Freight between Vietnam and France | Rates – Transit Times – Duties & Taxes

The main Vietnam seaports

Ho Chi Minh City’s port

On the Sai Gon river, HO CHI MINH CITY'S port is situated. It is a system that may be defined as a port network that serves as a swing bridge for products imported and exported from southern Vietnam. Several businesses, including mining and fruit and vegetable processing. It is the most important geographic site in the nation, accounting for roughly two-thirds of the country's GDP.

Qui Nhon’s Port

Binh Dinh Province's Qui Nhon port is a major port. It is the most accessible and nearby cities of Laos and Cambodia within the Binh Dinh region, with almost ten routes connecting by water between international ports like as Singapore, Japan, and Thailand.

Hai Phong’s Port

The port of Hai Phong (cng Hi Phng) is a collection of ports in the huge city of Haiphong that service the country's north. It is the most major port in the country's north, with three terminals.

Transit time between French and Vietnam ports

At this time, it is impossible to know the exact time that your delivery by sea freight will take due to the situation (conflicts, port congestion...). For more information, we invite you to contact one of our experts by filling out this contact form.

Should I ship between Vietnam and France in a groupage or a whole container?

The following are three typical container sizes:

• The 20-foot container has a 33-m3 capacity.
• The 40-foot container has a 67-m3 capacity.
• The 40-foot HQ container has a 76-m3 capacity.

You may choose between two modes of transportation, which are described below:

Special sea freight services

Roro

Roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) boats are used to move cargo on rollers. Ro-Ro boats use their own tires to transport freight on and off the boat.

Ro-Ro freight requires less physical handling and is less likely to be damaged by sea or weather conditions since it is often carried in a single move using customised decks (from point of entry to point of destination). Goods are stored on the ship's platforms during the journey.

This is the safest and most cost-effective way to move large or unusual cargo.

Reefer container

This technique of shipping in thermal containers was devised specifically for "delicate" goods and is often used for easily damaged foods or medications. These containers may alter the environment, humidity, and temperature in a variety of ways. They are available in a variety of sizes, enabling them to be tailored to the needs of providers.

OOG

Non-standard OOG vessels are divided into two categories:

Open-top ships are used to transport enormous, heavy cargoes of finished goods. Because it may be handled by a crane or overhead crane, this kind of transportation need close monitoring.
A "Flat Rack Container," on the other hand, is a box with a level floor. They're used to transport large, heavy, or big objects that are both wide and tall.
This vessel is used to carry products that cannot be sent in boxes. They also improve container security while also allowing for faster loading and unloading.

Bulk

The goods supplied on "container ships" are divided into two categories: "bulk" goods that are loaded into the ship's cargo and "general cargo" goods. Ships are designed to transport a variety of cargo, including coal, minerals, and other goods.

How much does it cost to ship a container between Vietnam and France ?

It is impossible to give a price range quite simply because several factors must be taken into account, such as port of departure, port of arrival, carrier, type of goods, quantity and volume.

In addition, the prices are updated monthly, taking into account the market and its developments. 

The volume and weight of items transported have an impact on the cost of products delivered by sea. To calculate this ratio, it is necessary to know the weight and volume of items.

The equivalence technique is used to determine the weight/volume ratio, which is comparable to “1 ton = 1 m3".

Traditional transportation and consolidation into payment units are calculated using the weight/volume ratio calculation and assuming that 1 ton = 1 m3 (UP). In reality, there are two methods of defining these units of measure:

• In terms of volume (cubic meters) and mass (kilograms).

The value that benefits the container, i.e. the cargo, is always used, regardless of the measurement. This is the highest possible estimate.

If a cargo weighs 8 tons and has a capacity of 10 m3 , for example, the cost will be 10 UP. If, on the other hand, the cargo weighs 9 tons and has a volume of 4 m3, the cost is 9 UP.

The cost of a full container will be defined by the "ship's package", which will be influenced by the type of ship used as well as the delivery companies.

Supplements to the tariffs

Surcharges that are added to the carrier's standard prices are called rate surcharges. These charges vary depending on the circumstances.

• BAF is an acronym for Bunker Adjustment Factor.

The Bunker Adjustment Factor is a surcharge applied to the base transportation cost. This surcharge has been in place since 1973, during the first oil crisis, and fluctuates with oil prices.

• CAF is an acronym for Currency Adjustment Factor.

The Currency Adjustment Factor (CAF) is a rate that is set by the freight and BAF. This rate varies with the value of the dollar. To protect themselves from currency fluctuations, companies choose to price their products in US dollars.

