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Vietnam Import & Export Toolkit

Vietnam has become the top China+1 destination for manufacturing. This hub covers LC cost in VND and USD, MFN vs FTA duty (CPTPP, EVFTA, RCEP, ASEAN), 10% VAT, VNACCS customs declarations and Incoterms best practice.

Currency
VND (Vietnamese Dong) - managed float vs USD
VAT
10% standard, 5% reduced, 0% export
Import VAT applied on (CIF + duty + SCT if any). Fully creditable for VAT-registered businesses.
Duty regime
MFN tariffs published by the Ministry of Finance. Preferential rates under CPTPP, EVFTA (EU-Vietnam), UKVFTA, RCEP, ATIGA (ASEAN), ASEAN-China, ASEAN-Korea, ASEAN-India, Vietnam-Korea and Vietnam-EAEU. Special Consumption Tax (SCT) applies to autos, alcohol, tobacco, air conditioners.
Regulatory deep-dive
Vietnam import & export regulations →
Vietnam import/export rules: General Dept of Customs, VNACCS filing, C/O Form D/E, specialized inspection, CPTPP/RCEP origin.
Authorities · Licensing · Sanctions
Also see compare Vietnam vs other markets →

Free calculators for Vietnam trade

LC Cost Calculator →
All-in bank charges on a Letter of Credit.
Usance LC Interest →
Deferred payment cost with correct ACT/360 or ACT/365 basis.
Import Duty & Tax →
Duty, VAT/GST and landed cost per HS code.
Landed Cost by HS & Country →
Interactive duty + VAT/GST + Incoterm split for this destination.
CIF ↔ FOB Converter →
Convert between CIF, FOB and landed cost.
HS Code Lookup →
Search harmonised classification codes.
CBM & Container →
Volume, weight and container utilisation.
Incoterms 2020 Visualiser →
Cost, risk and document split across all 11 rules.
Multi-Currency Invoice →
FX spread and cross-currency invoice value.
Major ports & gateways
  • · Cat Lai (Ho Chi Minh City) - largest container terminal
  • · Cai Mep-Thi Vai (deep-water, near HCMC)
  • · Haiphong (Lach Huyen deep-water port)
  • · Da Nang
  • · Quy Nhon
Top exports
  • · Broadcasting equipment (phones - Samsung)
  • · Integrated circuits
  • · Textiles & garments
  • · Footwear
  • · Furniture
  • · Coffee (world #2)
  • · Rice
Top imports
  • · Integrated circuits
  • · Refined petroleum
  • · Broadcasting equipment (components)
  • · Machinery
  • · Iron & steel
  • · Cotton
  • · Plastics

Trade finance in Vietnam

  • · USD dominates Vietnamese trade finance - most import LCs are USD-denominated even where the underlying supplier is regional. USD LCs use ACT/360.
  • · VND LCs are rare in international trade but domestic bank acceptance is offered on ACT/365.
  • · Vietnamese banks (Vietcombank, BIDV, VietinBank, Techcombank) issue and confirm LCs at 0.15-0.30% per quarter. G7 confirmation on top-4 Vietnamese bank risk sits at 0.20-0.50%.
  • · State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) requires foreign-currency loans and deferred payments over 1 year to be registered.

Customs & duty in Vietnam

  • · Vietnam uses the AHTN 8-digit code, aligned to WCO HS at 6 digits (same as other ASEAN members).
  • · VNACCS/VCIS is the national customs single window, operational since 2014 (based on Japan's NACCS).
  • · Customs value = CIF (transaction value). Duty applied first, then SCT (if applicable), then 10% VAT on the combined base.
  • · For CPTPP / EVFTA / RCEP preferential origin, self-certification (importer knowledge or exporter declaration) is available - traditional C/O Form D/E/EUR.1 also accepted.

Incoterms 2020 practice in Vietnam

  • · FOB HCMC / FOB Haiphong is dominant for exports. Buyers should push for FCA on container cargo.
  • · CIF is the dominant term for imports into Vietnam. DDP is rare - the seller would need a Vietnamese subsidiary or IOR agent.
  • · For sensitive goods (chemicals, cosmetics, food) additional pre-import registrations (specialised licences) apply regardless of Incoterm.

HS commodity guides for Vietnam

Classification, duty and worked landed-cost examples for the commodity families most active on Vietnam's trade lanes.

HS 61 & 62Consumer goods
HS Code for Textiles & Apparel (Chapters 61 and 62) into Vietnam →
HS 85Electronics
HS Code for Electronics (Chapter 85) into Vietnam →
HS 84Industrial
HS Code for Industrial Machinery (Chapter 84) into Vietnam →
HS 72Metals
HS Code for Iron & Steel (Chapter 72) into Vietnam →
HS 39Chemicals
HS Code for Plastics & Polymers (Chapter 39) into Vietnam →
HS 0901Agricultural
HS Code for Coffee (HS 0901) into Vietnam →
HS 1006Agricultural
HS Code for Rice (HS 1006) into Vietnam →
HS 2710Energy
HS Code for Petroleum Products (HS 2710) into Vietnam →

Every HS commodity landed-cost page for Vietnam

Direct link to the Vietnam import guide for each HS commodity we publish.

Commodities linked to Vietnam

Vietnam appears in the trade lanes for the commodities below. Each hub covers grades, specs, benchmark pricing and HS code references.

Thermal & Coking Coal →
Top importer
HS 2701

Vietnam's key trading partners

China toolkit →
Import VAT · 13% standard, 9% reduced, 6% services
United States toolkit →
No federal VAT / GST · 0% federal
Netherlands toolkit →
BTW (VAT) · 21% standard, 9% reduced
Japan toolkit →
Consumption Tax (JCT) · 10% standard / 8% reduced (food, newspapers)
South Korea toolkit →
VAT · 10%
India toolkit →
IGST on imports · 5% / 12% / 18% / 28%

Frequently asked questions

How is Vietnamese import duty calculated?

CIF value → MFN or preferential duty (0% under CPTPP/EVFTA/RCEP with valid origin) → SCT on select goods → 10% VAT on the combined base. Use our Import Duty Calculator with the 'Vietnam' preset.

Which FTA gives me the best rate?

Depends on origin. For EU-origin goods: EVFTA. For UK: UKVFTA. For Japan: CPTPP or JVEPA. For China/ASEAN: RCEP or ATIGA/ACFTA - compare because the applicable-rate rules differ. Our HS Lookup surfaces FTA rates side by side.

Do I need an importer licence in Vietnam?

Local importer of record must have a business licence with the relevant HS categories in scope. Foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs) need an Investment Registration Certificate authorising import trading rights.

How does Vietnam's tax system treat re-exports and processing?

Export Processing Enterprises (EPEs) and bonded warehouse operations are outside the customs territory - imports of materials for re-export are duty and VAT free. This underpins the country's electronics and garment export sectors.

Country data compiled from WCO HS, WTO tariff schedules, national customs authorities and central banks. Duty, tax and regulatory information is decision-support only - always confirm with a licensed customs broker or your bank before acting.