300,000 TONS OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS BACKUP AT BORDER GATES: A MAJOR CHALLENGE FOR AGRICULTURAL LOGISTICS AS POLICY CHANGES

In just five days, from January 26th to 30th, 2026, over 300,000 tons of imported agricultural products were backlog at land, water, and air border gates nationwide. This situation highlights the major challenges facing logistics operations when new policies are implemented while the enforcement system has not yet fully adapted.

Border congestion isn't just about transportation.
According to reports, the backlog mainly consists of fresh agricultural products and semi-processed plant-based products such as vegetables, fruits, rice, paddy, and cassava. These are perishable goods, directly affected by customs clearance time and storage conditions.

The main cause of border congestion has been identified as Decree 46/2026/ND-CP, which came into effect without complete detailed guidance on inspection methods, sampling procedures, and testing timelines. The simultaneous application of the new inspection method, with results taking 5 to 7 days, has placed significant pressure on inspection agencies, testing systems, and importing businesses.

This reality shows that in agricultural logistics, risks don't just lie in transportation capacity or warehousing infrastructure, but also in policy and administrative procedures, especially during the transition period.

Impact on the Agricultural Supply Chain
The prolonged food safety inspection time has caused many negative consequences for businesses. Storage and warehousing costs at border crossings have increased, delivery plans have been disrupted, and cash flow is under greater pressure. For fresh produce, each day of delayed customs clearance increases the risk of quality degradation, leading to direct economic losses.

In a context where supply chains increasingly demand stability and timeliness, border congestion not only affects a single shipment or business but also has a ripple effect on the entire supply chain, from importers and distributors to the consumer market.

Lessons for Agricultural Logistics in the Transitional Policy Period

The event of over 300,000 tons of agricultural products being held up at border crossings is a clear lesson for modern logistics operations. Logistics today is not simply about transporting goods from origin to destination, but about overall risk management, in which policy and procedural factors play an increasingly important role.

For agricultural import and export businesses, closely monitoring changes in food safety regulations and preparing complete and correct documentation from the outset is crucial to mitigating risks. In addition, developing appropriate customs clearance plans and contingency plans during policy changes helps businesses be more proactive in dealing with unforeseen situations at border crossings.

Agricultural Logistics and Food Safety Customs Clearance Solutions
In the context of continuously adjusting food safety policies towards international standards, the need for an effective agricultural logistics solution that understands food safety customs clearance procedures is becoming increasingly urgent.

Dolphin Sea Air provides comprehensive agricultural logistics solutions, including food safety documentation consulting, customs clearance support, and transportation tailored to the specific characteristics of each type of goods. For fresh and perishable agricultural products, proper documentation preparation, timely processing, and flexible handling plans at border crossings will help businesses shorten customs clearance times, minimize congestion, and reduce additional costs.

During this policy transition period, the partnership of a logistics company with in-depth knowledge of border crossing practices not only helps businesses solve immediate challenges but also contributes to building a stable and sustainable supply chain in the long term.

Dolphin Sea Air Services Corp.

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• Email: info@dolphinseaair.com
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