• THC is the abbreviation for Terminal Handling Charge.

The Terminal Handling Charge covers all expenses related to processing at the port, including the unloading and loading of products. The amount will remain fixed and equal to the cost of the container in the case of a vessel. The cost will be modified in case of consolidation, and the amount will be determined by the number of tons or m3.

• Congestion in the port

Companies collect a tax to compensate for the loss of revenue when one of their ships cannot unload its cargo due to congestion in the port. In this situation, the vessel may have to wait several days to arrive and unload.

• Demurrage

Demurrage is a charge levied by the charterer on the shipowner if the shipowner fails to meet the original loading or unloading deadline. This charge is imposed whenever the charterer exceeds the deadline, whether through his own fault or as a result of a strike or traffic jam. In shipping industry jargon, “demurrage” refers to the cost of hiring vessels for transportation while they are still in port.

What are the advantages of air freight?

• Departure and arrival times are fairly consistent

Airplane departure and arrival times are fairly accurate since airlines schedule their routes months in advance. Since flights are generally scheduled every hour, there is no significant delay in transfer if a package "misses" its trip.

• The fastest mode of transportation

The airplane is without a doubt the most efficient means of transportation in terms of speed. In today's commercial world, on-time delivery of your goods is crucial.

• By paying a small insurance premium, you could save a lot of money

The cost of air freight insurance is quite low. This is due to the fact that this means of transportation is only available for a limited time. Air freight, despite its high cost, saves money on insurance.

• Your goods can be delivered to almost any location

Your goods can be delivered to almost any destination on the planet. Most aircraft can serve almost the entire world with their extensive route network.

• Storage and warehousing constraints are eased

Air freight is more convenient in terms of storage. Since deliveries can be made in smaller quantities and more often, there is no need for a large warehouse. Goods also undergo fewer customs checks, tests and processing steps, and can be shipped within hours.

• Extremely secure, with little risk of theft or physical damage

Entry into terminals is strictly regulated, which greatly reduces the risk of loss or damage to products. As a result, air freight is extremely secure.

• Tracking

Courier companies often monitor air freight with a simple app, you can track your delivery from start to finish.

• Packaging is less necessary

Air freight requires less packaging in terms of volume. You'll save time and money since you won't have to pay for extra packaging like you would with ocean delivery.

It is essential to keep in mind that air freight is only a small part of the overall import and export process. The global transfer of goods, especially by air, requires not only legal procedures, but also the calculation of airport and transportation costs from point A to point B. You can count on our DocShipper pros to help you with all these tasks!

How to calculate the volumetric weight of your shipment?

The rule of correspondence in case of air freight express is the following: 1 ton for 5 m3, i.e. a weight/volume ratio of 1 for 5. For example, 1 m3 is equivalent to 200 kilograms (1:5).
The general rule for conventional air freight is 1 ton per 6 m3, i.e., a weight/volume ratio of 1:6, with gross weight charges for ratios less than or equal to 1:6. In this example, the actual volume is divided by 6 to obtain a volumetric weight that can be used as a reference for pricing. For example, 1 m3 is equivalent to 167 kg (1:6).

Documents required

Packing list

The packing list is a document created by carriers for various supply chain partners. This official document, which is required for all sea and air shipments, lists all product and packaging details for each shipment.

Bill of Lading

The Bill of Lading is a shipping document that certifies that the exporter has shipped the items listed on the document. This formal agreement defines the terms and conditions of the contracts between the carrier and the shipping company in charge of the goods. For example, the price of the items is disclosed, as well as the names of the many locations to which the products are shipped.

The bill of lading is a legally binding document that must be followed exactly as written. It also includes all the information necessary to properly manage and report the cargo.
The air cargo variant of this document is called an Air Waybill (AWB).

Certificate of Origin

The certificate of origin guarantees the origin of the items being transported. This document, necessary in international trade, specifies the country of manufacture, which should not be confused with the country of origin of the goods. It is therefore the nation in which the articles were created that is specified in this official document. This document is necessary to benefit from reduced customs taxes on certain types of goods.

Original Invoice

You must receive an official invoice to clear your goods through customs in Vietnam and France. It is essential to verify that the invoice number and the packing list number are identical.

Prohibited or Restricted Products

Licenses and/or permits are required for certain goods and/or objects, as well as specific and severe import restrictions. Some items are even prohibited from entering France or Europe. To check if your product is legal on the national or continental territory, consult the list below: