Follow us on

  • 1

    VFC Procedures and Services

    Khách hàng cần báo trước cho VFC Fumigation bao lâu khi có nhu cầu khử trùng?

    VFC Fumigation luôn sẵn sàng phục vụ khách hàng 24/24 giờ. Tuy nhiên, để công tác khử trùng được chủ động và các yêu cầu kỹ thuật được đáp ứng một cách đầy đủ, khách hàng nên thông báo cho VFC Fumigation (qua điện thoại, email, zalo) trước thời điểm thực hiện khử trùng tốt nhất là 24 giờ trở lên (đối với khử trùng container). Khi có yêu cầu khử trùng kho với quy mô lớn hay khử trùng tàu, khách hàng cần báo cho VFC càng sớm càng tốt để công việc khảo sát, tư vấn kỹ thuật (nếu cần) được tiến hành một cách hiệu quả trước khi khử trùng

    Bên cạnh dịch vụ khử trùng hàng hoá bảo quản, xuất nhập khẩu, VFC Fumigation còn cung cấp những dịch vụ liên quan nào?

    Hiện VFC Fumigation cung cấp các dịch vụ rất đa dạng. Bên cạnh việc khử trùng xông hơi hàng hoá, VFC Fumigation còn cung cấp dịch vụ vệ sinh môi trường (kiểm soát ruồi, muỗi, kiến, gián, chuột…trong các khách sạn, nhà hàng, văn phòng, khu công nghiệp…); dán lót container và cung cấp chất hút ẩm cho container xuất khẩu. Ngoài ra, VFC Fumigation còn thực hiện tư vấn, đào tạo các chuyên đề về khử trùng, kiểm soát dịch hại tổng hợp (IPM)… Cung cấp các thiết bị an toàn hàng hải (mặt nạ, bình lọc hơi độc, thiết bị đo khí độc, thiết bị chống cháy, phao cứu sinh…) tùy theo yêu cầu củ khách hàng.

    Procedure for carrying out a customer’s container fumigation request?

    Hợp lý và đơn giản là tiêu chí của VFC Fumigation trong việc khử trùng container nhằm tạo điều kiện thuận lợi tối đa cho khách hàng:

    Khách hàng gởi yêu cầu khử trùng tới VFC Fumigation qua điện thoại, email tại văn phòng hoặc trực tiếp cho các trạm khử trùng tại các khu vực. Để VFC có thể phục vụ khách hàng một cách tốt nhất và đảm bảo container chắc chắn được khử trùng quý khách vui lòng gửi yêu cầu qua email zalo có xác nhận đã được nhận.Thông tin cung cấp càng chi tiết càng tốt.

    ・Nhân viên kỹ thuật của VFC Fumigation tại các trạm khử trùng (toàn bộ các Cảng & khu vực trọng điểm) thực hiện công việc theo yêu cầu hoặc tư vấn các vấn đề kỹ thuật liên quan cho khách hàng. Việc khử trùng sẽ được thực hiện phù hợp với Quy chuẩn kỹ thuật quốc gia về quy trình kỹ thuật xông hơi khử trùng do Bộ NN & PTNT ban hành (QCVN 01-19: 2010/ BNNPTNT)
    ・Biên bản khử trùng đươc xác nhân bởi hai bên được gửi về văn phòng VFC.
    ・Thời gian ủ thuốc theo tính chất của loại hoá chất sử dụng. Tối thiểu 24 giờ (Methyl Bromide) và 120 giờ (Aluminium Phosphide).
    ・VFC tiến hành thông thoáng container khi đủ thời gian ủ thuốc tại các Cảng, tiến hành thu hồi bã thuốc AlP (nếu có yêu cầu).
    ・Căn cứ vào B/L khách hàng gởi tới, VFC Fumigation cấp chứng thư theo yêu cầu của khách hàng.

    Ghi chú: Form yêu cầu khử trùng Quý khách có thể tải xuống từ website: www.vfc.com.vn tại phần Đăng ký khử trùng.

    Procedure for carrying out a customer’s warehouse cargo fumigation request?

    ・Khách hàng gởi yêu cầu theo mẫu (qua email, điện thoại).
    ・VFC Fumigation trao đổi thêm nếu cần bổ sung thông tin.
    ・Cán bộ kỹ thuật VFC Fumigation tiến hành khảo sát hiện trường, trao đổi trực tiếp với khách hàng.
    ・Lập phương án thực hiện; viết chương trình kiểm soát tổng thể gởi khách hàng và chờ xác nhận thực hiện (đối với những kho hàng lớn, nhà máy…); ký hợp đồng (theo yêu cầu).
    ・Thực hiện khử trùng lô hàng, phun vệ sinh bên ngoài lô hàng hoặc toàn bộ kho theo yêu cầu.
    ・Thực hiện khử trùng lô hàng, phun vệ sinh bên ngoài lô hàng hoặc toàn bộ kho theo yêu cầu.
    ・Thời gian ủ thuốc theo tính chất của loại hoá chất sử dụng.
    ・Thông thoáng lô hàng, kiểm tra đánh giá và xác nhận kết quả khử trùng bằng biên bản.
    ・VFC Fumigation cấp chứng thư theo yêu cầu của khách hàng.

    Bên cạnh việc khử trùng xông hơi, VFC Fumigation có thực hiện công tác tư vấn và xây dựng chương trình kiểm soát dịch hại tổng hợp nhằm nâng cao hiệu quả kinh tế cho khách hàng hay không?

    VFC Fumigation là Công ty khử trùng đầu tiên tại Việt Nam với trên 50 năm kinh nghiệm và việc hợp tác chặt chẽ với nhiều tổ chức chuyên ngành quốc tế sẵn sàng tư vấn miễn phí một cách đầy đủ các vấn đề liên quan đến công tác kiểm soát dịch hại nói chung và khử trùng xông hơi nói riêng, xây dựng các chương trình kiểm soát dịch hại tổng hợp (Integrated Stored Pest Management), thực hiện nhiều khoá huấn luyện, tư vấn tại chỗ cho các nhân sự liên quan của khách hàng nhằm mang lại hiệu quả cao nhất cho khách hàng trong công tác bảo quản và xuất khẩu hàng hoá.

  • 2

    Chemicals and Technical Mechanisms

    Which chemicals are used as fumigants?

    Currently, many chemicals in the world are used as insecticides; however, among them, only 2 chemicals are most commonly used and accepted in most countries: Methyl Bromide (CH3Br) and Aluminium Phosphide (AlP) – the initial component that generates Phosphine gas (PH3). Both of these chemicals – Methyl Bromide and Phosphine – act on insects in gaseous form. After the necessary exposure time, the fumigant gas is ventilated out of the fumigation space so that the cargo can be used according to the required purpose…

    VFC Fumigation sử dụng những hoạt chất nào đối với thuốc phun vệ sinh tiếp xúc?

    Depending on the location, the space to be sprayed and the type of product to be stored, suitable active ingredients are used. Currently, in the list of plant protection chemicals permitted for use by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, only Actellic 50EC (active ingredient Pirimiphos-methyl) is suitable for spraying to control insects in cargo storage warehouses as well as in production workshops.

    What is the required fumigation time for each fumigant?

    For insects to be eliminated, the fumigant gas must act on the insects for a sufficiently long period of time at a certain required concentration level (the C x T product). To thoroughly control all stages of insect development, the required exposure time for Methyl Bromide must be at least 24 hours or more, while for Aluminium Phosphide it must be at least 120 hours because Phosphine gas is slow-acting on insects and AlP itself is not yet the insecticide; Phosphine (PH3) is released from the reaction: AlP + 3H2O = PH3 + Al(OH)3.

    Some export contracts require the use of Phostoxin, while others require Phosphine (PH3), and some specify Aluminium Phosphide as the fumigant. What are the differences between these terms? Which term is more accurate?

    Fumigant: Phosphine (PH3) is the fumigant gas that has an insecticidal effect, released from the chemical reaction: AlP (Aluminium Phosphide) + 3H2O (Humidity) = PH3 (Phosphine) + Al(OH)3. Phostoxin, Gastoxin, Quick Phos, Celphos… are trade names of products made by different manufacturers with the main active ingredient of Aluminium Phosphide 56%. Normally, during fumigation, every 03 g of AlP generates 01 g of PH3 if there is sufficient exposure time for the chemical reaction to occur completely. In practice, depending on the wording stated in the contract or L/C, the fumigation company prepares documents and issues certificates accordingly. Therefore, when the certificate states the fumigant as Aluminium Phosphide (9 g/m³) or Phosphine (3 g/m³), both are reasonable as long as they comply with the L/C or contract.

    Some customers or contracts require fumigation using an internal gas circulation method. How is fumigation with circulation different from fumigation without circulation?

    Yêu cầu khử trùng có đảo khí nội bộ thường được áp dụng khi khử trùng bằng Aluminium Phosphide. Lý do: Aluminium Phosphide phản ứng với hơi nước giải phóng ra Phosphine là khí tương đối nhẹ (tỷ trọng 1.17 so với không khí), khó khuếch tán sâu xuống lớp hàng hoá dưới đáy hầm tàu nhất là với những hầm hàng có thể tích lớn. Để đảm bảo đạt được sự đồng đều về nồng độ thuốc tại mọi vị trí trong hầm tàu cũng như tăng tính chắc chắn về kết quả khử trùng, nhiều khách hàng có yêu cầu phải sử dụng hệ thống đảo khí nội bộ – J System. Hiện VFC Fumigation là Công ty duy nhất tại Việt Nam áp dụng phương pháp khử trùng bản quyền này. Nguyên lý hoạt động của hệ thống này được trình bày kỹ trong phần Thông tin kỹ thuật – J System – Phương pháp khử trùng tiên tiến. -> Jsystem còn được áp dụng cho các loại hình khác như khử trùng hàng lưu trữ trong silo, bin, kho hàng xá …

    Is in-transit fumigation the same as quick fumigation?

    Absolutely not. Some customers understand in-transit fumigation as quick fumigation – this is incorrect. To save unnecessary waiting time for vessels, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has regulations for in-transit fumigation in the document Recommendations on the Safe Use of Pesticides in Ships. In-transit fumigation is carried out when all prescribed conditions are complied with. After placing fumigant in the cargo hold and checking the safety of areas according to regulations, the fumigation officer instructs and hands over the next tasks during the voyage to the ship’s Master, such as maintaining the exposure time according to the nature of the chemical, ensuring safety, proper ventilation, preventing reinfestation… and then the vessel can depart. Therefore, in practice there is no concept of quick fumigation; there is only in-transit fumigation.

  • 3

    Basic Knowledge and Legal Regulations

    What is the purpose of fumigation?

    Fumigation is a method that uses toxic gas to eliminate harmful insects on goods at different stages of development in a gas-tight space such as tarpaulin-covered cargo, vessel holds, barges, silos, containers…

    Why is fumigation required?

    According to plant quarantine authority regulations, imported and exported goods in general, especially agricultural commodities, must be fumigated to prevent the spread of pests from one country to another, as well as to protect goods from insect damage. A fumigation certificate (fumi cert) is often required in import-export sales contracts.

    Which goods are usually required to be fumigated before export?

    Agricultural commodities in general (rice, coffee, cassava chips, spices such as pepper, ginger, cinnamon, edible nuts such as cashew nuts, almonds…). Wood products, handicrafts, wooden packaging materials such as pallets, supports, skids…

    What conditions are required to conduct fumigation?

    - Goods must be in normal condition according to storage or export standards (moisture content, temperature…).
    - The fumigation space must be able to be sealed (covered with tarpaulin, sealed…).
    - Sufficient exposure time is required for each type of fumigant.
    - Packaging must not be gas-tight.
    - There must be space to ventilate fumigant gas after fumigation.

    Which authority manages and supervises fumigation activities?

    The plant protection authority under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is the state management authority responsible for managing and supervising fumigation activities within the territory of Vietnam. When goods are exported, the national plant protection authority of the importing country has the function of inspecting the insect or pest status on goods and making necessary decisions.

  • 4

    Biological Characteristics of Insects and Reinfestation Risks

    Through which routes do insects infest cargo?

    ・Already present on the cargo.
    ・Able to move by themselves from one area to another by flying or crawling.
    ・Infestation through cargo transport vehicles, people, birds, rats…
    ・Infestation through cargo transport vehicles, people, birds, rats…

    Therefore, there are many routes through which insects can appear on the cargo that we observe. Fully understanding these infestation routes helps us have the most effective insect control measures.

    How many development stages do insects have? Which stages are difficult to eliminate?

    Stored-product insects in general belong to the orders Coleoptera and Lepidoptera. Their life cycle goes through 04 development stages: egg – larva – pupa – adult, of which the egg and pupa stages are more difficult to eliminate. Therefore, when conducting fumigation, attention must be paid to technical solutions so as not only to eliminate adult insects but also to control all stages of insect development.

    Why is special control required when cargo is infested with plant quarantine pests?

    Plant quarantine pests are species that are capable of developing and causing serious damage, have never appeared or have only appeared within a narrow range in a country, and pose a very great threat to a country’s agriculture. Therefore, when they are detected, the plant quarantine sector must conduct very strict control measures (zoning, isolation, fumigation combined with sanitary spraying…) to thoroughly eradicate these insect foci, prevent dispersal and spread to other areas, and continue monitoring for a necessary period of time.

    Can a fumigated shipment be reinfested by insects?

    Absolutely possible if there are no protective measures. We all know that fumigation has the effect of eliminating existing pests on goods; after fumigation, the fumigant gas is ventilated from the goods so that the goods return to normal condition for their original intended use. A shipment that has been fumigated satisfactorily (pests thoroughly eliminated), if completely isolated and protected from external infestation, will certainly have no insects appearing. However, in practice we cannot always control every issue. Therefore, fully understanding the causes that may lead to insect reinfestation and the remedies deserves attention from both cargo owners and fumigation companies.

    Can a properly fumigated shipment become reinfested at the discharge port?

    Absolutely possible if protective measures for the shipment are not properly considered and fully implemented, because fumigation only eliminates insects already present on the goods at the time of fumigation; afterward, the fumigant gas is ventilated so that the goods return to normal condition according to the intended use. This issue is presented in detail in the Technical Information section – Why are live insects found at the discharge port?

    Besides fumigation, are there any other methods to control or eliminate insects on cargo?

    Yes. There are some other methods such as controlled atmosphere (based on the principle of low oxygen content combined with CO2), heat treatment, cold treatment, irradiation… However, in practice, implementing these treatments requires very complex technical conditions, high costs, and the movement of goods to specialized treatment areas, so their feasibility is currently still low.

  • 5

    ISPM 15 Standards and Notes

    Why must wooden packaging materials (pallets, skids, supports…) be fumigated and marked before export?

    Imported and exported goods moving from one country to another are always subject to insect control based on plant quarantine regulations and requirements in import-export contracts. However, accompanying wooden packaging materials (pallets, skids, supports…) are often not given attention from an insect perspective, and the exact origin of these packaging materials is not identified (due to reuse), leading to the spread of pests from one country to another. The IPPC (International Plant Protection Convention) issued ISPM 15 (International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures), which uniformly requires these materials to be treated to eliminate pests before being used to package export goods.

    According to ISPM 15, which pest control methods are accepted?

    According to ISPM 15, wooden packaging materials must be fumigated with Methyl Bromide or heat treated, with the requirement that the temperature in the wood core must reach at least 56 oC for a minimum of 30 minutes. Along with the treatment, these wooden packaging materials must be marked to confirm the treatment using the prescribed mark. The accepted mark sample is as follows:

    Does fumigation affect product quality or cause toxicity to users?

    Fumigants act on insects as well as goods in gaseous form. After proper technical ventilation, most of the fumigant gas in the shipment is ventilated back into the environment. Whether the goods are affected in quality or safety for users depends entirely on fumigation technique. Selecting the proper fumigant, injecting/placing it correctly, and carrying out thorough ventilation will ensure that goods after fumigation are not affected in quality. This can only be achieved by reputable fumigation companies with adequate knowledge and practical experience.

    Which types of packaging are suitable when goods are fumigated?

    Insects on goods are only thoroughly eliminated when the fumigant gas penetrates at sufficient concentration for the necessary period of time. Common packaging types such as jute bags and PP bags allow fumigant gas to penetrate, so they are suitable for fumigation techniques. Conversely, packaging types such as PE bags, two-layer packaging with PE film, BOPP bags, Laminate… prevent fumigant gas from penetrating to eliminate insects on the goods, so they are not suitable when the goods require fumigation. When goods are required to be packed in these types of packaging, they must be perforated, opened, not sealed, or the goods must be fumigated before packaging.

    How should goods be loaded in containers for the best fumigation results?

    In principle, cargo loading must create conditions for the fumigant gas to diffuse evenly throughout the fumigation space, so that the fumigant concentration is uniform at all positions and sufficiently effective to thoroughly eliminate insects. Therefore, when loading goods into a container, the cargo volume must not occupy the entire container volume, the goods should be placed on a layer of pallets at the container floor, and the cargo surface should be at least 30 cm from the container ceiling so that the fumigant gas can circulate evenly through the cargo mass.

  • 6

    Moisture Control and Condensation

    What is the purpose of using desiccants in containers when exporting goods?

    There is always a certain amount of water vapor in the air, about 30 g of water vapor in 01 m³ of air when the temperature is 30–32°C and the relative humidity is 80%. When a container is sealed, air exchange is limited, causing the temperature to rise, possibly to 50–60°C; at that time, the amount of water vapor in the air also increases, possibly up to 100 g/m³ of air. The outside temperature is usually lower than inside the container, so the rising water vapor meets the metal ceiling, condenses, and falls onto the cargo surface, causing wet cargo and subsequent mold growth. The purpose of using desiccants is to maintain the air humidity in the container at a safe level, prevent the above condensation phenomenon, and thereby protect goods from being damaged by moisture or mold.

    Besides moisture in the air, what other source can lead to the above condensation effect, requiring the use of desiccants?

    In fact, the largest amount of water vapor causing the above condensation comes from the container floor, because most container floors are made of wood with quite high moisture content (from 25–30%), and about 5% of that water will participate in the evaporation and condensation process on the cargo surface. Therefore, if desiccants are not used in the container, the risk of mold and cargo damage is very likely, especially for high-value goods, where the loss can be very large. VFC currently provides a service using PVC bags to protect all goods inside the container – please contact VFC for further consultation.

    Compliant fumigation for safer cargo and smoother clearance

    Fill in the form below, and a VFC specialist will support you today

    Dear Valued Visitor,
    ​To protect our clients' interests, all materials here are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without permission.
    ​We appreciate your cooperation. Should you need to use our content professionally, please contact us directly.