In a significant achievement for Vietnam’s agricultural export sector, China Legal Bureau Vietnam has successfully exported two containers of high-quality durian to Taiwan. This milestone not only demonstrates the potential of Vietnamese durian in new international markets but also underscores the role of legal and regulatory support in facilitating complex cross-border trade. As demand for tropical fruits continues to rise in East Asia, the successful entry of Vietnam’s durian into the Taiwanese market opens new doors for exporters, farmers, and trade facilitators alike.
Project Background
China Legal Bureau Vietnam (CLBV), a legal and business consulting firm with expertise in cross-border trade, initiated a strategic project in early 2024 aimed at helping Vietnamese agricultural producers access the Taiwanese market. The focus of the project was on durian—a fruit that has gained considerable popularity in Asian markets for its unique flavor, high nutritional value, and increasing demand among middle-class consumers.
The project was launched with several goals:
-
Ensure legal compliance with Taiwan’s food safety, import regulations, and quarantine standards.
-
Develop a logistics and cold chain strategy for fresh durian export.
-
Build partnerships with Taiwanese importers, distributors, and retailers.
-
Support local durian farmers with training and quality control protocols to meet export standards.
Export Process and Legal Preparation
Exporting fresh durian to Taiwan involves navigating a number of complex regulatory requirements. Taiwan has strict policies regarding imported agricultural products due to concerns about pests, plant diseases, and food safety. China Legal Bureau Vietnam played a crucial role in ensuring the entire process met legal and phytosanitary standards.
Key legal and compliance steps included:
-
Registering the durian processing and packing facilities with Taiwan’s Food and Drug Administration.
-
Ensuring farms and packaging houses were certified under Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and HACCP standards.
-
Coordinating with Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and Taiwan’s Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine (BAPHIQ) for inspection and approval.
-
Drafting and translating bilingual contracts between Vietnamese suppliers and Taiwanese buyers.
CLBV’s legal team worked closely with government agencies and private stakeholders to accelerate documentation, negotiate shipping agreements, and minimize potential legal risks.
Successful Export of Two Containers
In April 2025, China Legal Bureau Vietnam successfully facilitated the export of two full containers of fresh durian—approximately 36 tons—to Taiwan. The shipment was transported via sea freight using refrigerated containers to maintain freshness during the journey, which lasted approximately 7 days.
The shipment marked a breakthrough:
-
All customs clearance procedures in both Vietnam and Taiwan were completed without delay.
-
Inspection by Taiwan’s authorities confirmed the fruit met all phytosanitary and quality standards.
-
The durians were distributed to several high-end supermarkets and fruit retailers across Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung.
-
Early feedback from Taiwanese consumers was highly positive, praising the flavor, freshness, and size of the fruit.
Economic and Strategic Impact
This successful export has several implications for Vietnam’s durian industry and its positioning in global markets:
-
Market Diversification: Previously, China was the main export destination for Vietnamese durian. The entry into Taiwan reduces dependency on a single market and spreads risk.
-
Value Chain Upgrade: The project demonstrated the importance of improving farming practices, packaging standards, and logistics management—steps that enhance the overall competitiveness of Vietnamese durian.
-
Legal Innovation in Agriculture: CLBV’s approach exemplifies how legal expertise can unlock new trade opportunities in agriculture by ensuring compliance, protecting exporters, and smoothing transactions.
Next Steps and Future Plans
Following the success of this initial shipment, China Legal Bureau Vietnam plans to:
-
Expand the export volume to 20 containers over the next 12 months.
-
Help more Vietnamese durian farms and cooperatives obtain the required certifications.
-
Negotiate long-term distribution agreements with leading Taiwanese fruit chains and online platforms.
-
Explore secondary markets such as Hong Kong, South Korea, and Japan using the legal blueprint established in this project.
Additionally, a training program is being developed for Vietnamese farmers focusing on post-harvest technology, pest control, and sustainable farming practices to maintain quality standards for future exports.
Conclusion
The successful export of two containers of fresh durian to Taiwan marks a major accomplishment for China Legal Bureau Vietnam and a positive development for the country’s agricultural exports. It shows how professional legal support, cross-border collaboration, and commitment to quality can unlock new markets for Vietnam’s farmers. As global demand for durian continues to grow, this project stands as a model for how to enter and thrive in competitive international markets.
