remain competitive in such a challenging space.
If you're a business that aims to capitalize on the global demand for mooncakes or an individual who wants to share this tradition with loved ones overseas, understanding international shipping and customs regulations of such perishable goods is key. This is especially important given that almost every country has its own set of regulations, some even prohibiting the importation of certain commodities entirely.
Consider this step-by-step guide when shipping mooncakes during the Mid-Autumn Festival:
1. Check the shipping requirements for mooncakes in the destination country
Traditional mooncakes tend to include ingredients like flour, egg yolks, sugar, and fillings like red bean or lotus seed paste.
However, many countries, recognizing the potential biosecurity risks, have enforced stringent regulations on the importation of perishable food products, particularly during festive seasons when items like mooncakes are popular. These regulations are in place to mitigate the risk of introducing pests and diseases that could be detrimental to local ecosystems and agriculture.
Therefore, if you are planning to ship mooncakes internationally from Vietnam, it is critical to conduct thorough research on the specific import laws and food safety and biosecurity regulations applicable to mooncakes in your target country to mitigate the risk of shipment rejection.
Here is a summary of the shipping requirements for mooncakes to key destinations, which highlights the need for specific certifications or permits when exporting from Vietnam: