Country Guide: Vietnam
Due to the current coronavirus/COVID-19 situation and restrictions in various countries, the below information may not be accurate. This pandemic is a fluid situation. Check with authorities for local laws and restrictions concerning movements.
Updated: September 02, 2016
Used Household Goods and Personal Effects
Documents Required
- Packing list in English
- Bill of Lading/ Air Waybill (Telex Release or Surrendered)
- Shipper’s Original Declaration Card (Shipper MUST obtain & declare this card upon arrival at Vietnam airport, and then this card will be notified by Customs official as “Shipper has un-accompanied shipment by Air/ Sea” with the stamp and signature)
- Shipper’s Passport (all pages)- 03 Notarized Copies by Government’s agency
- Shipper’s entry visa (valid at least 3 months) or Temporary Residence Card – 03 Notarized Copies by Government’s agency
- Shipper’s Work Permit – 03 Notarized Copies by Government’s agency
- Authorization Letter (prepared by Asia Relocation Vietnam) – 03 copies that must be signed and stamped/ chopped (company seal) by the shipper’s registered local employer in Vietnam
- Letter to Customs (prepared by Asia Relocation Vietnam) – 03 copies that must be signed and stamped/ chopped (company seal) by the shipper’s registered local employer in Vietnam
Specific Information
- All air shipments are physically inspected by Customs at the air terminal.
- The average time is approximately 1-2 days.
- Sea shipments will normally undergo physical Customs inspection.
- The average time for Customs clearance is 2-3 days for full container load (FCL) shipments and 3-5 days for less container load (LCL) shipments.
- Sea or air shipments of diplomatic status are exempt from Customs inspections (diplomats).
- All shipments undergo cultural inspections.
- This process takes approximately 3-4 days.
- Inspection may include, but is not limited to, books, art works, DVDs, CDs, antiques.
- All documents should be signed and stamped by the owners of the goods’ registered local employer in Vietnam.
- Antiques shipped into Vietnam should be clearly photographed and well documented.
- Antiques should be inspected and registered upon entry (takes an additional 2 – 3 days).
- Details should be clearly noted on packing list and carton.
- 3 copies of each document are required for each shipment.
- If there are multiple shipments, a separate set of documents (of 3) are required.
- Ho Chi Minh:
- *Certified true copies required, this can be obtained by bringing the original document to the People’s Committee Office of Ho Chi Minh City or Government’s Notary office in District/ Ward.
- **Documents must be signed and stamped (company seal) by the owner of the goods’ registered local employer in Vietnam.
- Hanoi:
- Customs requires labor contract copy in additional to above documents.
- All documents must be signed and stamped (company seal) by the owner of the goods’ registered local employer in Vietnam.
- Certified true copies are only required for passport and entry visa / temporary residence card.
Motor Vehicles
Documents Required
- Proof of Ownership
- Details of vehicle
- History of Vehicle
- Purchasing invoice
- Original Duty Free Book
- Original ID Card
- Other documents will be prepared by Asia Relocation and will require the customer to sign and stamp with company seal.
Specific Information
- Owners of the goods cannot bring / import any type of vehicle into Vietnam unless they are working for an UN organization or an Embassy / Consulate, which are under diplomatic status
- Vehicles must be left – hand drive
Pets
Documents Required
- Owner of the goods’ passport
- Vaccination record
- Owner of the goods’ entry visa (valid at least 3+ months)
- International health certificate
- Import permit
- Flight arrival details
- Original Vietnam arrival – departure card (3 copies per shipment) (pets traveling as cargo)
- Vietnam employer’s company license copy (pets traveling as cargo)
- Application letter and Power of Attorney (pets traveling as cargo)
- Airway bill (pets traveling as cargo)
Specific Information
- The import permit is required by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.
- Quarantine for pets traveling as cargo is not required.
- Pets should arrive on a weekday (M – F) before 3:30 p.m.
- Each shipper is allowed to import 02 pets
Restricted/Dutiable Items
- Duty shall be payable on the following types of liquor at the rate expressed as a percentage of the value of the liquor:
- Liquor with alcohol by volume of less than 30% measured at 20°C:
- Liquor with alcohol by volume of more than 30% measured at 20°C:
- Wine (10-20 bottles duty free):
- Duty shall be payable on tobacco at the following rates:
- >100 cigars: 150% prepared tobacco (> 50 grams): 45%
- >400 cigarettes: 150% all other manufactured tobacco products: 45%
- Personal computers are charged import duty at 15%.
- Personal printers are charged duty at 10%.
- Non-perishable food items and items in cans and other durable packaging can be imported in small amounts.
Prohibited Items
- Weapons
- Ammunitions
- Explosives
- Military equipment
- Radio transmitters
- Satellite dishes
- Poisonous chemicals
- Cultural products
- Articles of anti-government nature
- Fireworks
- Toys and games which affect public moral education and security
- Pornographic or subversive materials
- Motorbikes
Consignment Instructions
Recommended: Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air / sea shipments.
Cultural and Other Information
CIA World Factbook Entry for Vietnam
Wikipedia Entry for Vietnam
