Leveraging FTAs to Boost the Competitiveness of Lam Dong Goods

Step-by-Step Exploitation of Preferences

From dried vegetables exported to Japan to dairy products consumed in the ASEAN market, several enterprises in the province have begun to utilize FTA preferences. Being granted Certificates of Origin (C/Os) that comply with the requirements of each agreement lays the foundation for products to enjoy preferential tariff rates in importing markets.

Lam Dong Agricultural Supply Co., Ltd. is among the enterprises with products exported to Japan. The company has been granted two form AJ C/Os and one form CPTPP C/O for its exported dried vegetable products to this market. Currently, the company produces more than 40 dried vegetable and fruit products, creating a source of goods for export activities. According to a company representative, the issuance of C/Os in Lam Dong is carried out promptly and transparently. The electronic process helps enterprises track the progress of dossier processing, saves time and costs, and allows for greater flexibility in export planning.

In the ASEAN market, Kim Phat Production - Trading Co., Ltd., located in Don Duong Commune, has been granted two form D C/Os for pasteurized fresh milk, drinking yogurt, and yogurt products. Form D is a certificate of origin issued under the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), creating conditions for products to enjoy tariff preferences when exported within the region.

These cases demonstrate that local enterprises have accessed FTA preferential mechanisms through specific export activities. In 2026, the Department of Industry and Trade estimates that approximately 1,400 C/Os will be issued, covering 11 forms under bilateral and multilateral free trade agreements to which Viet Nam is a party.

The decentralization of C/O issuance procedures to the provincial level has also helped facilitate procedures for enterprises. Starting November 1, 2025, Lam Dong implemented the issuance of C/Os and approval documents for traders to self-certify origin on the eCoSys system. On August 1, 2026, the province began implementing new regulations on decentralization and delegation of authority in the field of goods origin. From August 1, 2026 to date, the Department of Industry and Trade has received 513 applications for C/O issuance and processed 503 of them, achieving a processing rate of 98.1%.

Meeting Rules of Origin to Enjoy Preferences

Being granted a C/O is one step in the process of leveraging FTAs. For goods to qualify for preferential tariff rates in importing markets, enterprises must also meet the rules of origin under each agreement. This is no simple requirement, especially for sectors utilizing raw materials purchased from multiple sources.

For industries such as coffee, vegetables, and processed agricultural products, raw material sources typically involve numerous producers, purchasing facilities, and preliminary processing units. Without controlling origin information from the outset, enterprises will face difficulties in proving the origin of finished products.

Nguyen Thanh Tam, Director of TMT Consulting Company, noted that building raw material zones, connecting with producers, managing purchasing records, and ensuring traceability should be considered part of the export strategy rather than only implemented when applying for a C/O.

According to Bien Tan Tai, Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, alongside administrative procedure reform, the industry and trade sector focuses on providing information on tariffs, rules of origin, and the requirements of each market, as well as guiding enterprises in preparing dossiers and documents right from the production and raw material procurement stages. This helps enterprises better utilize FTA benefits.

When enterprises proactively meet the rules of origin, control quality, and ensure stable raw material supplies, tariff preferences can become a tangible competitive advantage, contributing to the enhanced competitiveness of Lam Dong goods in the international market.